By Patricia McDougallSpecial to the AFRO On May 2 the 19th annual Around the World Embassy Tour was held in Washington, D.C., with over 69 Embassies welcoming over 50,000 people. The University District of Columbia (UDC), a historically Black institution, hosted several of the embassies. The Embassy Tour is one of the biggest events in […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inNational News
Inside Sierra Club’s pattern of Black leadership departures
By Dr. Angelo A. WilliamsThe Observer EDITOR’S NOTE: Between 2023 and 2025, a cluster of departures across the Sierra Club and the Sierra Club Foundation — including routine board turnover, resignations, a discrimination lawsuit and the firing of former Executive Director Ben Jealous — fueled a debate over who holds power inside one of the […]
Posted inDMV News
Ben’s Chili Bowl reopens after lengthy renovation
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO Whether you are a go-go aficionado, a radio icon, a Hollywood superstar, or just someone from the D.C. area longing for a half smoke, Ben’s Chili Bowl is once again the place to go. The long-awaited grand reopening of the flagship location of Ben’s Chili Bowl took place […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Morgan State hosts inaugural caregivers conference focused on wellness and support
Morgan State University’s School of Social Work hosted its inaugural Caregivers Conference on April 25 to highlight the mental, emotional and physical well-being of caregivers. The event emphasized resilience, shared experiences and access to resources for those supporting loved ones with serious health needs.
Posted inBaltimore News
Tax payment plan to prevent property loss debuts in Baltimore
Baltimore City has opened enrollment for its first residential property tax payment plan, offering homeowners a way to catch up on past-due taxes through manageable monthly payments designed to reduce tax sales and prevent home loss.
Posted inBaltimore News
Not all missing children cases look the same–and each one brings unique challenges
Each May serves as a time to recognize Missing and Unidentified Persons Month. This week, AFRO News presents the first of several articles focused on the cases of missing Black people in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area and beyond. Missing children cases can take many forms, from runaways and nonfamily abductions to critically missing children who are lost or injured. Family abductions, in which a child is taken by a parent or relative, can be especially complex and dangerous, as shown by the case of Ailea Brown, missing for nearly seven years.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
District to freeze Child Care Subsidy Program for new enrollees on May 12
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO In early March, parents and childcare advocates met on the steps of the John A. Wilson Building, which serves as the seat of the District of Columbia housing, hoping to convince the mayor and city council to reconsider their decision to implement a freeze on the DC Child […]
Posted inMoney
What they wish they knew about money: Older adults pass on financial advice
For many older adults, financial wisdom didn’t come from classrooms or dinner table conversations but from years of experience, mistakes and hard-won lessons. Now, Washington residents Verlincia Roach, 62, and Carol Fillmore, 79, are sharing what they wish they had known about saving, spending and building financial stability in hopes younger generations can avoid the same missteps.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore County to take over Randallstown, Dundalk swim centers as Y exits
Baltimore County will assume operations of the Randallstown and Dundalk swim centers on Aug. 31 after the Y in Central Maryland ends its 15-year partnership, citing facility limitations. Community members worry the transition could include a temporary closure and disrupt access to vital swim programs that support safety, health and connection, particularly for Black youth.
Posted inObituaries - Baltimore
Ellen Louise Dolvey Howard, Baltimore educator and TRIO leader, dies at 97
Ellen Louise Dolvey Howard, a Baltimore educator and national TRIO leader, died at 97 after a decades-long career helping low-income and first-generation students access higher education and trade programs.
Posted inBaltimore News
Mfume secures $500k grant to expand job training for returning citizens
By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com The National Center on Institutions and Alternatives (NCIA) closed out national Second Chance Month with a $500,000 federal grant secured by Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07) during the federal appropriations process to support returning citizens and prevent recidivism. The funds, which were delivered on April 27, will be used for 50 […]
Posted inHBCU
Coppin State University Ball hosts ‘powerful’ night of Black excellence
By Kendra BryantSpecial to the AFRO Coppin State University (CSU) hosted its annual ball, “An Ode to Black Excellence,” on May 2 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, celebrating 126 years of nurturing potential and transforming lives. Each year, the ball serves as a time to honor the past, while also drumming up financial support for […]