By Alexis LaRueAFRO Internalarue@afro.com Morgan State University’s Center for Urban Violence and Crime Reduction hosted its inaugural Intimate Partner Violence Symposium on March 24. The event served as a platform for experts, advocates and survivors to address the issue of domestic violence, share solutions and offer resources as a way of prevention. Attendees gained valuable […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inWashington D.C. News
District leaders, residents and visitors celebrate Emancipation Day
By Patricia McDougallSpecial to the AFRO More than 100 years ago, on April 16, 1862, the Compensated Emancipation Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. On that day, slaves in the District of Columbia gained their freedom. More than a century later, the residents of D.C. gather on an annual basis to honor and celebrate […]
Posted inBaltimore News
The AFRO’s Baltimore Tea returns with spotlight on women in the C-suite
The AFRO’s 2026 Baltimore Tea will be held April 25 at Martin’s West from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Each year the event serves as a time to celebrate the Black community and bring together the best of Baltimore. Shown here, 2025 attendees Jade Madden (left), Michelle Johnson and Dikesha Robinson.
Posted inBaltimore News
Philadelphia’s Jermaine Dawson named new CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools
Dr. Jermaine Dawson has been announced as the new CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools.
Posted inOPINION
Cannabis, justice and religion: My journey to leading a dispensary
Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III is an author, nonprofit executive and now, CEO of Marula Wellness Dispensary. This week, he shares his inspiration for pursuing and opening his own marijuana dispensary.
Posted inBaltimore News
Bringing solar power — and savings — to Baltimore City residents
Baltimore Shines, a program led by Civic Works and the city’s housing department, is helping low-income homeowners access free solar panel installations, cutting energy costs and promoting environmental sustainability. Participants report significant savings on utility bills, though seasonal fluctuations affect output. Despite funding challenges, the program aims to expand to 170 installations by the end of 2026 while continuing to educate residents about energy efficiency.
Posted inReligion
Pope prays at Catholic shrine in Angola that was a center of African slave trade
Pope Leo XIV visited the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima in Angola, a Catholic shrine with deep spiritual significance and a painful history as a hub in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. During his visit, he prayed for healing and acknowledged the suffering endured by Angolans over centuries, while scholars and observers reflected on the Catholic Church’s historical role in slavery and the need for further acknowledgment and reconciliation.
Posted inNational News
8 children between the ages of 1 and 14 are dead after a mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Eight children, ages 1 to 14, were killed in a domestic violence mass shooting across two homes in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 19, police said. The suspect, an adult male believed to be related to the victims, died after a police pursuit. Authorities are still investigating what led to the attack, which is the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in more than two years.
Posted inCommentary
Overcoming the guilt of a medical diagnosis: My kidney disease journey
After being diagnosed with kidney failure at 31, Sharron Rouse navigated years of uncertainty, dialysis, and ultimately a life-saving transplant before discovering her condition was caused by APOL1-mediated kidney disease, a genetic risk linked to African ancestry. Her journey from confusion and guilt to clarity and advocacy underscores the importance of genetic testing, personalized care, and awareness—especially for communities at higher risk.
Posted inCommentary
Sarcoidosis revisited: What I’ve learned since ‘Sarcoidosis Doesn’t Have to Be a Death Sentence’
By Stacy Sneed Nearly a decade after first writing “Sarcoidosis Doesn’t Have to Be a Death Sentence,” I now understand that the truth is far more complex—but still rooted in hope. When I think about sarcoidosis in 2026, I realize how far we have come in awareness, knowledge and medical advancement. Technology has improved, and […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Historic Chick Webb Recreation Center reopens in East Baltimore
After years of anticipation, East Baltimore’s Chick Webb Recreation Center reopens with new amenities and community support.
Posted inBaltimore News
State of Downtown report points to gains, ongoing transition in Baltimore’s core
The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s 2025 State of Downtown report highlighted continued momentum in the city’s core, pointing to gains in public safety, residential growth and private investment alongside ongoing shifts in the office market and redevelopment pipeline. City leaders said long-term progress will depend on coordinated public and private efforts tied to the Downtown RISE master plan and a series of new development incentives and projects