Branch manager Jua Williams, alongside JPMorgan Chase’s CEO and Chairman Jamie Dimon and Mayor Bowser, cut the ribbon to mark the grand opening of the Skyland Town Center community branch. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com JPMorgan Chase, joined by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, on September 28, […]
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 in!Front Page
A Kid Again provides free adventures to youth with life-threatening illnesses
After spending over 20 years in the insurance industry, Oyauma Garrison left the corporate sector to enter the nonprofit world with A Kid Again as CEO and president. The organization presents free adventures to families with children who are battling life-threatening illnesses. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member […]
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‘Maryland Black Businesses Matter’ promotes political power and economic justice for Black companies
Gregory Holmes started Maryland Black Businesses Matter in 2020 to formulate a Black business agenda within the state. The organization works to promote political power and economic justice for Black businesses. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com After the murder of George Floyd, Gregory Holmes realized that […]
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Q&A with Ian Brock, 17-year-old founder of Dream Hustle Code
Ian Brock, co-founder of Dream Hustle Code, started his organization to provide engaging computer science and technology education to Black and Brown youth. Its programming has grown to include virtual tech field trips, after-school coding leagues and tours to Silicon Valley. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com […]
Posted inLIFE & STYLE
Baltimore Brothers band together to create Los Hermanos 1978, a Black-owned tequila brand
Brothers William and Donta Henson started the process of creating their own tequila after the pandemic granted them more free time. After a year of working with a Mexican distillery, the pair launched Los Hermanos 1978 in September. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com For many, the […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Black-owned Baltimore cookie shop renders signature butter crunch taste
Kelly Simmons, Baltimore native, garnered her love for baking from her grandmother. She opened her own cookie shop after students in her class praised the taste of her culinary creations. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com It was Kelly Simmons’ grandmother who inspired her affinity for baking. […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Black Cannabis Week promotes opportunities for marginalized communities
Cherron Perry-Thomas founded Black Cannabis Week to educate marginalized communities about opportunities in the industry after COVID-19 forced in-person events to go virtual. This year, the week will be hybrid with both virtual and in-person events. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com In 2020, the global legal […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Department of Defense awards Morgan State University $7.5-million to create Center for Advanced Electro-Photonics with 2D Materials
The Department of Defense grant that was awarded to Morgan State University to establish the new center is the first of its kind. With the funding, Morgan students will be a part of groundbreaking research that will provide various technologies to the defense sector and clean energy solutions to protect the environment. (Photo Courtesy of […]
Posted inBUSINESS
TBG Trains administers workforce development training to marginalized and underserved communities
In 2010, Vivica Brooks turned her passion for training and education into a business. TBG Trains leads underserved communities in workforce development and training courses to help them enter in-demand career paths. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Upon graduating from Howard University, Vivica Brooks joined the […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Maryland businesses incentivize COVID-19 vaccination
Ledo Pizza is one of many Maryland businesses that began offering incentives for their customers to get vaccinated. The pizza chain gave away free 8-inch cheese pizzas to people who received at least one vaccine shot during the months of May and June. (Courtesy of LedoPizza.com By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America […]
Posted inNEWS
President Biden nominates four African Americans to key government positions
In this Sept. 7, 2021, file photo President Joe Biden talks with reporters after landing on Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Biden has proposed more than $3 trillion worth of revenue increases, primarily through higher taxes for corporations and the country’s richest households as well as greater IRS […]
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JPMorgan Chase becomes primary bank for Howard University
The group photo is from left to right: Kyle Williams, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking Managing Director; Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO; Dameel Edwards, Howard graduate; Yaadira Brown, Howard graduate; Peter Scher, JPMorgan Chase Vice Chairman; Wayne Frederick, Howard University president. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member […]