By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com As Juneteenth approaches, Black consumers are increasingly split on whether to support major retailers like Walmart and Target— companies that have faced growing scrutiny for scaling back their diversity, inclusion and equity efforts. Amid calls for store boycotts from leaders such as Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, of Georgia’s New Birth […]
Category: Afro Briefs
Shaping the future: Black Leadership in tech regulation
By Andrea StevensAFRO Staff Writerastevens@afro.com Juneteenth is a commemorative day that brings together African Americans across the country. It’s a story that keeps the Black community grounded and reminds many of the progress made. As the holiday approaches, historians emphasize that Juneteenth’s legacy runs deeper—and is more complex—than a single day of celebration. Dr. Akwasi […]
Ten years later: Charleston remembers slain parishioners as push for gun reform gains urgency
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO Ten years ago, on June 17, 2015, a group of worshipers entered Mother Emanuel AME Church for a Bible study, in Charleston, South Carolina. Though they stepped into the oldest AME church in the South to strengthen their walk with God, they were joined by one visitor who […]
National Teachers Hall of Fame to induct Valerie Camile Jones Ford, award-winning math teacher and Spelman grad
Valerie Camille Jones Ford, an award-winning mathematics teacher at Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, will be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame class of 2025 for her dedication to her students and her innovative approach to teaching mathematics.
Suspect in shooting of Minnesota state lawmakers surrenders
Vance Boelter was arrested and charged with two counts of murder and two of attempted murder after posing as a police officer and shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and shooting and wounding Senator John Hoffman and his wife, in a targeted attack that brought the state to a standstill.
Across the country, schools officials work to protect students from immigration raids
School officials are speaking out against immigration raids taking place in classrooms across the nation. Teachers and administrators are doing what they can to protect immigrant families who now have to reconsider if school buildings are truly a safe space for their students.
‘Arrogant. Dangerous. Dishonest’: 47th president’s global image tanks as US reputation plummets
A new global survey by Pew Research Center shows that the 47th U.S. president’s international image has plummeted, with most countries viewing him as unfit for global leadership. Confidence in the American president is low across key issues like climate change and Ukraine, and the U.S. reputation has also declined sharply, especially in Mexico, Canada, and Sweden.
Healing through history: The power of Juneteenth
Experts say Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, provides a powerful opportunity for Black Americans to acknowledge generational trauma and celebrate survival and resilience.
‘DMC’ of Run-DMC reveals: ‘10 Ways Not To Commit Suicide’
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC opens up about his past suicidal thoughts and depression in his memoir “Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide,” emphasizing the importance of therapy—especially for Black men—as a powerful and necessary step toward healing. His story sheds light on mental health struggles and the urgent need to break the silence around suicide in the Black community.
Black community divided on response to ‘dramatic escalation’ in LA, amid ICE raid protests
As the number of troops sent to quell immigration protests in Los Angeles increases, members of the Black community are divided on whether they should take to the streets and join the movement or focus on self-care and peace in their own homes.
Prepare for life after graduation by cleaning up your digital footprint
Graduation season is the perfect time to clean up your digital footprint.
47th president bans citizens – many Black – of 12 countries from entering the US
The White House has enacted a sweeping travel ban affecting citizens of 12 countries—many of them in Africa and the Middle East—citing national security concerns in a policy reminiscent of the 47th president’s first-term actions. Critics, including humanitarian groups and foreign leaders, have condemned the move as discriminatory and politically motivated, while exemptions and diplomatic tensions complicate its rollout.

