The Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community will open its doors for Bowie State University students this semester. The new facility will house the university’s Entrepreneurship Academy and the Bowie Business Innovation Center. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Bowie State University student entrepreneurs now have a new home […]
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.
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Baltimore City Schools aim to provide equitable access to STEM across all grade levels
From a young age, Baltimore City Public Schools intentionally immerses students into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses and enrichment programs. (Courtesy of Baltimore City Public Schools) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs […]
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Facebook launches its first ever #BuyBlack Summit
After the murder of George Floyd, Rachael Hawk, marketing manager at Facebook, decided she wanted to do more for Black businesses in her work at the social network. The #BuyBlack Summit became a passion project for her. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com August is recognized as […]
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Rodney Burris offers ‘leadership mindset development’ training to help companies leverage their business
Rodney C. Burris is in the business of inspiring. He uses leadership mindset development training to persuade businesses that they already have what it takes to enhance their productivity and conquer challenges. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Although Rodney C. Burris’ portfolio includes distinct clients like […]
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Morgan State University coding camp brings STEM opportunities to young girls
Morgan State University’s coding camp for girls focused on teaching the campers the Python programming language, and each week they focused on a different aspect of the code. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member Msayles@afro.com Since 1970, the number of women working in STEM fields has increased from […]
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Maryland Comptroller calls for shoppers to buy local during tax-free week
Because the pandemic decimated small businesses across the country, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot hopes this year’s tax-free week will boost recovery for surviving businesses. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Maryland’s annual tax-free week is upon us, and this year it’s more important now than ever […]
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Noisy Burger provides opportunity to City school students
Under their company Noisy Tenants, Nicholas Mitchel and Christopher Landrum volunteered with Mervo high school students to launch a pop-up restaurant, Noisy Burger, in R. House. Now, the duo have a permanent stall in the food hall. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Nicholas Mitchel and Christopher […]
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Unparalleled Hayti app aggregates news content from Black publishers
The COVID-19 pandemic and seeing the demise of many Black news professionals inspired Cary Wheelous to launch Hayti, a mobile app that supplies users with access to content from over 200 Black publishers. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com When Cary Wheelous heard that the Carolina Times […]
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CLLCTIVLY to host Baltimore Black Business Quest in preparation for its annual day of giving
Jamye Wooten, founder of CLLCTIVLY, started his organization to address the gaps in funding for Black-led social change organizations in the Greater Baltimore area. The Baltimore Black Business Quest reinforces this mission by drawing greater support for Black businesses, organizations and landmarks in the city. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for […]
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First-of-its-kind study reveals inequities for the Black community in the wine industry
Monique Bell and Angela McCrae worked together to create the Sip Consciously directory to bring greater visibility to Black wine professionals who have historically been excluded from the $70 billion wine industry. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Monique Bell, marketing professor at Fresno State, never had […]
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Pompeian adopts trash wheels in collaboration with Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore
Mr. Trash Wheels and Professor Trash Wheels are famous names in the Baltimore community, and the autonomous trash interceptors help to keep the Inner Harbor free of trash and debris. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member Msayles@afro.com Of all of the Baltimore City household names, Mr. Trash Wheels […]
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Robert Thomas made his mark, now makes his exit from Baltimore City markets
Robert Thomas, former executive director of Baltimore City Public Markets Corp., hopes the markets can continue to grow and improve to achieve a broader reach and higher visibility and effectiveness. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com After 24 years of serving Baltimore City’s public markets, Robert Thomas […]