By Helen Bezuneh, Special to the AFRO Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, president of the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC), was overjoyed to hear that Circuit Court Judge Karla Smith had ruled in favor of the coalition’s fight to prevent what they call the “desecration” of a historically Black cemetery in Bethesda in 2021. She couldn’t have predicted […]
Category: Prince George’s County News
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO To Honor COVID-19 Pandemic’s “Unsung Heroes”
By CityBiz As our nation and community recover from the residual pain and trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is worth remembering the vital role that funeral home professionals played in guiding families through their time of loss. To honor their thankless efforts, the AFRO is proud to host a long overdue celebration of the “Unsung […]
Posted inMaryland News
Counties with the highest unemployment in Maryland
Stacker Canva Counties with the highest unemployment in Maryland While significantly lower than the alarming pandemic peak of 14.7% experienced in April 2020, unemployment rates remain a subject of concern, though experts’ views on a potential recession are mixed. The last economic recession—the Great Recession of 2007-2009—sent rates up to 10% as of October 2009. […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
PG County officials raise funds for local youth with Escapology challenge
By AFRO staff Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz and Prince George’s County Councilman Calvin Hawkins II partnered with Escapology to raise money for local youth sport activities in an effort to reduce juvenile crime. The two had a face off at Escapology’s grand opening on July 12, challenging each other to see could […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Bowie State University successfully completes fundraising campaign for $50 million two years early
By Deborah Bailey, AFRO Contributing Editor, dbailey@afro.com Maryland’s first HBCU, Bowie State University (BSU), is celebrating the conclusion of its fundraising campaign of $50 million dollars. The feat comes almost two years ahead of its scheduled end date, originally set for 2025. The largest campaign in the history of BSU has resulted in an increase […]
Posted inArts & Culture
AFRO inside look: a chat with “Anatomy of Love” creator, Rickey Solomon II
By AFRO Staff The stage play, “Anatomy of Love,” has returned for a third year to the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area. The musical, focused on the intricacies of love, life and relationship, is on its final run at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts this weekend, with one show running July 14 […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Former Sen. Tommie Broadwater II, first Black senator for Prince George’s County, dead at 81
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com The well-loved Tommie Broadwater Jr., former Maryland senator, died at age 81 on July 11. “Tommie Broadwater had a lot of spunk,” Larry Young, former state senator for District 44, told the AFRO. “He was a businessman and a pioneer of Prince George’s County establishing a Black political […]
Posted inNational News
NNPA welcomes new chair and executive board at 2023 convention
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Bobby Henry, the publisher of the Westside Gazette in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., won the election as chair of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) during the organization’s 2023 convention in Nashville, Tenn. The NNPA is the trade association of more than 200 African American-owned newspapers and media companies in […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
National Park Service releases RFP for long-term operator at Fort Washington Marina
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com The National Park Service (NPS) is in search of a new long-term operator for the Fort Washington Marina in Prince George’s County, Md. The agency released a request for proposal (RFP) for the boatyard on June 20 and gave a September 5 deadline for submission. This new RFP […]
Posted inMaryland Government
AFRO inside look: meet some of the contenders vying for the next open Maryland senate seat
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com By Deborah Bailey, AFRO Contributing Editor, Dbailey@afro.com Leaders from around the state of Maryland are vying for a senate seat set to be vacated by Sen. Ben Cardin next year. Cardin has served the community as a political figure for over 56 years. “I think we’ll see who […]
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 in!Front Page Maryland New
U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer recognized at MD Democratic Gala
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political WriterTmcqueen@afro.com The Maryland Democratic Party Gala was a night of glitz and glam, joy and optimism for the state of the party. Attendees, including Baltimore City and County leaders, state legislators and national representatives, gathered at Martin’s West in Baltimore. A main staple of the night was Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.-05), […]