By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS), the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) and other local nonprofits Dec. 4, to ensure families who are at risk or currently facing homelessness can be rapidly placed in permanent housing with […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inDistrict of Columbia Government
D.C. delegate seat draws crowded field ahead of 2026 midterms
The crowded 2026 race for Washington, D.C.’s nonvoting House delegate seat in U.S. Congress reflects growing concerns over federal interference and the city’s future. Multiple candidates say the moment demands new leadership to protect local autonomy and representation.
Posted inPrince George's County News
Judge responds to lawsuit against HUD filed by leaders in D.C., Maryland and 20 other states
By Dr. Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor A U.S. District Court Federal Judge issued a temporary halt to changes in a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that would have left thousands of Marylanders homeless. On Dec. 22, U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy barred HUD from implementing changes to the federal government’s Continuum of […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Smith gives impassioned farewell speech, challenges ‘haters’ as interim MPD chief steps up
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Bowser announced Dec. 17 the appointment of Jeffery Carroll as interim police chief in the District. According to a news release from Bowser’s office, Carroll currently serves as Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) executive assistant chief of specialized operations, a position to which he was appointed by […]
Posted inBlack Press
Family and friends gather for celebration of journalist James L. Wright Jr.’s life and legacy
Family, friends, and journalists gathered on Dec. 19 at Hemingway Memorial AME Church to honor the life and legacy of James L. Wright Jr. Wright Jr. was a staff writer for the Washington Informer, and a former writer for the AFRO News and Washington Post. He also was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Blacks vets share mixed views as Department of Defense eliminates shaving waivers
Black military veterans are expressing mixed reactions to the Department of Defense’s decision to strictly enforce facial hair grooming standards and significantly limit medical shaving waivers. While some veterans view the policy as part of the military’s long-standing emphasis on uniformity and discipline, others worry it will disproportionately affect Black service members who suffer from medical conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae, potentially forcing some out of the armed forces.
Posted inDMV News
Go-go, D.C.’s signature sound, to celebrate 50 years
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO The Go-Go Museum and Café will celebrate 50 years of go-go music at the 2026 Go-Go Awards, on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The awards will be hosted at the Lincoln Theatre in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood, historically known as the city’s ”Black Broadway.” This year’s theme, “Returning to Our Roots and Embracing the Diaspora,” promises to […]
Posted inEditorial
AFRO CEO reflects on 2025: A year of resilience and relevance in Black journalism
The AFRO, a Black-owned news outlet, has been publishing for 133 years and continues to be a source of truth and self-definition for the Black community, covering a range of topics from public safety to culture and sports, while also honoring the legacy of Black leaders and preserving Black history.
Posted inHealth
From survival to longevity: What aging with HIV looks like in 2025
Medical advances have allowed people with HIV to live longer, creating a growing population of older adults who now face age-related illnesses alongside the emotional and social legacy of the early epidemic. Experts and long-term survivors like Gregory Curtis say aging with HIV in 2025 requires holistic care, continued research, and stronger community support, especially as Black Americans remain disproportionately impacted.
Posted inNEWS
ABC Revival calls faith leaders to renew commitment to Black progress
At a time when Black history is being censored and equity efforts reversed, ABC’s Revival became a call for spiritual renewal and civic resistance. Faith leaders reminded attendees that they were “born to carry the weight” of leadership and truth-telling.
Posted inBaltimore News
Behind the byline: AFRO reporters talk top stories, lessons learned in 2025
An amazing group of tenacious reporters empowered the AFRO to cover everything from health and education to politics, public safety, business and more. Click the link to learn a bit about the reporters and the work done in 2025.
Posted inNational News
Remembering Black leaders and icons who died in 2025
As 2025 ends, the AFRO honors the Black leaders, artists, and trailblazers who passed away this year. Their legacies shaped culture, politics and society, leaving a lasting impact on communities worldwide.