By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Membermsayles@afro.com The 2022 tax season is in full swing, and the IRS has already delivered more than four million refunds as of Feb. 4. Low- to moderate-income workers and families can qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which can be used to reduce […]
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
Wondry Cocktail Wines swaps out grapes for unique organic fruits to produce a more approachable and stronger wine
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Membermsayles@afro.com Dallas resident Whitney Gates’ prowess in winemaking was passed down to her. Her uncle was famous in his Nashville community for his barbecue and homemade wine. However, his recipe differed from the traditional wines at local liquor stores and restaurants. Instead of grapes, Whitney’s […]
Posted inBUSINESS
HipHopEd highlights the intersections between the arts and STEM for education stakeholders
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Membermsayles@afro.com As a young boy, New York native Christopher Emdin was always interested in how the universe works. He was an inquisitive child, and his mother would foster his curiosity. When he began school, Emdin quickly developed a passion for science, which endured into his […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Wombilee prevents unhealthy wombs with its non-toxic, chemical-free menstrual pads
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Membermsayles@afro.com AFRONews@Noon Sisters C.Nichole and Raffinae LaJuan are on a mission to prove to women that their menstrual cycle is a strength and not something to dread or be embarrassed about. Because it is a strength, the pair recently launched Wombilee to offer non-toxic, chemical-free […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Black and woman-owned Sunday Morning Coffee Company celebrates the culture of coffee
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Membermsayles@afro.com Savannah Mitchell has long been fascinated by coffee, but there was a time where she did not know she could have a profession in it. After studying hospitality management at Howard University, Mitchell held various jobs to support her family, but her desire to […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Black women assume key roles in Baltimore City government
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Recently, Mayor Brandon Scott selected two Black women to take charge of critical roles in city government. Chichi Nyagah-Nash, who previously served as the director of the Department of General Services (DGS), took over for Daniel Ramos as the new deputy city administrator. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Deadline for Black Women Build-Baltimore’s spring build closes Tuesday
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer,Report for America Corps Member, msayles@afro.com – Home ownership and wealth-building initiative Black Women Build-Baltimore is in the midst of organizing its spring 2022 build in Druid Heights, and the application deadline closes Tuesday. Women chosen for the program will garner the skills and knowledge required to maintain a home. […]
Posted in!Front Page
JPMorgan Chase awards $5 million to Baltimore City collaborative dedicated to economic opportunity for Black and Latina women
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business WriterReport for America Corps Membermsayles@afro.com JPMorgan Chase on Wednesday announced that it would give $5 million over the next three years to Baltimore City’s Prioritizing Our Women’s Economic Rise Collaborative (POWER), which will generate wealth-building opportunities for Black, Latina and Hispanic women residing in the 21223 zip code and surrounding […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
JPMorgan Chase declares $75 million commitment to close racial wealth divide in Greater Washington region
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business WriterReport for America Corps Member JPMorgan Chase on Tuesday announced a $75 million, five-year commitment of capital and low-cost loans to the Greater Washington area to help close the racial wealth gap. This investment will bring the firm’s total regional philanthropic commitment to over $125 million by 2025. In D.C., […]
Posted inBaltimore News
King C. Gillette gifts $50,000 to Baltimore nonprofit Sharp Dressed Man
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business WriterReport for America Corps Member “As a brand that encourages men to master their style to look and feel their best, King C. Gillette is thrilled to contribute to the growth of an organization like Sharp Dressed Man,” said Alexander Prounis, brand director of Gillette North America New Brands & […]
Posted inNEWS
Clea Event Productions educates and empowers Black people
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report For America Corps Member msayles@afro.com There are various attributes of Chantel Clea that make her an exemplary event producer. The Baltimore native is first born in her family, so she took initiative to monitor her siblings’ homework assignments, make sure they stayed out of trouble and help out […]
Posted inUncategorized
Founder of Speak Black Woman recognized as future maker by AT&T
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report For America Corps Member msayles@afro.com If Quinn Conyers was a superhero, her power would be her voice. She may only be five feet tall, but when the professional speaker and energetic emcee opens her mouth, she feels herself grow into a giant. Recently, Conyers employed her superpower to […]