By Aria BrentAFRO Staff Writerabrent@afro.com Rodericka Applewhaite was selected to serve as the new director of Black media at the White House. She’s committed to ensuring equity for Black journalists. Although she’s only been in the position for about three months, the young director has championed inclusive efforts, creating new ways for the Black press […]
Category: Maryland Government
Posted inMaryland Government
Favorable vote on juvenile justice legislation gets mixed reaction
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com The Maryland House of Delegates Judiciary Committee unanimously voted favorably on a major juvenile justice bill, HB 814/SB744, which brought a range of reactions. With Black children making up 77 percent of the children detained in Maryland juvenile jails, this legislation, as it stands, could increase that number, […]
Posted inBUSINESS
15th MBE Night in Annapolis welcomes more than 1,000 attendees
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com The 15th annual MBE Night in Annapolis took place on Feb. 22, assembling local political leaders, members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and the minority business community. The conference exists to expose minority business enterprises (MBEs) to economic and procurement opportunities in the state. Former Maryland […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Making 2024 a year for military families
By Anthony WoodsSecretary, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs In my office in Annapolis, Md. I proudly display one of my favorite mementos – the blue star flag that my mom hung in her window during my two deployments to Iraq. I keep it in my office as a reminder of the sacrifices our military families […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger and Steny Hoyer endorse Johnny Olszewski for Congress
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Longtime Congressional Democrats Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.-02) and Steny Hoyer (D-Md.-05) endorsed Baltimore County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski Jr. (D) for Maryland’s Second Congressional District on Feb. 21. Ruppersberger announced he was retiring from Congress in January, leaving his seat open this election year. “You must move […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Pless Jones Jr. files eight-count lawsuit against Fulton Bank and Maryland Department of Environment
By Megan SaylesAFRO Business Writermsayles@afro.com The Md. Washington Minority Companies Association (MWMCA) has called attention to an eight-count lawsuit filed by a local Black entrepreneur against Fulton Bank, a Small Business Administration (SBA) preferred lender. According to the complaint, Baltimore resident Pless Jones Jr. attempted to obtain a loan from Fulton Bank in 2019 in […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Hogan’s run for U.S. Senate is all the buzz among former Capitol colleagues
By Lydia Hurley Capital News Service Larry Hogan’s recent decision to run for U.S. Senate comes as a shock to many of the state’s lawmakers — especially Democrats who worked with the former Republican governor and think he wasn’t all that cooperative with the legislature. Now, he’s aiming to serve as a lawmaker himself, this time […]
Posted inGovernor Wes Moore
Gov. Wes Moore highlights collaboration, crime reduction tactics in 2024 State of the State address
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Gov. Wes Moore (D), Maryland’s first Black Governor, delivered his second State of the State address on Feb.7, highlighting partnership as a way to tackle state initiatives and challenges. “One year ago, we began our work together. We knew our state had boundless opportunities and blinding potential,” said Moore. “One […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland unveils 2024 priorities
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (LBCM) recently unveiled their 2024 legislative priorities, which include upholding recently passed juvenile justice laws, making resources more available for Maryland’s small businesses and ensuring prescription drugs are affordable for Black Marylanders. “Members of the legislature founded the Legislative Black […]
Posted inBlack History
Cardin celebrates ‘Legacy of Progress,’ highlights Black Marylanders’ untold stories during Black History Month
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Special Representative on Antisemitism, Racism and Intolerance for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, submitted remarks into the official Congressional Record honoring Black Americans who have influenced Maryland and U.S foreign policy and highlighting […]
Posted inBlack History
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks on the authors and mentors who shaped his path
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com And By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writermsayles@afro.com In celebration of Black History Month, the AFRO sat down with Governor Wes Moore, the first Black man to lead the great state of Maryland. Moore became the 63rd governor of the state on Jan. 18, 2023, in a historic ceremony outside of the Maryland […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland Comptroller’s Office relocates to Baltimore’s Central Business District
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com Comptroller Brooke Lierman kicked off tax season on Jan. 23 at the ribbon-cutting of her new Baltimore office at 7 Saint Paul Street. The new Office of the Comptroller is the first Maryland agency to move from the State Center Complex to downtown Baltimore. The space will accommodate […]
