The Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC) is urging a full boycott of Montgomery County’s official Juneteenth celebration at BlackRock Center for the Arts, calling it a hypocritical display by leaders complicit in ongoing racial violence and erasure of Black history. Instead, BACC invites the public to attend “The People’s Juneteenth” on June 19, a grassroots event honoring ancestors buried at the desecrated Moses African Cemetery and spotlighting local racial justice issues.
Category: NEWS
Posted inWashington D.C. News
House passes several ‘anti-D.C. Home Rule’ bills
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed three bills aiming to override D.C.’s local laws, reigniting debates over Home Rule and statehood. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-At-Large) condemned the measures as undemocratic and harmful.
Posted inBUSINESS
Shoppers grapple with supporting retailers as they scale back equity, diversity and inclusion efforts
By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com As Juneteenth approaches, Black consumers are increasingly split on whether to support major retailers like Walmart and Target— companies that have faced growing scrutiny for scaling back their diversity, inclusion and equity efforts. Amid calls for store boycotts from leaders such as Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, of Georgia’s New Birth […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Shaping the future: Black Leadership in tech regulation
By Andrea StevensAFRO Staff Writerastevens@afro.com Juneteenth is a commemorative day that brings together African Americans across the country. It’s a story that keeps the Black community grounded and reminds many of the progress made. As the holiday approaches, historians emphasize that Juneteenth’s legacy runs deeper—and is more complex—than a single day of celebration. Dr. Akwasi […]
Posted inBaltimore Government
Baltimore City Council approves $4.6B FY26 budget in 13-2 vote
The Baltimore City Council approved a $4.6 billion fiscal year 2026 budget on June 16, highlighting new investments in immigrant support, traffic safety and waste reduction.
Posted inNational News
Ten years later: Charleston remembers slain parishioners as push for gun reform gains urgency
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO Ten years ago, on June 17, 2015, a group of worshipers entered Mother Emanuel AME Church for a Bible study, in Charleston, South Carolina. Though they stepped into the oldest AME church in the South to strengthen their walk with God, they were joined by one visitor who […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Associated Black Charities honors past leaders at 40th anniversary gala
Associated Black Charities (ABC) is celebrating its 40th year of service in 2025. On June 14 the organization held its annual anniversary gala, celebrating decades of impact, leadership and progress in advancing racial and economic equity.
Posted inBaltimore News
State of the People tour set to stop in Baltimore on Juneteenth
By Elijah QuallsAFRO Intern The State of the People National Assembly is coming to Baltimore to provide the framework for Black policy advocacy, impactful intergenerational leadership, and community empowerment. This National Assembly on June 19 will be the final stop of their State of the People POWER Tour. It is no coincidence that this tour […]
Posted inEducation
National Teachers Hall of Fame to induct Valerie Camile Jones Ford, award-winning math teacher and Spelman grad
Valerie Camille Jones Ford, an award-winning mathematics teacher at Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, will be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame class of 2025 for her dedication to her students and her innovative approach to teaching mathematics.
Posted inArts & Culture
AFRAM 2025 to feature Patti LaBelle, Juvenile and Saweetie
Patti LaBelle and Juvenile will headline this year’s AFRAM festival on June 21-22 at Druid Hill Park. The free event will also feature Saweetie, Teedra Moses, Amerie, and Vedo, celebrating Black culture with music, food, and vendors. AFRAM attracts over 100,000 attendees annually.
Posted inNational News
Suspect in shooting of Minnesota state lawmakers surrenders
Vance Boelter was arrested and charged with two counts of murder and two of attempted murder after posing as a police officer and shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and shooting and wounding Senator John Hoffman and his wife, in a targeted attack that brought the state to a standstill.
Posted inBaltimore News
Across the country, schools officials work to protect students from immigration raids
School officials are speaking out against immigration raids taking place in classrooms across the nation. Teachers and administrators are doing what they can to protect immigrant families who now have to reconsider if school buildings are truly a safe space for their students.