(Credit: SpringISD) BY DEFENDER NEWS SERVICE An innocent Houston mother was killed in a drive-by shooting at her hotel during what was supposed to be a time to celebrate her son’s accomplishments. Family members say Michelle Cummings was an innocent bystander during the shooting. It happened on Tuesday around 12:21 a.m. at a hotel in […]
Category: !Front Page
Billy Murphy’s firm to handle OC brutality case
(Courtesy of Murphy Falcon Murphy) Shortly after an incident in which Ocean City police officers reportedly used excessive force to arrest two Black teenagers, Taizier Griffin, left, and Brian Anderson, a rally was organized by civil rights leaders and activists from around the state calling for their justice. Now, William “Billy” Murphy Jr., right, and […]
Howard U openly admonishes new Dean Phylicia Rashad on Cosby support
Howard University expressed disdain with new Dean and alumna Phylicia Rashad expressing support for Bill Cosby’s release from prison after accusations of sexual assault. (Courtesy Photo) By Micha Green AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor mgreen@afro.com When comedian and actor Bill Cosby was released from prison on a technicality after serving almost three years for alleged […]
#WordinBlack: Advocates say expansion of child tax credit and continued pandemic assistance could pull 4 million students out of poverty
Parents can choose to begin advancing half of their child tax credit as early as July 2021, or elect to receive a lump sum when taxes are filed in 2022. (Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash) By Alexis Taylor Special to the AFRO As the true impact of the coronavirus pandemic comes into focus, early […]
Black community mixed bag of happy, disgusted by Bill Cosby’s release
Bill Cosby was released from prison on June 30 after Pennsylavania’s high court overturned his conviction due to a promise made in 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) By Micha Green AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor mgreen@afro.com After serving almost three years of a three to 10-year sentence, comedian, actor and philanthropist Bill Cosby was released from […]
‘Are we on the Air?’
Baltimore Hip Hop By Wendy Saulters Special to the AFRO “Are we on the Air?” asked the 80’s Baltimore Hip Hop Group, Level 4, in their hit song of the same title. If you were a teenager in Baltimore City during the 80’s, you should nostalgically remember the after-school scene—rushing home at 4 p.m. to […]
‘Out to Vote:’ A story of redemption and democracy
The Oberlin Club of Washington, D.C., and the Bertelsmann Foundation collaborated to air “Out to Vote,” a special online screening that documented get-out-the-vote efforts in Baltimore in the weeks leading up to the 2020 national election. (Courtesy photo) By Demetrius Dillard Special to the AFRO In many major American cities, the issue of voting rights […]
Angel investors to launch business plan competition for HBCU students
(L-R) Akin Akinhanmi, Joe Akoun, Emeka Igwilo, Obi Obiaka and Sanmi Kalesanwo founded BearWay Capital to invest in minority-owned businesses by providing them with access to funding and networking opportunities. (Courtesy Photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com On Aug. 1 BearWay Capital will commence its HBCU New Venture […]
Davis ascends two weight classes, defeats Barrios with 11th-round TKO in action-packed thriller
Gervonta Davis knocks Mario Barrios down during the WBA Super Lightweight world championship boxing match on June 26, in Atlanta. Davis won. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) By Demetrius Dillard Special to the AFRO In a highly anticipated clash between two of boxing’s burgeoning superstars in Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios, many didn’t expect […]
AFRO Exclusive: Ron Daniels’ tenure as Johns Hopkins University president extended through 2029
Ron Daniels (Courtesy Photo) The university’s board of trustees votes unanimously to add a new five-year term to Daniels’ presidency, a renewal that will make him the second longest-serving president in the university’s history By AFRO Staff Johns Hopkins University’s board of trustees has voted unanimously to add a new five-year term to the presidential […]
The Good Deacon
(Photo by J.J. McQueen) By J.J. McQueen On the weekend of his 100th birthday, Deacon Willis C. Williams Sr. was celebrated by his family and friends with a drive-by parade. A native of Wallace-Rose Hill, North Carolina, Deacon Williams migrated to Baltimore with his late wife and family following his military career. With just an […]
Tierra A. Dorsey, Central Scholarship’s first African-American president
Tierra A. Dorsey By Jannette J. Witmyer Special to the AFRO A little over two years ago, Tierra A. Dorsey found herself seated beside then president of Central Scholarship, Jan Wagner, while attending a scholarship kickoff event. Dorsey, an experienced higher education fund raiser and Goucher College’s executive director of development at the time, was […]

