By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Dating can provide renewed confidence and companionship, but as time passes, returning to the dating scene after divorce or widowhood can appear intimidating. Modern dating, online scams and emotional unavailability or stagnancy have created new challenges that experts say should be approached with community, caution and patience. Lauren Sanders is […]
Tag: AFRO
Posted inBaltimore News
Associated Black Charities to continue community conversations, centering resident voices in 2026Â Â
Associated Black Charities (ABC) will continue their Community Convos in the Hamilton community on Jan. 22, to inform how resources are invested across Baltimore neighborhoods and to shape the organization’s priorities based on community input.
Posted inBUSINESS
AFRO spotlight on Black excellence: How Kaci Patterson advances Dr. King’s legacy through equity-driven change
Communities nationwide continue to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through service, faith and advocacy. Today’s leaders and organizations are expanding his vision through action, equity and community-building.
Posted inEducation
School board decides to shut down Baltimore Collegiate after 2026 school year
The Baltimore City Public School Board decided on Jan. 14 to not renew the charter of Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys. The all-boys public charter school also faced closure in 2023 with reported concerns about financial management and low test scores.
Posted inCommentary
From heartbreak to hope: Reclaiming the soul of Watch Night
By Rev. Stacy Swimp For many, New Year’s Eve is a night of sparkling lights and resolutions. But for the Black community, the ticking clock has a deeper echo. To understand why we gather in churches on Dec. 31, we must look beyond the party and confront a journey of profound survival. We must remember […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Smith gives impassioned farewell speech, challenges ‘haters’ as interim MPD chief steps upÂ
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Bowser announced Dec. 17 the appointment of Jeffery Carroll as interim police chief in the District. According to a news release from Bowser’s office, Carroll currently serves as Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) executive assistant chief of specialized operations, a position to which he was appointed by […]
Posted inEditorial
AFRO CEO reflects on 2025: A year of resilience and relevance in Black journalism
The AFRO, a Black-owned news outlet, has been publishing for 133 years and continues to be a source of truth and self-definition for the Black community, covering a range of topics from public safety to culture and sports, while also honoring the legacy of Black leaders and preserving Black history.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Seven principles, one people: How Kwanzaa connects Black Americans to their heritage
Kwanzaa, a week-long, non-religious celebration observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, honors African heritage through the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba, encouraging reflection, creativity and community engagement. Celebrants say the holiday remains vital today as a way for Black Americans to reconnect with culture, strengthen community values and affirm identity amid ongoing challenges to Black history.
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Maryland must end the harmful practice of automatically charging youth as adults
Attorney Kisha Brown previously served as director of both the Maryland Attorney General’s Legislative Affairs division and the Civil Rights department. She was the first woman to lead the Baltimore City Office of Civil Rights. In this piece she argues Maryland’s criminal justice system continues to disproportionately harm Black communities, especially through its outdated practice of automatically charging some youth as adults, a policy critics argue urgently needs to end.
Posted inBUSINESS
How to protect — and improve — your credit score in 2026
As credit scoring models continue to evolve, on-time payments and low credit utilization will play an even larger role in shaping scores in 2026. Financial experts warn that common misconceptions, such as opening multiple new credit cards to boost credit, can significantly damage a person’s overall profile.
Posted inBUSINESS
Black Wealth Summit returns to Washington D.C. with focus on financial empowerment
The Black Wealth Summit returns to Washington D.C. on Dec. 5-6 with two days of programming focused on financial empowerment, entrepreneurship and long term wealth strategies in the Black community. This year’s event expands on its mission with new sessions, networking opportunities and a strengthened commitment to accessible financial education, highlighted by an official statement from founder Cedric Nash that underscores the summit’s focus on innovation, resilience and the evolving meaning of wealth.
Posted inOPINION
Teach your kids backyard and urban farming to promote nutrition and neighborhood health
Community gardens in urban areas provide inter-generational learning, promote social cohesion, provide nutrition education, reduce crime, lower grocery bills, create jobs, reduce carbon footprint, and improve air and soil quality.Community and backyard gardens teach children about nutrition, provide fresh produce, lower grocery costs, and strengthen neighborhood ties. Urban farming also promotes intergenerational learning, community cohesion, economic opportunities, and environmental benefits, while requiring organized efforts to overcome space, soil, resource, and regulatory challenges.