By Miranda Jones On Nov. 3, 2025, Nathaniel Williams was sitting in his car in Greensboro, N.C., when the air changed. The clock had just struck 11 p.m.—the dead of night—when a private moment was shattered, transforming into a viral nightmare of physical and a high-stress arrest. According to Greensboro Police, Williams had marijuana in […]
Author Archives: Special to the AFRO
Posted inOPINION
The Black power struggle is not over—It has evolved
By Michael Eugene Johnson There is a dangerous myth circulating in some corners of public discourse: that the Black Power struggle ended decades ago. That it peaked in the 1960s and early 1970s with fiery rhetoric, militant activism and iconic leaders and then quietly disappeared into history as equality was “achieved.” This notion is convenient […]
Posted inOPINION
It’s time to reframe the narrative on Opportunity Zones
By Vernoy July With the extension of the Opportunity Zone (OZ) tax benefit as part of the 2025 Reconciliation Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), now is the time to strategize to maximize the flow of transformational funds to the communities that stand to benefit the most—but first, the narrative […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Black Americans face higher risk for colon cancer. Here’s why screening matters.
JaDonna Harris, a colorectal cancer survivor from Washington, D.C., shares her personal story to raise awareness about the rising risk of colorectal cancer—especially among Black Americans—and stresses the importance of early screening. Diagnosed shortly after turning 40, Harris highlights how symptoms can be overlooked and urges people not to delay testing, noting that new, more accessible screening options can help save lives.
Posted inOPINION
Baltimore’s tax sale: Who it impacts and how you can protect your home
By Steven Kappen Right now, almost nothing is getting cheaper – especially property taxes. Many Baltimore residents have been feeling the pressure of the city’s property tax rate for years. Recently, the mayor emphasized that the city is working to reduce the overall tax burden on residents. That announcement came as part of a broader […]
Posted inOPINION
Baltimore’s cultural moment is here
By Mark Anthony Thomas For decades, Baltimore’s story was often told through geography. Close to Washington, D.C.Close to Philadelphia.Close to New York City. That proximity has always mattered. The Baltimore Region sits in the center of one of the most powerful economic corridors in the world. But something else is becoming increasingly clear. Baltimore is […]
Posted inCommentary
IEPs made simple: How parents can advocate for their children
By Payton Aldridge Navigating the special education system can be overwhelming for many families. There’s a lot of unfamiliar terminology, meetings filled with professionals and decisions that directly affect your child’s education. It can sometimes feel like everyone else in the room understands what’s happening – except you. But it’s important to remember that you […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Najee Seabrooks: Still teaching young people how to live three years later!
By Zayid Muhammad They were not only wearing their famous orange and black gear on this day. Some had on that gear especially made to honor their fallen friend and colleague, that red and black gear, his smiling face on the front, and a quote of his on the back that bespoke his vibrant personality […]
Posted inCommentary
Reflecting on history, power and the future of the U.S. democracy
As leaders and communities across the United States prepare to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Americans from coast to coast are questioning the fabric of a nation that appears to be torn at the seams over race and capitalism.
Posted inOPINION
The silent crisis in our community — why amyloidosis awareness matters now
Each year in March amyloidosis is recognized with an awareness month. Jonathan L. Dotson serves as executive director of Friendship That Gives, a health advocacy organization. This week, he urges the Black community to learn more about the condition, which is caused by abnormal protein deposits that damage vital organs.
Posted inOpinion
Measuring progress: Johns Hopkins, Black Baltimore and this moment
By Steven K. Ragsdale We have to say it aloud. Five Black surgeons now lead the trauma service at Johns Hopkins Hospital: Dr. Zachary Obinna Enumah, M.D., Ph.D., M.A., ninth-year resident and critical care fellowDr. Lawrence B. Brown, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., a seventh-year residentDr. Ivy Mannoh, M.D., third-year residentDr. Ifeoluwa “Ife” Shoyombo, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: As the Old Guard of civil rights finish their march, ours must continue
By Steven Ragsdale This past weekend, thousands gathered in Alabama for the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Celebration, retracing the famous steps across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where civil rights marchers once faced violence for demanding the right to vote. As the nation reflected on that history, many of today’s and yesterday’s activists also mourned […]