By Patricia McDougallSpecial to the AFRO More than 100 years ago, on April 16, 1862, the Compensated Emancipation Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. On that day, slaves in the District of Columbia gained their freedom. More than a century later, the residents of D.C. gather on an annual basis to honor and celebrate […]
Category: Black History
Posted inBooks
Must-read historical fiction novels about Black women
A list of must-read historical fiction novels highlights powerful stories of Black women whose lives and legacies shaped history. From Harlem Renaissance literary icon Jessie Redmon Fauset to Caribbean entrepreneur Dorothy Kirwan Thomas and Oscar-winning actress Hattie McDaniel, contemporary authors bring overlooked figures and pivotal moments to life, celebrating the resilience, creativity and influence of Black women across generations.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Cardi B. says Latinos wouldn’t be ‘living comfortably’ if not for African Americans
By Alexis LaRueAFRO Internalarue@afro.com During her March 7 stop in Dallas, entertainer Belcalis “Cardi B.” Almánzar took to the stage to talk to Latino fans in the audience, reminding them of the sacrifices Black Americans made for them to live comfortably. In fan videos posted across social media, the rapper can be heard encouraging her […]
Posted inBlack History
7th Annual Black History Month Prayer Breakfast
By Kappa Alpha Psi Baltimore Alumni Chapter On Feb. 21, 2026, the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation of Metropolitan Baltimore (KAPFMB) hosted its seventh Annual Black History Month Prayer Breakfast (BHMPB) at the 5-Star Family Life Center on the campus of Morning Star Baptist Church in Gywnn Oak, Md. The Black History Month Prayer Breakfast franchise […]
Posted inBlack History
D.C. Mayor Bowser, National Capital Parks – East and Congress honor ‘The Lion of Anacostia’
Frederick Douglass, the most important leader in the struggle for Black civil rights in the 19th century, was honored in Washington, D.C. with the groundbreaking of a new community center in his name, the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, and the renaming of the U.S. House press gallery.
Posted inMaryland News
3 days in Annapolis: Black excellence on display in Maryland State Capitol
By Haki Ammi When many think of Annapolis, Md., they envision the state capitol, the United States Naval Academy, the Alex Haley statue and the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum. But recently, Black excellence and power took center stage in Maryland’s capital, marking a historic and vibrant convergence of culture, leadership and progress. The series of events began […]
Posted inBlack History
Woman’s search for family’s roots leads to ancestor John T. Ward – a successful entrepreneur and conductor on the Underground Railroad
After more than a decade researching her ancestry, Shanna Ward published a book about her forefather John T. Ward, a formerly enslaved man who became an Underground Railroad conductor, abolitionist and founder of one of the nation’s oldest Black-owned businesses. Her work highlights the power of genealogy to reclaim lost histories and honor the resilience of enslaved Africans and their descendants.
Posted inBlack History
A century later, Black history scholars continue renovations to ‘The house that Carter G. Woodson built’
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to The AFRO On Saturday, February 28, under the theme of “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” several hundred people committed to the research, preservation and dissemination of information about Black life, history and culture, gathered in Washington, D.C. at the JW Marriott for an historic event. With the spirit of […]
Posted inBaltimore News
‘A Soldier’s Life’ writer and 6888 champion set to give author’s talk at Lewis Museum
Edna W. Cummings, retired army veteran, is set to host an author talk at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on March 7 in honor of Women’s History Month.
Posted inPrince George's County News
Bowie State, DPSCS spotlight unity, education at Black History Month program
Bowie State University and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services hosted their annual Black History Month program at Jessup Correctional Institution. The day served as a time to spotlight Bowie’s Prison Education Program and the importance of investing in recidivism prevention efforts.
Posted inBlack History
Autherine Lucy Foster’s courage opened doors at the University of Alabama
Autherine Lucy Foster became a civil rights pioneer when the University of Alabama rescinded her 1952 admission after learning she was Black. With legal backing from Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP, she won the right to enroll in 1956, but violent protests led to her suspension and expulsion. Decades later, the university reversed its decision, and Foster earned her master’s degree in 1991. She was later honored by Morgan State University for her role in desegregating higher education.
Posted inMaryland Government
Then and now: Black History Month underscores the ongoing battle to protect the ballot
As Black History Month is underway, Maryland lawmakers are championing bills to strengthen voting rights and protect minority voters. The proposed legislation aims to safeguard ballots and ensure legal recourse against voter intimidation or suppression.