By Maya Pottiger, Word in Black It had been 10 years since they’d last seen each other — and 17 since they’d been teacher and student. But when Connie Hall was at the White House in April being recognized as a 2023 State Teacher of the Year, her former student, now a staffer in the […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Collaboration breeds success through a culture of opportunity and innovation in Baltimore City Public Schools
By Kyair Butts, Special to the AFRO Imagine a world where the best of the best shared their insights with others without ego, red tape or hoops to jump through. Think of how you feel when you successfully collaborate on a project, idea or task. The results at completion usually far exceed what one can […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Joyce Thomas and Charlene Knight prove education is a lifelong pursuit
By Jannette J. Witmyer, Special to the AFRO Age is nothing but a number for sisters Joyce Thomas and Charlene Knight, two of the proudest members of the 2023 graduating class for Baltimore City Community College (BCCC). The two stood tall inside of the Lyric Performing Arts Center on May 13, as they took part […]
Posted inBaltimore News
New Song Academy: developing leaders, impacting the community
By Marnita Coleman, Special to the AFRO It all started in 1991, when a group of community members believed a learning center was needed to help revitalize the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood. Building on Sandtown Habitat for Humanity formed two years prior, the dedicated group of supporters, led by founders Susan Tibbels and her late husband, Allan […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Célebréz en Rosé wine and music festival coming to Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods for Memorial Day weekend
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com The Black-owned Célebréz en Rosé wine and music festival will return to the Washington metropolitan area on May 28. This year’s gathering will take place in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods in Columbia, Md. This year’s musical guests include R&B singer-songwriter Jacquees, rapper Mannie Fresh, DJ 5’9 and […]
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO News CEO named JHU School of Education commencement speaker
By Abel Communications Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper to address this year’s graduates, nearly 50 years to the day after receiving her master’s degree The AFRO, the oldest Black-owned business in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, is proud to ring in the 2023 graduation season with news that CEO and Publisher Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper was named […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore couple speaks on importance of handing down spirit of philanthropy for HBCU’s and Black institutions
By Baltimore Community Foundation “Ours is a very Baltimore story,” says Kaliq Hunter Simms, an educational consultant and incoming president of Sisters Academy in Baltimore. Kaliq grew up in a close-knit family in West Baltimore while her husband Joe Simms, chief diversity officer for Stanley Black & Decker, grew up in a similar community nearby. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Local band director Jared Perry named Baltimore City Teacher of the Year
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer Jared Perry is still riding on the wave of emotions that come with being named the 2023 Teacher of the Year Award for the Baltimore City Public Schools System. Perry is the band director and arts team lead at the historic Booker T. Washington Middle School for the Arts. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Above and beyond: remembering Mrs. Paysour and the many educators who propelled us to greatness
By Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO Publisher and CEO July 10, 1994 Dear Frances, Having just checked the calendar, I am amazed that it has been almost two months since I requested and received your address from Bernardine. When she happened to mention your name, I explained to her that I have been sharing “My Treasure […]
Posted inMaryland Government
AFRO spotlight on Black excellence: meet the Maryland legislators who got their start in the classroom
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Looking through biographies of state legislators, you’ll see various paths and journeys to a career in policy-making. While some elected officials pursued careers as lawyers or became business owners prior to their time in office, others –well before their titles as senators and delegates– answered the call to serve […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore native serves aboard forward-deployed Navy warship in Japan
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach YOKOSUKA, Japan – Seaman Christopher Gaines, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship. Gaines joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Gaines serves as an intelligence specialist aboard USS Dewey. “I joined because I wanted […]