By Hadiya Presswood, Special to the AFRO D.C. Council members introduced a bill to provide “free universal school breakfast, lunch and after-school snacks to students in public, charter and participating private schools in the District of Columbia” earlier this year. The Universal Free School Meals Amendment Act of 2023, or B25-0035, proposes that public charter […]
Category: Politics
Posted inMaryland Government
Several Maryland Democrats expected to vie to replace Cardin
By Ian Decker, Capital News Service With long-serving Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin recently announcing his retirement, Democrats are likely to see a primary fight next year to replace him. So far, one Democrat – Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando – has announced his candidacy to replace Cardin, which most political observers consider a safe Democratic […]
Posted inMaryland Government
AFRO Spotlight on Black excellence: meet the women in leadership serving as chiefs of staff
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com More Black women have been working their way into prestigious positions in recent years and the chief of staff (COS) role is no exception. Chiefs of staff directly aid the most influential leaders in America, locally and nationally. Pokuaa Owusu-Acheaw stepped into her role as the COS for […]
Posted inBaltimore News
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen recommends STEM City Baltimore for $2 million federal investment
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has submitted requests for Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) to the Appropriations Committee for community funding projects for Maryland, according to an announcement from Van Hollen. Among the nominees is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) City Baltimore, which could receive an investment of […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Mayor Scott says community violence intervention program is dropping crime rates
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Mayor Brandon M. Scott and community leaders recently convened to update the public on the Mayor’s Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Ecosystem. The meeting took place on April 25, was broadcast live on Charm City TV, and included the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), Safe Streets […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
White House Correspondents’ Dinner underscores the importance of Black press
By Ashleigh Fields, Special to the AFRO Each year the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) honors the top journalism and media professionals in America who continue to break the mold. “The free press is a pillar– maybe the pillar of a free society–not the enemy,” said President Biden in his remarks at the dinner. “Tonight, […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Vice President Harris speaks on 2024 re-election bid, reproductive rights at Howard University rally
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor President Joe Biden announced his 2024 re-election bid on April 25 with Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate. Throughout their time in office, the pair has been focused on foreign relations, abortion rights and reducing hate crime. “Every generation has a moment where they have had to […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Longtime Maryland politician Senator Ben Cardin set to retire in 2025
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin alongside his wife, Myrna, announced that he will not be running for re-election in 2024 on May 1. “I love Maryland. I love the people of Maryland and I love everything about our state,” said Cardin, in a video recorded statement released to the […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Biden infrastructure program so far has sent $2.6 billion to Maryland
By IAN DECKER, Capital News Service WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden’s infrastructure program so far has funneled $2.6 billion over the last two years to projects in Maryland, according to White House data. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by Biden in November 2021, has been touted as a once-in-a-generation piece of legislation and the president is […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Susan Rice, Biden’s top domestic policy adviser, departing
By Colleen Long, Associated Press President Joe Biden said Monday that his top domestic policy adviser, Susan Rice, will leave her post next month. As director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Rice had broad sway on the administration’s approach to health care, immigration and racial inequality. It was a surprising shift for Rice, […]
Posted inNational News
Black Americans react to President Joe Biden’s 2024 run for re-election
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com President Biden has officially announced his bid for re-election in 2024. Political analysts had believed Biden would originally announce his run during his impassioned 2023 State of the Union address, but on April 25, he released a campaign video of the announcement on YouTube. “When I ran for […]
Posted inNational News
African American Mayors head U.S.’s four largest cities
By AmNews Staff Reports, New York Amsterdam News The African American Mayors Association held its ninth annual conference April 19-21 in Washington, D.C. Under the conference theme “Our Mayors Our Cities: The Catalyst for Equitable and Inclusive Growth,” participants talked about the future of leadership, change, and growth in cities across America. This year’s conference was historic […]
