By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Report for America Corps Member, tmcqueen@afro.com People have made powerful reconnections by “tracing their roots” over the years, but the process isn’t always straightforward. The information available can run the gamut from dense, government documents to barely legible notes, handwritten on the back of a family photo. So, where […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inNational News
Continuing the legacy of John Henry Murphy Sr.: it may not be easy, but it’s worth it
By Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper, AFRO Publisher and CEO A few months ago, in preparation for its 130th anniversary, the AFRO embarked on an ambitious quest to identify the direct descendants of my great grandfather AFRO founder, John Henry Murphy Sr. We knew that he and Great Grandmother Murphy (nee Martha Elizabeth Howard) had 11 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Documentaries on three powerful Black women reveal new facts
Courageous ancestors: Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Thea Bowman honored with new films By Ralph E. Moore Jr., Special to the AFRO As more true history is being uncovered these days, we can happily enjoy three recently created documentaries about three powerful women who made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many. Harriet […]
Posted inNational News
Uncovering the roots: How African Americans are tracing their lineage using DNA
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer,Report for America Corps Member, msayle@safro.com Founded in 2003 by Dr. Rick Kittles and Gina Paige, African Ancestry is the largest database of African maternal and paternal lineages across the world. With over 30,000 indigenous African DNA samples spanning 40 different countries, the company has helped more than one million […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Rev. Al Sharpton challenges America in keynote address at Howard University
By Rev. Samuel Williams Jr.,Special to the AFRO Rev. Al Sharpton recently delivered a sermon at Howard University’s Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel. Sharpton used the platform to challenge America to “recapture its shame” regarding upcoming civil rights cases, the attitude regarding Black women in power and the Black community’s loss of self-pride. Sharpton asked, “where […]
Posted inMaryland Government
2022 General Election Results Schedule Announced
By the Maryland State Board of Elections ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland State Board ofElections (on Oct. 14, 2022) released the anticipated ballot-counting and election-result announcement schedules for the 2022 General Election. Marylanders will be able to track the canvassing process and election results online here. Soon after the polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 8, jurisdiction-specific results […]
Posted inNational News
TBE 40 – “Dog Whistle” Rhetoric Is Giving Way To Tuberville & Greene’s Overt Racism
By Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League “I’ve heard racists say all kinds of things. I’ve heard them say that Black people are criminals, and I’ve heard them say that reparations are reverse racism. But it takes a true racism innovator to combine both ideas at the same time.” – Trevor Noah […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Mark Anthony Thomas Named CEO of Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC)
Thomas brings a bold vision for the region’s future and the strategic role businesses can play to advance a diverse, inclusive and prosperous economy. Baltimore, MD – After a national search for a visionary leader, the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) announced it has selected Mark Anthony Thomas as its new president and chief executive officer […]
Posted inNational News
Girl who witnessed George Floyd’s killing releases book for his birthday
by MSR News Online It’s been two and a half years since the shocking death of George Floyd brought international renown to a little girl. Now that child is heading back into the spotlight. But this time it will be as an author, not an eyewitness. “I still think about that day sometimes,” said Judeah […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Police: 15-year-old boy kills 5 in Raleigh shooting rampage
By Gary Robertson, Hannah Schoenbaum and Allen BreedThe Associated Press A 15-year-old boy killed five people and injured two more in a shooting rampage in Raleigh, police said, horrifying a community that is now mourning victims whose lives were cut short as they were going about their daily routines. Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Diamond’s Body Care donates 10 percent of its profits to cancer survivors
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Member, msayles@afro.com When Diamond Brown’s husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2008, he, like many others, had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation. The treatments left his skin dehydrated and inflamed, so the Detroit native took it upon herself to research plant-based ingredients that could quell […]
Posted inWord In Black
How knowing the roots of your family health history could change health outcomes for future generations
By Mylika Scatliffe, AFRO Women’s Health Writer, mscatliffe@afro.com October is National Family History Month. Gathering family together for activities like creating family trees and hearing unique family history and lore can be an exciting way to recognize the month. Attending a family reunion, visiting the family matriarch or spending time with a great-grandfather may spark […]