By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com Since the NCAA lifted its ban on name, image and likeness (NIL) deals in 2021, the industry has grown to be worth nearly $1.67 billion, according to a report from Opendorse, a leading NIL marketplace and technology company. But, it’s far from a fair playing field. Division I men’s basketball […]
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 inBaltimore News
Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s annual meeting showcases vision for downtown growth and connectivity
The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore hosted its annual meeting on Nov. 5, highlighting the city’s progress and future plans under the Downtown RISE initiative. Leaders discussed ongoing efforts to attract investment, connect neighborhoods and make downtown more vibrant and accessible for residents and visitors.
Posted inBaltimore News
West Baltimore students compete in spelling bee at Herbert Street Park
West Baltimore students from Robert W. Coleman Elementary School showcased their skills at a spelling bee held Oct. 10 at Herbert Street Community Park. The family-friendly event, hosted by the West North Avenue Development Authority and Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council, also featured an outdoor movie screening and food from Black-owned Concierge Catering.
Posted inTechnology
TEDCO’s last Entrepreneur Expo highlights Maryland’s innovation and thriving startup ecosystem
The 2025 TEDCO Entrepreneur Expo brought together business owners, investors and industry leaders to explore opportunities for innovation and growth. Speakers, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and University of Maryland President Darryll Pines, highlighted the state’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage and fostering a thriving startup ecosystem.
Posted inHealth
Facing the odds: Women share their journeys with triple-negative, triple-positive breast cancers
Triple-negative and triple-positive breast cancers present unique challenges, with treatment often taking a physical and emotional toll. Women like Tara Doaty, Giovanna Hughes, Marcia Ferrell and Deriece Harrington share their journeys, highlighting the importance of early detection, resilience and support.
Posted inHealth
Medicaid cuts in Republicans’ spending bill threaten rural hospitals, disaster preparedness
The 47th president’s spending bill is preparing to slash Medicaid, putting millions of Americans at risk of losing health insurance and threatening the survival of rural hospitals that rely on Medicaid reimbursements. Experts warn that the cuts, combined with reductions to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding, could leave rural communities less equipped to handle both everyday emergencies and natural disasters.
Posted inBUSINESS
Black Founders Table turns intention into infrastructure for entrepreneurs
Black Founders Table (BFT) is carving out an ecosystem where Black entrepreneurs can scale their companies with strategy, mentorship and policy influence. Rather than offering surface-level support, BFT equips founders with practical tools to commercialize ideas, secure contracts and gain long-term influence.
Posted inBUSINESS
Marylanders weigh in on their favorite local gems
Maryland ranks second in the U.S. for its share of Black-owned businesses, with 10 percent of companies owned by African Americans, according to a 2025 Pew Research Center report. To celebrate this entrepreneurial spirit, the AFRO spoke with residents about their favorite Black-owned businesses, highlighting local gems from bookstores to restaurants.
Posted inBaltimore News
Coppin State University names Health and Human Services Building after Henrietta Lacks
Coppin State University’s Health and Human Services Building now bears the name of Henrietta Lacks, honoring the Baltimore woman whose cells became the first immortal human cell line. The building, CSU’s largest academic facility, houses nursing, social work, criminal justice, and other programs, and was unveiled during a ceremony featuring CSU President Anthony L. Jenkins and civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump.
Posted inBlack History
Beyond the myths: Exploring Hoodoo with Mama Koko
Hoodoo is often misunderstood as dark magic, but it is actually a spiritual tradition rooted in African practices, developed by enslaved people to maintain connection, healing and empowerment. Dr. Kokahvah “Mama Koko” Zaditu-Selassie explains how Hoodoo continues to guide Black spirituality and everyday life, alongside organized religions like Christianity.
Posted in!Front Page
City of Gods: Where Baltimore fashion meets community
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com Credit: All photos by Devin Allen Back in 2009, a group of local players in Baltimore’s fashion scene came together to open City of Gods, an urban apparel store in West Baltimore’s Hollins Market neighborhood. What began as a collaboration between multiple independent clothing brands quickly became a […]
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO exclusive: LTYC founder responds to teacher lawsuit, cites delayed payments and funding challenges
Dermell Brunson, founder of Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center, is speaking publicly for the first time since former Baltimore City teachers sued his nonprofit and the school district over unpaid wages. Brunson said delayed payments from City Schools and other partners—compounded by outdated systems, tighter banking requirements for Black-led nonprofits, and post-COVID funding challenges—have created financial strain, though he stressed LTYC has acted in good faith.