Category: Washington D.C. News
Building a Path to Generational Wealth Through Homeownership
Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co. Homeownership has long been a symbol of the American dream. Our homes often represent far more than just shelter – they’re central to family life and building strong communities. The economic impact of homeownership can’t be overlooked either. Homes are the largest source of wealth for Americans, which makes […]
Telling our stories: The longstanding tradition of quilting
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Throughout history, African Americans have been forcefully silenced from their natural inclination to express their culture, needs and desires. Quilting was and continues to be a way for Black people, Black women especially, to memorialize moments that are important to Black culture or a specific Black family. “Quilting […]
DEI, More than a Buzzword
By Tonya Odom For as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about justice. I was invested in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) before DEI was considered a buzzword. It is why I went to law school. It’s why I served as a judge and why as a little girl, I was the […]
White House Juneteenth concert celebrates Black music, denounces racism
By Stacy M. Brown, Senior National Correspondent, NNPA Newswire President Joe Biden delivered a powerful speech denouncing racism in the United States during the White House’s first major Juneteenth celebration on June 13. The Biden-Harris administration hosted a concert in celebration of the holiday, featuring renowned singers Jennifer Hudson, Audra McDonald and Ledisi. Organizers aimed […]
Push for national reparations legislation slows, activists and elected officials press on
By Deborah Bailey, AFRO Contributing Editor Legislation regarding reparations is still alive on Capitol Hill, but it is nowhere near the big-ticket topic of discussion it has been in the last two summers. In June of 2021, as Americans of all backgrounds celebrated Juneteenth as a federal holiday for the first time, backers of federal […]
Why isn’t Juneteenth a paid holiday nationwide?
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Juneteenth only became a nationally recognized holiday in 2021, at the direction of President Biden. The most recent federal holiday to be created commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. Though the recognition is now at an all-time high, the benefit of being a full-fledged federal […]
Juneteenth special events and celebrations in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area
By AFRO Staff Juneteenth is a time to celebrate culture, freedom and the perseverance of a people. From D.C. and Prince George’s County to Baltimore City and surrounding areas, the offerings across the region include low budget items as well as free events for the entire family. Read below to find a celebration just right […]
Celebrating Juneteenth
By Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO Publisher and CEO CORRECTION: This article has been updated to reflect that June 19, 2023 is the 158th anniversary of Juneteenth. This year we celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day for the 158th time, and the third time as a national federal holiday. Many Americans are still learning about Juneteenth’s […]
Local activists hold forum, weigh in on Atlanta’s ‘Cop City’
By DaQuan Lawrence, Special to the AFRO Activists in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area are weighing in on the construction and use of a public safety training center near Atlanta. Opponents of a massive police training center soon to open near Atlanta, Ga. staged a two-hour virtual roundtable to engage national attention on […]
Virginia plane crash investigators ask when pilot became unresponsive and why aircraft flew its path
By Sarah Brumfield and Michael Balsamo, The Associated Press The pilot of a business jet that flew over Washington, D.C. and crashed in a remote part of Virginia appeared to be slumped over and unresponsive, three U.S. officials said on June 5, recounting observations by fighter pilots who intercepted the wayward flight. The revelations came […]
Bread for the City and Mema’s Popups to host second Juneteenth celebration
By DaQuan Lawrence, Special to the AFRO For the second year in a row, Mema’s Popups and Bread for the City will partner together to host a Juneteenth celebration in the nation’s capital. In commemoration of African world history and in celebration of African American’s emancipation from slavery in the United States, “Juneteenth for the […]
