By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Tmcqueen@afro.com The mother of Aaliyah Gonzalez was front and center on Sept. 13 for the second city council hearing on the Brooklyn Day mass shooting. She lifted up her daughter’s memory and the need to end violence in the streets of Baltimore. “Aaliyah has been an A and B […]
Author Archives: Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
Posted inNational News
House Republicans shoot down Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility funding efforts for the Department of Defense
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com House Democrats called out Republican members who recently shot down their efforts to amend the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) programming currently operating in the Department of Defense (DOD) through Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations bill, H.R. 4365. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30) and […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Upcoming meetings and events in the D.C. area
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Yoga with Me First Yoga All D.C. residents are invited to participate in a free yoga session with Andrea Christie of Me First Yoga, every Wednesday – except on holidays. The yoga sessions are via Zoom facilitated through the Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue Family Success Center. All […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Mayor Scott hears from Brooklyn residents at After Action Report community meeting
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Brooklyn Homes residents gathered Sept. 7 for a city-organized question-and-answer session and summary of the After Action Report (AAR), which was released Aug. 30 in the wake of the July 2 mass shooting at the public housing complex. About 250 people showed up to the Bay Brook Elementary/Middle […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Upcoming events in the Baltimore area
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Brooklyn Mass Shooting Hearing On Sept. 13 at 1 p.m., the Baltimore City Council will hold its second hearing to inquirty about the mass shooting that occurred on July 2, shooting 30 and killing two. The hearing will be held in City Hall on the fourth floor, but […]
Posted inNational News
AFRO inside look: what to expect at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 52nd Annual Legislative Conference
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com It’s almost time for the 52nd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF). “It is essential that we come together to address the threats to our democracy and protect the hard-fought freedoms we cherish,” said Nicole Austin-Hillery, president of CBCF, in a statement. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Former Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon announces 2024 mayoral bid
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Former Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon has announced her bid for mayor. “I love my private life, but I also love the citizens of this city and I know we can do better,” said Dixon at the Gold Street Community Park on Sept. 7. Dixon said that, if […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Councilman introduces legislation to create Baltimore’s first Re-entry Action Council
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Tmcqueen@afro.com Baltimore City Councilman James Torrence (D-District 7) recently introduced new legislation, Bill 23-0416, that would create the Baltimore City Office of Returning Citizens. The office would establish and oversee Baltimore’s first Re-entry Action Council (RAC), which would guide and cooperate with the returning citizen’s office. RAC would build […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Residents of historic neighborhoods call for equity in transportation planning and a moratorium on bike lanes
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com More than 40 Baltimore residents, organized by members of the Friends of Gwynns Falls Leakin Park and the Eutaw Street Neighbors, gathered for a rally outside of City Hall on Aug. 21. They called for equity, transparency and a moratorium on the bike lanes in historic communities across […]
Posted inBaltimore News
New arrests made in Brooklyn Homes mass shooting
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Acting Baltimore City Police Commissioner Richard Worley say the investigation into the Brooklyn mass shooting that took place on July 2 is ongoing and more arrests will be made. The Brooklyn Homes mass shooting After Action Report (AAR) was released on Aug. 30. […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Black leaders voice opposition to impending FDA ban on menthol cigarette and flavored cigars
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writer tmcqueen@afro.com As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars this fall, several Black leaders recently gathered on a virtual call to seek a halt on the policy and stress the negative impact the prohibition could have on Black Americans. “I find […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Fight Blight Bmore receives $100,000 donation for their work in revitalizing Baltimore
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com During a weekend of celebration for the 150-year-old security company, American District Telegraph (ADT), Fight Blight Bmore was gifted $100,000 toward their fight to end vacant housing and revitalize Baltimore. “Baltimore is a great city filled with history and wonderful people, but it needs some love,” Bob Tucker, […]
