(Courtesy of Murphy Falcon Murphy) Shortly after an incident in which Ocean City police officers reportedly used excessive force to arrest two Black teenagers, Taizier Griffin, left, and Brian Anderson, a rally was organized by civil rights leaders and activists from around the state calling for their justice. Now, William “Billy” Murphy Jr., right, and […]
Category: Afro Briefs
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UN: Madagascar droughts push 400,000 toward starvation
In this Nov. 11, 2020, file photo, children sit by a dug out water hole in a dry river bed in the remote village of Fenoaivo, Madagascar. Lola Castro, WFP’s regional director in southern Africa, told a news conference Friday, June 25, 2021, that she witnessed “a very dramatic and desperate situation” during her recent […]
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Tuskegee relatives promote COVID-19 vaccines in ad campaign
In this June 4, 2021 photo provided by the Ad Council, former Mayor Omar Neal, left, speaks during an interview in Tuskegee, Ala., as part of an ongoing multimillion-dollar education campaign aiming to encourage confidence in COVID-19 vaccination. Neal is a nephew of Freddie Lee Tyson, a hard-working family man of deep faith who unwittingly […]
Posted inCoronavirus
As summer evictions loom, MD group boosts prevention program
United Way of Maryland helped more than 900 households in the state avoid evictions in January through its Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention Program. (Adobe stock) By Diane Bernard, Maryland News Connection BALTIMORE, Md. – With the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s eviction moratorium now set to end July 31, and with Maryland’s to expire […]
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Donors urgently needed: Red Cross still facing severe blood shortage
FAIRFAX, VA (June 28, 2021) — The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves […]
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Tulsa pastor gives ‘reparations’ to massacre survivors, calls on churches to take the lead
Transformation Church Pastor Michael Todd (L) thanks the only three living survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre for “surviving the devastation” of the riot on Sunday, June 20, 2021. The survivors (seated from left to right) are Viola Fletcher, 107; Hughes Van Ellis, 100; and Lessie Randle, 106. | (Screenshot: Facebook/Transformation Church) By Leonardo Blair, Christian […]
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NAACP joins statewide Black organizations to address Ocean City incident
(Photo by James Fields) By Demetrius Dillard Special to the AFRO A recent incident between Ocean City police officers and four unarmed Black teens has garnered national attention as video that captured the melee at the town’s boardwalk appeared to show the use of excessive force. The four Black males from Harrisburg, Pa., were arrested […]
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Is your nest egg endangered by medical costs?
Retirees have a 70% chance of needing long-term care in their remaining years and medical and health care expenses tend to pile up quickly for the 65-and-over population. (Courtesy of unsplash) In fact, they have a 70% chance of needing long-term care in their remaining years. Other medical and health care expenses also often pile […]
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Seniors can protect health, finances during pandemic
Since the pandemic began, there have been numerous resources available to help seniors stay safe and healthy. (Courtesy photo) By Ronnie Blair From the AFRO archives Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, health officials have been clear and consistent in their message to seniors: while anyone can fall victim to COVID-19, those who are 65 and older […]
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Report: MD lawmakers need to keep spotlight on child well-being
The number of Maryland fourth graders who were not proficient in reading increased to 65% in 2019, according to a new report. (Adobe stock) By Diane Bernard, Maryland News Connection BALTIMORE — Advocates said Maryland lawmakers need to focus more than ever on helping children, as a new report shows the state dropped from 21st […]
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Black Oklahoma mother named Mom of the Year
Mautra Staley Jones has been named 2021 National Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc. (Courtesy Photo) By AFRO Staff HBCU vice president and mother of three Mautra Staley Jones has been named the 2021 National Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc. during their 86th National Convention held virtually this year. Jones […]
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Judge weighs tossing officer’s charges in brutality case
(Stock Photo) By The Associated Press A judge in Virginia is weighing whether to throw out criminal charges against a White police officer accused of using excessive force on a disoriented Black man, a decision that hinges on complaints about prosecutors’ conduct in the case. Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Brett Kassabian told prosecutors on […]