A major winter storm is expected to hit 200 million Americans this weekend, prompting local officials in Washington, D.C. and Maryland to declare a state of emergency and urge residents to stay inside and be prepared.
Author Archives: Victoria Mejicanos
Posted inBaltimore News
Associated Black Charities to continue community conversations, centering resident voices in 2026
Associated Black Charities (ABC) will continue their Community Convos in the Hamilton community on Jan. 22, to inform how resources are invested across Baltimore neighborhoods and to shape the organization’s priorities based on community input.
Posted inBlack History
Remembering the fight for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
By Victoria Mejicanos AFRO Staff Writer vmejicanos@afro.com Nearly 60 years after the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and decades after a hard-fought campaign to make his birthday a federal holiday, organizers, city leaders and scholars are preparing to celebrate on Jan. 19. Though Martin Luther King Jr. Day events are festive, many are […]
Posted inDMV News
Tradition and change usher in 2026 MLK celebrations
Though he is no longer physically present, the spirit of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lives on through the federal holiday in his honor and the work of activists across the world. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026 will offer a variety of events for people of all ages and backgrounds on Jan. 19.
Posted inBaltimore News
From mediation to citywide strategy, Baltimore puts MLK’s nonviolence into practice
Learn how community organizations in Baltimore are promoting nonviolence and conflict resolution, inspired by the principles of Martin Luther King Jr.
Posted inDMV News
DC, Maryland and Virginia officials warn of measles exposure
Maryland health officials say the public should be on alert after a recent measles exposure warning. Officials are urging the public to watch for symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious health complications, especially for younger children.
Posted inBaltimore Community
Emergency aid begins reaching Baltimore families
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervemejicanos@afro.com After announcing more than $4.6 million in emergency aid for food, rent and child care during the government shutdown on Oct. 28, 2025 Baltimore officials are still working to distribute the funds to the individuals and organizations selected to receive them. Michelle Suazo, director of The Food Project in Southwest […]
Posted inBaltimore News
YouthWorks opens 2026 summer job applications for Baltimore youth
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writer YouthWorks, the program within the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Employment Development that provides a five-week summer job opportunity to thousands of Baltimore City youth and young adults will return in 2026. The program, which began in 1973 as “Blue Chip,” creates employment opportunities each year for people ages 14 […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore launches new housing partnership to support youth and families at risk of homelessness
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS), the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) and other local nonprofits Dec. 4, to ensure families who are at risk or currently facing homelessness can be rapidly placed in permanent housing with […]
Posted inHealth
From survival to longevity: What aging with HIV looks like in 2025
Medical advances have allowed people with HIV to live longer, creating a growing population of older adults who now face age-related illnesses alongside the emotional and social legacy of the early epidemic. Experts and long-term survivors like Gregory Curtis say aging with HIV in 2025 requires holistic care, continued research, and stronger community support, especially as Black Americans remain disproportionately impacted.
Posted inSports
Top 10 sports moments of 2025
From historic firsts to record-breaking performances, 2025 showcased Black excellence across sports. Highlights included Marcus Freeman becoming the first Black coach to reach the College Football Playoff national title game, Jalen Hurts leading the Eagles in a landmark Super Bowl matchup, Coco Gauff capturing her second Grand Slam, and trailblazing achievements by Bubba Wallace, Noah Lyles, A’ja Wilson, Mookie Betts, LeBron James and Mo’ne Davis, each cementing their place in sports history.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Seven principles, one people: How Kwanzaa connects Black Americans to their heritage
Kwanzaa, a week-long, non-religious celebration observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, honors African heritage through the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba, encouraging reflection, creativity and community engagement. Celebrants say the holiday remains vital today as a way for Black Americans to reconnect with culture, strengthen community values and affirm identity amid ongoing challenges to Black history.