D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) kicks off the 46th annual Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, alongside District youths on June 23. The program will connect around 13,000 young people with paid summer jobs, mentorship and career exploration opportunities.
Category: NEWS
Posted inBUSINESS
Baltimore City Small Business Advancement Conference highlights paths to capital for entrepreneurs
At Baltimore’s 2025 Small Business Advancement Conference, entrepreneurs gathered to explore solutions to one of their most persistent challenges: access to capital. The event highlighted both traditional lending and emerging models like grassroots investment crowdfunding, giving small, minority- and women-owned businesses new tools to grow and scale.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Capital Youth Empowerment Program: Helping fathers mentally, professionally and emotionally
Capital Youth Empowerment Program: Helping fathers mentally, professionally and emotionally
Posted inPrince George's County News
PG Council adopts $5.8B budget, prioritizing health and re-entry programs
The Prince George’s County Council has adopted a $5.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, focusing on core services, education, safety and infrastructure amid financial challenges. It includes funding for the Black Maternal Health Fund and various community programs.
Posted inBaltimore News
Cherry Hill Festival returns July 4 to unite Baltimoreans in shared celebration
The Cherry Hill Arts and Music Waterfront Festival returns to Baltimore on July 4 at Middle Branch Park, featuring live performances, family-friendly activities, and a custom drone show. The event, now in its ninth year, will partner with the city’s Inner Harbor festivities to offer an all-day celebration of art, culture and community.
Posted inBaltimore News
City leaders respond to Bilal “BJ” Abdullah Jr. death with resource fair as body-cam footage is released
Baltimore City officials and community members gathered for a resource fair to provide aid and support after the police-involved shooting death of Bilal “B.J.” Abdullah Jr., with vendors offering testing for STDs, housing resources, drug rehabilitation programs, food, books, and school supplies.
Posted inBaltimore News
Mayor Scott Appoints Dr. Melanie Bryant as Director of the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs
By The Baltimore City Office of the Mayor BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, June 25, 2025) — Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the appointment of Dr. Melanie Bryant as Director of Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs. Her leadership will play a crucial role in supporting the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community policies and initiatives that […]
Posted inNational News
Senators mark Juneteenth with call to action on racial and economic justice
On the evening of Juneteenth, four Democratic senators gathered at the U.S. Capitol for a candid discussion with Black media outlets, using the moment not just to commemorate emancipation but to issue a pointed call to action. On June 18, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Cory Booker (D-N.Y.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) reflected on the historical significance of Juneteenth and the enduring struggle for racial justice in America.
Posted inMusic
Words that echo: The lasting impact of song lyrics on Black communities
Hip-hop lyrics have long served as a reflection of the Black experience, from messages of unity and resistance to today’s dominant themes of money, violence and survival. As the music industry continues to shape what gets heard, artists and scholars are questioning how modern rap lyrics are influencing identity, values and the well-being of Black communities—especially among youth. Many are now calling for a return to more empowering narratives.
Posted inBaltimore News
2 shootings in 1 night leave 8 people wounded in Baltimore
By Tavon N. ThomassonAFRO Intern Within the span of a few hours on June 23, two separate mass shootings erupted in Baltimore, leaving multiple people wounded. The first incident occurred about 7 p.m., after the sound of gunfire echoed from the 1900 block of McHenry St., alerting officers nearby. At the scene, police found three […]
Posted inBaltimore News
The Pikes Studio Cinema: Bringing big-screen culture back to Pikesville
Pikes Studio Cinema is more than a movie house — it’s a community-driven space where themed films, local partnerships and free weekly screenings bring people together. Owner Michael Eugene Johnson is on a mission to make cinema meaningful again in Pikesville.
Posted inBaltimore News
Star power and local pride shine at AFRAM 2025
Day One of AFRAM 2025 brought over 150,000 people to Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park for a celebration of Black culture, music, and community featuring stars like JT, Stefflon Don, and Juvenile. The festival also introduced a new stage for local talent and showcased everything from food and fashion to art and wellness.