June 14, 2021 The Honorable Larry Hogan Governor 100 State Circle Annapolis, Maryland 21401 Dear Governor Hogan, Your decision to prematurely halt federally-funded unemployment benefits is concerning, and we strongly urge you to reconsider. These funds cost the State of Maryland absolutely nothing and offer essential support for residents struggling to make ends meet during […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inHBCU
Morgan Alum becomes first Black chief of staff to MD Senate president
Sally McMillan Robb By AFRO Staff Maryland history was made recently when a Morgan State University alumna was named the first Black chief of staff to the state Senate president. Effective Aug. 1, Sally McMillan Robb will take over as the top staffer of Senate President Bill Ferguson, succeeding Yaakov “Jake” Weissmann, who held the […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Teenage entrepreneur launches healthy sports drink for Gen Z athletes
Alana Andrews (Courtesy of Alana Andrews) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member Msayles@afro.com If there is one thing to learn from Virginia teen Alana Andrews, it’s that entrepreneurship has no age requirement. In April, the 17-year-old started an online business for her healthy sports drink, SWEY. SWEY is an acronym […]
Posted inCoronavirus
#WordinBlack: FDA talks vaccinations for younger students ahead of next school year
(By Drazen Zigic_Shutterstock) By Alexis Taylor Special to the AFRO Though Pfizer-BioNTech received permission to lower the age threshold for their COVID-19 vaccine last month, pharmaceutical companies have yet to present an option for millions of school-aged children younger than 12. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 5.2 million pre-kindergarten students […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Healthy smoothie cafe in College Park finds success in spite of the pandemic
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member Msayles@afro.com Brave is one word to describe opening a business during the pandemic, but Jetaine Hart and her boyfriend, Sheriff Taiwo, were prepared for the challenge when they opened their healthy smoothie cafe Hollywood Nutrition in College Park last summer. The couple noticed that […]
Posted inNEWS
Employ Prince George’s launches program to help diversity in workforce
Employ Prince George’s launched Career Pathways for All (CPFA) in order to help improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce. (Courtesy Photo) By Carl Thomas Special to the AFRO A group of local leaders are piloting a new angle to economic empowerment through workforce development, by using Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with a […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
#BlackMusicMonth: Brandon Camphor & OneWay release acapella ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’
Brandon Camphor & OneWay released an acapella rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” on June 4, as a way of celebrating Black Music Month. (Courtesy Photo) By Micha Green AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor mgreen@afro.com As June marks Black Music Month, D.C.-based Billboard charting Gospel group Brandon Camphor & OneWay celebrated with an acapella […]
Posted inDistrict of Columbia Government
City celebrates first Black Lives Matter Plaza anniversary in true D.C. style
People worked out with trainer Gym Jonez in Black Lives Matter Plaza, where they commemorated the area’s first anniversary with a day of health, fitness and celebration. (Screenshot) By Micha Green AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor mgreen@afro.com On June 5, the District of Columbia celebrated the first anniversary of Black Lives Matter Plaza in Northwest […]
Posted inNEWS
D.C. leaders, ‘No Slide Zone’ move to end gun violence
While June marks Gun Violence Prevention month, No Slide Zone and community leaders are working year-round to end gun violence in the nation’s capital. (Courtesy Photo) By Micha Green AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor mgreen@afro.com June marks Gun Violence Prevention month and the wear orange campaign, but there are Washingtonians working year-round to put an […]
Posted inDistrict of Columbia Government
D.C. fully reopens nightclubs, sports venues, the Circulator June 11
The District of Columbia will fully reopen nightclubs and sports venues, as well as reinstate late-night use of the D.C. Circulator bus beginning on June 11. (Courtesy Photo) By Micha Green AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor mgreen@afro.com While reopening metrics technically keeps the nation’s capital in phase two according to the coronavirus.dc.gov, the District of […]
Posted inD.C. Community
Budget hearing discusses small agencies, new agency to help children
The June 7 budget hearings focused on small agencies and witnesses advocated for a new agency to help children and families. (Courtesy Photo) By Carl Thomas Special to the AFRO The smell of chili dogs from a vendor, the sound of motorcycles floating by on just the rear wheel, maybe even the lines for crabs […]
Posted inBaltimore Community
Reeds Fund announces inaugural Roxanne L. Reeds Scholars
By Matthew Reeds, Medium Baltimore, MD. 11 Jun 2021 — Earlier this year, The Reeds Fund launched its first scholarship fund targeting young adults on the autistic spectrum working to receive a secondary education degree or trade certification. We are proud to announce the inaugural Roxanne L. Reeds Scholars, who will receive $1,000 to advance their education. Christopher Thompson […]
