By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO When Travis Hunter, the top high school recruit in the class of 2022, committed to the Jackson State Tigers last year, Deion Sanders knew the decision would shock the college football world. The decision would undoubtedly enhance the fortunes for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) football. Sanders, […]
Author Archives: Reginald Williams
Special to the AFRO
Posted inNational News
Candles, crosses, and prayers: Chesapeake, Va. community still reeling from mass shooting
By Reginald Williams. Special to the AFRO. Megan Sayles and Tashi McQueen, Report for America Corps Members Hundreds gathered in Chesapeake City Park on Nov. 28 to honor the six innocent lives taken in the mass shooting at a Virginia Walmart last week. The crowd was solemn as they remembered the victims, who were killed […]
Posted inNational Sports
Commanders attempt Sean Taylor ‘statue,’ fans sound off about ‘disrespectful’ memorial
By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO On the 15th anniversary of the tragic death of Sean Taylor the Commanders attempted to honor their twice-named Pro Bowl free safety with the unveiling of what they called a “statue.” Fans and Taylor supporters nationwide were immediately dismayed by Taylor’s rendering in the lobby of FedEx Field. […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Prince George’s County mourns the death of Sheriff Melvin High
By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO Melvin C. High, Prince George’s County Sheriff, died unexpectedly on Nov. 17. Sheriff High was 78 years old and he was due to retire. Feeling ill, the Union County, Miss. native died shortly after driving himself to the Washington Hospital Center. “We are extremely saddened to hear of […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Local officials join students and staff of City Schools for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” screening
By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO The youthful energy inside of Baltimore’s famed Senator Theatre was infectious. Applause, “ooohs,” “ahhhs” and occasional laughter rang out inside the the building. More than 300 students and staff from Baltimore City Public Schools and historically Black college institutions filled the historic theater for a private screening of […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore City anti-gun activist, Tyree Colion Moorehead, shot to death by police
By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO Tyree Colion Moorehead, known for his anti-gun violence activism, died in a hail of violent gunfire on Nov. 6 around 3:40 p.m. Moorehead was fatally shot, by some accounts, roughly 13 times by law enforcement officers. Responding to a 911 call, multiple members of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Homeless Memorial Blanket Project puts a spotlight on housing insecurity
By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that more than a half million persons who persistently experience homelessness in America. According to the Washington, D.C.-based organization, about 70 percent are single individuals. The remaining 100,000 are dominated by families with children. But in 2019, the U.S. Department of […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Community leaders highlight the urgent need to provide mental health support for Black men and boys
By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO “Who else’s son has to die before we see the urgency in the Black and Brown male agenda?” That was the question posed by Martina Van Norden, a mother of two Black sons and passionate educator to a generation of Black and Brown boys. Van Norden is a […]
Posted inMedia
Father and son team up for mental health podcast, ‘Black men vent too’
By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO rwilliams@afro.com Kelly Edwards stands about six-foot-one. He weighs north of 300 pounds and for many, Edward’s physical presence comes off as a little intimidating. Though in a workshop filled with behavioral health specialists, his voice didn’t align with his girth, or so, the facilitator thought. The facilitator said, […]
Posted inHealth
Tips for Black male self care -beating the odds of premature death in America
By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO A.Z. Matthews learned that he had stage 3 cancer. Then he committed suicide. He was 29. Shawn Byers was enjoying an evening at his girlfriend’s house. Following dinner, Shawn fell ill. He asked his girlfriend to call 9-1-1. Shortly after EMS arrived, Byers died. He was 54. Ricky […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Mother’s Day: women talk the nuances of motherhood on a day of celebration for some and grief for others
By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO The joy that many mothers feel serving as a vessel for life is unexplainable. Many mothers conclude that motherhood is a central experience in their lives. However, with all its joys, maternity is saturated with its fair share of challenges, often leaving moms to feel depleted. “Being a […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Through it all ‘Still Standing’
For “better or worse,” “in sickness and in health,” and “for richer or poorer” have served as the bedrock for wedding vows for centuries. However during the past 30 years “for worse,” “in sickness” and “for poorer” are the vows all too often forsaken by many couples struggling in their marriage. Divorce serves as the […]