Author Archives: Shernay Williams

A group of independent Black journalists and community activists are demanding comment from freshly sworn-in State’s Attorney Gregg Bernstein about his dismissal of felony charges against a Jewish man accused of attacking a Black teenager in Northwest Baltimore last November. Last week, Bernstein’s office would not comment on the felony assault charge they dropped against […]

While Republicans strove to repeal federal health care reform this week, Baltimore City’s health groups and politicos promoted awareness of the bill at a Jan. 15 community health fair. About 30 city vendors provided on-site health coverage enrollment, free flu-shots and health screenings including diabetes, blood pressure and depression tests, while health experts in consumer […]

Baltimore finance officials say they project an $80 million city budget shortfall in 2012 and “virtually flat” revenues for the next three years. When Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake took the helm as Baltimore’s top official last February, one of her most daunting tasks was closing the $121 million budget gap. She and the City Council enforced […]

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley introduced the state’s final report for implementing federal health care reform at Baltimore’s Coppin State University Jan. 10, part of a series of public meetings on state issues. The report outlines 16 recommendations including the creation of an Office of Health Reform and legislation establishing the structure of Maryland’s health insurance […]

Tessa Hill-Aston, the fifth female president of the Baltimore City branch of the NAACP, was sworn in Jan. 13 at the New Fellowship Christian Community Church in Park Heights, Baltimore. Hill-Aston, 60, also serves as the city housing administrator and is the chapter’s first female leader since the legendary Enolia P. McMillian reigned more than […]

Despite controversy surrounding his nomination and City Hall’s vacancy filling process, the Baltimore City Council selected William “Pete” Welch to replace his mother as councilperson for the ninth district. The council voted 10-3 in his favor at a public meeting Jan. 11. Immediately following the vote, Welch took the oath of office, flanked by Council veteran […]

On a vacant parcel less than a mile from its campus, Coppin State University commenced the first phase of a revitalization project over 10 years in the making. The venture calls for streetscraping, infill development and an investment in human capital to revive the Coppin-Heights neighborhood. The school even created a non-profit—the Coppin-Heights Community Development […]

Legendary comedian, educator and activist Bill Cosby left his stamp on Baltimore politics when he visited the city for a performance Jan 11. The 73-year-old icon has been vocal over the years about the importance of education and a firm family structure, beliefs he reiterated during his recent visit to the city. “What happens in […]

Baltimore City residents elected a new candidate to the city’s Orphan’s Court in November, but under orders of the Maryland governor, she may not take office. While city voters selected Laudette Ramona Moore Baker for an uncontested slot on the three-judge bench, state voters in the same election approved a referendum barring non-lawyers, like Baker, […]