Despite recent declines in overall U.S. maternal mortality, Black women continue to face rising and disproportionately high death rates due to systemic racism, chronic disease and inequitable access to care. The author argues that so-called “maternal care deserts” are intentionally under-resourced areas and should be reframed as “maternal care disinvestment zones” to highlight structural neglect and drive accountability.
Author Archives: Special to the AFRO
Posted inCommentary
Democrat’s do-over with Black women
By Tamia Booker and Kevin Harris The 2024 election was a major disappointment for many Democrats, particularly Black women. And now that the party has decided to not release its “autopsy” analyzing our shortcomings from 2024, we will miss an opportunity to discuss our treatment of the first Black woman to lead a major party’s […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Baltimore’s violence drop proves investing in Black-led youth and the arts works
Baltimore’s historic drop in youth homicides and gun violence is the result of intentional investments in Black-led organizations, youth arts programs, recreation centers and public spaces, not chance. Drawing from her work with Creative Nomads, Kayenecha Daugherty argues that art, community-based leadership and equitable funding are proven public-safety strategies—and warns that recent gains are fragile without sustained support.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Gospel giant Richard Smallwood, composer of timeless hits, has died at 77
Richard Smallwood, the eight-time Grammy-nominated, classically trained gospel composer and recording artist whose work reshaped contemporary gospel music, died Dec. 30 at age 77 from complications of kidney failure. Over a five-decade career, Smallwood blended classical, pop and gospel traditions, creating enduring songs like “Total Praise,” “I Love the Lord” and “Center of My Joy,” while influencing generations of artists across gospel, R&B and popular music.
Posted inCommentary
If violent crime is truly a national priority, why isn’t gun violence?
By Renée Hall Another American community is grieving today. This time it is Stockton, Calif., where families woke up to the kind of news no parent, no neighbor, and no city should ever have to endure. Sirens at night. Candles by morning. Another headline. Another vigil. And a community asking the same heartbreaking question we […]
Posted inArts & Culture
From the streets to the stage: ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ channels Alicia Keys’ roots into a Broadway triumph
Inspired by Alicia Keys’ life and music, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning “Hell’s Kitchen” follows 17-year-old Ali’s coming-of-age journey through family, first love and finding her voice, anchored by powerful performances and reimagined songs. Led by Jade Milan and featuring rotating turns by Ne-Yo, Tank and Christopher Jackson as Ali’s father, the musical blends raw storytelling with electrifying choreography and soul-stirring vocals.
Posted inCommentary
Reframing autism in D.C. schools: From label to understanding
By Nicole A. Wynn In a busy Washington, D.C. classroom, a student rocks gently in his chair, hands over his ears. The teacher assumes he’s being defiant and calls his name sharply. In reality, the fluorescent lights and echoing voices have overwhelmed his senses. This scene plays out daily in schools across the District not […]
Posted inCommentary
Don’t hide your Kwanzaa under a rock
By Bill Curtis As policy of the current federal government in 2025, the era of integration is over. From 1965 with the Voting Rights Act until the regime of President Trump, integration was the policy of the Federal government for 60 years. And American society stumbled forward out of its darkness. Lyndon B. Johnson, the […]
Posted inBaltimore Events
UNCF Baltimore hosts fundraising event for HBCUs and their students
By United Negro College Fund United Nergo College Fund (UNCF) hosted its third annual Baltimore Masked Ball on Nov. 1 at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, drawing over 200 guests and raising $200,000 to support scholarships for students attending Maryland’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The evening celebration was attended by a diverse group […]
Posted inOpinion
Rest doesn’t mean sleep
By Dr. Ja’Lia Taylor and Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley The impact of the recent Nov. 4 election for Black women was profound. For a group that has taken loss after loss, from the Fearless Fund being sued for daring to invest in us to Dr. Claudine Gay being pushed to step down, to our sister Letitia […]
Posted inBaltimore News
A legacy remembered; a future inspired: Delta Lambda’s Annual Fall Concert at the Basilica
Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha hosted its Annual Fall Concert at the historic Baltimore Basilica, uniting more than 150 singers and musicians for a powerful celebration of sacred music and cultural heritage. The event honored the legacy of the late Dr. Kirk P. Gaddy Sr. and showcased the chapter’s commitment to uplifting future leaders through its Beautillion Scholars Program.
Posted in!Front Page Women's Health
Hope, healing and the will to live: Breast cancer survivors tell their stories
By Brandon Henry AFRO Intern For Lisa Johnson, Valerie Fraling and Tiffany Ann Wingate, breast cancer awareness isn’t just a phrase made up of buzzwords– it’s a reminder of their battles with breast cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that “Black people have a lower overall 5-year cancer survival rate than […]
