By Black PR Wire Hampton, Va. – Hampton University has again distinguished itself in establishing the Hampton University Repertory Theatre to provide professional theatre offerings for the University and Hampton Roads Community. “One of our goals is to present engaging, thought-provoking, professional theatre for the campus and community,” says Dr. Karen Turner Ward, artistic director for […]
Category: Afro Briefs
Posted inNational News
Freelance journalists of color win $100,000 prizes
By The Associated Press Two California-based freelance journalists were awarded the American Mosaic Journalism Prize, giving them $100,000 each for their work, it was announced on Feb. 15. The Heising-Simons Foundation gives the annual prize for excellence in long-form journalism about underrepresented groups in the United States. The foundation said it is the largest dollar […]
Posted inBooks
Black queer authors net 7-figure book deal
By The Associated Press Two leading young adult authors have a seven-figure deal to write a pair of novels centered on Black, queer characters. FSG Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, announced Feb. 15 that George M. Johnson and Leah Johnson (no relation) will write two romantic comedies, starting in […]
Posted inBooks
Amanda Gorman writes children’s book ‘Something, Someday’
By The Associated Press Amanda Gorman’s next literary project is a collaboration with a prize-winning illustrator for a children’s book coming out this fall. Viking Children’s Books announced recently that “Something, Someday,” by Gorman and Christian Robinson, is scheduled for Sept. 26. Viking is calling the book “a message of hope” about the ability to […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Tyler Perry to donate $2.5M to help older Atlanta homeowners
By The Associated Press Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry is donating $2.75 million to older homeowners in Atlanta to help ensure they’re able to stay in their homes. A few weeks ago, Perry reached out to Atlanta Mayor Andrew Dickens about providing assistance for those residents on fixed incomes who could lose their homes as […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Wrongfully convicted Black man, now free: ‘I was finally heard’
By Jim Salter, The Associated Press As he languished in a Missouri prison for nearly three decades, Lamar Johnson never stopped fighting to prove his innocence, even when it meant doing much of the legal work himself. This week a St. Louis judge overturned Johnson’s murder conviction and ordered him freed. Johnson closed his eyes […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Nigeria police deploy for security before presidential vote
By Chinedu Asadu, The Associated Press Nigeria will deploy more than 400,000 security personnel ahead of the presidential election next week amid fears that Islamic extremists or secessionists could try to disrupt the vote. The security forces also will be on hand in case of violent protests, Usman Baba, Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, told reporters. […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
NJ governor says state will expand AP Black history classes
By Mike Catalini, The Associated Press Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said recently that his administration is expanding Advanced Placement African American Studies courses next year from one school to 26 in New Jersey after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis blocked the course from being taught in public schools in Florida. Murphy’s move comes about a month […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Creative Nomads holds mindfulness day for local moms
By AFRO Staff Creative Nomads helped local moms come together and practice self care this Valentine’s Day with their “Mindfulness With Mom” program. The session is a social emotional series that centers the practice of self care and personal well-being in order to better navigate managing their family and the world. Led by Executive Director […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Maryland delegate harassed with unsolicited sexual image after her testimony against the practice
By DOROTHY HOOD, Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Del. Lesley Lopez became a victim Thursday night of exactly the kind of harassment that she’s trying to put a stop to – getting unwanted sexual images through online platforms. Lopez, D-Montgomery, is the chief sponsor of HB 600, which would create a task force to […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland legislators consider bill to boost local journalism
By CHRISTINE ZHU, Capital News Service COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maureen Daly of Long Island’s North Shore Leader broke the story of George Santos’ deception months prior to the 2022 election. But people didn’t listen, and Santos went on to secure victory in New York’s 3rd Congressional District. He’s since faced scrutiny from local and […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Four-day work week bill aims to give workers and businesses more flexibility
BY GREG MORTON, Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS, Md. – On March 30, 2020, amid a national emergency and rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Maryland, then-Gov. Larry Hogan issued an executive order mandating most workers stay home to mitigate the virus’s spread. As other states were issuing similar shutdown orders, and businesses and workers were […]