Baltimore celebrated 50 years of LGBTQIA+ Pride with its 2025 “50 Shades of Pride” festival, featuring a week of vibrant events and a heartfelt parade that highlighted Black joy, love, and advocacy. From multigenerational families to strong allyship, the celebration reflected both the progress made and the urgent need for continued support and representation.
Category: DMV News
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 inWashington D.C. News
Faith organizations rally behind migrants amid nationwide ICE crackdowns
By Ali HalloumAFRO Interns Amid ongoing immigration crackdowns by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, faith leaders of every denomination are calling for action. On June 8, the 47th president federalized the California National Guard to quell protests against ICE raids, over the objection of Governor Gavin Newsom. The agency has detained individuals outside of […]
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 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.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
House passes several ‘anti-D.C. Home Rule’ bills
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed three bills aiming to override D.C.’s local laws, reigniting debates over Home Rule and statehood. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-At-Large) condemned the measures as undemocratic and harmful.
Posted inBaltimore News
State of the People tour set to stop in Baltimore on Juneteenth
By Elijah QuallsAFRO Intern The State of the People National Assembly is coming to Baltimore to provide the framework for Black policy advocacy, impactful intergenerational leadership, and community empowerment. This National Assembly on June 19 will be the final stop of their State of the People POWER Tour. It is no coincidence that this tour […]
Posted inCOMMUNITY
Healing through history: The power of Juneteenth
Experts say Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, provides a powerful opportunity for Black Americans to acknowledge generational trauma and celebrate survival and resilience.
Posted inDMV News
Upcoming Juneteenth events in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area
Celebrate freedom, culture and community at Juneteenth events happening across Baltimore, Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C. From family-friendly festivals and historical reenactments to live music, art showcases and educational panels, this year’s celebrations honor the legacy of emancipation while spotlighting Black excellence. Whether you’re looking for a vibrant parade, local vendors, or space for reflection, there’s something for everyone to engage, uplift and remember.
Posted inDMV News
UPDATE: Abraham Debela found
83-year-old Abraham Dabela, who had been missing since June 7, was found on the side of the road thanks to a vigilant neighbor and the community’s help in spreading the word.
