The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund at the National Trust for Historic Preservation is working to preserve Black churches across the nation.
Author Archives: Victoria Mejicanos
Posted inEducation
How Black educators have experienced and managed burnout
Teachers across the nation are dealing with burnout, with symptoms ranging from fatigue to apathy about work and irritability in their time off.
Posted inBaltimore News
How Black businesses thrived in 1925 Baltimore—and what entrepreneurs can learn today
In honor of National Black Business Month, the AFRO takes a look at what it took to open a Black business 100 years ago and the lessons that can be learned by today’s entrepreneurs in 2025.
Posted inMaryland News
A symbol of safety: How Eric’s ID Law is changing police encounters for people with invisible disabilities
After a mother-son duo from Maryland turned advocacy into action, residents with autism and other hidden disabilities can now voluntarily self-identify on state IDs—paving the way for safer, more informed police interactions.
Posted inHealth
Beyond the bleeding: Experts urge holistic care for Black women battling uterine fibroids
Black women are disproportionately affected by uterine fibroids, and experts stress that treatment must include long-term lifestyle changes such as stress management, diet adjustments, and regular medical care. Doctors Nekia Barrow and Ashley Davis emphasize the roles of inflammation, endocrine disruptors, and systemic stress in fibroid growth, urging patients to remain proactive and find providers who truly listen.
Posted inHealth
Common yet unspoken: Uterine fibroids and their toll on Black women’s health
Lawmakers and advocates gathered on Capitol Hill to support the U-FIGHT Act, a legislative package aimed at advancing research, access to care, and early detection for uterine fibroids—a condition that disproportionately affects Black women. Supporters emphasized the urgent need for public awareness, better treatment options, and investment in women’s reproductive health to ensure no woman suffers in silence.
Posted inBaltimore County Government
Baltimore County redistricting plan faces opposition from Woodlawn coalition
The Westside Map Coalition is opposing Baltimore County’s proposed 2-2-5 redistricting plan, arguing it fractures Woodlawn and dilutes Black voting power. They’ve proposed an alternative “Woodlawn Approach” map, which they say better reflects census data and complies with the Voting Rights Act.
Posted inMaryland News
Maryland nonprofit offering legal aid to LGBTQ+ community loses more than $300,000 in grant funding
Free State Justice, a Black-led Maryland nonprofit providing legal aid to LGBTQ+ individuals, has lost over $300,000 in grant funding, threatening its ability to serve clients facing discrimination, criminal records, and legal barriers. Despite the setback, Executive Director Phillip Westry remains hopeful that community support and alternative funding can sustain their life-changing work for some of Maryland’s most marginalized residents.
Posted inHealth
McDonogh students host CPR training and other heart healthy workshops
McDonogh High School’s First Aid Club raised over $6,000 for the American Heart Association and led CPR and heart health workshops to educate younger students on life-saving skills. The initiative, led by student William Ashley III and supported by his father, emphasized empowering youth—especially in Black communities disproportionately affected by heart disease—to become advocates for their own health and that of their families.
Posted inBaltimore News
Across the country, schools officials work to protect students from immigration raids
School officials are speaking out against immigration raids taking place in classrooms across the nation. Teachers and administrators are doing what they can to protect immigrant families who now have to reconsider if school buildings are truly a safe space for their students.
Posted inBaltimore Events
West Baltimore to host ‘Fathers’ basketball tournament and health fair
To promote violence prevention and celebrate positive Black fatherhood, the Easterwood Recreation Center will host the 13th annual “Fathers in the Hood” basketball tournament alongside a community health and wellness festival on Saturday, June 14. The event, a collaboration between longtime organizer Mike Wilson and the Omega Baltimore Foundation, will feature health services, youth mentorship, and family-friendly activities aimed at uplifting West Baltimore.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore City Public Schools sued after allegedly ignoring sexual assault of several students
Attorneys at Murphy, Falcon and Murphy have filed lawsuits against Baltimore City Public Schools, alleging that school officials knowingly failed to stop former teacher Alvin Hunt from sexually assaulting students over decades, marking the first cases filed under Maryland’s newly revised Child Victims Act.
