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Author Archives: Victoria Mejicanos
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore women who turned tragedy into transformation for West Baltimore
After experiencing personal and community tragedy, Ashiah Parker and Tracey Malone transformed their grief into leadership in West Baltimore. Parker rose from volunteer to executive director of the No Boundaries Coalition following the death of Freddie Gray, while Malone, after losing her brother to violence, helped build the Sandtown-Winchester Collective into a 26-entity coalition—both women anchoring their work in love, organizing and community empowerment.
Posted inBaltimore News
Opioid Restitution Funds begin to reach local organizations
Funds from the Opioid Restitution Fund allocate $2 million dollars in community grants to 11 organizations across Baltimore by Mayor Brandon M. Scott to help to continue to mitigate the current crisis.
Posted inHealth
Questions to ask your doctor after 60
Medical experts stress that adults over 60—especially Black patients facing long-standing health disparities—should actively prepare for doctor visits by writing down questions, reviewing medications and bringing a trusted advocate when possible. Regular screenings, including cancer, vision, hearing and bone density tests, along with open discussions about prescriptions and symptoms, are key to maintaining health and catching potential issues early.
Posted inHealth
Menopause and the power of becoming: advocates, doctors push for more inclusive conversations
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Menopause is clinically defined as “12 consecutive months without a menstrual period,” according to Dr. Ngozi Wexler, an OB-GYN and chief medical officer at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. But advocates like Omisade Burney-Scott, founder of The Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause, say the transition carries a deeper significance. While […]
Posted inBaltimore Community
Aging while Black: Seniors say listening is the first step to care
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com When discussing how to best serve older residents, it can be easy to get lost in statistics and policies. Experts and seniors alike say what’s most important when considering the aging Black population is communication. “When we think about seniors and look at the social determinants of health, I think […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
NAACP celebrates Black excellence at the 57th NAACP Image Awards
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com The NAACP closed out Black History month with their 57th Image Awards weekend crowning winners in music, film, books and television. The vampire-thriller “Sinners” dominated the weekend, where Micheal B. Jordan won for best actor in a motion picture and closed out the night winning the award for entertainer of […]
Posted inLiving
Seniors sound off on what people should know about life after 60
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com For many Americans, life after 60 is often framed as slowing down as one transitions into a new phase of life. But for older adults themselves, life after 60 can look different for everyone. Joyce Willis Chapman, a 71-year-old caregiver from Baltimore, said being present is key. “Live in the […]
Posted inTech
Black tech leaders call for ownership, access and leadership
Black tech leaders in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., are urging greater ownership, access and representation as artificial intelligence reshapes industries and daily life. Through community-building, entrepreneurship and AI governance, they say Black professionals must move from consumers of technology to architects of the systems shaping the future.
Posted inBlack History
AFRO Book Corner: Good reads for Black History Month 2026
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com From picturebooks to powerful nonfiction, Black authors continue to tell stories that educate, inspire and affirm. This Black History Month, take time to turn off the screen and pick up a good book. With offerings for all age groups and walks of life, there is sure to be something special […]
Posted inNational News
Georgia teacher Linda Davis killed in car crash as man flees ICE
Dr. Linda Davis, a special education teacher at Hesse K-8 School in Savannah, Ga., was killed Feb. 16 after a man fleeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents crashed into her vehicle during a traffic stop attempt. The driver, Oscar Vasquez-Lopez, faces multiple charges, including first-degree homicide, as community members and officials mourn Davis’ death and debate ICE enforcement practices surrounding the incident.
Posted inNAACP
Word In Black’s Anissa Durham nominated for inaugural NAACP Image Award in journalism
Word In Black, a national newsroom and research lab, has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for its reporting series, “On Borrowed Time,” which highlights the impact of providers, policies and the medical system on Black people in need of organ transplants.