(Updated 3/10/2014) WASHINGTON (AP) — District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray knew about an off-the-books “shadow campaign” to support his 2010 bid for the office and personally requested the funds from an influential district businessman, federal prosecutors said Monday. Gray, who’s seeking a second term and faces seven challengers in the district’s April 1 Democratic […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland Senate Committee Approves Marijuana Decriminalization Measure
ANNAPOLIS – Maryland is one step closer to decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana this legislative session, but a series of hurdles remain. The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Friday voted 8 to 3 in favor of a measure that would shift possession of fewer than 10 grams of marijuana from a criminal offense to a civil one punishable by […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland House Votes in Favor of $10.10 Wage Hike
ANNAPOLIS —The Maryland House of Delegates voted 89 to 46 on Friday to pass Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage. If also passed by the Senate, the measure would gradually increase the base rate of pay for most workers from the federal level of $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour […]
Posted inNational News
Cummings Discusses Issa’s Rude Actions at Committee Hearing
In an exclusive interview with the AFRO, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), discussed the events of a March 5 hearing held by House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, of which Cummings is the ranking member. During the hearing, former IRS employee Lois Lerner was questioned on the agency’s alleged targeting of conservative political groups. Chairman […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Bill Cosby Celebrates Opening of Ben’s Chili Bowl in Arlington, Va.
Ben’s Chili Bowl, the iconic fast-food restaurant founded on U Street in D.C., expanded into Northern Virginia with a grand opening celebration on March 6 at its new location on Wilson Boulevard in Arlington. The ribbon was cut by Bill Cosby and owner Virginia Ali, who stood proudly with her sons as their family restaurant […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. Council Approves Promise Scholarships
The D.C. Council on March 4 approved a so-called “D.C. Promise” bill that will provide higher education scholarships to low-income D.C. students. The new tax-payer scholarship would provide up to $7,500 a year to high school graduates to pay for college. The scholarship was introduced by Councilmember David Catania (I-At- Large), who is considering a […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Officials Launch Town Hall Tour to Address Crime Concerns
Standing at the center of the Moorish Tower at Druid Hill Park Reservoir in Baltimore, dozens of community leaders, city officials and concerned citizens stood to hear city leaders’ plans to reduce violent crime. At a March 1 press conference, the city officials announced the kick-off to their Public Safety Town Hall Tour, which they […]
Posted inHealth
The Invisible Man
He is missing from the health care system. He is less likely to hold a job that provides health insurance. Otherwise, he is underinsured. Despite chronic poverty that cries out for relief, he often slips through the cracks of a frayed social safety net. Medicaid, focused on pregnant women and children, rarely includes him. He […]
Posted inHealth
Report: Black Women More Likely to Die from Breast Cancer
While White women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, Black women are more likely to die from it, according to a new report which found large and growing disparities in breast cancer mortality rates in the U.S. and many of its largest cities over the last two decades. The 2014 Racial Disparity in Breast […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C.’s Jack and Jill Chapter Holds Jumoke Celebration
The D.C. Chapter of Jack and Jill of America held their 25th Anniversary of Jumoke celebration at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus, nown as THEARC, in Southeast D.C. Feb. 22. The event focused on community strength and artistic and cultural awareness. It offered children the opportunity to have a good time with other […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Howard Students Take $10K Prize in Ford Community Challenge
A group of Howard University students received a $10,000 award on March 4 as part of the Ford Historically Black College and University Community Challenge Competition, which was designed to encourage students from HBCUs to conceive strategies that address sustainability challenges in African-American and Hispanic communities. “The Howard University students have demonstrated real commitment to […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
World Bank Continues Systemic Discrimination
Yona Biru came to the United States after the military government takeover in Ethiopia resulted in a communist government. “I came to the U.S. with $12 in my pocket, including a $2 bill because I was told that was good luck,” Biru said. He worked hard, financing his education by working as a waiter. With […]