Lawmakers from Maryland’s legislative caucuses gathered March 24 in Annapolis to advance shared priorities as the session nears its end, highlighting bills on youth justice, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant protections, and educational equity. Unity and collaboration remain central to their push for measurable results before Sine Die.
Category: !Front Page
Lawmakers, community members rally in Maryland for immigrant protections
Lawmakers and community members rallied in Annapolis, Md., for We Are Casa’s Black Lobby Day, urging the state legislature to pass bills limiting federal immigration enforcement and ensuring humane standards for immigrant detention facilities.
Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office hosts town hall on preventing juvenile crime
The Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office hosted a town hall on March 18 at Digital Harbor High School to discuss juvenile crime and the impact of local smoke shops in Baltimore. Panelists and community members advocated for a fight against the opening of these businesses, as well as providing local resources to attendees.
Baltimore women who turned tragedy into transformation for West Baltimore
After experiencing personal and community tragedy, Ashiah Parker and Tracey Malone transformed their grief into leadership in West Baltimore. Parker rose from volunteer to executive director of the No Boundaries Coalition following the death of Freddie Gray, while Malone, after losing her brother to violence, helped build the Sandtown-Winchester Collective into a 26-entity coalition—both women anchoring their work in love, organizing and community empowerment.
Kiki Shepard, ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ co-host, dies at 74
By Alexis LaRueAFRO Internalarue@afro.com Kiki Shepard, the long-time co-host of the variety show “Showtime at the Apollo,” died on March 16 after suffering a heart attack. She was 74. Shepard, a Texas native and a graduate of Howard University, launched her career as an ensemble dancer on Broadway in shows like “Reggae” and “Comin’ Uptown” […]
Zion Baptist Church prepares for the ribbon cutting at new East Baltimore location
Zion Baptist Church, led by Dr. Marshall F. Prentice, will celebrate their new location at 1600 Harford Ave. in East Baltimore on March 21 and March 22.
Cast, crew of ‘Sinners’ win big at 2026 Academy Awards
By Alexis TaylorAFRO Managing Editor Standing on the Dolby Theatre stage before his mother, father and all of Hollywood, actor Michael B. Jordan accepted the Oscar award for Best Actor in a Leading Role inside of the Dolby Theatre on March 15. “God is good,” said Jordan, before acknowledging his parents, siblings and the people […]
Maryland leaders conduct surprise inspection of Baltimore ICE facility
Maryland leaders toured the Baltimore ICE facility, condemning the inhumane conditions identified even in the absence of detainees. Legislators praised Judge Julie R. Rubin’s March 6 order limiting capacity for detainees at the facility to 55 people and city officials have pledged to protect immigrants by fighting private detention centers.
Multiple gunshots fired near Rihanna’s LA home and a woman is taken into custody
By The Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles police took a woman into custody after she fired gunshots outside Rihanna ‘s gated home, according to authorities and news reports on March 9. No one was injured, police said. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the singer was at home when the shooting happened March […]
Aging while Black: Seniors say listening is the first step to care
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com When discussing how to best serve older residents, it can be easy to get lost in statistics and policies. Experts and seniors alike say what’s most important when considering the aging Black population is communication. “When we think about seniors and look at the social determinants of health, I think […]
MCB Real Estate moves forward with $900 million Harborplace transformation
MCB Real Estate’s $900-million transformation of Harborplace is set to begin this fall, promising a reimagined waterfront with retail, dining, cultural spaces and green areas. The project aims to revitalize downtown Baltimore, boosting local businesses and restoring the Inner Harbor as a central gathering place for residents and visitors alike.
Baltimore inspector general challenges city over limited access to records
By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com Baltimore City Inspector General (IG) Isabel Mercedes Cumming has filed suit against Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore City Council after the city denied her office access to certain records and provided heavily redacted information in response to subpoenas. The suit seeks a court declaration confirming the Office of […]

