Each year in March amyloidosis is recognized with an awareness month. Jonathan L. Dotson serves as executive director of Friendship That Gives, a health advocacy organization. This week, he urges the Black community to learn more about the condition, which is caused by abnormal protein deposits that damage vital organs.
Tag: Black community
Posted inNAACP
Word In Black’s Anissa Durham nominated for inaugural NAACP Image Award in journalism
Word In Black, a national newsroom and research lab, has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for its reporting series, “On Borrowed Time,” which highlights the impact of providers, policies and the medical system on Black people in need of organ transplants.
Posted inOpinion
What happened to the Black Church?
Jamie Seals, an Inkster, Mich., native, writer, speaker and thinker, reflects on the generational divide surrounding the relevance of the Black Church, exploring why an institution once central to Black life now feels disconnected to many. Tracing its origins as a sanctuary from racism and exclusion, he challenges believers to look inward, arguing that the condition of the Black Church mirrors the spiritual and social struggles of its people—and that renewal begins with personal responsibility and renewed commitment to faith and community.
Posted inNEWS
ABC Revival calls faith leaders to renew commitment to Black progress
At a time when Black history is being censored and equity efforts reversed, ABC’s Revival became a call for spiritual renewal and civic resistance. Faith leaders reminded attendees that they were “born to carry the weight” of leadership and truth-telling.
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Maryland’s criminal justice system continues to disproportionately harm Black communities, especially through its outdated practice of automatically charging some youth as adults, a policy critics argue urgently needs to end.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 inOPINION
Legally Written: The missing voice in America’s access to justice PART 2
By Kisha Brown, Esq. For most of the conversation and efforts regarding access to justice, the focus is often on visible crises — eviction, incarceration, domestic violence — that are inextricably linked to poverty. However, the Black community’s barriers to legal counsel and information are often structural and cultural as much as economic. Think about […]
Posted inOpinion
Rebuilding from the belly of the whale: A blueprint to disrupt our collective pain and invest in West Baltimore
Janet Allen is president of Heritage Crossing Resident Association. This week, she speaks on the weight of systemic neglect on the Black community in West Baltimore.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Addressing family toxicity: How to move forward after trauma
Healing from family trauma starts with breaking cycles of secrecy, shame and emotional suppression. Life coach Nijiama Smalls urges open conversations, setting boundaries, and—even when needed—creating distance to protect peace and begin true healing.
Posted inNEWS
Handheld fans banned on indoor dance floors in new Carnival Cruise policy
Carnival Cruise Line has reportedly begun enforcing stricter onboard rules as of June 2025, including a new ban on handheld “clack” fans on indoor dance floors, as detailed in a circulating “Have Fun. Be Safe” letter. While most rules outlined are longstanding, the fan ban—often associated with 803Fresh’s song “Boots on the Ground”—has sparked mixed reactions, especially across social media and within the Black community.
Posted inHair
Black Follicles Matter Expo 2025: A safe space for curls, coils and conversations
The Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo will host “Black Follicles Matter” on June 28, 2025, spotlighting natural hair, cultural pride, and community wellness. Led by salon founder Malaika Tamu-Cooper, the event offers workshops, live demos, and a marketplace promoting Black beauty, health, and empowerment.
Posted inMental Health
No more suffering in silence: Black men demand space to heal
As suicide rates among Black men continue to rise, mental health advocates are urging a shift from silence to support—calling for culturally competent care, honest dialogue and systemic reform to save lives and restore hope.
Posted inBlack History
Steeped in community: A look at tea gatherings over the years
By AFRO Staff Over the years the AFRO has had the privilege of capturing a range of tea events in Black society. Whether to honor mothers in the community or simply fellowship and reassure social bonds, gathering for tea has long been a favorite Spring pastime. Take a look below to see how the AFRO […]