Posted inCongressional Black Caucus (CBC)

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation kicks off 50th anniversary year

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation has launched a yearlong celebration of its 50th anniversary under the theme “Rooted. Ready. Rising,” highlighting five decades of work advancing equity, leadership development and policy solutions for Black communities. The milestone will feature signature events, service initiatives in 50 cities, mini legislative conferences, and recognition of the AVOICE digital archive, all culminating in the Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., in September.

Posted inEducation

Ed. Dept. dismissed 90 percent of discrimination cases, report says

A Government Accountability Office report found that the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights dismissed about 90 percent of discrimination complaints in 2025 after the Trump administration laid off nearly half its staff. Advocates warn the cuts have left students unprotected, allowed serious cases of racial and disability discrimination to go unresolved, and cost taxpayers up to $38 million while employees were paid but barred from working.

Posted inMaryland Government

Moore calls White House snub ‘blatant disrespect’

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the nation’s only Black governor, said the White House disinvited him from the annual bipartisan National Governors Association dinner, calling the move disrespectful and partisan. The 47th president’s administration limited the event to Republican governors, a break from longstanding tradition that NGA leaders criticized as undermining cooperation.

Posted inBaltimore News

Hundreds protest ICE raids, condition of local federal building used to hold immigrants

By Tashi McQueenAFRO Staff Writer On Jan. 30 protestors gathered in downtown Baltimore, Minneapolis and cities nationwide to oppose the violent immigration raids and recent deaths at the hands of agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Border Patrol and other federal agencies. In Baltimore, the march and rally came as legislators and […]

Posted inNational News

Judge blocks 47th president’s administration from ending protections for Haitians

By Luis Andres HenaoThe Associated Press SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge on Feb. 2 blocked the Trump administration from ending temporary protections that have allowed roughly 350,000 Haitians to live and work in the U.S. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington granted a request to pause the termination of temporary protected status […]

Posted inAfro Briefs

Ending tax refunds by check speeds payments, but what about people without bank accounts?

By Beverly MoranThe Conversation More than 6 million Americans receive paper tax refund checks annually. Often, those refunds go to purchase groceries or pay the bills. But this year, those taxpayers may be surprised to learn that the paper check they’re waiting for no longer exists. That’s because of executive order 14247, which President Donald […]

Posted inU.S. Government

Senate passes government funding deal backed by Oval Office, sending to House

The Senate approved a stopgap funding deal to keep most of the federal government running through September, with a two-week extension for Homeland Security funding as lawmakers debate new limits on federal immigration raids. The bipartisan agreement, backed by the White House, comes amid public outrage over fatal encounters involving federal agents and sets up a contentious House vote that could still trigger a brief shutdown.

Posted inPOLITICS

Legislators, leaders nationwide decry attack on Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar 

The attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar has drawn swift condemnation from Black lawmakers and civic leaders nationwide, who warned that political violence—especially against Black women in public service—poses a direct threat to democratic participation. Leaders emphasized that intimidation and assault have no place in civic spaces and urged accountability amid rising rhetoric that targets women of color, immigrants and Muslim communities.

Posted inWashington D.C. News

Eleanor Holmes Norton speaks on retirement after 35 years on Capitol Hill

By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, 88, has officially announced her retirement. After 35 years representing the District, Norton has filed paperwork to end her reelection campaign.  In a Jan. 27 letter speaking on her retirement, Norton reflected on her career and its impact on the city.  “I’ve had the privilege of […]

Posted inNational News

Bovino set to leave Minneapolis as president reshuffles leadership of immigration crackdown

By Steve Karnowski and Mike Balsamo Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis on Jan. 27, according to a person familiar with the matter, as the Trump administration reshuffles leadership of its immigration enforcement operation and scales back the federal presence after a second fatal shooting by federal officers. President Donald Trump […]

Posted inNational News

New tax law locks in gains for the rich, leaves Black households behind

Economists warn that the 47th president’s new tax law, now in effect as the 2026 filing season begins, entrenches economic inequality by delivering the largest benefits to the wealthiest Americans while raising taxes and cutting supports for low-income households. Analyses show Black families are disproportionately harmed, as the law expands tax breaks tied to wealth and inheritance while offering limited, often inaccessible relief to working-class and poor households.

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