Jacqueline Holloman and Dr. Marionette Butts say their decision to become foster moms was rooted in care and commitment. This Mother’s Day, the AFRO salutes the women who open their hearts and their homes to provide stable, supportive environments for children in need.
Author Archives: Victoria Mejicanos
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore County to take over Randallstown, Dundalk swim centers as Y exits
Baltimore County will assume operations of the Randallstown and Dundalk swim centers on Aug. 31 after the Y in Central Maryland ends its 15-year partnership, citing facility limitations. Community members worry the transition could include a temporary closure and disrupt access to vital swim programs that support safety, health and connection, particularly for Black youth.
Posted inObituaries - Baltimore
Ellen Louise Dolvey Howard, Baltimore educator and TRIO leader, dies at 97
Ellen Louise Dolvey Howard, a Baltimore educator and national TRIO leader, died at 97 after a decades-long career helping low-income and first-generation students access higher education and trade programs.
Posted inAfro Briefs
A new reality: Retirement while supporting young adult children or parents
Rising costs of living and cultural expectations have increased the number of retirees still supporting young adult children, with 50 percent of parents now supporting a child older than 18.
Posted inBaltimore News
Many retirees rely on Social Security—but confusion and delays can cost them
Many Black retirees rely on Social Security as a primary source of income, but experts say confusion about when to claim benefits and missing documentation can lead to reduced payments or delays.
Posted inD.C. Community
Ben’s Chili Bowl Seeks community input for new mural as renovations wrap
As Ben’s Chili Bowl prepares to install a new mural following renovations, community members are being invited to help decide which figures will be featured. Retired Army Master Sgt. Elizabeth Ann Helm-Fraizer is advocating for the inclusion of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, highlighting the unit’s historic contributions and ties to Washington, D.C.
Posted inMoney
From shame to strategy: Understanding and healing financial trauma
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Maxed out credit cards, overdraft fees, car repossessions and a 385 credit score once defined Steven M. Hughes’ financial reality. Years later, working as a financial therapist, he now recognizes what he was experiencing wasn’t just poor money management, it was financial trauma. Although financial trauma does not have a […]
Posted inMoney
Small debts, big consequences: The financial burden many overlook
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com For many Black Americans, the racial wealth gap has always been apparent. Race and zipcode have been proven to skew everything from credit scores to home values in Black neighborhoods. What can be underestimated are the impacts of smaller, unpaid fines. Municipal fines such as tickets and toll fees or […]
Posted inHBCU
‘Carmen’ production at Xavier challenges opera’s exclusive past
Students and faculty at Xavier University of Louisiana are using their production of “Carmen” to challenge long-held perceptions of opera as exclusive and inaccessible. Rooted in the university’s history and legacy, the performance highlights the role HBCUs play in expanding access to the art form while shaping its future.
Posted inArts & Culture
SNF Parkway Theatre selects Wordsmith for its inaugural residency program
With renovations complete, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Parkway Theatre is launching an artist residency program to support local creatives, including Wordsmith, who will present original works blending youth theater, music and storytelling. His productions, including “Uncle Bey’s Will” and “Network to Freedom,” center Black storytelling, history and community, while aiming to uplift Baltimore’s young and emerging artists.
Posted inElections 2026
Low turnout, high impact: Why local elections matter more than many think
Low turnout in local elections limits representation, even as decisions by school boards and central committees directly shape daily life, from education policy to political leadership. Experts and community members say increasing awareness and participation is critical to ensuring communities have a voice in decisions that affect them.
Posted inBaltimore News
Branson Oduor, 27-year-old missing Baltimore man, found dead
Baltimore police recovered the body of 27-year-old Branson Oduor on April 14 in the Inner Harbor after he was reported missing following a night out in Fells Point almost two weeks prior. Authorities are still investigating the cause of death. Loved ones remember him as a caring, outgoing person deeply connected to the city.