By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Eighteen-year-old Kenneth Dorsey of Cherry Hill hopes to attend college to study mechanical engineering and establish his own home renovation business, spending hours studying trades on YouTube. But statistics show that he’ll grow up to earn less than his White peers because of his race, even if they come from […]
Author Archives: Victoria Mejicanos
Posted inHealth
Overlooked and at risk: Diabetes crisis growing among people with developmental disabilities
Diabetes is on the rise among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who face barriers to maintaining physical activity and accessing healthcare.
Posted inBUSINESS
Not just for the rich and wealthy: How to start investing in 2026
According to Pew Research, in 2022, 66 percent of White families owned stocks directly or indirectly, compared to 39 percent of Black families according to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF).
Posted inClimate Change
Baltimore residents tracking climate change through new Morgan State weather station project
Baltimore residents are helping scientists track local climate impacts by collecting data from newly installed Morgan State–supported weather stations placed in neighborhoods across the city. The project aims to empower communities that often face environmental injustices by giving them ownership of climate data and a role in shaping research.
Posted inBaltimore News
City leaders unveil 10-year financial plan to stabilize Baltimore, strengthen services
Baltimore City Administrator Faith Leach says Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s 10-year plan aims to target the city’s current budget deficit, while investing in service delivery, infrastructure and making taxes more equitable for residents.
Posted inBaltimore Community
Rooted in community: Coppin State University’s ‘tiny but mighty’ theatre program
Coppin State University’s small but powerful theatre program blends artistic training with community engagement, using productions and post-show discussions to address issues that impact West Baltimore. Students and alumni say the program nurtures their growth, offering interdisciplinary opportunities, close mentorship, and a strong sense of belonging.
Posted inVeterans
Delayed but not denied: Honoring Charles Jackson French
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Charles Jackson French wasn’t supposed to be remembered. In a segregated United States Navy that intentionally kept him out of combat, French did the impossible. He saved 15 men by tying a rope around his waist and carrying a raft of his injured shipmates, swimming them to safety through shark-infested […]
Posted inMaryland News
Maryland’s Colonel (Ret.) Jo Ann Jolivet to join Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Jo Ann Jolivet will be honored by the Army Women’s Foundation on March 12, 2026, for her trailblazing service in the military and her post-military work in Maryland.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore couple find strength in community amid Hurricane Melissa as Maryland leaders rally relief for Jamaica
After surviving Hurricane Melissa while in Jamaica for a wedding, Baltimore couple Rudy and Jonelle Hooks found comfort in the compassion of fellow guests and support from their Maryland community. As they returned home, local officials and Jamaican-born leaders launched relief efforts, mobilizing donation drives to aid those affected by the storm.
Posted inHealth
What Black women should know about PCOS risks and treatment
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects up to 70% of women of reproductive age, and can lead to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and infertility if left untreated, but can be managed with various treatments such as hormonal birth control and supplements.
Posted inEducation
Baltimore’s Loyola School expands with new building, keeping education free for families
The Loyola School in Baltimore has opened a new $10 million building, continuing its mission to provide a free, high-quality Jesuit education for low-income children from preschool through fourth grade. With strong community support and family engagement, the school offers students not just academics, but a foundation of care, confidence, and opportunity.
Posted inMoney
When success isn’t enough: Why the Black middle class is still struggling
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com A stable job, homeownership and a family often defines the concept of the “American Dream.” However, for Black Americans across the country, it can feel impossible to reach, even for those who have “made it.” Caprice Risby was born to teenage parents. Her family relied on different types of federal […]