The Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association and BlackPressUSA. This week, he discusses the shared efforts of the Black Press and Black Church to leverage the weight of Black economic power to demand respect and an equitable business relationship with Target and corporate America.
Category: OPINION
Posted inCommentary
Addressing the healthcare gap for working women
By Candrese Jones Cervical Cancer is one of the most treatable cancers if detected early. No one should die from this disease, however, an estimated 4,360 women in the United States died from cervical cancer in 2024. In Mississippi, Black women are almost one and a half times more likely to die of the disease […]
Posted inOpinion
A letter to the editor: Cherishing history and legacy
I enjoy AFRO for many, many reasons; mainly because I grew up with the AFRO-American Newspaper, which was sold in my grandparents newsstand in Georgetown, S.C. At age 79, I’m blessed to see history continue! Steve MyersCivil Rights Trail ToursMontgomery, Ala.
Posted inCommentary
DEI isn’t just an acronym — and saving it is our moral obligation
By Reverend Adam Russell-Taylor President Trump and much of the Grand Old Party’s (GOP) growing fixation on diversity, equity and inclusion programs — often referred to as “DEI” — has become a flashpoint in the nation’s politics that threatens to derail the essential project of becoming a more just and inclusive multiracial democracy. On his […]
Posted inCommentary
Black love in the modern era: Prioritizing healing, communication and growth
Black love is a testament to strength, resilience and joy. It thrives when nurtured with intention, understanding and mutual respect. Today, Black couples are redefining relationships by prioritizing emotional wellness, therapy and self-awareness. They are breaking generational cycles, fostering open communication and building partnerships that focus on growth, healing, and lasting connection.
Posted inCommentary
Beyond the diversity, equity and inclusion backlash: Addressing root causes to advance equity in every industry
As legal and political challenges dismantle race-conscious diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, institutions are pivoting to strategies that address economic and systemic barriers, achieving similar equity goals without triggering legal scrutiny. By focusing on income-based policies, mentorship programs, and access to education and healthcare, organizations can continue promoting diversity and opportunity while adapting to the evolving landscape of equity efforts.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: Maryland Democratic Party’s cold war
Dayvon Love is director of public policy for the Baltimore-based think tank, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. This week he speaks on infighting within the Democratic Party.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: Marylanders deserve equal voting access before it’s too late
Nehemiah Bester, a communications strategist for the ACLU of Maryland, discusses the Voting Rights Act and how, despite its legacy, voter suppression and racial gerrymandering continue to threaten fair representation, including in Maryland, where recent redistricting efforts diluted Black political power.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: Maryland has the worst racial disparities in incarceration — The Second Look Act can help fix it
Maryland’s prison system has the worst racial disparities in the nation, but the Second Look Act, which would allow people who have served at least 20 years to petition the court for a sentence reduction based on their rehabilitation, is being blocked by House Judiciary Committee Chair Luke Clippinger.
Posted inD.C. Community
Ask A D.C. Native: Should I raise kids in D.C.?
Growing up in D.C. provides children with access to diverse communities, world-class museums, academic and career opportunities, and an easily navigable city.
Posted inCommentary
Fighters, resisters, survivors: Our legacy of standing tall in the face of oppression
My great-great-grandfather, Moses, was a fighter and resister who was lynched by the Ku Klux Klan in 1906 for his efforts to encourage Black people to exercise their constitutional right to vote, and today we are facing a similar moment where we must fight against the collapse of democracy and the creation of a fascist regime that is trying to break us, silence us, and erase us.
Posted inEditorial
The Black women who built the AFRO: A legacy of truth and trailblazing journalism
The AFRO-American Newspapers has a rich history of journalistic excellence, thanks to the contributions of many Black women, including Frances L. Murphy II, Elizabeth “Bettye” Murphy Moss, Ida Murphy Peters, Vashti Murphy Matthews, Carlita Murphy Jones, Elizabeth Murphy Oliver, and many others.