A father-and-son journey to Senegal becomes a powerful exploration of culture, hospitality, and historical memory, centering on a visit to Gorée Island and the House of Slaves. Through art, local encounters, and guided history, the writers reflect on the brutality of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the resilience of the Senegalese people, and the enduring importance of preserving Africa’s past while engaging its vibrant present.
Category: NEWS
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Potomac Interceptor collapse leads to raw sewage spill
A 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor collapsed Jan. 19, sending millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River and C&O Canal. DC Water has activated a temporary bypass system to reroute wastewater while repair work begins and is urging the public to avoid affected areas.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
UDC launches School of Education and Learning Sciences
The University of the District of Columbia is reinvigorating its founding mission of training educators with the launch of the School of Education and Learning Sciences (SELS). The new school will offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees and aims to strengthen the District’s teacher pipeline while preparing a diverse generation of educators for every classroom.
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland legislators advance redistricting plan after tense hearing
Maryland legislators advanced a partisan congressional redistricting bill Jan. 27, sending it to the floor amid support from Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Senate backing remains uncertain and Republicans are criticizing the process.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Eleanor Holmes Norton speaks on retirement after 35 years on Capitol Hill
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, 88, has officially announced her retirement. After 35 years representing the District, Norton has filed paperwork to end her reelection campaign. In a Jan. 27 letter speaking on her retirement, Norton reflected on her career and its impact on the city. “I’ve had the privilege of […]
Posted inNational News
Minnesota AG Ellison: ‘There is no risk-free way to stay free’ Â
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has called for an investigation into the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renée Good at the hands of federal agents during immigration raids in Minneapolis, asserting that civil and human rights are often paid for in blood, sweat and tears.
Posted inNational News
Bovino set to leave Minneapolis as president reshuffles leadership of immigration crackdown
By Steve Karnowski and Mike Balsamo Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis on Jan. 27, according to a person familiar with the matter, as the Trump administration reshuffles leadership of its immigration enforcement operation and scales back the federal presence after a second fatal shooting by federal officers. President Donald Trump […]
Posted inNational News
New tax law locks in gains for the rich, leaves Black households behind
Economists warn that the 47th president’s new tax law, now in effect as the 2026 filing season begins, entrenches economic inequality by delivering the largest benefits to the wealthiest Americans while raising taxes and cutting supports for low-income households. Analyses show Black families are disproportionately harmed, as the law expands tax breaks tied to wealth and inheritance while offering limited, often inaccessible relief to working-class and poor households.
Posted inMaryland News
Maryland faith leaders press Ferguson to back congressional redistricting
Faith leaders across Maryland are urging Senate President Bill Ferguson to prioritize mid-cycle redistricting legislation ahead of a House hearing. The appeal comes as lawmakers consider a proposed congressional map that critics say could eliminate the state’s lone Republican seat and backfire on Democrats.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Longtime DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton is ending her reelection campaign for Congress
Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia’s longtime nonvoting delegate to Congress and a Civil Rights Movement veteran, has filed paperwork to end her reelection campaign, signaling the close of her 35-year tenure on Capitol Hill. Her retirement opens a competitive Democratic primary in the overwhelmingly Democratic city as questions had mounted about her effectiveness amid heightened federal intervention in Washington.
Posted inU.S. Government
Deadline looms as Congress risks another shutdown
With federal funding set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Jan. 30, Congress is again on the brink of a government shutdown, just months after a prolonged lapse disrupted essential services and deepened hardship for families nationwide. As Republicans push a single sweeping funding vote, Democrats warn that no viable agreement exists, leaving negotiations stalled and the risk of another shutdown growing as the deadline approaches.
Posted inNEWS
10 films selected for inaugural HBCU Week NOW Film Festival
Ten award-winning short films by students and recent graduates of historically Black colleges and universities will premiere Jan. 27 as part of the inaugural HBCU Week NOW Student Film Festival. The selected films, representing multiple genres and institutions, will stream on the HBCU Week NOW YouTube channel, with each winning project receiving a $5,000 award.