By Ann Brooks, Special to the AFRO In her recent State of County Budget Address, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks speaks to Prince George’s County’s “future proof budget.” In fiscal year 2024, nearly 82 percent of the county’s $5.4 billion budget will go to education, public safety and policing. While these investments will undoubtedly make our […]
Category: NEWS
Morgan State University graduates implored to ‘speaktruth to power’ at 146th commencement exercises
By Cheryl Stewart, Morgan State University PR Overcast skies endeavored to set the tone, but the joy of achievement recently prevailed at Morgan State University, as 622 candidates received bachelor’s degrees during the 146th undergraduate commencement exercises for the institution, officially deemed a “national treasure” in 2016. Acclaimed civil rights and personal injury attorney Benjamin […]
AFRO CEO and Publisher Dr. Frances ‘Toni’ Draper speaks at commencement ceremony for Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer On the evening of May 23 Johns Hopkins University’s (JHU) School of Education (SOE) held their 114th commencement ceremony, celebrating the latest group of alumni to join the network of over 24,000 educators. AFRO Publisher and CEO Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper delivered the commencement speech for the SOE graduates […]
Comptroller Lierman completes first 100 days in office
By DaQuan Lawrence, Special to the AFRO Comptroller of Maryland, Brooke Lierman (D), was sworn into office on Jan. 16 as the first woman to serve in an independent, statewide office in the state of Maryland. In a one-on-one interview with the AFRO, Lierman discussed her career and path to the Comptroller’s Office, her experience […]
NAACP issues travel advisory for Florida
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com On May 20 the NAACP Board of Directors issued a travel notice for Florida, warning individuals that Florida is “openly hostile” concerning Black Americans, people of color and people within the LGBTQ+ community. The notice advises the aforementioned groups to “understand that the state of Florida devalues and […]
xHood to host Black Parent Pride Summit for Black queer parents
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com In honor of D.C. Black Pride, xHood, a community organization for Black queer families, will host the Black Parent Pride Summit at the Eaton Hotel from May 26 to May 28. The three-day event assembles Black parents from the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate, connect and obtain critical family-building […]
Preakness Stakes 2023: a day of fashion, speed and unforgettable moments
By Reuben Greene, Special to the AFRO Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, returned to Baltimore’s iconic Pimlico Race Course on May 19 and May 20. Amidst the captivating world of horse racing, the attendees were not only treated to a thrilling competition, but a captivating display of high fashion, elegance and […]
Coppin State University: Go All In
Coppin State University was founded in 1900 to fill the need for education for African Americans. Specifically, Coppin was founded as a school for black educators, who would go on to teach generations of young people in Maryland, and specifically in the Baltimore City Public School System. The university’s namesake, Fanny Jackson Coppin, was a […]
A Steady Clymb Helps Students Reach New Heights of Well-Being
Ashley Williams, founder and CEO of Clymb, knows students and their struggles. In her prior role as director of climate and culture at Southwest Baltimore Charter School, Williams developed emotional intelligence and mindfulness curriculum. While she valued the work, Williams found it an impossible task for one person to manage the emotional well-being of 400 […]
Baltimore Teens Develop Creative Climate Resilience Solutions
By Hub staff report /, Published May 3 Students from three Baltimore high schools recently spent a day developing and presenting ideas for how communities in cities such as Baltimore can become more resilient against the effects of climate change and how city residents can better cope with heat stress and other climate-related health threats. […]
Black women are two to three times more likely to have uterine fibroids—here’s how to manage and treat them
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Member, msayles@afro.com In the U.S., 26 million women aged 15 to 50 have uterine fibroids, or benign growths of the uterus, and more than half of those women will experience associated symptoms and health risks. For African American women, the lifetime incidence of fibroids is […]
In Your Neighborhood: Health Care Made Easy
You shouldn’t have to take off work to see your doctor or find childcare to get a flu shot. If you have trouble physically getting to office appointments or no one to coordinate and guide your overall care, there is a path forward with GBMC HealthCare. GBMC Health Partners Primary Care—Jonestown, located at 1017 E. […]

