African Americans have marched a long way down the road to individual freedom and equality. Groups like the NAACP remain ever vigilant protecting and advancing our gains. But there is a missing link in the Civil Rights Movement—one that is often undervalued by most civil rights groups. That is, the right to “economic liberty.” The […]
Author Archives: Special to the AFRO
Posted inCommentary
Ninety-0ne Percent of 8 million Enrollees Have Paid Their Premiums
Roger Caldwell It is now 2014, and Americans have forgotten the success of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Everyone is talking about President Obama’s dismal poll numbers, where only 40 to 39 percent think he is doing a good job. These numbers are the worse since he has been in office, and the Congress is […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Museum Symposium Sparks Dialogue on Black Immigrants in D.C.
Nearly two hundred Black residents from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia gathered in Northwest D.C. to discuss the Black Diaspora Sept. 19. The discussion, in celebration of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum’s 1994 landmark exhibition, “Black Mosaic: Community, Race and Ethnicity among Black Immigrants in Washington, DC,” was part of a daylong “Revisiting Our Black Mosaic” […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
X Generation Inspired to Get Up and Move
It is common to see people around you with some sort of electronic gadget at hand. In this high tech society smart phones, iPads, and video games have overshadowed physical exercise. The health and fitness event included yoga and zumba activities. According to first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move website, nearly 40 percent of African-Americans […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
One Year Later: Remembering the Victims of the Navy Yard Tragedy
Navy Color Guard prepares for remembrance ceremony The community, government officials, business leaders, and sponsors paid homage to those who died at the Navy Yard compound Sept. 16, 2013 in Southeast D.C.’s Canal Park. “You shared what it means to be a community and we thank you,” Vice Adm. William Hilarides, commander of Naval Sea […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Bill to Seal Pot Criminal Records Gains Support
David Grasso, a D.C. councilmember, wants to seal pot criminal records. A D.C. councilmember’s bill to close the criminal records of District residents who have had marijuana-related offenses, has received widespread support from city activists and political leaders. David Grosso (I-At Large) is the chief sponsor of “The Record Sealing for Decriminalized and Legalized Offenses Amendment Act of […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Hargrave’s Mahogany Focused on the Details for New Horseshoe Casino
This is the first in a series that highlights the high quality workmanship Black owned companies provided at the luxurious Horseshoe Casino. Jeff Hargrave BALTIMORE – Jeff Hargrave, head of Mahogany Inc., is sure that after his crew’s hard work on Baltimore’s new Horseshoe Casino, he can tackle any project anywhere. His firm specializes in […]
Posted inNational News
Senate Seeks Answers on Police Militarization
Two panels debated whether it was constitutionally appropriate for local police departments, across the country, to use military style weapons as a measure of controlling community protests during a Senate hearing Sept. 9. The Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight, one of the federal agencies responsible for providing funding and equipment to police departments, […]
Posted inCommentary
An Open Letter of Response to Dr. Gregory E. Thornton, BCPS CEO
The Matthew A. Henson Neighborhood Association is not only pleased to publicly “…accept responsibility and work together to ensure that every student is in school every day, on time and ready to learn,” but to invite and challenge all neighborhood associations to commit to communicating their participation as well. We have already informed Principal David […]
Posted inCommentary
No More Fergusons Means No More Partisan Manipulation
Grief can be a terrible blinder. Tears fill our eyes and make it hard to see, even though we feel more clear-eyed in the face of tragedy. I fear that the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson and Eric Garner in New York will blind us and foster illusions about the political actions the Black […]
Posted inCommentary
Making Maryland’s Working Families Economically Secure and Healthy
Charly Carter, executive director of Maryland Working Families. Maryland is reported to be the wealthiest state in the nation, yet if you ask anyone on the street, they would say something different. You would hear concern over the ever-rising costs of housing, food and utilities; climbing student loan burdens; and a government that seems increasingly […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore is the Latest Stop in Tommy Davidson’s Lifelong Tour
BALTIMORE — It’s a Tuesday morning, almost two weeks before comedian and actor Tommy Davidson comes to town for three days of appearances at the Baltimore Comedy Factory, and he’s trying to pronounce the city’s distinctive accent on the phone for me. Comedian and actor Tommy Davidson. “I love Bawlmore,” he says “Boolmar. Balmore.” His […]
