This year has been, as Charles Dickens eloquently wrote over 160 years ago, “the best of times and the worst of times.” A deadly pandemic, massive protests, and a contentious presidential election will forever be etched in our collective memories as defining moments of 2020. We mourn with the families of the nearly two million people worldwide who have died from COVID-19. We continue to say the names of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and so many others who were wrongfully murdered this year. We recognize the young and not so young who locked arms to definitively declare that Black Lives Matter.
This year also will go down in history as the year Americans overwhelmingly elected Joe Biden president and Kamala Harris as the first African-American vice president of the United States of America. We relentlessly reported on these and so many other history making events in our legacy product, the AFRO-American Newspaper, on afro.com and across our very robust social media platforms.
Even though the pandemic is still raging, and many of us cannot be with our loved ones this holiday season, there is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. We celebrate the thousands of front line and essential workers who tirelessly serve our communities, the scientists and pharmaceutical companies who worked around the clock to produce a COVID vaccine in record time, and the governmental agencies and private philanthropic organizations (including our own 501 C-3, Afro Charities) who are still providing much needed assistance to individuals and businesses. What a year!
On behalf of the entire AFRO Team, we extend a sincere and heartfelt Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones. Thank you for your support and partnership. Praying for a healthy and prosperous 2021!
Kind regards,
Frances Murphy Draper (Toni)
CEO and Publisher