By Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy DraperAFRO CEO and Publisher As the nation marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the real question is not how loudly we celebrate — but whether we are willing to live by the values Dr. King demanded. Each January, the nation knows how to celebrate. We mark the day. We replay […]
Category: Washington D.C. News
Posted inArts & Culture
National Museum of African American History and Culture opens exhibition featuring collections from five HBCUs
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture opened a new exhibition, “At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs,” celebrating the cultural, intellectual and artistic legacy preserved by historically Black colleges and universities. Featuring collections from five HBCUs, the exhibition highlights rare artifacts, artwork and archival materials before embarking on a national tour through 2029.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
DC residents protest rise in Washington Gas bills
Washington, D.C. residents and mayoral candidate Talib Karim Muhammad protested a Washington Gas rate hike approved by the city’s Public Service Commission, which is expected to raise average residential heating bills by nearly 13 percent. While Washington Gas says the increase reflects long-delayed, fully litigated costs and points to assistance programs, protesters and residents argue the higher bills threaten affordability and displacement in the city.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. Council questions the District’s cooperation with ICE
D.C. lawmakers are urging city leaders to end Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a council report found federal immigration enforcement has eroded trust in immigrant communities.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Local UNCF and MLK Holiday DC Committee prepare to celebrate Dr. King’s birthday
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO Over the next week, Americans and others around the world will celebrate the birthday, life and legacy of “the drum major for peace,” the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Born Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Ga., the Baptist minister represents one of the greatest minds of the […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Community remember Marckell Williams as a brother, friend and photography master
By Ashleigh FieldsSpecial to the AFRO Local journalists, church members and the broader community in the District are mourning the loss of 26 year old Marckell Williams, who was killed in a Jan. 7 car crash. Williams, an internationally known photojournalist, is remembered for frequently capturing the essence of political, religious and public events that […]
Posted inBUSINESS
BWI’s $520M upgrade brings modern gates and faster baggage system
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) joined BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport leaders to celebrate the $520 million Concourse A/B Connector and upgraded baggage system, enhancing passenger flow, expanding gates, and strengthening the airport’s role as a regional economic engine.
Posted inDMV News
DC, Maryland and Virginia officials warn of measles exposure
Maryland health officials say the public should be on alert after a recent measles exposure warning. Officials are urging the public to watch for symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious health complications, especially for younger children.
Posted inPrince George's County News
Madison Scott: From the DMV to the WNBA
By Sabreen DawudSpecial to the AFRO Madison Scott learned she had secured her very first spot on a girls basketball team while sitting in her fourth grade at Ardmore Elementary School in Prince George’s County, Md. Now a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player for the Washington Mystics, Scott remembers the moment well. “The head […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Doing the work: How the Black men of 100 Fathers Inc. are leading the next generation to greatness
For the second year in a row, the men of 100 Fathers Inc. are doing the work of positively influencing young Black boys at Friendship Collegiate Academy. Community mentors emphasize fatherhood, trust and accountability as tools to help Black boys navigate social pressures and avoid risky behaviors, such as vaping and smoking.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Kenyan McDuffie leaves D.C. Council after 13 years, says ‘the work is not finished’
Kenyan R. McDuffie resigned from the D.C. Council after 13 years of service, during which he championed policies that enhanced economic security, public safety, and affordable housing, and expressed interest in running for mayor in the future.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. reports decline in violent crime amid data disagreements
As 2025 ended, the District of Columbia saw a second consecutive year of significant declines in violent crime. While reported numbers show progress, federal and local officials remain at odds over the accuracy of the data and what it means for public safety.