By Aria Brent, AFRO News Writer, abrent@afro.com In the first six months of 2023, D.C. already leads the nation in the number of overdoses from overall drug use according to the Center for Disease Control. This year, health advocates called for Mayor Muriel Bowser to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency urging her […]
Category: Washington D.C. News
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. Public Library hosts free summer programming
By Deborah Bailey, Contributing Editor, dbailey@afro.com The Broadway rendition of The Lion King and D.C. Public Library partnered to kick off their Discover Summer Program at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown D.C. The D.C. Public Library kicked off their “Discover Summer” with a majestic roar at the rooftop program that started […]
Posted inNEWS
Affirmative action, student loans and transparency in government: a note from the desk of AFRO Publisher Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper
On SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling: “The Supreme Court majority’s ruling is a shameful step backwards for equality, education, and the pursuit of prosperity for Black students in particular. This outcome reaffirms the importance of teaching and understanding Black history, rather than ignore it, as the majority justices are keen to do. The decision to reject […]
Posted inNational News
Stamp honoring late Rep. John Lewis unveiled in official ceremony at Capitol Hill
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent, @StacyBrownMedia House leaders joined forces with the U.S. Postal Service to reveal a commemorative stamp paying tribute to the late Rep. John Lewis on June 21. The unveiling occurred during a special event held at Capitol Hill. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Unhealthy air quality levels return to Northeastern region due to Canadian wildfires
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com Residents in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area once again experienced unhealthy air quality on June 29 due to wildfires rage in Canada. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) issued an alarming air quality alert. “Northwest winds have pushed smoke from the Great Lakes region into […]
Posted inNational News
Elected officials, community leaders and education advocates weigh in on Supreme Court decision to nix affirmative action
By AFRO Staff The Supreme Court eliminated the use of affirmative action in higher education on June 29, siding with the conservative group, Students for Fair Admissions (SF, which alleged discrimination against Asian applicants. The ruling means that race will no longer be considered in the admissions process for colleges and universities across the United […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
LightReel Film Fest, BIPOC film festival, debuts in D.C.
By Zsana Hoskins, Special to the AFRO The LightReel Film Festival made its debut on June 8 in Washington, D.C. The festival, which ran until June 10, was founded and directed by Tim Gordon, a co-founder of the Black Reel Awards, which is the oldest cinema-exclusive awards ceremony for African Americans. Gordon’s passion for showcasing […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Mental Health America prioritizes youth at week-long conference
By Askya Alexander, Special to the AFRO The Mental Health America Conference hosted a weeklong event in Washington, D.C. from June 6 to June 10. The organization brought renowned experts, practitioners and advocates from across the country to address the pressing challenges surrounding mental health. This year’s theme happened to bring a particular emphasis on […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. ranks as most expensive place for early childcare in the U.S.
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that Washington D.C. is the most expensive place in the country for child care. According to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book, the annual cost for center-based toddler daycare is $24,396, while home-based toddler daycare costs $19,291. Comparatively, […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Disney’s The Lion King characters serenade Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library patrons this Saturday
By Deborah Bailey, Contributing Editor Your favorite characters from Disney’s The Lion King are coming to the D.C. Public Library this Saturday! Join all the characters you and your children love from the inspiring North American tour of the hit Broadway musical The Lion King as you join the D.C. Public Library to kick off […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Starting a business over 55: advice from JPMorgan Chase senior business consultant Darla Harris
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com According to a 2019 report from the JPMorgan Chase Institute, individuals aged 55 and older start about 15 percent of new businesses. These business owners are more likely to survive than their younger counterparts, according to the “Gender, Age and Small Business Financial Outcomes” report. The AFRO connected […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
NAACP Headquarters to relocate to nation’s capital
By DaQuan Lawrence, Special to the AFRO The headquarters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) headquarters will move from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. The historic organization will be housed on the grounds of the Frank D. Reeves Center of Municipal Affairs (Reeves Center) in the historic U Street Corridor of […]
