Dr. Tanya Johnson, 46, a Morgan State University alumna and longtime higher education professional, is making waves with her research on humanization practices to create more empathetic and inclusive student support services.
Category: Education
Pell Grants at peril: 7 million recipients face $9 billion program cut
Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. In this piece, she examines how a House-passed FY 2026 budget proposal that cuts $9 billion from Pell Grant funding, threatens access to higher education for millions of low-income students by reducing grant amounts, tightening eligibility, and disproportionately impacting adult learners and students of color.
Keeping history alive: Tips for parents and teachers amid political pushbacks
Amid growing efforts to restrict Black history education, parents and teachers must preserve and share the true stories with Black youth.
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 […]
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.
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.
Prepare for life after graduation by cleaning up your digital footprint
Graduation season is the perfect time to clean up your digital footprint.
Celebrating hoops and history: Baltimore’s Milan Brown is just getting started
Milan Brown, a standout senior from Mercy High School in Baltimore, closed her high school basketball career with a storybook ending — hitting exactly 2,000 career points on her final free throws. Off the court, she’s authored two books, started a nonprofit and received 33 Division I offers, including from Harvard. Now headed to Wake Forest, she continues to balance elite athletics, academics, and community impact with drive and humility.
Princeton University awards honorary degree to Sherrilyn Ifill
Princeton University awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to Sherrilyn Ifill during its 2025 commencement, recognizing her as a visionary civil rights leader and influential advocate for democracy, racial justice, and legal education.
47th president’s administration bars Harvard from enrolling foreign students
The 47th president administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, citing alleged campus antisemitism, ties to China, and failure to comply with federal reporting demands. Harvard condemned the action as unlawful retaliation that threatens its academic mission and the legal status of nearly 7,000 international students.
Finally, a program to support Black student mental health
Mental illness, overdose and suicide rates are increasing in Black and Brown communities. Now, experts like Monica Ingkavet, director of program and partnerships for The Steve Fund, are working hard to change the statistics with initiatives that meet college students where they are.
Locals celebrate D.C. Natives Day 2025 with live trivia showdown
Dwayne Lawson-Brown, a poet, author and artist known as the “Crochet Kingpin,” serves as host of the inaugural “Ask a D.C. Native, Live!” event, held in honor of D.C. Natives Day. Shown here, Lawson-Brown (standing) as he introduces a trivia category to test audience knowledge of slang used by D.C. natives.

