Lawmakers acknowledge Black Maternal Health Week and highlight top legislation from the 119th Congress that aim to improve maternal health care in America. U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) expressed concern over federal restructuring efforts and affirmed her commitment to expanding access to care for pregnant women.
Category: Washington D.C. News
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Parade, celebrated entertainers and fireworks cap off DC Emancipation Day 2025
Thousands gathered at Freedom Plaza on April 13 to celebrate DC Emancipation Day with a vibrant parade, live entertainment and fireworks, marking the 20th anniversary of its official designation as a public holiday. The event honored the abolition of slavery in D.C. in 1862 and served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for racial equality, community unity, and D.C. statehood.
Posted inArts & Culture
Gospel Fest brings church to the Symphony Hall
In a time when divisions often feel louder than unity, Gospel Fest was a moment of communion—a reminder of the beauty that emerges when tradition, excellence, and faith share the same stage. The event, held at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore on April 3, featured the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Pastor Smokie Norful, and three of the nation’s most distinguished HBCU choirs, Bowie State University Choir, Howard Gospel Choir and Morgan State University Choir.
Posted inD.C. Government
D.C. leadership freezes hiring and pay increases to offset budget gap
Facing a $1.1 billion budget shortfall caused by a federal funding cap, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) has enacted immediate government freezes and invoked a law to adjust the District’s budget by 6 percent. With Congress stalled on a funding fix, Bowser warned that further cuts, including furloughs and facility closures, may follow if no action is taken.
Posted inCommentary
Budgeting and saving: Telling your money where to go
Frances Murphy Draper is the publisher and CEO of the AFRO. This week she reflects on the resilience, contributions and financial empowerment of Black communities—highlighting how faith, determination and collective action have shaped our economic journey.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Soulful country duo, The War and Treaty, set to hit Howard Theatre stage
War and Treaty will bring their genre-blending mix of soul, country and rock to Washington, D.C.’s Howard Theatre on April 11 as part of their Plus One Tour. Known for their emotionally-charged performances, the husband-and-wife team says the show is a space for healing, joy and connection—”a family reunion” where fans will “leave lighter than you came
Posted inNational News
Tariffs could deepen economic burdens for low-income and marginalized communities
The 47th president’s newly announced tariffs are expected to raise prices on everyday goods, disproportionately impacting low-income and marginalized communities who spend a higher share of their income on essentials. Experts warn that the increased costs and economic uncertainty could worsen inequality, strain household budgets, and potentially lead to job losses in vulnerable sectors.
Posted inBlack History
Uncovering the legacy of Thomas Frazier
Once a cornerstone of Washington, D.C.’s Black community, the former Frazier Funeral Home has been transformed into modern apartments, yet its walls still whisper stories of civic leadership and service. Though time has reshaped its purpose, the legacy of Thomas and Willie Frazier endures, a testament to their profound impact on the city’s history.
Posted inD.C. Community
How to access D.C.’s paid family leave benefits
D.C.’s Universal Paid Leave program offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave for medical, family, parental, and prenatal needs, funded by a tax on participating businesses and nonprofits. While the program provides vital support to workers, challenges such as benefit caps, eligibility confusion, and administrative hurdles continue to spark debate among residents and advocates.
Posted inU.S. Government
Federal judges from both parties blocked 47th president’s policies 46 times — maybe it’s not the judges
Federal judges blocked Trump administration policies 46 times, with rulings coming from judges appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents. Despite frequent legal defeats and public attacks on the judiciary, Trump appointed over 200 federal judges, some of whom later ruled against his policies based on legal reasoning.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Smithsonian African American Museum Director Placed on Leave
By Stacy M. BrownBlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent Kevin Young, the director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), is currently on personal leave and not leading the museum, according to Smithsonian officials. The leave began on March 14 and will continue for an “undetermined period,” according to Kevin Gover, the Smithsonian’s […]
Posted inU.S. Government
Cory Booker sets a record with marathon Senate speech. Will it rally anti-Trump resistance?
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., set a historic record with a marathon speech in the Senate, lasting over 25 hours, to protest President Trump’s actions and rally support against his agenda. Booker’s speech, breaking Strom Thurmond’s 68-year-old record, aims to energize the anti-Trump resistance while emphasizing the urgent need to protect American democracy.
