By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (LBCM) recently unveiled their 2024 legislative priorities, which include upholding recently passed juvenile justice laws, making resources more available for Maryland’s small businesses and ensuring prescription drugs are affordable for Black Marylanders. “Members of the legislature founded the Legislative Black […]
Category: Prince George’s County News
Posted inNational News
Black unemployment hit record low in 2023, Black wealth up 60 percent
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world, Black unemployment peaked at 16.8 percent in the U.S. Now, White House officials have reported that 2023 was the lowest year for Black joblessness on record. It currently sits at 5.3 percent. Officials say the recovery was jump […]
Posted inNational News
Experts urge senators to act in the fight against financial fraud
By Katharine Wilson, Capital News Service Americans are reporting fewer frauds since a peak in 2021. However, experts at a Jan. 31 Senate hearing said scammers are only getting better at extracting more money from their victims. Witnesses and senators agreed that action is needed to fight this issue – but they differed on what […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Violet Apple leaves CEO position with Girls Scouts of Central Maryland
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com Violet Apple, the first Black CEO of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, stepped down from her post on Jan. 31. Apple has led the organization, which serves more than 35,000 girls and adults, since 2014. Her exit marks the first time in her career that she has not […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
AFRO readers weigh in on love and standing the test of time
By Ama Y. Brown, AFRO Editorial Assistant “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes […]
Posted in2024 Elections
Congressman John Sarbanes endorses Angela Alsobrooks for U.S. Senate
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political WriterTmcqueen@afro.com U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.-03) recently announced his endorsement of Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) for U.S. Senate. Sarbanes said he sees Alsobrooks as “good for Maryland” and “terrific for our country.” “It’s why I’m as motivated as I am in this moment to support her and her […]
Posted inDMV News
U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, 84, announces run for re-election
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political WriterTmcqueen@afro.com U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.-05) announced Jan. 9 that he will seek re-election in 2024, ending speculation that he would step down after representing the state for 23 terms in the House of Representatives. In an interview with the AFRO, Hoyer said he sat down with his wife, Elaine C. […]
Posted in!Front Page Maryland New
Maryland General Assembly begins 2024 legislative session
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com The much anticipated 2024 Maryland General Assembly commenced on Jan. 10. Though the first day is largely ceremonial, hundreds of pieces of legislation have already been filed and assigned to committees. The 90-day session will feature policies aiming to reduce gun violence trauma, protect youth and hold them accountable for […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Gov. Wes Moore wraps up inaugural year as first Black leader of Maryland
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Gov. Wes Moore (D) became the first Black man to lead the state of Maryland on Jan. 18, becoming only the third Black governor to be elected in U.S. history. Moore has spent his first year making good on campaign promises and funding initiatives throughout the state. “In year two, […]
Posted inDMV News
One year into Metro’s Silver Line extension, ridership is modest
By Ryan MercadoCapital News Service The Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of the opening of the last Silver Line stations in northern Virginia, despite modest ridership numbers. “We are thrilled the six new Silver Line stations have had more than 3.4 million trips since we opened last year,” WMATA […]
Posted inHBCU
CNN’s Abby Phillip encourages Bowie State graduates to expect adversity
By Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor Cable network anchor and Bowie High School graduate Abby Phillip reminded Bowie State University winter graduates Dec. 23 of the power of failure in life. Phillip, anchor of “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip,” a Harvard graduate and a member of Bowie High School’s class of 2006, told the 405 graduates […]
Posted inNEWS
Councilwoman Jolene Ivey takes helm of Prince George’s County Council
By Deborah Bailey AFRO Contributing Editor dbailey@afro.com Veteran Prince George’s County Councilwoman Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George’s County- District 5) is now head of the County Council. Ivey took the gavel with the unanimous support of 11 council members, all of whom were in attendance at the gavel exchange ceremony inside of Largo’s County Council hearing […]