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.
Category: Baltimore News
Posted inBaltimore News
Black families push past barriers to save lives through swimming and water safety
Barriers like cost, access, and generational fear continue to prevent many Black youth from learning how to swim, contributing to a disproportionately high rate of drowning deaths. Through programs like Baltimore’s 4M Swim Club, families are working to change the narrative—embracing water safety, building confidence, and developing a new generation of Black swimmers and lifeguards.
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
Baltimore sees progress on gun violence
Baltimore’s recent drop in gun violence, including a record-low number of homicides in April, signals progress driven by focused intervention strategies like the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS). Experts warn, however, that cuts to federal funding and growing online threats could undermine fragile gains. Leaders are calling for sustained investment, youth engagement and statewide collaboration to keep the momentum going.
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 inOPINION
Opinion: Breaking down barriers to give justice-involved Marylanders a fair shot
Cory V. McCray represents Maryland’s 45th Legislative District in the State Senate and is the author of The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life. He focuses on equitable policymaking, public safety and expanding economic opportunity.
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.
Posted inBaltimore Events
National Night Out brings music, food and unity to Baltimore City
On Aug. 5, Baltimore’s National Night Out brought music, food, and back-to-school giveaways to neighborhoods across the city. Mayor Brandon M. Scott visited nine sites, highlighting the event’s goal of fostering unity between residents, law enforcement, and community leaders.
Posted inBaltimore News
Robyn Murphy named permanent head of BOPA
Robyn Murphy has been named the permanent CEO of the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, following nearly eight months in the interim role. A native of Edmondson Village, Murphy sees the appointment as both a personal milestone and a chance to lead BOPA into a new era of creativity, equity and partnership.