After serving more than 3,000 Baltimore families, Bmore Empowered is closing its doors, citing ongoing funding challenges. The nonprofit’s founders say the decision was painful but necessary as capital for Black women-led organizations becomes increasingly scarce.
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 inMaryland News
Free tax preparation returns through CASH Campaign of Maryland
The CASH Campaign of Maryland has launched its free tax preparation services for the 2026 tax season, helping households earning under $69,000 claim valuable tax credits and refunds. Last year, the program assisted more than 308,000 Maryland households in securing nearly $455 million in tax refunds and credits.
Posted inBaltimore News
Inside the Earl Teen Center: Where Baltimore teens learn, build and belong
The Earl Teen Center at the Enoch Pratt Free Library offers Baltimore youth a safe, supportive place to explore their interests after school. Through hands-on STEAM programming and dedicated staff support, the center helps young people build skills, confidence and a sense of belonging.
Posted inBaltimore Events
BEYA STEM Conference to mark 40th anniversary with focus on AI, cybersecurity and quantum computing
The Becoming Everything You Are (BEYA) STEM Conference returns to Baltimore Feb. 12–14 to mark its 40th anniversary, bringing together students, professionals and industry leaders for networking, training and career opportunities. As workforce needs shift, organizers say this year’s conference will focus on artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cybersecurity.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Potomac Interceptor collapse leads to raw sewage spill
A 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor collapsed Jan. 19, sending millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River and C&O Canal. DC Water has activated a temporary bypass system to reroute wastewater while repair work begins and is urging the public to avoid affected areas.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
UDC launches School of Education and Learning Sciences
The University of the District of Columbia is reinvigorating its founding mission of training educators with the launch of the School of Education and Learning Sciences (SELS). The new school will offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees and aims to strengthen the District’s teacher pipeline while preparing a diverse generation of educators for every classroom.
Posted inBUSINESS
One year later, Target still reeling from boycotts
Nearly a year after Pastor Jamal Bryant’s Lenten fast against Target evolved into a nationwide boycott, the retailer is still feeling the financial fallout. Experts say the losses reflect years of weakening performance and a deeper erosion of consumer trust following Target’s rollback of its equity, diversity and inclusion commitments.
Posted inPrince George's County News
After major cuts, Prince George’s County Public Schools seeks county support to stabilize budget
After cutting nearly $150 million from its budget, Prince George’s County Public Schools is requesting an additional $50 million from the county to address a structural deficit and protect classroom instruction. The funding would support special education, stabilize reading and math programs, and help the district manage rising costs from teacher vacancies and negotiated contracts.
Posted inNational News
Deaths of Keith Porter Jr. and Renee Good spark nationwide protests
Protesters across the country took part in the “Free America Walkout” on Jan. 20 to condemn the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstrations follow the deaths of Keith Porter Jr. and Renee Good, who were both shot and killed by ICE agents.
Posted inMaryland News
Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission issues final report with 84 recommendations
By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission (MLTRC) has released its final report, outlining 84 recommendations for the state to reckon with its enduring legacy of racial terror lynchings and marking the culmination of six years of research and public hearings. The commission hosted a virtual briefing on the report—released […]
Posted inBlack Press
From the AFRO Archives: A look at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Black Press
The Black Press stood shoulder to shoulder with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the frontlines of the Civil Rights Movement, serving as both a chronicler and catalyst for change. From exposing racial terror to amplifying boycotts and voter education, Black newspapers helped shape the movement from within.
Posted inBaltimore News
What would Dr. King say? Three activists weigh in
As Black Americans face rollbacks of DEI initiatives, attacks on voting rights, economic inequality and efforts to erase history, three activists reflect on what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. might say today. They see his message as a call to organize, resist and use every available tool—votes, voices and collective power—to confront systemic injustice.
