By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com At 20 years old Taylor Wilson became the youngest person to work for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), an oversight agency for U.S. intelligence organizations. The Woodlawn, Md. native was hired in 2019 while working as a security information specialist for the National Security […]
Author Archives: Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer
Megan Sayles is a business reporter for The Baltimore Afro-American paper. Before this, Sayles interned with Baltimore Magazine, where she wrote feature stories about the city’s residents, nonprofits and initiatives. Her love of music inspired her to be a writer. At a young age she realized it was not the melody that she was so infatuated with, but the lyrics that made up the song and connected with listeners. Sayles grew up in Pasadena, Maryland, and is a 2021 graduate of the University of Maryland, where for her senior capstone project she reported on how the coronavirus and inequality intersected in Baltimore. She also worked as a staff writer and copy editor for campus publications, including Stories Beneath the Shell and The Black Explosion. Sayles teamed up with a partner to report on how the pandemic had put many more responsibilities on the oldest child in families. The Associated Press and other news organizations picked up her story.
Posted inBUSINESS
Associated Black Charities announces new CEO and president
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com Chrissy M. Thornton is the new CEO and president of Associated Black Charities (ABC), a Baltimore nonprofit organization that works to remove racial barriers in public policy and the workforce for Maryland’s African-American families. Thornton was chosen for the position through a national search led by the organization […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. native designs Governor Moore’s look for inauguration and People’s Ball looks
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com On the day of Governor Wes Moore’s inauguration, the 44-year-old was sworn in wearing an athletic fit, navy blue suit. While celebrating and dancing the night away at The People’s Ball, the newly elected head of state donned a black velvet jacket with black tuxedo pants. Washington, D.C. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
First Black woman to lead United Way Worldwide visits Baltimore, explores local impact in Brooklyn and Curtis Bay neighborhoods
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com Angela F. Williams, the first Black woman to head United Way Worldwide, visited South Baltimore on Feb. 7 to see the impact created by United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) in the Brooklyn and Curtis Bay neighborhoods. It was Williams’ first visit here since taking office in October […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Local designers curate looks for Maryland’s new first family
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com On Jan. 18, Wes Moore was inaugurated as the first Black governor of Maryland in the state’s capital. His wife, Dawn Moore, stood by his side wearing a cream cape-style coat over a cream colored dress. Baltimore native Jody Davis had the honor of dressing Maryland’s new first […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Century-old trolley depot to house Metro’s all electric bus fleet once again
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com On Jan. 25 the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority broke ground on a project to turn the District’s Northern Bus Garage back into what it started out as a century ago–a home for the city’s electric public transportation vehicles. Metro is spending close to $500 million to build […]
Posted inNational News
ASALH celebrates Black resistance with Black History Month Festival, month long calendar of special events
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) returned this February with its Black History Month Festival. This year’s theme is “Black Resistance,” and the organization has a month-long line up of events celebrating Black changemakers, civil rights leaders, the African diaspora, Black press […]
Posted inBUSINESS
V-Tech Solutions works to inform District residents on how to maximize Medicaid benefits
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com D.C.-based V-Tech Solutions is working with all of the District’s managed care organizations (MCO) to help residents understand how to use their Medicaid benefits. The veteran-owned information technology and professional services company is especially focused on educating young residents from birth through the age of 21 to ensure […]
Posted inBUSINESS
TD Charitable Foundation opens applications for annual ‘Housing for Everyone’ grant competition
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com Applications for the TD Charitable Foundation Housing for Everyone grant competition close on Feb. 14. This year’s theme for the program is the preservation of affordable rental housing, with a focus on supporting nonprofit organizations that provide rental assistance, renovate affordable housing projects and address long-term resident sustainability. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland officials thwart woman and Florida man conspiring to destroy energy substations in Baltimore area
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com The FBI has charged Catonsville, Md. native Sarah Beth Clendaniel and an Orlando, Fla. man, Brandon Clint Russell, with conspiracy to destroy energy facilities in the Baltimore area. U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek Barron and FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas Sobocinski announced the filing […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
2023 BEYA STEM Conference coming to National Harbor Feb. 9-11
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com The 2023 Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) STEM Conference will return to the National Harbor at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on Feb. 9 through Feb. 11. The annual conference, known by the tagline “Becoming Everything You Are,” honors leaders in science, technology, engineering […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore couple opens Beauty Plus in new Northwood Commons shopping center
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com Baltimore-bred spouses Megan and Quintin Lathan will hold the grand opening of their second Beauty Plus location on Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. in the newly redeveloped Northwood Commons shopping center. The pair, both products of Baltimore City public schools and local historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), […]