By Alexis TaylorAFRO Managing Editor I never imagined Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. would pick up the phone. It was 2012. On June 14 of that year, Adidas, the international shoe and sports apparel company, boldly unveiled a pair of sneakers that came complete with a pair of orange, plastic ankle bracelets. After public backlash to […]
Tag: AFRO archives
From the AFRO Archives: A look at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Black Press
The Black Press stood shoulder to shoulder with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the frontlines of the Civil Rights Movement, serving as both a chronicler and catalyst for change. From exposing racial terror to amplifying boycotts and voter education, Black newspapers helped shape the movement from within.
Afro Charities forges ahead with construction on Upton Mansion redevelopment
By Savannah WoodAfro Charities CEO After a public groundbreaking ceremony in February for their historic Upton Mansion redevelopment project, Afro Charities is well underway on their transformative development. The site, vacant since 2006, will become the new headquarters for both Afro Charities and AFRO News, and the public research center for the historic AFRO Archives, […]
Weeklong celebration of Baltimore artist’s legacy picked Best Art and Culture Tradition in local magazine
Tom Miller Week, an annual celebration of the late Baltimore artist known for his vibrant “Afro-Deco” style, has been named 2025’s Best Arts and Culture Tradition by Baltimore Magazine readers. The citywide tribute, led by AFRO Charities’ Deyane Moses, honors Miller’s artistic legacy and aims to restore his fading murals while showcasing his work from private and institutional collections.
Rereading the News: Afro Charities honors legacy of Dr. Lillie May Carroll Jackson
Afro Charities, in partnership with the Lillie May Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum, is honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Lillie May Carroll Jackson this month. The spring edition of the “ReReading the News” series focused on Jackson’s historical activism, the role of Black motherhood, civic leadership and archival storytelling.
Afro Charities team breaks ground on permanent home for the AFRO Archives
The Upton Mansion, which will house the AFRO Archives, was officially broken ground on Feb. 28, with Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, and AFRO Publisher and CEO, Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, among others, in attendance.
Afro Charities set to break ground on new home for AFRO Archives at historic Upton Mansion
Afro Charities is set to break ground on its $16-million redevelopment of the historic Upton Mansion in West Baltimore, which will serve as the headquarters for the AFRO and feature offices for Afro Charities, including a gallery space, recording studio, and green roof.
From the Bay to the table: Black crabbing history in Maryland
African-American watermen and waterwomen have been the backbone of the Chesapeake Bay’s seafood and maritime industry for centuries, enduring grueling labor and low wages to build a legacy for themselves and their families.
A place to call ‘home’: Renovating the historic Upton Mansion
by Deyane Moses The Upton Mansion is poised to embark on a remarkable transformation as it becomes the new headquarters for Afro Charities and the AFRO American Newspapers. Erected in 1838, this historic mansion holds a distinguished place on the National Registry of Historic Places and recognition as a Baltimore City Landmark. Once a residence, […]
Afro Charities celebrates 60th anniversary
By Helen Bezuneh, Special to the AFRO November 15 marked the 60th anniversary of Afro Charities, a nonprofit partner to the AFRO American Newspapers. Afro Charities is dedicated to stewarding the AFRO’s archives and driving charitable initiatives to benefit local Black communities. Founded in 1963 as a charitable organization by members of the AFRO’s board […]

