By Fatiha BelfakirSpecial to the AFRO Cyclists from 20 countries are preparing to ride out for the Maryland Cycling Classic, which will return for the first time in two years after a break due to the coronavirus pandemic. The race day will take place on Sept. 4. and will start in Sparks, Md., at the […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inSports
Serena Williams delivers riveting performance as she advances in 2022 U.S. Open
By The Associated Press Tennis legend Serena Williams will now advance to the third round of the U.S. Open after defeating Anett Kontaveit in round two on Aug. 31. The win comes just weeks before the cultural icon turns 41. “I love a challenge. I love rising to the challenge. I haven’t played alot of […]
Posted inNational News
‘EtymologyRules: Back to Basics’ helps learners improve literacy skills by teaching the origin and history of words
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Member, msayles@afro.com According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, 54 percent of adults, nearly 130 million people, aged 16 to 74 lack literacy proficiency, reading below the equivalent of a sixth-grade level. Low levels of literacy make individuals more likely to have poorer […]
Posted inNational News
Biden honors NNPA CEO Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. and others with Lifetime Achievement Award
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior, National Correspondent, @StacyBrownMedia NNPA NEWSWIRE– National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. Ed.D. has received the President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service and Civil Rights. Dr. Chavis received the award during a ceremony at Morehouse College in Atlanta. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Police correct the record on alleged extortion of ‘Lady in the Lake” crew
By Tinashe Chingarande, Special to the AFRO, tchingarande@afro.com Baltimore Police are still investigating The production crew of a star-studded television miniseries set in Baltimore has agreed to resume work after a brief halt due to alleged threats, according to a statement from the Baltimore Police Department (BPD). Police say they responded on Aug. 26 to […]
Posted inHealth
US government to end free at home COVID-19 test program this week
By Raquel Rogers, Houston Defender Network The federal government is ending its free at-home Covid-19 test program this week, citing a lack of funding and efforts to preserve supply ahead of an anticipated fall surge in cases, a White House official told CNN on Sunday. Both the White House and the website where people can […]
Posted inHealth
Battling Black and Brown youth suicide rates
By Ariama C. Long, New York Amsterdam News New York City Councilmember Rita Joseph has introduced a bill to address the rise of suicide rates among Black girls and boys, and other racial ethnic groups, an “alarming” situation that’s persisted for the past two decades nationwide. September is National Suicide Prevention Month and Americans are […]
Posted inHBCU
MPT to highlight Black excellence with 2022 HBCU Week
By Tinashe ChingarandeSpecial to the AFROtchingarande@afro.com Maryland Public Television (MPT) will highlight the achievements of historically Black colleges and universities through a week-long programming initiative. The first television segment will air on the evening of Sept. 5. “HBCU Week” is a collection of over 22 hours of content —that is locally produced and also acquired […]
Posted inHealth
Experts urge for comprehensive approach to prevent overdose deaths in Baltimore
By Fatiha Belfakir, Special to the AFRO As the country continues its fight on the drug overdose epidemic, the number of deaths soars in many cities across the nation, and Baltimore is no exception. Experts are suggesting pragmatic measures and urging policymakers to take actions to address the ongoing addiction and Fentanyl overdose crisis. The […]
Posted inCoronavirus
CDC challenges continue: fighting a pandemic requires public trust
By Fatiha Belfakir, Special to the AFRO, fbelfakir@afro.com The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently revealed new changes of its operations and the COVID-19 quarantine protocol. This sparked a debate among both the American public and health professionals, exposing a dire need to rebuild a fundamental trust between the people and public health […]
Posted inReligion
#Faithworks: Pastor of Ames Memorial United Methodist Church supports back-to-school initiative, speaks on forthcoming community resource hub
By Marnita Coleman, Special to the AFRO As summer vacation comes to a close, Ames Memorial United Methodist Church in Sandtown made sure students were prepared with their annual back-to-school bash. Senior Pastor Rev. Rodney Hudson was excited to see more than 200-300 bookbags and school supplies donated to students a few days before the […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Minneapolis teacher contract’s race language ignites firestorm
By Steve Karnowski, The Associated Press When Minneapolis teachers settled a 14-day strike in March, they celebrated a groundbreaking provision in their new contract that was meant to shield teachers of color from seniority-based layoffs and help ensure that students from racial minorities have teachers who look like them. Months later, conservative media outlets have […]