By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO Vernon L. Simms, longtime advisor and chief of staff to the late Elijah Cummings, passed away on July 16. “Vernon loved the AFRO and the AFRO loved him,” said Diane Hocker, director of the Community & Public Relations for the AFRO. “He would open doors and use his […]
Category: Baltimore News
Posted inPolitics
Wes Moore among potential winners
By H. R. Harris, Special to the AFRO Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer Report For America Corps Member Army veteran, author, TV producer and former CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, Westley Watende Omari Moore is moving closer to the Democratic nomination for Governor in the State of Maryland. But not yet. As of 8:30 […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Elected officials react to attack of Squeegee crew that led to fatal shooting in Downtown Baltimore
By Tinashe Chingarande, Special to the AFRO The July 7 killing of 48-year-old Timothy Reynolds at a downtown Baltimore intersection has once again inflamed the long-standing debate of how to handle “squeegee boys,” or young men and children who clean car windshields on busy street corners across the city Reports from the Baltimore Police Department […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Anthony Barksdale appointed as new Deputy Mayor for Public Safety
By Kara Thompson, MDDC Intern On July 8, Mayor Brandon Scott announced that Baltimore’s next Deputy Mayor for Public Safety would be Anthony Barksdale. Born and raised in Baltimore, Barksdale brings a thorough knowledge of Baltimore to his new position, as well as years of experience in law enforcement and a history of proactive public […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Ground has been broken on the new Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center
By Kara Thompson, MDDC Intern A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 2 at the site that will house the new Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center in West Baltimore. The new building will honor the legacy of Justice Marshall and other civil rights leaders from the Upton area, as well as provide resources, education, and community […]
Posted inPolitics
Congressman Kweisi Mfume Statement on the Passing of Vernon Simms, Longtime Congressional Staffer
By Congressman Kweisi Mfume Washington, DC – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) issued the following statement on the July 16, 2022, passing of Mr. Vernon Simms, a congressional staffer for three decades who served under Congressmen Mfume and Elijah Cummings. “It was devastating to hear of the passing of my friend and former colleague Vernon Simms, […]
Posted inPolitics
41st District’s Jill P. Carter and other Black politicians are outraged by Schleifer’s all White slate
By Tashi McQueen, Report For America Corps Member, Political Writer for The AFRO On June 11th, 2022 Democratic State Central Committee candidate Evan L. Serpick posted to Twitter announcing Sen. Jill P. Carter’s (D-41) slate, which he is a member of. It was reposted by Sen. Antonio Hayes (D-40) and Sen. Carter (D-41) herself a […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Formerly segregated plaza now redeveloped with help of HBCU
By Kara Thompson, MDDC Intern Northwood Plaza used to be a segregated shopping area located next to Morgan State University, a historically Black college. Starting in the early 1950s, hundreds of Morgan State students participated in sit-ins and other peaceful protests in the name of equal rights, culminating with the arrest of more than 415 […]
Posted inNEWS
Baltimore clergy unite to increase Black voter participation
By Mylika Scatliffe, AFRO Women’s Health Writer A small, yet mighty and determined clergy cohort recently gathered for a press conference at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore. They had a singular focus – to get the vote out. Early voting has begun, and this group of clergy wants to make sure that the Black […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Community banking to community building
By Byna Elliott, Head of JPMorgan Chase Advancing Black Pathways Last month we celebrated Juneteenth. It is both a celebration of freedom and a reminder of the work that still must be done to bring about a more equitable society. We should recognize Juneteenth each year as a time to harness what unites us and […]
Posted inPolitics
Black candidates look to make history, and make political returns, in Maryland primary elections
TheGrio is closely watching the Maryland gubernatorial and attorney general contests and the race for the 4th Congressional District, where former congresswoman Donna Edwards is looking to win back her old seat. By April Ryan, TheGrio There are a number of important primary contests this upcoming election Tuesday. Two races theGrio is closely watching are […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Cherry Hill honors native Leon Bailey, the man who integrated Navy wrestling
By Nicole D. Batey, Special to the AFRO Leon Bailey, a trailblazer in U.S. Navy Wrestling, was the first African American to integrate Navy wrestling and win an individual title at the AAU New England Six-State Championship in 1964. His life story and accomplishments are shared in his self-published book, Leon Bailey: The Dream. Born […]