Posted inBaltimore News

City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises named finalist for National Superintendent of the Year

By Baltimore City Public Schools Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) is proud to announce that Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises, chief executive officer, has been selected as one of four finalists for the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year award, following her recognition as Maryland Superintendent of the Year.  This prestigious national honor, presented by […]

Posted inEducation

Funding concerns rise after nursing loses professional degree label

The Department of Education’s move to reclassify nursing graduate programs as academic rather than professional degrees is raising concerns about access and equity. Perinatal nurse Keira Wise said the change could deter students from marginalized communities, while public defense attorney Lauren Corbin warned it may deepen financial barriers that already limit Black students pursuing advanced professional training.

Posted inMaryland Government

Maryland Assembly reverses 19 vetoes from Gov. Wes Moore in one-day session

By Catherine PughSpecial to the AFRO On Dec. 16, during a one-day special session, Gov. Wes Moore gathered lawmakers to select a new House Speaker. As rumors swirled about redistricting, legislators concentrated on choosing the Speaker. Then, they overturned 19 out of 29 gubernatorial vetoes handed down earlier this year.  Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-MD-District 21) […]

Posted inBaltimore News

Youth Wealth Summit empowers students with hands-on financial skills

The Youth Wealth Summit returned for its fourth year with a new youth-led format and expanded partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools, offering hands-on financial education to middle and high school students. Through interactive workshops on entrepreneurship, budgeting and investing, students gained practical tools to help them think differently about money and leadership.

Posted inNational News

Statue of Barbara Rose Johns, Virginia civil rights activist, replaces Robert E. Lee statue in the U.S. Capitol

Virginia officially replaced its statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in the U.S. Capitol with a statue honoring Barbara Rose Johns, the teenage civil rights activist whose 1951 student-led protest against segregated schools helped spark the legal fight that culminated in Brown v. Board of Education. The dedication marked a historic moment, recognizing Johns as one of only four Black women represented by statues in the Capitol and symbolizing a broader shift away from honoring Confederate figures toward celebrating champions of justice and equality.

Posted inNational Sports

The Commanders showed more fight during a late brawl with the Eagles than during many games

A late-game scuffle against the Eagles showed more fire than the Washington Commanders have displayed for much of their 4–11 season, but it did nothing to change a 29–18 loss that clinched Philadelphia’s second straight NFC East title. Despite a competitive first half and brief sparks of intensity, Washington’s familiar issues—defensive breakdowns, injuries and inconsistency—resurfaced as the Eagles pulled away in the second half.

Posted inMental Health

How to support college students this holiday season

By Fajr Eutsey College is a time of significant transitions. Students are stepping out of their comfort zones, making hard decisions and learning to balance independence with responsibility. That growth can be exhilarating, but it can also be overwhelming. The holiday season, with its mix of family expectations, financial pressures and cultural traditions, often magnifies […]

Posted inWashington D.C. News

Culture and community: Marking Kwanzaa one day at a time

By AFRO Staff The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Kwanzaa website offers family-friendly activities and recipes designed to help readers engage with the purpose and meaning of each day. The guide blends cultural tradition with hands-on celebration and features dishes from “A Kwanzaa Keepsake: Celebrating the Holiday with New Traditions and Feasts,” […]

Posted inNational News

November jobs report shows rising unemployment and worsening outlook for Black workers

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The rise in unemployment has been uneven, with Black workers experiencing some of the most severe impacts. Black men ages 20 and older saw their unemployment rate jump from 6.6 percent in September to 7.5 percent in November. Black women ages 20 and older recorded an unemployment rate of 7.1 percent in November, slightly lower than September’s 7.5 percent but still higher than any other racial or ethnic group.

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