By Imani Augustus and Madeline Burke A federal appeals court in Miami is considering a challenge to a program by Fearless Fund intended to provide grant, mentorship, and training opportunities for Black women looking to grow their businesses. Other lawsuits have challenged entrepreneurial support implemented by the US Small Business Administration and Minority Business Development […]
Category: OPINION
Posted inCommentary, Opinion, OPINION
Commentary: Tackling the affordable housing crisis in Baltimore County
By Ryan Coleman, randallstownnaacp@gmail.com Our county is in the midst of a worsening affordable housing crisis. Baltimore County renters are now paying more than 30 percent of their income on rent—the highest cost-burden level in at least 20 years. Over the last three years, single-family home prices have skyrocketed by 40 percent—reaching historic highs and […]
Posted inCommentary
Haiti is on fire: How the Montana Accord Movement could help
The Montana Accord Movement is a broad-based civil society movement committed to advancing a “Haitian Solution” to save Haiti from the raging conflagration of gangs and criminal kingpins.
Posted inCommentary, Health, Health, NEWS, News, OPINION, Opinion
Addressing infant mortality in the United States
By Dr. Sheldon Fields For the first time in over twenty years, the infant mortality rate has increased in the United States, rising to three percent in 2022, according to CDC data. This troubling trend is not impacting everyone equally. Black infants face up to double the risk of dying in comparison to Hispanic and […]
Posted inCommentary
A call for action: New tests and Medicare coverage could revolutionize cancer care
The confluence of faith, science and policy can help bridge the gaps in cancer outcomes and ensure that the future of cancer care is driven by hope, equity and healing for all.
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Expungement laws are too complicated–we need a simple, accessible system
By Chris Sweeney In Maryland, an estimated 1.5 million residents have a criminal record– a quarter of our state’s population. For the majority of people who want to move on from their past run-ins with the law, even the most minor offense can be an impediment to stable work and housing. Advocates and lawmakers have […]
Posted inCommentary
The rent is still too high
By Farrah Hassen “How we gonna pay last year’s rent?” implores the chorus in the song, “Rent,” from Jonathan Larson’s 1996 musical of the same name. It’s the same refrain for many Americans today. A new Harvard study found that half of U.S. renter households now spend more than 30 percent of their income on […]
Posted inBlack History, Commentary, Editorial, Opinion, OPINION
Celebrating Black History Month
By Dr. John E. Warren This year, perhaps more than ever, we need to be especially mindful of Black history. This is a time of banning books from local libraries–especially those that tell of the history and struggle of Black Americans against slavery and racism; creating a threat to both our presence and our future. […]
Posted inCommentary
All about the ENOUGH Act and how it will influence Baltimore
By Phylicia Porter For too long, the scourge of poverty has plagued communities across Maryland, leaving behind a trail of despair, inequality and missed opportunities. Decades of systemic neglect, exacerbated by racially exclusionary policies such as redlining, urban renewal, and mass incarceration, have entrenched poverty in certain neighborhoods, perpetuating a cycle of deprivation that stifles […]
Posted inCommentary
Investing in change: The urgent need for support of Black-led nonprofits
By Kayenecha Daugherty As the executive director of a Black-led nonprofit in Baltimore, I am compelled to address a critical issue facing our community: the lack of sufficient financial support for organizations like Creative Nomads and so many others. In a city where disparities are stark and resources often scarce, the vital work undertaken by […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: BEYA Conference highlights Black excellence in STEM fields and military
By Catherine Pugh, Special to the AFRO For three days I observed the glorious precision of the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) Conference that occurred in Baltimore Feb. 15 – Feb. 17. People from across the globe filled downtown hotels, many not checking out until the last few waning hours of the weekend. […]
Posted inCommentary
The power in being “unapologetically Black”
By S.A. Miller, Special to the AFRO The term ”unapologetically Black” has been used by a lot of people for a lot of years. The meaning is often based on the context in which it is being used. For some, it connotes boldness and a “take no prisoners” attitude. For others, the term suggests that, […]