By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Chesapeake Shakespeare Company will produce August Wilson’s “Fences” as part of the citywide Baltimore August Wilson Celebration. The production is the sixth of 10 plays in Wilson’s American Century Cycle, being staged as part of the celebration, and will run Feb. 6–March 1. Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, “Fences” centers on […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inBaltimore News
Inside the Earl Teen Center: Where Baltimore teens learn, build and belong
The Earl Teen Center at the Enoch Pratt Free Library offers Baltimore youth a safe, supportive place to explore their interests after school. Through hands-on STEAM programming and dedicated staff support, the center helps young people build skills, confidence and a sense of belonging.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Howard U. students walk out of classes, join peaceful march against ICE’s deadly attacks on Americans
Hundreds of Howard University students walked out of classes on Jan. 30, 2026, marching to the White House to protest what they called the violent and inhumane actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Organizers said the youth-led demonstration, joined by students from other campuses, was meant to defend immigrant communities and demand protection of civil rights.
Posted inDMV News
Anacostia Coordinating Council stays true to mission of promoting ‘all things good East of the river’
The Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC) is a volunteer-based consortium of organizations and individuals working to revitalize the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., which has faced significant challenges due to gentrification and historical disinvestment.
Posted inPrince George's County News
Prince George’s County focuses on budget with listening sessions
County Executive Aisha Braveboy held three listening sessions across Prince George’s County to gather feedback from residents on the proposed 4.5 billion budget for FY 2027, which will be voted on by the County Council by June 1.
Posted inNational News
Mayors gather in DC to discuss crime and policing
More than 250 mayors gathered in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 94th Winter Meeting to discuss public safety, housing, and crime reduction strategies. Leaders highlighted the strain on police officers and emphasized investing in communities, youth programs, and stable housing to lower violent crime.
Posted inNational News
Federal agents arrest journalists Don Lemon, Georgia Fort for reporting on Minnesota church protest
Federal agents have arrested veteran journalist Don Lemon and Minnesota-based reporter Georgia Fort in connection with their coverage of a Jan. 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, where demonstrators challenged a pastor who also serves as a senior ICE official. The arrests have sparked widespread outrage from press freedom advocates and civil rights groups, who argue the charges represent a dangerous escalation in the federal government’s efforts to criminalize journalism amid heightened national tensions over immigration enforcement and protest.
Posted inDMV News
NCBW, 100 Black Men host 2026 Legislative Day
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women and 100 Black Men hosted their 2026 Legislative Day, bringing lawmakers and community members together to discuss maternal health and economic equity in Maryland.
Posted inNEWS
Shirley Raines, Black community advocate and Beauty 2 The Streetz founder, dies at 58
Shirley Raines, founder and CEO of Beauty 2 The Streetz, a nonprofit organization providing resources to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, has died at age 58, leaving behind a legacy of service and advocacy.
Posted inNational News
A former Illinois deputy is sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey
Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a Black woman who had called 911 to report a possible prowler outside her home.
Posted inNational News
The fire is out, scars remain: What Altadena residents want people to know a year after the Eaton Fire
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com A year after the Eaton Fire blew through 14,000 acres of the historically Black neighborhood of Altadena, Calif., the community is still processing collective trauma and fighting to keep its place in an ever-changing neighborhood that was already facing gentrification. Across the city, there are signs on front lawns that […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Revisiting the brutal history of Senegal’s Gorée Island and The House of Slaves
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.
