Posted inBaltimore Government

Who is Ivan Bates?: Democratic nominee for Office of Baltimore City State’s Attorney speaks with the AFRO

By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Report For America corps member, tmcqueen@afro.com Many know Ivan J. Bates as the Baltimore City State’s Attorney candidate, but that’s not all he is. He is the doting father of a 6-year-old daughter, London, and a husband to wife Lana Bates Ph.D. As Bates avidly expressed, his wife and […]

Posted inBaltimore News

Councilwoman Odette Ramos responds to NACA’s cease and desist order

By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Report For America corps member, tmcqueen@afro.com The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) has threatened to take legal action against Councilwoman of District 14, Odette Ramos, for alleged false and defamatory claims against NACA. NACA provides services that many impoverished communities and lower-income families need like homeownership assistance and […]

Posted inBaltimore News

Sen. Van Hollen talks Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 with Baltimore faith leaders

By Marnita Coleman, Special to the AFRO, mcoleman@afro.com On Sept. 6, Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke in depth about the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 before a group of faith-based leaders gathered at the Gospel Tabernacle Baptist Church on Walbrook Avenue in Baltimore.  This stop was the first of three sessions, sponsored by the Maryland […]

Posted inBaltimore News

New poll shows one in five Americans have been affected by gun violence

By Mylika Scatliffe, AFRO Women’s Health Writer, mscatliffe@afro.com Gun violence wasn’t something 33-year-old Jasmine Ramsey thought too much about–at least in terms of affecting her.  On Feb. 27, 2021, that changed when her then 10-year-old daughter, Kaelin Washington, was shot in the chest while walking to her godmother’s house. She was simply leaving a neighborhood […]

Posted inMedia

Father and son team up for mental health podcast, ‘Black men vent too’

By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO rwilliams@afro.com Kelly Edwards stands about six-foot-one. He weighs north of 300 pounds and for many, Edward’s physical presence comes off as a little intimidating. Though in a workshop filled with behavioral health specialists, his voice didn’t align with his girth, or so, the facilitator thought.  The facilitator said, […]

Posted inPrince George's County News

Youth curfew announced for minors in Prince George’s County

By Deborah Bailey, Contributing Editor, dbailey@afro.com Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has announced a youth curfew for Prince George’s County, following a deadly Labor Day weekend and one of the deadliest months for the county in years. On Sept. 5, Prince George’s County implemented a curfew for those under 17 years old from 10 […]

Posted inWashington D.C. News

Library of Congress National Book Festival highlights Black authors

By Samuel Williams, Jr., Special to the AFRO and Deborah Bailey, Contributing Editor dbailey@afro.com Black authors were featured front and center at the first in-person National Book Festival held by the Library of Congress since Labor Day weekend in 2019.  The award-winning festival, which started as a pet project by former first lady and librarian […]

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