Baltimore Community Foundation highlights its impact during Black Philanthropy Month. In just four years, the BCF’s Black Philanthropy Circle has directed $1 million in grants to Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits, advancing equity and opportunity across Greater Baltimore.
Category: LOCAL
Posted inBUSINESS
Baltimore women turn cultural roots and community ties into culinary success stories
Baltimore women entrepreneurs, Montana Logan and Elisa Milan, are breaking barriers in the male-dominated food industry by building businesses rooted in their cultural identities and community ties. Despite facing challenges such as capital and sexism, both have seen success and credit being embraced by Baltimore.
Posted inArts & Culture
From craft to calling: How Nate Couser turns Black stories into wearable art
Artist and entrepreneur Nate Couser, founder of VashtiBlue Jewelry and The Artist Exchange, uses fashion, jewelry, and teaching to honor and preserve Black culture through creative expression. Through deeply personal and spiritual artwork, Couser creates wearable pieces that tell stories and celebrate individuality, while advocating for the proper teaching and representation of Black art history.
Posted inHBCU
Bowie State University ranks No. 5 in Forbes’ 2025 top online HBCUs list
Bowie State University has been ranked No. 5 on Forbes’ 2025 list of the best HBCUs offering online degrees, recognizing its high-quality, affordable, and accessible virtual programs. The honor reflects the university’s commitment to meeting students where they are and preparing them for success in a rapidly changing world.
Posted inBUSINESS
From vision to venture: Founders building with heart and hustle
Black business ownership is on the rise, with entrepreneurs like Anissa Truitt, Christina Sledge and Ceal Starks transforming personal missions into purpose-driven, community-centered ventures.
Posted inBUSINESS
Innovation with intention: The power and diversity of Black-owned ventures
Black entrepreneurs across industries are redefining success by centering community, innovation and purpose. From holistic health to tech accelerators to campus digital transformation, these leaders are proving that entrepreneurship in the Black community is as diverse as it is resilient.
Posted inAfro Briefs
Featherstone Foundation honors exceptional students awarding $63,000 in college scholarships
The Featherstone Foundation awarded $63,000 in scholarships to Baltimore’s next generation of leaders and presented the inaugural Featherstone Historic Achievement Award to West Muhammad, the youngest freshman ever enrolled at Coppin State University, and the 2025 Featherstone Changemaker Award to Emmy® Award-winning executive producer Travis E. Mitchell.
Posted inBaltimore News
Young Successful Leaders Incorporated to Receive $50,000 Huddle Up for Health Grant from CareFirst and Baltimore Ravens
CareFirst and the Baltimore Ravens have awarded Young Successful Leaders Inc. (YSLI) a $50,000 grant to expand its mental health, violence prevention and youth development programs in Baltimore.
Posted inBaltimore News
Three key tips for newspapers to thrive for the next 100 years
AFRO leaders share three key tips for Black newspapers to thrive: balancing legacy, innovation, and engagement with younger generations amid industry challenges.
Posted in!Front Page Baltimore News
Ink, identity, and influence: The AFRO’s ongoing legacy
The AFRO has long been a vital voice for the Black community, shining a light on issues often neglected by mainstream media. As it nears its 133rd anniversary, the newspaper continues its mission to confront injustice and amplify Black voices in a changing political landscape.
Posted inHealth
Thousands to lose in-network access to Johns Hopkins Medicine if UnitedHealthcare contract expires Aug. 24
Johns Hopkins Medicine and UnitedHealthcare are in a dispute over a new contract, which could result in 60,000 patients in the mid-Atlantic region losing in-network coverage if an agreement is not reached by August 24.
Posted inBaltimore News
How Black businesses thrived in 1925 Baltimore—and what entrepreneurs can learn today
In honor of National Black Business Month, the AFRO takes a look at what it took to open a Black business 100 years ago and the lessons that can be learned by today’s entrepreneurs in 2025.