By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott released his preliminary budget for fiscal year 2027 on April 1. The $4.98 billion spending plan seeks to fill a $12 million structural deficit and includes $1.06 billion in capital spending— up nearly 14 percent from last year. The proposal prioritizes investments in youth programing, […]
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 inBaltimore News
Edmondson Village Shopping Center celebrates redevelopment milestones
The Edmondson Village Shopping Center is moving toward revitalization, with new construction, infrastructure improvements and leasing activity underway. The project, backed by TREND, local residents and state and city funding, marks a historic milestone after decades of neglect and discriminatory ownership restrictions.
Posted inHBCU
Coppin State Women’s History Month forum explores leadership, student loans and AI
Coppin State University celebrated Women’s History Month with a forum focused on leadership, resilience and shaping a sustainable future. Speakers highlighted the importance of documenting personal stories, making strategic financial choices and using technology like AI responsibly, while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human judgment and impact.
Posted inNational News
Pipe bomb case tests limits of president’s Jan. 6 mass pardon
A Virginia man charged with planting pipe bombs near the RNC and DNC headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021 is asking a judge to dismiss his case, arguing he should be covered by the 47th president’s mass pardon of Jan. 6 insurrectionists. His attorneys point to precedent from the commuted sentence of Oath Keepers member Kenneth Harrelson and argue that preparatory acts tied to Jan. 6 fall within the scope of clemency.
Posted inMaryland News
Two years later: Maryland rebuilds after Key Bridge collapse
Two years after a container ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, sending a massive section into the Patapsco River and claiming six lives, Maryland’s rebuild is moving faster than any project of its size in the U.S. Demolition is complete, foundation piles are being installed, and officials say the new bridge—set to reopen in late 2030—will be the state’s first cable-stayed span over 2 miles long with 230 feet of clearance for modern shipping.
Posted inBaltimore News
Two years after Key Bridge collapse, cargo shipments rebound
The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore handled nearly 50 million tons of cargo in 2025, marking its second-highest year on record and generating $65.6 billion in economic value. As cargo volumes rebound, officials say they are taking steps to reduce environmental impacts and prevent nearby communities, including Turner Station, from being overwhelmed by truck traffic.
Posted inBaltimore News
Northeast SARE Partnership Grant seeks proposals for innovative farming projects
The Northeast SARE Partnership Grant program is offering up to $30,000 for researchers, educators and agricultural service providers to test innovative farming practices in collaboration with local farmers. Past projects, like one in Baltimore that turned food and farm waste into nutrient-rich compost, have improved urban food production while engaging youth and reducing pollution.
Posted inMaryland News
Montgomery County Council faces pressure over clean energy mandate for proposed data center
Environmental leaders are calling on Montgomery County to ensure the proposed Dickerson data center runs on 100 percent clean energy, citing risks to public health and the county’s climate goals. Without a clean energy commitment, the facility could emit the equivalent of 200,000 cars’ worth of carbon dioxide each year.
Posted inD.C. Community
D.C. Courts authorize community justice workers to assist residents in civil cases
D.C. residents struggling to afford legal representation will soon be able to turn to community justice workers for assistance in civil cases, thanks to a Feb. 5 order from the D.C. Courts. The program aims to help individuals navigate court processes, provide legal guidance, and offer partial in-court support, particularly in eviction, debt, and other civil matters.
Posted inBUSINESS
Mentorship and strategy help Black women navigate workplace barriers and build leadership paths
Black women face unique challenges in the workplace, from slower promotion rates to higher burnout, often navigating environments where their contributions are overlooked. Through mentorship, career strategies and confidence-building, leaders like Sherry Sims and her clients are finding ways to claim leadership and thrive.
Posted inTechnology
Black engineers’ annual convention highlights Baltimore as hub for Black STEM professionals
For the first time, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is holding its annual convention in Baltimore, bringing together thousands of engineers, technologists and students to explore career opportunities, professional development and networking. Panelists highlighted Baltimore’s growing role as a technology hub, emphasizing both the opportunities and challenges of AI and the city’s commitment to supporting diverse engineers.
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Expressions’ fundraiser celebrates BSA talent, raises half a million for arts education
The Baltimore School for the Arts raised about $740,000 in gross revenue, ultimately netting $500,000, during its annual “Expressions” fundraiser. The weekend showcase highlighted the creativity and talent of the city’s young artists.
