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. […]
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
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 […]
Posted in!Front Page
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 […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Comptroller implores Marylanders to apply for student loan tax credit
Comptroller Peter Franchot finds it regrettable that the cost of higher education prevents people from attending college and hopes that the student debt relief program can make college more affordable for eligible Marylanders. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com The deadline for Maryland’s student loan debt relief […]
Posted inBaltimore Community
Artspace hosts premiere event for the redevelopment of the Ambassador Theater
Artspace purchased the Ambassador Theater back in 2019, and now the nonprofit is ready to invite the Baltimore community to learn more about the redevelopment of the historic theater into an arts and cultural community center. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Artspace on Monday will welcome […]
Posted inNEWS
Black-owned giving app hailed as one of the fastest growing companies
Wale Mafolasire founded Givelify to make it easier for people to donate to charitable organizations and places of worship. The app boasts over 70,000 organizations, which have raised over $3 billion. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member Msayles@afro.com In 2013, Wale Mafolasire launched Givelify, a Black-owned online giving […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Local beekeeper supplies raw honey to Baltimore community
Nikkia Rowe began her beekeeping journey in 2019 with the founding of the John Newman Honeybee Company. She now sells locally-raised, raw honey to Baltimore residents. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Everyone has a bee story. Most of the accounts involve buzzing and unpleasant stings, and […]
Posted inBUSINESS
One School provides free virtual portfolio programming for Black creatives
Associate Creative Director at Spotify Dominique Wynne serves as the school head at One School Atlanta. Her hope is that she can expose Black creatives to what’s available to them in the advertising industry. By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Although the advertising industry has begun to introduce more […]
