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 […]
Category: Washington D.C. News
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Riggs Crossing project set to provide affordable housing for seniors in Ward 4
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com The Riggs Crossing Senior Residences will aid older adults in confronting the District’s high cost of living. The Riggs Crossing Senior Residences, located in Ward 4, will contain 93 affordable housing units for seniors and is set to be completed in 2025. “Older adults are often on fixed […]
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
National Book Festival brings Black authors to Walter E. Washington Convention Center
By Gene Lambey, Special to the AFRO The Library of Congress will be hosting the 2023 National Book Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Aug. 12, 2023, located at 801 Mt. Vernon Pl NW Washington, D.C. 20001. Doors for the event open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. This festival celebrates the […]
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
Resource fair at Randall Recreation Center hosted by National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens
By AFRO Staff On July 29, the National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens (NAARC), held a cookout for people who were previously incarcerated. The event took place at Randall Recreation Center on South Capitol and I Street. Food, vendors and entertainment was available for the guests while Eric Weaver, director of NAARC, welcomed […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Shooting kills 2 men and a woman and wounds two others in Washington, DC, police chief says
The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A shooting on a street in the nation’s capital left three people dead and two others hospitalized late Aug. 5, police said. Officers responded to the sounds of gunshots around 8 p.m. in the 1600 block of Good Hope Road Southeast and found five victims who had been shot. […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Miss Black USA competition reigns with 37 years of pageantry
By Helen Bezuneh, Special to the AFRO As a self-described “Black pageant queen,” winning Miss Black USA 2021 meant the world to Myja Gary, who represented the state of Virginia. But, to her, the crown was just the cherry on top––sharing the stage with other Black women was a monumental experience in and of itself. […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. legislators announce plans to invest
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Mayor Muriel Bowser and Keith Anderson, interim deputy mayor for planning and economic development (DMPED), announced legislation that would permit a 99-year lease for the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (RFK) on July 27. The proposal includes a new ‘DMPED Sports Team’ to lead the district’s sports […]
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 inWashington D.C. News
Mayor Muriel Bowser selects Pamela Smith to serve as the acting police chief for MPD
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com Composed. Compassionate. Courageous. These are just a few of the adjectives used to describe D.C.’s new police chief, Pamela Smith. She is the second woman in this role and the first Black woman to permanently run the force since its founding in 1861. D.C. Council swore Smith in […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Celebrating culture and flavor: the Jollof Festival returns to D.C. on Aug. 6
By Askya Alexander, Special to the AFRO A diverse tapestry of communities coalesce in the nation’s capital. In the midst of this vibrant cultural diaspora lies an incredible array of foods, traditions and delights from all corners of the world. On Aug. 6, the city’s long-standing tradition of fostering multicultural fellowship will prove no different […]
