The British Academy Film Awards and the BBC issued apologies after a racial slur was broadcast during the Feb. 22 BAFTA ceremony while “Sinners” stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting onstage. The slur was shouted by a Tourette syndrome advocate in attendance, who later said he was “deeply mortified” and stressed that the utterance was an involuntary tic. BAFTA and the BBC acknowledged the harm caused, while advocacy groups emphasized that such vocal tics are not reflective of a person’s beliefs or intentions.
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Posted inBaltimore Government
Mayor Scott announces property tax relief, tax sale reforms for Baltimore homeowners
Baltimore homeowners could see property taxes drop below $2 under a new city plan announced by Mayor Brandon M. Scott. The initiative includes revising the Homestead Property Tax Credit, increasing the Targeted Homeowners Tax Credit, and reforming the city’s annual tax sale to offer payment plans and raise the minimum bid to the property’s assessed value. City leaders say the changes aim to make Baltimore more affordable, keep residents in their homes and encourage new homeownership.
Posted inNational Sports
Kenneth Walker III becomes 1st running back to win Super Bowl MVP in 28 years
Kenneth Walker III rushed for 135 yards and earned Super Bowl 60 MVP honors as the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13, becoming the first running back in 28 years to win the award. The performance capped a dominant postseason for Walker, who enters free agency poised for a major payday, while the game also marked an emotional return for Patriots coordinator Terrell Williams after his cancer battle.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Review: Bad Bunny brought Puerto Rico’s history and culture to a revolutionary Super Bowl show
Bad Bunny turned the Super Bowl 60 halftime show into a vibrant celebration of Puerto Rican history and resilience, performing entirely in Spanish while weaving symbols of island life, politics and pride into a star-studded spectacle that included Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.
Posted inBlack History
Black patriots of the Revolutionary War: Maryland’s forgotten soldiers
Scholars and descendants are uncovering the forgotten role of Black Marylanders in the Revolutionary War, highlighting how free and enslaved men fought for independence yet were largely erased from history.
Posted inMaryland Government
Moore calls White House snub ‘blatant disrespect’
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the nation’s only Black governor, said the White House disinvited him from the annual bipartisan National Governors Association dinner, calling the move disrespectful and partisan. The 47th president’s administration limited the event to Republican governors, a break from longstanding tradition that NGA leaders criticized as undermining cooperation.
Posted inBlack History
Black artists as historians: Preserving memory through art
For generations, Black artists have documented Black life, preserving memory and identity where traditional histories have overlooked or erased their stories. From painting and performance to film and public art, their work captures the everyday, the ancestral and the deeply personal— creating a living record of Black history.
Posted inDMV News
Wizards honor John Wall
By Jonathan ForneySpecial to the AFRO The Washington Wizards honored the career and community impact of former star John Wall on Thursday, Jan. 29 at Capital One Arena as they took on the Milwaukee Bucks. Fans were shown highlights of Wall’s achievements on and off the court for the city. Attendees were given special bobble […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Bmore Empowered shuts down after eight years of service
After serving more than 3,000 Baltimore families, Bmore Empowered is closing its doors, citing ongoing funding challenges. The nonprofit’s founders say the decision was painful but necessary as capital for Black women-led organizations becomes increasingly scarce.
Posted inBaltimore News
Hundreds protest ICE raids, condition of local federal building used to hold immigrants
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Staff Writer On Jan. 30 protestors gathered in downtown Baltimore, Minneapolis and cities nationwide to oppose the violent immigration raids and recent deaths at the hands of agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Border Patrol and other federal agencies. In Baltimore, the march and rally came as legislators and […]
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Bad Bunny makes Grammy history as Lamar, SZA and Olivia Dean lead night of milestones
Bad Bunny made history at the 68th Grammy Awards, winning album of the year for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” the first all-Spanish-language project to earn the top prize, while Kendrick Lamar and SZA captured record of the year for “luther.” Lamar also became the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history with 26 wins, and British singer Olivia Dean was named best new artist as the ceremony highlighted both musical achievement and social commentary.
Posted inArts & Culture
Baltimore August Wilson Celebration continues with ‘Fences’
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Chesapeake Shakespeare Company will produce August Wilson’s “Fences” as part of the citywide Baltimore August Wilson Celebration. The production is the sixth of 10 plays in Wilson’s American Century Cycle, being staged as part of the celebration, and will run Feb. 6–March 1. Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, “Fences” centers on […]