By Alexis TaylorAFRO Managing Editor Members of Morgan State University’s Magnificent Marching Machine will start the year off strong, proudly representing the historically Black institution at the 137th Tournament of Roses (Rose Bowl) parade on Jan. 1, 2026. The marching band of the National Treasure, led by Dr. Jorim Reid, will bring the flavor and […]
Category: LIFE & STYLE
Posted inCOMMUNITY
Ways to celebrate Kwanzaa
As Kwanzaa begins on Dec. 26, longtime observers are helping guide people interested in celebrating the holiday but unsure how to begin. Rooted in seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba, Kwanzaa offers families a time to reflect, reconnect and honor Black culture.
Posted inFood
4 smart tips for budget-friendly holiday meals
Traditional Black holiday dishes carry memory, culture and meaning far beyond the dinner table. Rising grocery prices push families to find creative ways to honor tradition while stretching food budgets.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Culture and community: Marking Kwanzaa one day at a time
By AFRO Staff The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Kwanzaa website offers family-friendly activities and recipes designed to help readers engage with the purpose and meaning of each day. The guide blends cultural tradition with hands-on celebration and features dishes from “A Kwanzaa Keepsake: Celebrating the Holiday with New Traditions and Feasts,” […]
Posted inHealth
From heartbreak to advocacy: Bianca Carolina’s HIV awareness journey
By Clayton Gutzmore Discovering you have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can be one of the most devastating pieces of news a person can receive. For Bianca Carolina, it was crushing — but she refused to remain in shambles. Today, Carolina is an HIV advocate, a wife, an expecting mother of two, and an inspiration to […]
Posted inMoney
Rising costs push Black households to cut back on everyday comforts
Black households across Baltimore and beyond say rising costs are reshaping their daily lives from food spending to basic beauty routines. Women like Sydney Robinson and Olivia Dreux describe holding on to hairstyles longer and cooking more at home as inflation outpaces income. Their stories along with those of new parents Rya and Eric Greene reflect a growing sense that even simple comforts have become harder to afford.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Despite new stores, east-of-the-river residents face limited food access
Despite modest growth in grocery stores across Washington, D.C., residents east of the Anacostia River continue to face limited access to fresh and affordable food. A new report from D.C. Hunger Solutions highlights stark disparities, noting that wealthier wards have more than a dozen stores while Wards 7 and 8 have just three and four, respectively.
Posted inClimate Change
Winter storm warnings stretch across the northern US, bringing snow, cold and risky conditions
By The Associated Press undefined A lot of snow, rain and cold weather await travelers for the rest of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with winter storm warnings posted Nov. 28 across the northern part of the country and more snow falling over the Great Lakes region. Storm warnings and advisories extended from Montana to New […]
Posted inHealth
Bridging the gap in diabetes tech: Dr. Sherita Hill Golden speaks on who benefits—and who’s left behind
Dr. Sherita Hill Golden calls automated insulin delivery systems one of the most exciting advances in diabetes care, offering better control and freedom for patients. Still, she says, not everyone is comfortable—or able—to use the technology.
Posted inHealth
Faith Over Fear: Two powerful journeys through breast cancer
By Chianti MarksAFRO Intern At the age of 30, Akosua “Sua” Bamfo found a small lump in her breast. It was October 2022. She immediately scheduled an appointment with her OB-GYN. After undergoing an MRI and ultrasound, she was told her breasts were too dense for clear imaging and that they would follow up in […]
Posted inHealth
Fighting back: How three women beat breast cancer– more than once
Three women share their powerful stories of surviving multiple fights against breast cancer. Through faith, family and determination, Tirra Pack, Marcia Victor and Linda Hamilton have turned pain into purpose, proving that survival is more than a medical — it’s spiritual, emotional and deeply human.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
‘Busy Bee’ Britton celebrates 35 years of holiday shopping tradition in D.C.
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com Juanita “Busy Bee” Britton, founder of Washington, D.C.-based BZB International, will mark her 35th anniversary as host of a holiday tradition, dubbed “the largest African American Department store on the East Coast,” beginning Black Friday, Nov. 28. Busy Bee, a nickname she earned during her childhood and to […]