By Michael Eugene Johnson There is a dangerous myth circulating in some corners of public discourse: that the Black Power struggle ended decades ago. That it peaked in the 1960s and early 1970s with fiery rhetoric, militant activism and iconic leaders and then quietly disappeared into history as equality was “achieved.” This notion is convenient […]
Category: Opinion
Posted inOPINION
It’s time to reframe the narrative on Opportunity Zones
By Vernoy July With the extension of the Opportunity Zone (OZ) tax benefit as part of the 2025 Reconciliation Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), now is the time to strategize to maximize the flow of transformational funds to the communities that stand to benefit the most—but first, the narrative […]
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A message to Anne Arundel County: An apology without repair isn’t complete
By Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III In any conversation about healing from the horrific legacy of slavery, there lingers the question of what comes next. We all know that slavery created devastating harms. Particularly with current threats to the true telling of history, it is significant when our government recognizes and acknowledges this. But what […]
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Appeals court ends affordable SAVE Program for 7 million student borrowers
Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. In this column, she discusses how a federal appeals court has ended the SAVE student loan repayment program, likely increasing financial strain for 7 million borrowers, especially those with the greatest need. At the same time, major staff cuts at the Education Department have weakened oversight of loan servicers, raising concerns about billing errors and borrower protections.
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Baltimore’s tax sale: Who it impacts and how you can protect your home
By Steven Kappen Right now, almost nothing is getting cheaper – especially property taxes. Many Baltimore residents have been feeling the pressure of the city’s property tax rate for years. Recently, the mayor emphasized that the city is working to reduce the overall tax burden on residents. That announcement came as part of a broader […]
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Baltimore’s cultural moment is here
By Mark Anthony Thomas For decades, Baltimore’s story was often told through geography. Close to Washington, D.C.Close to Philadelphia.Close to New York City. That proximity has always mattered. The Baltimore Region sits in the center of one of the most powerful economic corridors in the world. But something else is becoming increasingly clear. Baltimore is […]
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Opinion: For Black women, the Oscars are about more than Best Picture
Dr. Regina Davis Moss is a narrative strategist, cultural leader and reproductive justice advocate whose research examines how stories shape public belief and influence policy as president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice. In this piece, she discusses the importance of Black women controlling how their stories are told.
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The silent crisis in our community — why amyloidosis awareness matters now
Each year in March amyloidosis is recognized with an awareness month. Jonathan L. Dotson serves as executive director of Friendship That Gives, a health advocacy organization. This week, he urges the Black community to learn more about the condition, which is caused by abnormal protein deposits that damage vital organs.
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When Arts Access Disappears, So Does Opportunity
Access to arts education is essential for many Black students and families, and should not be cut when budgets tighten, as it provides them with confidence, discipline, and purpose.
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Tariff whiplash and a rising Black recession
Black recession, uncertain tariff policy, and targeted dismantling of equity programs are creating challenges for Black-owned small businesses.
Posted inOpinion
Propaganda and power in the fight for District 41
Dayvon Love serves as director of public policy for the Baltimore-based think tank, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. This week, he highlights an effort to spread misinformation about Del. Malcolm Ruff (D-MD-41) as he mounts a campaign for the District 41 Senate seat.
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47th president’s Iran war forces many to live with ‘horrors of war’
Donald Sparks is a retired U.S. Army sergeant major who has earned many awards in journalism and photojournalism during his time in service as a public affairs senior enlisted leader. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Medal, Army Meritorious Medal, and Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device. In this piece he discusses the toll of war.