The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas have filed a class action civil rights lawsuit challenging what they call a “modern-day debtor’s prison” in the town of Sherwood, Ark. The complaint alleges that the “Hot Check Division” of the Sherwood District Court, manned by Judge Milas […]
Author Archives: Zenitha Prince
Special to the AFRO
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Ranks Lowest in Upward Mobility for Poor Boys
Growing up poor and male in Baltimore — more than any among the largest 100 cities in the United States — almost guarantees a bleaker economic future, a new report concludes. “Areas with high degrees of segregation and sprawl generate particularly negative outcomes for boys,” wrote Harvard economists Raj Chetty and Nathaniel Hendren in the […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Spelman College Pondering Enrolling Transgender Students
Spelman College, the prestigious HBCU in Atlanta, Ga., recently announced it is considering changing its policies to admit transgender students to its all-women’s campus. President Mary Schmidt Campbell announced the formation of a task force to study the issue in a welcome back letter to the campus community. Fall classes began Aug. 17. Spelman College […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Vanderbilt University Pays $1.2 Million to Rename Confederate Building
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., this month announced it is removing the “Confederate” inscription from one of its residence halls, mirroring efforts by institutions of higher education to create more inclusive environments on their campuses. Confederate Memorial Hall was built in 1935 and was originally used as a dormitory for women studying to be teachers. […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Al Roker’s Outburst over Ryan Lochte’s Lies Reportedly Draws Censure from NBC
While many gave a mental high-five when NBC weatherman Al Roker went in on American swimmer Ryan Lochte for his sketchy tale about being robbed during the Rio Olympic Games, reportedly, network bigwigs and talent were not similarly pleased. NBC weatherman Al Roker. (AP Photo/Victoria Will) Lochte and his teammates reported they had been robbed […]
Posted inBaltimore News, National News
Black Community Mourns Passing of Journalist and Civil Rights Icon George E. Curry
(Updated 8/24/2016) George E. Curry was an unabashed advocate of truth–ensuring it even in the most basic word choice, punctuation, spelling–and was courageous in its telling. It is one of the many attributes that define the legacy of the acclaimed journalist and Black Press champion, who died of a heart attack Aug. 20 at the […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Noted Baltimore Educator Jessie Gladden Dead at 85
Jessie Gladden, a venerated Baltimore educator who once hosted a learning program on Maryland Public Television and was the mother of a state senator, died Aug. 18 at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. She was 85. Jessie Gladden Sen. Lisa Gladden, a Democrat who represents Baltimore in the Maryland General Assembly, confirmed her mother’s death but […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Key Member of Cosby Defense Team Exits
Monique Pressley, the Washington, D.C.-based lawyer who has been acclaimed for her adept and rigorous defense of beleaguered entertainer Bill Cosby as he faces multiple allegations of sexual assault against women, is no longer part of his legal team, a Cosby spokesman confirmed to several news outlets. Actor and comedian Bill Cosby is helped as […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Three Members of Md. Human Trafficking Ring Indicted
Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks this week announced the crackdown of a Maryland-based human trafficking enterprise, resulting in indictments against three of its members. Rashid Marwan Mosby, 42, Terra Marie Perry, 35, and Joshua Isaiah Jones, 26, were charged on several counts of conspiracy human trafficking, […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Georgia’s Albany State University Announces Deep Staff Cuts Due to Decline in Enrollment
Georgia HBCU Albany State University (ASU) recently announced a significant reduction in staff due to failing finances. Georgia’s Albany State University In a Aug. 17 letter to the campus community University President Art Dunning said that 80 staff positions—48 of which are currently filled—would be eliminated, effective Sept. 30. Such “right-sizing” is tough but necessary, […]
Posted inSports
LeBron Holds Second ‘I PROMISE’ Reunion to Benefit Educating Akron Students
LeBron James on Aug. 16 continued to build on his promise to his hometown of Akron, Ohio. The NBA superstar hosted 5,000 students and their families at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, at the second annual I PROMISE Family Reunion, a part of his education initiative. LeBron James (Photo: Tony Dejak, AP) “Can’t […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Marion Barry’s Son Dead of Apparent Drug Overdose
Marion Christopher Barry, son of Washington, D.C.’s late “mayor for life,” has died from an apparent drug overdose, according to news reports. He was 36. Marion Christopher Barry (Twitter Photo) According to the Washington Post, Barry’s girlfriend found him and he was taken to George Washington University Hospital Aug. 13. Cora Masters Barry, widow of […]