The Cherry Hill Arts and Music Waterfront Festival returns to Baltimore on July 4 at Middle Branch Park, featuring live performances, family-friendly activities, and a custom drone show. The event, now in its ninth year, will partner with the city’s Inner Harbor festivities to offer an all-day celebration of art, culture and community.
Category: LOCAL
Posted inBaltimore News
City leaders respond to Bilal “BJ” Abdullah Jr. death with resource fair as body-cam footage is released
Baltimore City officials and community members gathered for a resource fair to provide aid and support after the police-involved shooting death of Bilal “B.J.” Abdullah Jr., with vendors offering testing for STDs, housing resources, drug rehabilitation programs, food, books, and school supplies.
Posted inBaltimore News
Mayor Scott Appoints Dr. Melanie Bryant as Director of the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs
By The Baltimore City Office of the Mayor BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, June 25, 2025) — Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the appointment of Dr. Melanie Bryant as Director of Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs. Her leadership will play a crucial role in supporting the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community policies and initiatives that […]
Posted inMusic
Words that echo: The lasting impact of song lyrics on Black communities
Hip-hop lyrics have long served as a reflection of the Black experience, from messages of unity and resistance to today’s dominant themes of money, violence and survival. As the music industry continues to shape what gets heard, artists and scholars are questioning how modern rap lyrics are influencing identity, values and the well-being of Black communities—especially among youth. Many are now calling for a return to more empowering narratives.
Posted inBaltimore News
2 shootings in 1 night leave 8 people wounded in Baltimore
By Tavon N. ThomassonAFRO Intern Within the span of a few hours on June 23, two separate mass shootings erupted in Baltimore, leaving multiple people wounded. The first incident occurred about 7 p.m., after the sound of gunfire echoed from the 1900 block of McHenry St., alerting officers nearby. At the scene, police found three […]
Posted inBaltimore News
The Pikes Studio Cinema: Bringing big-screen culture back to Pikesville
Pikes Studio Cinema is more than a movie house — it’s a community-driven space where themed films, local partnerships and free weekly screenings bring people together. Owner Michael Eugene Johnson is on a mission to make cinema meaningful again in Pikesville.
Posted inBaltimore News
Star power and local pride shine at AFRAM 2025
Day One of AFRAM 2025 brought over 150,000 people to Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park for a celebration of Black culture, music, and community featuring stars like JT, Stefflon Don, and Juvenile. The festival also introduced a new stage for local talent and showcased everything from food and fashion to art and wellness.
Posted inHair
Black Follicles Matter Expo 2025: A safe space for curls, coils and conversations
The Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo will host “Black Follicles Matter” on June 28, 2025, spotlighting natural hair, cultural pride, and community wellness. Led by salon founder Malaika Tamu-Cooper, the event offers workshops, live demos, and a marketplace promoting Black beauty, health, and empowerment.
Posted inMaryland News
Governor Moore declares State of Preparedness to enhance government coordination amid extreme heat forecast
Governor Wes Moore signed a State of Preparedness to protect Marylanders from a potentially hazardous heat wave, urging them to stay vigilant, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable family members and friends to ensure their safety.
Posted inMaryland News
Governor Moore unveils $400M initiative to reduce racial wealth gap on Juneteenth
On Juneteenth, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced the $400 million Just Communities initiative to combat the racial wealth gap by prioritizing investment in historically underserved neighborhoods impacted by redlining, mass incarceration and economic exclusion. He also issued nearly 7,000 additional cannabis possession pardons, underscoring his administration’s commitment to addressing historical injustices and promoting economic equity across the state.
Posted inPrince George's County News
Braveboy takes oath of office as Prince George’s County executive on Juneteenth
Aisha Braveboy was sworn in as the 10th Prince George’s County Executive on June 19 at the University of Maryland, with notable guests like Gov. Wes Moore and actor Taraji P. Henson in attendance. In her speech, Braveboy emphasized openness, community involvement, and immediate priorities such as clean streets, unity in government and support for local businesses.
Posted inDMV News
No justice, no (Montgomery County) Juneteenth
The Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC) is urging a full boycott of Montgomery County’s official Juneteenth celebration at BlackRock Center for the Arts, calling it a hypocritical display by leaders complicit in ongoing racial violence and erasure of Black history. Instead, BACC invites the public to attend “The People’s Juneteenth” on June 19, a grassroots event honoring ancestors buried at the desecrated Moses African Cemetery and spotlighting local racial justice issues.