Julian E. Jones Jr. launched his bid for Baltimore County executive on August 28, with the potential to make county history as the first African-American to hold the office.District 4 Councilman Julian E. Jones Jr. launched his campaign for Baltimore County executive Aug. 28 at the Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre, drawing more than 350 supporters to his kickoff event. Jones, the only official candidate so far, outlined priorities on public safety, education and economic growth in a race that could make county history.
Author Archives: Tavon N. Thomasson
Posted inBUSINESS
Howard, Bowie State alumnae build brands from passion
Howard University alumna Skyler Buchanan and Bowie State University alumna Chanel Turner have each carved unique paths in entrepreneurship—Buchanan with her custom rug business, Decor Ones, and Turner with her premium vodka brand, FOU-DRÉ. From a home studio to international shelves, both women continue to grow their ventures with persistence and a clear creative vision.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Short-staffed and stretched thin: Special Ed crisis leaves Black students with disabilities at risk
Black students with disabilities often depend on individualized education programs for support, but severe special education staffing shortages and burnout are making that support harder to deliver. With 70 percent of K–12 schools reporting vacancies, educators say the growing workload is driving many out of the field, leaving students without the consistent help they need.
Posted inBaltimore News
Abell Foundation names Fagan Harris as new president and CEO
Fagan Harris, chief of staff to Governor Wes Moore, has been named the next president and CEO of the Abell Foundation. He will assume the role Jan. 5, 2026, becoming only the second leader in the foundation’s history after Robert C. Embry Jr., who served nearly 40 years.
Posted inAfro Briefs
AFRO’s Black Business Matters Expo debuts Power Pitch competition
By Tavon N. Thomasson AFRO Intern The AFRO-American Newspaper hosted its fifth annual Black Business Matters Expo on Aug. 14 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, debuting its first official AFRO Power Pitch competition. Kendrick Tilghman, a professional speaker and DJ, won the inaugural contest with his pitch […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Tuskegee University mourns sudden death of student-athlete
Tuskegee University is grieving the death of junior mechanical engineering student and Golden Tiger baseball player Macahri Washington-Parker, remembered by peers and faculty as a dedicated leader and mentor. His passing, amid broader concerns about suicide among Black youth, has prompted an outpouring of support from the campus community and his family, who celebrate his lasting impact on those he touched.
Posted inAfro Briefs
Still printing, still powerful: The Savannah Tribune at 150 years
For 150 years, The Savannah Tribune has championed Black voices, from urging voter registration in Reconstruction-era Georgia to navigating the challenges of today’s digital media landscape. Under Publisher Shirley B. James, the historic paper remains committed to informing and empowering the Black community while embracing modern platforms to expand its reach.
Posted inBlack History
Petition for 6888th Forever Stamp in need of support
A Change.org petition is calling on the U.S. Postal Service to issue a Forever Stamp in honor of the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland lawmakers denied entry to Baltimore ICE facility
Maryland lawmakers were blocked from inspecting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding areas during a scheduled oversight visit to the Baltimore Field Office on July 28. ICE officials cited directives from headquarters, sparking outrage from the delegation and drawing a comparison to the historic targeting of Black Americans by Rep. Kweisi Mfume.
Posted inBUSINESS
New faces, fresh energy spur growth at Northwood Commons
Once a declining shopping center, Northwood Commons has transformed into a thriving hub for new businesses just steps from Morgan State University. Entrepreneurs like Lashae Wesley of Estie Lash and Jawad Labwam of Local Fry are helping reshape the space into a growing community destination.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Nas makes history with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performance
Hip-hop legend Nas makes history at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall by performing his iconic album “Illmatic” alongside the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, marking the first time an internationally renowned rapper has collaborated with the BSO in its 109-year history.
Posted inBaltimore News
Rebuilding trust in Baltimore starts with owning past wrongs
At a West Baltimore exhibit on July 11, residents, city leaders and grassroots organizers gathered to confront decades of broken trust between police and communities, culminating in a powerful panel calling for urgent action, accountability and shared power.