Willia Bland, a trailblazer in the field of public health and the founder of the Flair Modeling Studio, which helped develop the self-esteem of young women of color for generations, died Feb. 18 at age 92. Willia Bland, founder of the Flair Studio of Modeling and Dance, was a pioneer of fashion and beauty in […]
Author Archives: Sean Yoes
AFRO Baltimore Editor
Posted inBaltimore News
The Short, Yet Remarkable, Odyssey of Baltimore Ceasefire
On Feb. 26, the Baltimore Ceasefire 365 movement was honored during the inaugural Black History Month Community Leaders Awards ceremony, presented by the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism. And on that day I was proud to be an honorary member of Baltimore Ceasefire 365. So, here is the backstory on how I got to […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Mayor Pugh Adds 20 to Her Office
Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh is growing her office with 20 new positions, to improve and expand city services to various communities Pugh says. “I need people to understand how our city operates,” Pugh said during a press conference March 1. “Our city is 24 hours. So, that means you need people out there 24 hours, […]
Posted inBaltimore News, National News
Will Pugh’s Crime Plan Work?
The first thing Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh said on the record when she sat down for a one on one interview with the AFRO this week was, “You know that crime is trending downward.” The statement seemed antithetical last week when Baltimore was named, “The Nation’s Most Dangerous City,” by USA Today. But, that was […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Facing Charges, Oaks Stripped of Committee Appointments
Embattled Baltimore Sen. Nathaniel Oaks (D-41) has been removed from the Senate Finance Committee by Senate President Mike Miller (D-27) after a recommendation by the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics. Sen. Nathaniel Oaks has been removed from the influential Senate Finace Committee, as he awaits his federal trial for bribery in April. (Courtesy photo) According […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Valerie Ervin Latest Black Woman to Join Lt. Gov. Race
Gubernatorial candidate and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz selected Valerie Ervin, a former Montgomery County Council president, to be his running mate for lieutenant governor. Kamenetz made the announcement on his campaign web site. Valerie Ervin, former president of the Montgomery County Council to be the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Kevin Kamenetz. (Courtesy photo) Ervin […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
De Sousa Confirmation Moves Forward
Baltimore Police Commissioner Designate Darryl De Sousa took one step closer to officially taking perhaps the most challenging job in American law enforcement; commissioner of the beleaguered Baltimore Police Department (BPD). Baltimore Police Commissioner Designate, Darryl De Sousa was unanimously confirmed by the Baltimore City Council’s Executive Appointments Committee last night. A final vote before […]
Posted inBaltimore News
The Most Dangerous City in America
I’ve lived in three of the most dangerous cities in the world: Los Angeles, Detroit and Baltimore. But, it is Baltimore, where I was born and raised and where I currently reside, which tragically endures at the top of the murder list. This week USA Today, citing crime statistics from police departments around the nation […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Baltimore’s Pastor Brown Talks Being Trolled by Russian Operatives
Pastor Heber Brown, III of the Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in Northeast Baltimore, an activist leader in the community, recently revealed a Facebook confrontation in the midst of the uprising of 2015, was more than a simple beef with an internet troll. Pastor Heber Brown (right) was allegedly a target for Russian trolls during the […]
Posted inAfro Briefs, Baltimore News, National News
Baltimore `Nation’s Most Dangerous City’
USA Today tagged Baltimore with a dubious distinction many of the city’s residents probably believe has been valid for several years; the “nation’s most dangerous city.” “Baltimore is the big city with the highest per capita murder rate in the nation, with nearly 56 murders per 100,000 people. At 343 murders in 2017, the city […]
Posted inAfro Briefs, Baltimore News
Madaleno Taps Former O’Malley Operative as Running Mate
Sen. Richard Madaleno Jr., described by some as one of the more progressive politicians in the state, selected Luwanda Jenkins, a former aide to former Gov. Martin O’Malley, as his running mate. The news was first reported by the Baltimore Sun. Luwanda Jenkins, a former aide to former Gov. Martin O’Malley, was selected by Sen. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Family of Korryn Gaines Awarded More than $37 Million in Wrongful Death Suit
The family of Korryn Gaines, a 23-year old mother of two who was shot to death by Baltimore County police on Aug. 1, 2016, was awarded more than $37 million in damages Feb. 16 in a wrongful death lawsuit against the county. The family of Korryn Gaines, seen here with her son Kodi, was awarded […]