Coppin State University celebrated its 125th anniversary with a black-tie gala, honoring its legacy of resilience and brilliance, and raising over $500,000 to support scholarships and student success.
Category: Maryland News
Federal freeze, local response: Gov. Wes Moore declares emergency, mobilizes $10 million to fight food insecurity
SNAP benefits are expected to run out on Nov. 1 due to an extended shutdown of the federal government. Aiming to mediate the impact, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has now declared a state of emergency and issued an executive order which will send $10 million to food banks across the state. Moore hopes the money will help organizations that assist families already facing furloughs, layoffs – and now – the looming threat of not having Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in the month of November.
Annual Masked Ball returns to Charm City
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com With the assistance of individuals like Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) remains committed to transforming the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across Baltimore City On Saturday, Nov. 1, beginning with a 7 p.m. reception, UNCF will return its fundraising event, the […]
Civil rights, advocacy groups demand accountability after false AI alert leads to student detainment at Kenwood High
Black leaders are speaking out in support of Kenwood High School student Taki Allen, 16, who was handcuffed at gunpoint by members of the Baltimore County Police Department after an artificial intelligence surveillance system mistakenly identified his Doritos bag as a gun. Now, advocacy and civil rights groups, including Associated Black Charities and the Randallstown NAACP, are calling the incident a failure of leadership and systemic bias and urging accountability, AI audits and reforms to protect students of color.
Greater Baltimore Urban League builds pathways from classrooms to boardrooms
The Greater Baltimore Urban League is transforming lives by equipping youth and entrepreneurs with the tools to lead, succeed and build wealth. Through programs like the Saturday Leadership Program and hands-on business coaching, GBUL empowers future leaders with life skills, mentorship and access to real opportunities.
“House of Melo” exhibit shines spotlight on Baltimore resilience
By Chianti MarksAFRO Intern On Oct. 25, 2025, Baltimore native and 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony celebrated the opening of the “House of Melo” exhibit at the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Branch. The event followed Anthony’s recent induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The exhibit, open through Dec. 20, 2025, highlights […]
Marylanders weigh in on their favorite local gems
Maryland ranks second in the U.S. for its share of Black-owned businesses, with 10 percent of companies owned by African Americans, according to a 2025 Pew Research Center report. To celebrate this entrepreneurial spirit, the AFRO spoke with residents about their favorite Black-owned businesses, highlighting local gems from bookstores to restaurants.
100 unmarked graves, 33 automatic offenses: Maryland must stop failing children
The discovery of 100 unmarked graves near Cheltenham Youth Detention Center highlights Maryland’s failure to protect children in the justice system.
The AFRO Named Among the Nation’s Top Black News Outlets on Two Feedspot Lists
The AFRO-American Newspapers, the nation’s oldest continuously published Black-owned newspaper still owned by its founding family, has been named to Feedspot’s list of the “45 Best Black News Websites of 2025.” The recognition honors The AFRO’s legacy of trusted journalism and its continued innovation in digital media, storytelling, and community engagement.
Survivors to inspire hope at 23rd annual Maryland Kidney Walk
Larry Jones, a kidney transplant recipient who received the gift of life from his son, will return to participate in the 23rd Annual Maryland Kidney Walk alongside fellow survivor and DJ, Thomas LaVon Thomas Jr. The event highlights stories of resilience and awareness about kidney disease, which disproportionately affects the Black community.
Maryland’s housing order aims to boost affordable housing, cut barriers
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed the Housing Starts Here executive order to speed up housing development, reduce regulatory barriers, and expand affordable options amid a statewide shortfall of about 96,000 units. The plan emphasizes transit-oriented development, streamlined permitting, and stronger state-local coordination to close the housing gap and ease costs for renters and homeowners.
Maryland joins national fight to protect inclusive sex education programs
Maryland joins other states in defending comprehensive, evidence-based sexual health education against federal overreach.

