By Deborah Bailey, AFRO D.C. Editor Today, the Biden Administration announced a targeted student debt relief plan designed to support working- and middle-class families. Features of the plan include: Up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients. Borrowers who earn less than $125,000 […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inBaltimore News
Guaranteed income pilot puts Baltimore at forefront of nation’s fight against poverty
By Fatiha Belfakir, Special to the AFRO This week Mayor Brandon Scott announced that Baltimore’s Guaranteed Income pilot program was officially depositing money into eligible bank accounts. A total of 200 families are participating in the Baltimore Young Families Success Fund’s initial cohort. Baltimore now joins the growing group of U.S. cities such as Chicago, […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Inflation slamming Blacks in US- here’s how to slam back
By ReShonda Tate, Defender News Network With prices rising to the highest rates the U.S. has seen in more than 40 years, Black families are bearing the brunt of inflation. Researchers say Black families will suffer the worst because they lag behind their White counterparts in income, wealth, financial savings and home ownership. However, with […]
Posted inPolitics
Biden signs Inflation Reduction Act into law
By Tashi McQueen, Report For America Corps Member, AFRO Political Writer On Aug. 16, President Biden officially signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act, which contains policy on deficit reduction, climate change, lower health care costs and better jobs. “I’m about to sign the Inflation Reduction Act into law, one of the most significant laws […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Moore says he will support ‘critical voices of community leaders’ pushing for West Baltimore food market
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Report For America Corps Member Wes Moore addressed community leaders’ concerns over food deserts in Charm City this summer, agreeing to help them tackle the issue in West Baltimore and beyond. “Food deserts,” a long-established challenge for Baltimoreans, describes a community with little or no access to fresh and […]
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO Gala draws elected officials, community leaders and Murphy descendants to 130th anniversary celebration
By Tinashe Chingarande, Special to the AFRO Mayor Scott, Congressman Mfume among those in attendance Elected leaders and supporters of the AFRO-American Newspaper convened for a lavish gala on Aug. 13 in Greenbelt, Md. to celebrate the publication’s 130th anniversary. The soiree included live entertainment and was hosted by comedian Tommy Davidson. All in attendance […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Chase Business Banking mentorship program offers one-one coaching to local minority entrepreneurs
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Member, msaylesafro.com JPMorgan Chase’s senior business consultants in Baltimore, Beth Hehir and Hans Petit-Homme, hold more than 40 years of combined experience in commercial banking, business banking and financial services. Now, using their expertise, the pair has combined forces to mentor minority businesses across the […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Hosts Back to School Event in Southwest DC As Community Prepares for Return to DC Public Schools This Week
By Deborah BaileyAFRO D.C. Editor The Black community surrounding Lansburg Park in SW D.C. has seen major changes in the 14 years since the Washington Nationals Park opened in 2008. Members of Alpha Phi Alpha’s Omicron Eta Lambda Alumni Chapter have walked with residents through the construction of new high-rise residences, buildings, fancy new restaurants […]
Posted inSports
Wright fumbles as commanders start new era with loss
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO The Washington Commanders opened what the organization calls a new era last Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. However, the first preseason game of the new season followed the same script which has reduced a once proud tradition of the NFL into an embarrassing rubble whose season ticket […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
#FaithWorks: DMV Black churches: virtual and hybrid services here to stay
By Samuel Williams, Jr., Special to the AFRO Black churches in the District of Columbia,Maryland and Northern Virginia area (DMV) have been slow to return to in-person services. The high touch and contact-heavy style of traditional Black churches has collided with many of their COVID-19 weary congregants, resulting in a new hybrid style of worship […]
Posted inReligion
#FaithWorks: God has your back– and mental health professionals do too
By Marnita Coleman, Special to AFRO Recently the AFRO spoke with mental health professional Dr. Carla Debnam, LCPC, founder and executive director of The Renaissance Center, a Christian-based counseling center. The operation is part of the outreach ministry of Morning Star Baptist Church in Woodlawn, Md. where she is the first lady. Gorgeous gray hair […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Capital Impact Partners and CDC Small Business Finance merge to create Momentus Capital to inclusively and equitably transform the financial services sector
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Member, msayle@safro.com Capital Impact Partners and CDC Small Business Finance, two established national nonprofits based in D.C., recently merged and joined forces with Ventures Lending Technologies to create Momentus Capital, an organization that provides a continuum of social, financial and knowledge capital for local leaders, […]