By Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher Nearly 20 years ago, historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. declared August as National Black Business Month to “drive the policy agenda affecting the 2.6 million African American businesses.” Today, according to the latest data, there are more than three million Black- […]
Category: Prince George’s County News
Posted inAfro Briefs
PRESS ROOM: Family of PG County Bicycle Homicide Victim Calls For Justice to Be Done
By Special Press release (Prince George’s County, Maryland) – After his final Memorial services held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, in Silver Spring, Maryland, the family of Gregory J. McCullom has released the following statement through their family counselor, Sophia A. Nelson, Esq. and a spokesperson for the family, Mr. Brian Akins: “It has now […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Maryland Supreme Court will hear OPC’s appeal of $8 million rate increase
By The Office of People’s Counsel The Maryland Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Office of People’s Counsel’s appeal of a 2021 Public Service Commission decision related to an $8 million rate increase for Washington Gas customers. OPC’s appeal argues that the Commission’s rate order failed to enforce a requirement for “merger savings” that […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Get on the bus: a look at some of the organizations bringing march participants to the nation’s capital
By AFRO Staff Activists and historians are honoring the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington with much fanfare this year. In preparation for the event, the AFRO has listed some of the buses that will be traveling from states across the country to bring participants to the nation’s capital for a reenactment of the […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Annapolis hosts state-wide celebration for the March on Washington’s 60th Anniversary
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com The 60th anniversary of the March on Washington (MOW) is quickly approaching and the Annapolis community has a weekend full of events planned to celebrate the momentous occasion. March reenactments, a church service and a youth program will all take place, along with other celebrations happening throughout the […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Companies manufacturing products with ‘forever chemicals’ expected to face repercussions in 2024
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com In recent years, Americans have been raising concerns about toxic chemicals found in drinking water within firefighters protective gear, which largely include PFAS, a “forever chemical” found in polyfluoroalkyl substances which feature particles that slowly break down over time. Since the 1950s, products made with these chemicals have […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
New Carrollton celebrates National Night Out with Maryland’s first couple
By Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor New Carrollton, Md., a Prince George’s County community, hosted its 40th National Night Out celebration recently with special guests from the top of Maryland’s state government. Gov. Wes Moore, first lady Dawn Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown made surprise appearances at the mid-county community’s Beckett Field, enhancing a local tradition […]
Posted inBUSINESS
The AFRO names 13 local funeral directors ‘Unsung Heroes’ for vital service during COVID-19 pandemic
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@AFRO.com The AFRO took time to honor the “Unsung Heroes” of the COVID-19 pandemic at Valley Mansion by Martin’s on Aug. 6. The media company commended morticians for the critical and often under recognized role they played in helping families navigate the loss of a loved one during a […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
WEModel USA 2023 fashion gala: where beauty meets purpose
By AFRO Staff WEModel USA, a women-led fashion agency dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking, recently held their 2023 Fashion Gala. As human trafficking is the second highest ranking international crime, the organization raises awareness on a global scale. The founder, Patricia Watts, helps source models from across the nation to be in international […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Montgomery County officials announce rent cap, bringing relief to hundreds of thousands of residents
By Deborah Bailey, AFRO Contributing Editor, dbailey@afro.com Montgomery County now joins D.C. and Prince George’s County in passing legislation to cap rapidly rising rental prices across the region. In late July, the Montgomery (MoCo) County Council, passed a permanent 6 percent rent cap during a grueling eight hour session. Thirty five percent of the county’s […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Maryland’s adult-use cannabis sales rake in millions in first weekend of legal recreational use
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com In 2022, Marylanders voted to pass a referendum on cannabis use for individuals 21 years and older. Recreational use of the drug started on July 1. On that day, state dispensaries racked up more than $3.5 million in adult-use sales, according to a Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) report. […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Billions of dollars spent on sports wagering: a look into Maryland’s gambling industry
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com After former governor Larry Hogan signed HB0940, sports betting became legal in Maryland in 2021. Since then, retail and mobile sportsbooks have contributed more than $25 million in tax revenue to the state, and Marylanders have wagered more than $2.8 billion, according to revenue reports from the Maryland […]