By Ashleigh FieldsAFRO Assistant Editorafields@afro.com C-suite executives, students and leaders from around the country gathered at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on Feb. 22 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of JPMorgan Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways program. The initiative was created in 2019, sparking corporate efforts to address racial economic injustices. “For […]
Category: Baltimore News
Posted inCommentary
All about the ENOUGH Act and how it will influence Baltimore
By Phylicia Porter For too long, the scourge of poverty has plagued communities across Maryland, leaving behind a trail of despair, inequality and missed opportunities. Decades of systemic neglect, exacerbated by racially exclusionary policies such as redlining, urban renewal, and mass incarceration, have entrenched poverty in certain neighborhoods, perpetuating a cycle of deprivation that stifles […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Honoring the legacy of griot ‘Grandmother’ Edna Lawrence-Williams: A celebration of storytelling and sound
By Ericka Alston Buck, Special to The AFRO In a vibrant celebration of African-American culture and storytelling, the Waxter Center in Baltimore recently hosted an event to honor griot Edna Lawrence-Williams for her outstanding achievement in the art of storytelling. Affectionately known as Grandmother Edna, Lawrence-Williams was awarded the prestigious Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Sen. Jill Carter aims to increase scrutiny of tax incentives for developers
By Stephen Janis and Taya Graham, Special to the AFRO For decades, Baltimore has doled out tax breaks to spur development, but the increasing use of incentives has not been matched with the requisite scrutiny of how much they cost the city and who is benefiting. State Sen. Jill Carter, D-Baltimore, has introduced a bill […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger and Steny Hoyer endorse Johnny Olszewski for Congress
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Longtime Congressional Democrats Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.-02) and Steny Hoyer (D-Md.-05) endorsed Baltimore County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski Jr. (D) for Maryland’s Second Congressional District on Feb. 21. Ruppersberger announced he was retiring from Congress in January, leaving his seat open this election year. “You must move […]
Posted inTechnology
BEYA STEM Conference highlights STEM opportunities, evolving landscape of AI in 2024
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com Several experts in artificial intelligence (AI) gathered at the 2024 Becoming Everything You Are (BEYA) STEM Conference, organized by Tyrone Taborn’s Career Communications Group, on Feb. 16 to discuss the power and potential of the emerging technology. The seminar addressed the importance of AI adoption, its impact on […]
Posted in!Front Page College
Coppin State University unveils a soulful sculpture
By Beverly RichardsSpecial to the AFRO If you have driven by the North Avenue side of Coppin State University, at the corners of Warwick and West North avenues within the past five months or so, you probably noticed this covered anomaly posted in front of the campus’ new College of Business. You were not alone. […]
Posted in!Front Page Baltimore News
Ivan Bates announces indictments of five Baltimore City and County police officers in three separate cases
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates announced on Feb. 20 that his Public Trust and Police Integrity Unit has indicted five law enforcement officers with various offenses in three separate cases. “Wearing the badge of law enforcement and protecting and serving the residents of Maryland is an honor and a […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Root Branch Media Group takes back the block with new $2.25M media facility
By Layla Eason, Special to the AFRO Root Branch Media Group, a full-service media production and communications company, has recently expanded and purchased a 14,400-square-foot media production facility located on 2220 Boston St. in Baltimore. CEO Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew says that the facility will be used to further its partnerships and advance their multiyear contract […]
Posted inCollege
CIAA Tournament Men’s player to watch: Jaylen Alston
By Maliik Obee, Special to the AFRO On Feb. 26, the 2024 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament will kick off for the fourth time in Baltimore, since moving to Charm City in 2022. The conference’s dozen teams participating in the men’s and women’s brackets will look to take home the crown, in the 79th […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Ursula V. Battle gives hope with stage play, ‘From Addiction to Deliverance’
By Special to the AFRO “From Addiction to Deliverance,” a highly acclaimed stage play by Ursula Battle, returns to Baltimore for encore performances on Feb. 24. The show will begin promptl at 1 p.m. at the Sollers Point Multipurpose center, located at 323 Sollers Point Road in Dundalk, Md. Ursula Battle, a journalist and playwright […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland unveils 2024 priorities
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (LBCM) recently unveiled their 2024 legislative priorities, which include upholding recently passed juvenile justice laws, making resources more available for Maryland’s small businesses and ensuring prescription drugs are affordable for Black Marylanders. “Members of the legislature founded the Legislative Black […]
