As Black History Month is underway, Maryland lawmakers are championing bills to strengthen voting rights and protect minority voters. The proposed legislation aims to safeguard ballots and ensure legal recourse against voter intimidation or suppression.
Category: NEWS
Activists, politicians and celebrities hold alternatives to State of the Union address
In a historic display of legislative dissent, a coalition of more than 80 lawmakers bypassed the official presidential address to convene an “alternative union” on the National Mall, framing their absence as a rejection of executive rhetoric. The atmosphere inside the Capitol remained volatile, punctuated by the forced removal of a congressman protesting racial imagery and verbal clashes over the domestic consequences of immigration enforcement.
Black tech leaders call for ownership, access and leadership
Black tech leaders in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., are urging greater ownership, access and representation as artificial intelligence reshapes industries and daily life. Through community-building, entrepreneurship and AI governance, they say Black professionals must move from consumers of technology to architects of the systems shaping the future.
Black leaders highlighted in ‘Strong Men and Women in Virginia History” exhibit
By Alexis TaylorAFRO Managing Editor An attorney, a U.S. Army officer, a civil rights pioneer and a public health advocate are all honored in the 14th annual “Strong Men and Women in Virginia History” exhibit. Presented by Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia, the leaders were recognized this Black History Month alongside scholars who […]
Elders call for ownership, mentorship and mindset shift to secure Black progress
Community elders say sustaining Black progress will require mentorship, economic literacy and resilience amid shifting diversity efforts. They urge the next wave of leaders to focus on ownership, mindset and long-term impact to strengthen future generations.
Protecting the source: Tom Miller Week rallies support to preserve iconic murals
This week creatives and art lovers everywhere are celebrating the sixth annual Tom Miller Week, an annual time to honor the life and legacy of the Baltimore artist. The 2026 celebration is focused on restoring and preserving Miller’s work.
Two legacy Black newspapers close, citing financial pressures
The Richmond Free Press and Portland Skanner have shut down as leaders warn of a broader funding crisis in Black media.
Anissa Durham, author of ‘On Borrowed Time’ series for Word in Black, wins NAACP Image Award
By Word in Black On the same night Michelle Obama and Kendrick Lamar were celebrated at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards, a reporter for Word In Black quietly made history of her own. On Feb. 23, Anissa Durham won the inaugural Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism award for “On Borrowed Time,” her nine-part investigation into […]
Day one of CIAA brings tight contests, dominant performances and downtown momentum
Day one of the CIAA Tournament delivered close finishes, dominant performances and a packed arena atmosphere at CFG Bank Arena. Beyond the court, the weeklong celebration brings youth clinics, cultural programming, business events and citywide economic impact to Baltimore.
Federal loan caps could shut a majority of Baltimore out of medicine – do local health systems care?
Historically, Black high schools like Frederick Douglass and Paul Laurence Dunbar shaped Baltimore’s workforce, but unequal pathways have long determined who entered medicine versus low-wage healthcare labor.
In Memoriam: Eternal salute to the Rev. Dr. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
NNPA NEWSWIRE — On behalf of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) representing the Black Press of America, we extend our sincerest condolences to the Jackson family. Leadership matters. Jesse Jackson’s leadership in the Civil Rights Movement in America and the human rights movement throughout the world was outstanding. Jackson uttered a strong, penetrating voice for the voiceless. His courage on the battlefield for freedom, justice and equality was unparalleled.
Gov. Moore, Lt. Gov. Miller file for re-election ahead of Maryland primaries
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller filed for re-election Feb. 23, ahead of the June 23 primary. Voters will weigh his record on the economy, schools and crime as the campaign begins.

