For Ricky D. Smith, his first year at the helm of the Maryland Aviation Administration, including the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, has been a dream. Ricky Dorell Smith “It’s been a true homecoming for me,” he told the AFRO. “I’ve been in this business now for 27 years, and most of those years I […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inNational News
State Dinner for Children Encourages Better Eating Habits
First Lady Michelle Obama teamed up with PBS, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to host the fifth annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, also known as the White House Kids’ State Dinner, on July 14. The goal is to promote cooking and healthy eating among young people across the nation. First […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. Attorney Johnny Barnes Celebrated for Civil Rights Work
Johnny Barnes, one of the District’s most well-known civil rights attorneys, was celebrated for his work defending those who have had legal problems with the city government. Johnny Barnes is one of the District’s most well-known civil rights attorneys. (Courtesy Photo) Barnes received accolades from community activists, politicians, and movers and shakers in the District at […]
Posted inDNC 2016, National News
Black Issues Addressed in Democratic Platform Document
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other minorities were well represented on the committee that drafted the Democratic Party’s platform, a groundbreaking document that will be presented at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, which will be held July 25-28 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, a Democratic leader told the AFRO. Rep. Elijah […]
Posted inBaltimore News
One Hour of Silence in W. Balto. Following Violence
By Deborah BaileySpecial to the AFRO “One hour of silence; one hour of no violence,” chanted participants who gathered at a school playground in the heart of Sandtown-Winchester July 14. Approximately 100 parents, families, youth, teachers, community activists, and residents came braving the near 100-degree heat to stand together in the wake of a rash […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Suspect Who Allegedly Took Hostages at W. Balto. Burger King Identified
The man accused of taking four hostages, including a 7-year-old girl, in a West Baltimore Burger King on July 17 was identified by police as George Johnson, 26, of the 1500 block of Penrose Avenue in West Baltimore. Johnson is facing numerous charges including different counts of handgun violations, illegal detention of the hostages, reckless […]
Posted inNational News
Black French Endure Random Stop and Searches Following Nice Attack
As the French coastal city Nice mourns the loss of life left in the wake of a Bastille Day terror attack, growing anxiety has surfaced among many African Muslim immigrants fearing retaliatory violence. While the Bastille Day attack brought a single immigrant, the Tunisian-born Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, to the attention of French citizens, according to […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Kids Support AFRO Clean/Green Block
Children from the “We Care A Lot 2,” part of the Greenmount West Community Association, took part in cleaning their blocks and keeping them green as part of the AFRO Clean/Green Block initiative. Kisha Webster (not pictured) is the coordinator and overall block captain in the area.
Posted inBaltimore News
The Whole World Is Watching
Sean Yoes Earlier this week, Lt. Brian Rice became the fourth police officer to escape a guilty verdict in the trials of the six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray. By the evening of day one of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, speakers were acknowledging Rice’s acquittal on all charges. During his […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Activists Target Toy Guns
Dominic Nell knew he had to do something. He was shaken by the shooting death of Tamir Rice in 2014. Dominic Nell (left) and Juan Nance (right) stand in the aisle of a Dollar General in West Baltimore, where they are working to have every toy gun and replica firearm removed from shelves. (Photo by […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. Moms, Youth Advocate for Cleaner Air
Raising the alarm about asthma attacks, infectious diseases, premature deaths, and other health impacts of climate change, more than 700 moms and kids gathered to hold a “Play-In” protest. The event took place on July 15 in a park on Capitol Hill and was organized by Moms Clean Air Force. The families called for action […]
Posted inNational News
New Protest Aims to Help Black Banks
A Black-owned Atlanta bank saw a phenomenal surge of deposits, powered by a campaign aimed at bolstering Black-owned financial institutions. The movement is in response to several high-profile police killings across the nation and is an attempt to raise awareness of institutional inequality. Citizens Trust Bank – with branches in metro Atlanta, Columbus, Ga., Birmingham, […]