By Savannah WoodAfro Charities CEO After a public groundbreaking ceremony in February for their historic Upton Mansion redevelopment project, Afro Charities is well underway on their transformative development. The site, vacant since 2006, will become the new headquarters for both Afro Charities and AFRO News, and the public research center for the historic AFRO Archives, […]
Category: AFRO CHARITIES
Posted inAFRO CHARITIES
Kappa Silhouettes host annual toy drive
By AFRO Staff On Nov. 22 the Kappa Silhouettes held their annual toy drive. For more than a decade the Silhouettes have been a driving force behind the Christmas cheer experienced by families across Baltimore City. Over 100 toys donated by those in attendance. From dolls to art sets and learning games and small keyboards, […]
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Weeklong celebration of Baltimore artist’s legacy picked Best Art and Culture Tradition in local magazine
Tom Miller Week, an annual celebration of the late Baltimore artist known for his vibrant “Afro-Deco” style, has been named 2025’s Best Arts and Culture Tradition by Baltimore Magazine readers. The citywide tribute, led by AFRO Charities’ Deyane Moses, honors Miller’s artistic legacy and aims to restore his fading murals while showcasing his work from private and institutional collections.
Posted inAFRO CHARITIES
Afro Charities team closer to meeting funding goal after ‘Wildest Dreams’ fundraiser
By Michelle RichardsonSpecial to the AFRO On Saturday, June 7, Afro Charities held its second annual Wildest Dreams Spring fundraiser at Cinghiale Restaurant in Harbor East. Guests enjoyed a live DJ, passed hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction of various art pieces from local artists such as Tom Miller, SHAN Wallace, Quinn Bryant and Charles […]
Posted inAFRO CHARITIES
Afro Charities set to host ‘Wildest Dreams’ fundraiser
Afro Charities will host its annual “Wildest Dreams” fundraiser on June 7 in Baltimore to support the preservation of the AFRO’s more than 130-year-old archival collection. The event reflects the organization’s ongoing work to honor Black legacy, expand public access to historical records and invest in community memory.
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Letters, love and legacy: The AFRO’s historic column comes to life again
Afro Charities hosted a mixer and networking session centered around their “Re-Reading the News” series, inspired by the AFRO Archives’ “Lonesome Hearts” column, where attendees exchanged letters and formed connections.
Posted inAFRO CHARITIES
Afro Charities team breaks ground on permanent home for the AFRO Archives
The Upton Mansion, which will house the AFRO Archives, was officially broken ground on Feb. 28, with Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, and AFRO Publisher and CEO, Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, among others, in attendance.
Posted inAFRO Black History: Preserving Our Legacy
Afro Charities set to break ground on new home for AFRO Archives at historic Upton Mansion
Afro Charities is set to break ground on its $16-million redevelopment of the historic Upton Mansion in West Baltimore, which will serve as the headquarters for the AFRO and feature offices for Afro Charities, including a gallery space, recording studio, and green roof.
Posted inBaltimore News
Ballet After Dark hosts holiday dinner
Ballet After Dark, a Baltimore nonprofit that uses dance to address trauma, held a holiday dinner for community members, volunteers and beneficiaries, and announced a one million dollar grant to further heal members of the community through movement.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Museum of Art celebrates 110th anniversary
The Baltimore Museum of Art celebrated its 110th anniversary with a sold out BMA Ball, honoring artists LaToya Ruby Frazier and Sir John Akomfrah, and raising over $900,000, while Governor Wes Moore emphasized the importance of the arts community for a thriving city.
Posted inMaryland News
Celebrating American Archives Month: Corey Lewis and the Maryland State Archives’ commitment to preserving history
Corey Lewis, an assistant state archivist at the Maryland State Archives, is dedicated to preserving historical documents and records, collaborating with Afro Charities to ensure that the AFRO Archives are preserved and made accessible to the public.
Posted inAfro
AFRO team visits land that played pivotal role in newspapers’ beginnings
The AFRO American Newspapers and Afro Charities team recently visited the land where Martha Howard Murphy, wife of AFRO founder John H. Murphy Sr., was enslaved and later owned, which provided seed money for the founding of the AFRO.