By Aysia Morton, Special to the AFRO 2021 was the most violent year the District has seen in more than a decade. This year brings an increase in violent crime, burglary and theft; violent crime has increased by 22 percent, burglary by 66 percent, and theft by 11 percent, according to the Metropolitan Police Department […]
Category: Afro Briefs
Posted inAfro Briefs
Uplifting Black Men Conference invites students, community members to lift their voices
By Special Report February 11, 2022 — The seventh annual Uplifting Black Men Conference, to be held virtually on Saturday, Feb. 19, borrowed its theme of “Lift Your Voice” from a beloved source: the hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” widely considered the Black national anthem. “It is a song that reflects upon the heritage of […]
Posted inNational News
Thousands rally in support of Amir Locke’s family
By Cole MiskaMinnesota Spokesman-Recorder Despite the cold weather, over 1,000 people gathered at the Hennepin County Government Center on Feb. 5 to show support for the family of Amir Locke at a rally organized by the Twin Cities Coalition Justice 4 Jamar (TCC4J). Locke was shot and killed while sleeping at a relative’s apartment on […]
Posted inBaltimore News
String of ‘smash and grab’ ATM thefts leave business owners feeling helpless
By Brittany LoganSpecial to the AFRO Recently, there have been a rash of ATM thefts across Baltimore City and surrounding counties that have left police with more questions than answers. During the 2021 holiday season, there was an alarming uptick in these brazen burglaries with two to three heists happening per week. The thefts tend […]
Posted inCoronavirus
N95 vs KN95 Respirators: Which mask is a better protection from COVID?
By Nicole D. Batey,Special to the AFRO As COVID cases are surging, the demand for facial coverings that provide better protection with facial coverings are also on the rise. The Black community needs to remain especially vigilant in helping to stop the spread of COVID, as we have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic. The […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Boston launches office, commission on Black male advancement
By The Associated Press Boston has launched a new city office and commission to ensure that Black men and boys have equitable access to opportunities in the city. Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu said in an announcement Feb. 3 that the Mayor’s Office for Black Male Advancement will work to “improve outcomes and reduce systemic barriers […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Bill aims to reform law that means second chance for most, but can trigger deportation for Maryland immigrants
By Vanessa G. SánchezCapital News Service ANNAPOLIS – Under Maryland law, first-time, nonviolent offenders of relatively minor crimes can plead guilty and receive probation, and after a successful completion, go on without the burden of a criminal conviction haunting the rest of their lives. Not so for the immigrants in the state. In order to […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Chicago activists want federal charges for officer convicted of killing Black teen
By Kathleen FoodyThe Associated Press Chicago organizers vowed Feb. 4 to continue protests calling for federal charges against Jason Van Dyke, the former Chicago police officer released from a state prison Feb. 3 after serving less than half of his nearly seven-year sentence for killing Black teenager Laquan McDonald. The group speaking at a church […]
Posted inNEWS
Sickle Cell Disease Association offers community health worker training
HANOVER, Md.—The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America will offer a virtual sickle cell disease community health worker training from March 14 to May 16 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time. The training consists of virtual lectures, 40 hours of field experience, online in-class assignments, homework and a final […]
Posted in#SecuringTheBag
Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Maryland
Written by Stacker Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in MarylandEvery county in the United States is home to people experiencing food insecurity, defined by the nonprofit Feeding America as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.” The USDA estimates […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
HUD report to Congress finds fewer families in shelters, suggesting stronger social safety net is working
(PRNewswire) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released its Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. Each year, the report provides the critical benchmark on the number of people known to be experiencing homelessness on a single night. This year’s report—which looks back at 2021—indicates that funding provided through the […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Alcohol use on the rise among women, let’s embrace‘ Dry January’
By Mylika Scatliffe, Afro Women’s Health Writer January’s newness always invites the onslaught of resolutions to do better in some way, like drinking more water and less alcohol. In 2013, Dry January was begun as an initiative by Alcohol Change UK, a British charity that works to create a society free from the harm caused […]