Prince George’s County Council Chair Edward Burroughs III has started a new partnership with Vet for Vet and Victory Church International to help District 8 veterans with the process of applying for and receiving Veterans Affairs benefits.
Category: DMV News
D.C. boosts support for vulnerable families through new TANF law
A new law raised the monthly child support pass-through for vulnerable Washington, D.C., families on TANF from $150 to $200. Advocates call this an important step toward ending the impact of the city’s cost recovery system.
Bowie State University awarded 50 million from MacKenzie Scott
By Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor Bowie State University received notification of a $50 million grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott on Nov. 14. The unrestricted grant represents the largest philanthropic gift in Bowie State’s history and doubles the size of a $25 million gift Scott granted to Bowie in 2020. “Her generosity arrives at a pivotal moment […]
Norton calls for end to ‘disingenuous partisanship’ after House passes two anti-D.C. Home Rule bills
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com Washington, D.C., officials are decrying federal legislation that, they say, pose as threats to Home Rule – the law which has allowed the District to self-govern since 1975. On Nov. 17, the House Rules Committee considered 13 D.C.-related bills. Ahead of the vote, the District’s delegate to Congress, […]
‘Busy Bee’ Britton celebrates 35 years of holiday shopping tradition in D.C.
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com Juanita “Busy Bee” Britton, founder of Washington, D.C.-based BZB International, will mark her 35th anniversary as host of a holiday tradition, dubbed “the largest African American Department store on the East Coast,” beginning Black Friday, Nov. 28. Busy Bee, a nickname she earned during her childhood and to […]
Pioneering UMC Bishop Violet L. Fisher leaves a lasting legacy at 86
Bishop Violet L. Fisher, the first African American woman elected bishop in the United Methodist Church’s Northeastern Jurisdiction, died Nov. 17 at age 86. A barrier-breaking leader and lifelong educator, she is remembered for her trailblazing ministry, global service, and enduring impact on women, Black clergy, and faith communities across generations.
Small Business Saturday: Where to shop Black-owned in Baltimore and D.C.
Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29 is a chance to support local entrepreneurs and keep money circulating in your community. From gourmet treats to fashion and artisanal goods, Black-owned businesses in Baltimore and D.C. offer unique products while making a meaningful impact on families and neighborhoods.
Thanksgiving 2025: A look at local community meals, charity drives and volunteer options
The Thanksgiving calendar is a guide to some of the free events and volunteer opportunities across the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area. We hope this resource helps every family, impacted by the federal shutdown or not, enjoy a happy holiday.
Youth bands set to compete during Go-Go Awareness Week in D.C.
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com Go-Go Awareness Week kicked off Nov. 17 with a press conference held at the Go-Go Museum & Café in Southeast Washington, D.C. And while legends, including Rare Essence, E.U., Trouble Funk and “the godfather of go-go,” Chuck Brown, were essential in the evolution of the regional music style into […]
Local Black actors transcend racial barriers in stellar performances as Ebenezer Scrooge in holiday classic, ‘A Christmas Carol’
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com For those who are diehard fans of the stage and anxiously await the holiday season every December, enjoying a production of the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol”: counts as a family tradition. Over the past decade, two Black actors, Gregory Burgess and Craig Wallace, portraying Ebenezer Scrooge […]
University of Baltimore wraps up centennial celebration in style
The University of Baltimore celebrated 100 years on Nov. 13, honoring its legacy of driven students, lifelong learning, and shaping Baltimore’s future leaders while looking ahead to its second century of impact.
Celebrating 50 years of greatness: VSU Class of 1976 comes together to mix, mingle and network
By Evelyn CarterSpecial to the AFRO On Oct. 25, 2025 at 7 p.m. Trojan supporters gathered at the Delta of Marriott Hotel in Colonial Heights, Va., to honor the distinguished achievements of the Class of 1976. The event aimed to foster excitement for the upcoming Golden Reunion, scheduled for May 2026. Registration commenced at 6:30 […]

