By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com JPMorgan Chase recently committed $2 million to the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) in efforts to support the redevelopment of the Anacostia Arts Center, which serves as a hub for small businesses, artists and cultural organizations in Ward 8. The announcement came on the heels of the […]
Category: Prince George’s County News
Posted inBUSINESS
Shoe City files for bankruptcy, closes 39 stores in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com Shoe City is closing the doors of its 39 stores across the Maryland, Virginia and D.C. area after more than 70 years in business. The family-owned urban footwear retailer, also known as YCMC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March. The business reports that they currently have $16 […]
Posted inBUSINESS
AFRO news announces Black Business Matters Expo 2023
By Ciara Franklin, Abel Communications for the AFRO The AFRO, the oldest Black-owned business in Maryland, has announced the Black Business Matters Expo 2023, scheduled for April 27th from 4pm-7pm. The theme for the media company’s 3rd annual event is “The Great Divide: Work. Wages. Wealth.” The Expo will feature a full slate of speakers, […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Federal banking rules make funding Maryland cannabis industry tricky
By GREG MORTON, Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS, Md. – With less than a week left in Maryland’s legislative session, most elements of Maryland’s plan to create a legal market for cannabis have been decided. Bills on track to pass establish details like licenses to be allotted, the types of operators allowed and provisions to create […]
Posted inNEWS
Deadline approaches for Maryland’s state agencies to submit their MBE procurement plans
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com and Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com The deadline for Maryland’s 70 state agencies to submit reports on procurement activity and their progress toward meeting Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) goals is quickly approaching. Back in February, Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order giving MBE-affiliated agencies 60 days […]
Posted inMaryland Government
AFRO review: Maryland General Assembly’s 445th session wraps up
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com On April 10, the first Maryland legislative session with a Black Governor ended. Gov. Wes Moore created ten pieces of legislation and signed SB555 – Fair Wage Act of 2023 and HB547 – Family Prosperity Act of 2023, the day after “Sine Die.” “I entered office saying that […]
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO announces star-studded Baltimore AFRO High Tea
By Ciara Franklin, Abel Communications, for the AFRO The AFRO will host the annual Baltimore AFRO High Tea on April 22, honoring “Maryland’s Leading Ladies.” This year’s event features Maryland’s most prominent women in leadership, including First Lady Dawn Moore, Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and Speaker of the House of Delegates, Adrienne […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Republicans apologize for harsh tone that ended House session
By MICHELLE LARKIN, Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland Del. Nic Kipke, R-Anne Arundel, apologized to House Speaker Adrienne Jones Tuesday afternoon after he told her to “sit down” in the final minutes of this year’s General Assembly session in a harsh exchange over a provision to cannabis legislation. A debate between Democrats and […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Prince George’s County to pay family of Demonte Ward-Blake $7.5 million in settlement for civil rights lawsuit
By Deborah Bailey, Contributing Editor Prince George’s County will pay Rena Ward, mother of Demonte Ward-Blake, a $7.5 million settlement in connection with a 2019 police traffic stop that left Ward-Blake paralyzed in 2019. At Greenbelt Federal Courthouse on March 31, Rena Ward, along with attorney’s Billy Murphy and Malcolm Ruff, announced the settlement. The […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore leaders call for Black Marylanders to attend the State of the Black World Conference V
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Members of the Baltimore NAACP joined Ron Daniels, president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW) and Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott to raise awareness about the State of the Black World Conference V. “I’m asking all of Baltimore to come out and attend a […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Bowie State University’s Performing Arts Center theatre named for Dionne Warwick
By Deborah Bailey, Contributing Editor Bowie State University’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) now bears the name of internationally renowned singer, Dionne Warwick. In a ceremony this past week, the PAC theatre was formally renamed the Dionne Warwick Performing Arts Theatre. Hundreds gathered in attendance to celebrate with Warwick and the campus, including Gospel Singer, BeBe […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland Senate confirms first Black head of state police
By Brian Witte, The Associated Press The Maryland Senate confirmed Lt. Col. Roland Butler on March 31 to be the first Black superintendent of the Maryland State Police, a department under a federal discrimination probe. The Senate voted 43-4 to confirm Gov. Wes Moore’s appointee, who came under questioning largely because he has worked at […]