For 150 years, The Savannah Tribune has championed Black voices, from urging voter registration in Reconstruction-era Georgia to navigating the challenges of today’s digital media landscape. Under Publisher Shirley B. James, the historic paper remains committed to informing and empowering the Black community while embracing modern platforms to expand its reach.
Category: Afro Briefs
Virginia man convicted in brutal slaying of Maryland woman, his ex-girlfriend
Kevin Derr, 51, has been convicted of first-degree murder and other charges for the April 2024 stabbing death of his former girlfriend, 47-year-old Wendolyn McKoy, in Prince George’s County, Md. Prosecutors say Derr lay in wait, forced McKoy into her home, and stabbed her 78 times in front of a minor; he faces life without parole when sentenced in November.
Frederick Lincoln’s family has held this land since emancipation
Frederick Lincoln grew up on land his family has owned since Emancipation — more than 40 acres passed down from formerly enslaved ancestors who never left the plantation they once worked. In a tight-knit community where most residents descend from the same group of enslaved families, land isn’t just property — it’s legacy, survival and a statement of freedom. As development pressures rise around Charleston, Lincoln and his relatives are fighting to hold onto what generations before them preserved with grit and determination.
Morning Glory Homestead: Cultivating history, heritage and hospitality
On St. Helena Island in South Carolina, Anthony and Belinda Jones have transformed their ancestral farm into a living classroom and cultural retreat. Through immersive camping experiences, storytelling, traditional meals and educational programs, they celebrate and preserve Gullah heritage while sustaining their family farm.
Toxic legacy: How lead in schools is silently harming kids
Aging school infrastructure continues to expose Black children to toxic lead, with cities like Cleveland and Milwaukee reporting some of the highest contamination rates. Experts warn the damage from lead exposure is irreversible, yet many schools in Black and low-income communities remain dangerously unaddressed.
Youth activism: The crucial role of family support
Young changemakers are leading movements for climate action, gun violence prevention and equal representation—supported by families who help them heal, organize and sustain their activism.
From stigma to power: Empowering those with invisible disabilities in the Black community
Invisible disabilities come in many different forms but they are always without visual indicators of a disability. The AFRO spoke with experienced people in this field and they offered their insight and advice on how to tackle the stigma around this topic. Black people are afraid to disclose and talk about their invisible disabilities for fear of losing job opportunities, being scorned in school or being socially ostracized. The time for stigma is over, and the time for community and Black empowerment is now.
A sentence—finally—but still no justice for Breonna Taylor
Attorney Ben Crump (left), stands beside Tamika Palmer, mother of Breonna Taylor, and Kenneth Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend, outside the federal courthouse calling the sentencing offers “a start,” though it remains uncertain whether true justice was served for Breonna.
Gunman blames NFL, kills 4 in Manhattan office tower before taking own life
Shane Tamura, a former high school football player, killed four people in a Manhattan office building on July 28 before taking his own life, claiming in a note that he suffered from CTE and blaming the NFL for hiding the risks of brain injuries. Authorities say Tamura intended to target the NFL’s headquarters but entered the wrong floor, opening fire in the lobby and on the 33rd floor in a shocking attack that left an off-duty NYPD officer and a Blackstone executive among the dead.
An overlooked crisis: Women with disabilities and maternal health inequity
Black mothers with disabilities face unique challenges during pregnancy, including medical dismissal and higher costs. Advocates call for systemic change to ensure equitable, compassionate care for all mothers navigating these barriers.
Celebrating Buffalo Soldiers Day: A legacy of bravery and service
Each year, Buffalo Soldiers Day is recognized on July 28, honoring the legacy of the first all-Black Army regiments formed well over a century ago. On this day, many recognize the bravery of the first Black soldiers and their role in shaping American history.
Black disability advocates who helped shape civil rights
Black history and disability rights history are more connected than many realize, thanks to leaders like Brad Lomax and Lois Curtis. Their advocacy forged pathways for justice where race and disability intersect.

