The feud between 2pac and The Notorious B.I.G. was troubling and gripping at the same time. (Courtesy Photos) The Hip-Hop Industry has historically thrived on competition, and rap beefs often bring out the best in an artist looking to one up his adversary. Over the last four decades, we have seen a plethora of entertaining […]
Author Archives: Special to the AFRO
Posted inHealth
High Blood Pressure, Strokes and Blacks
Glenn Ellis Among the deadliest health issues facing African Americans today: Cancer; homicides; HIV/AIDS; etc. But few, if any, touch the lives of more African-Americans than high blood pressure. Usually, hypertension is defined as blood pressure above 140/90, and is considered severe if the pressure is above 180/120. Blood pressure numbers between 120-139 systolic (upper […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Alana Robinson, D.C. High School Graduate, is a Triple Threat
When Alana Robinson closes her eyes, she pictures herself on a Broadway stage in New York City. She dreams of bright lights, musical scores and cheering audiences. As lead senior vocalist for the Duke Ellington Show Choir Ensemble, Robinson dedicates most of her time to singing, dancing and performing. A graduating senior at Duke Ellington […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
President Barack Obama delivers Howard University’s commencement speech during the 2016 Howard University graduation ceremony in Washington, Saturday, May 7, 2016. Obama says the country is “a better place today” than when he graduated from college more than 30 years ago, citing his historic election as “one indicator of how attitudes have changed.” ( AP […]
Posted inBaltimore News
‘Not About a Riot’ Explores Another Side of the Uprising
By Dameon Byrd Jr., Special to the AFRO Malaika Aminata, a Morgan State University graduate who has lived in Baltimore for the majority of her adult life, wanted the world to see what they were not being shown about Baltimore in the wake of Freddie Gray’s death last April and the subsequent uprising. “We all know […]
Posted inNEWS, Washington D.C. News
D.C. Sorority Motivates Black Girls to Aim Higher
By Lauren Poteat, Special to the AFRO The Gamma Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, the first Black women’s business organization in America, uses its platform and 85 years of service to mentor, inspire, and increase awareness among young girls. Over the past three years, through signature programs such as “Toys U Can’t Return,” the […]
Posted inCommentary
Ladies, Embrace Your Natural Hair
My dear Black queens, why do you hide your natural curls under a weave? Why do you relax your hair to be straight? Akira Kyles Every Black woman should embrace the beautiful curls that they already have. You don’t need inches, you don’t need a relaxer – all you need is to embrace the natural […]
Posted inBaltimore News
After Long Delay, Maryland Submits HBCU Proposal—Coalition Claims ‘A Slap in the Face’
In October 2013, years of political and legal wrangling reached a climax when District Court Judge Catherine C. Blake ruled Maryland had indeed violated the U.S. Constitution under the framework established in United States v. Fordice when it allowed traditionally White higher education institutions to unnecessarily duplicate programs already existing at HBCUs, thereby undermining those […]
Posted inNational News
First Family Lights Up President’s Park
CHRISTMASTREE — On a brisk December night, the First Family joined hundreds of people to officially light the 2015 National Christmas Tree Thursday on the White House Ellipse. The ceremony was hosted by Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon and featured performances from musical trio David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash; Fall Out Boy, Andra Day, Aloe […]
Posted inNational News
Shirley Chisholm & Willie Mays, Among Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients
Pioneering politician Shirley Chisholm, Major League Baseball’s Willie Mays, and former NASA mathematician Katherine G. Johnson. (AP and Courtesy Photos) Pioneering politician Shirley Chisholm is one of three African Americans among the 17 individuals who will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom during an award ceremony at the White House Nov. 24. The Medal is […]
Posted inNational News
Black College Fund, CIA Vow to Create More Agents of Color
Johnny Taylor Jr., president of The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, is looking to recruit more Blacks to the CIA. (Courtesy photo) The Central Intelligence Agency and a national organization that financially helps students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) announced on Nov. 14 they are working on a plan to increase the number of […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Author Wes Moore Shares ‘Giving Back’ with Maryland Students
Wes Moore spoke with students from Baltimore’s KIPP Ujima Village Academy. (Photo credit: James Bentley) On Nov. 16 more than 200 students from six schools across the state of Maryland gathered at The Southwest Anchor Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library for the 3rd Annual “Actions to Impact” service event hosted by best-selling author […]
