The Justice Department under President Trump has launched multiple investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James, including civil rights and mortgage fraud probes, after she won a $454 million judgment against him and pursued lawsuits against the NRA. James calls the actions politically motivated retaliation, while Trump accuses her of bias and “lawfare.”
Category: NEWS
Enduring legacy: Black funeral homes reflect on a century of service and resilience
Black-owned funeral homes like Bynes-Royall in Georgia and McGuire Funeral Service in D.C. have served Black communities for over a century, offering stability during major historical events like the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement. Leaders from both institutions shared their legacy of service and offered advice for today’s Black entrepreneurs navigating a changing economic landscape.
How Black businesses thrived in 1925 Baltimore—and what entrepreneurs can learn today
In honor of National Black Business Month, the AFRO takes a look at what it took to open a Black business 100 years ago and the lessons that can be learned by today’s entrepreneurs in 2025.
Local officials respond to 47th president’s federal takeover of D.C. police department
The 47th president has declared a national crime emergency in Washington, D.C., placing the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under federal control amid concerns over rising violent crime. However, local leaders, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, argue that crime is actually declining and criticize the move as an unprecedented overreach of federal authority.
A look at the century-old businesses still going strong
Black-owned businesses that reach 100 years endure systemic racism and economic barriers, creating lasting legacies that inspire future generations to build promising futures and strengthen their communities.
Black men’s spiritual healing circle negates impact of toxic masculinity
Members of CREWS (Communities Respecting Everyone’s Will
To Survive) work with small community-based organizations in the Greater Washington Area to help Black men and youth overcome the debilitating impacts of crime and self-hatred.
Still printing, still powerful: The Savannah Tribune at 150 years
For 150 years, The Savannah Tribune has championed Black voices, from urging voter registration in Reconstruction-era Georgia to navigating the challenges of today’s digital media landscape. Under Publisher Shirley B. James, the historic paper remains committed to informing and empowering the Black community while embracing modern platforms to expand its reach.
Virginia man convicted in brutal slaying of Maryland woman, his ex-girlfriend
Kevin Derr, 51, has been convicted of first-degree murder and other charges for the April 2024 stabbing death of his former girlfriend, 47-year-old Wendolyn McKoy, in Prince George’s County, Md. Prosecutors say Derr lay in wait, forced McKoy into her home, and stabbed her 78 times in front of a minor; he faces life without parole when sentenced in November.
Howard University names veteran healthcare leader Kerry Watson Interim CEO of Howard University Hospital Corp.
Kerry Watson returns to Howard University Hospital as interim CEO, bringing decades of leadership at major health systems across the country.
Ciara is among the first descendants of enslaved people granted citizenship by Benin
Grammy-winning artist Ciara was granted citizenship in Benin on July 26 under a groundbreaking new law offering citizenship to descendants of enslaved Africans. The move is part of Benin’s wider effort to confront its role in the transatlantic slave trade and invite Afro-descendants to reconnect with their ancestral roots through cultural heritage and “memorial tourism.”
Frederick Lincoln’s family has held this land since emancipation
Frederick Lincoln grew up on land his family has owned since Emancipation — more than 40 acres passed down from formerly enslaved ancestors who never left the plantation they once worked. In a tight-knit community where most residents descend from the same group of enslaved families, land isn’t just property — it’s legacy, survival and a statement of freedom. As development pressures rise around Charleston, Lincoln and his relatives are fighting to hold onto what generations before them preserved with grit and determination.
National Night Out brings music, food and unity to Baltimore City
On Aug. 5, Baltimore’s National Night Out brought music, food, and back-to-school giveaways to neighborhoods across the city. Mayor Brandon M. Scott visited nine sites, highlighting the event’s goal of fostering unity between residents, law enforcement, and community leaders.

