By Dr. France “Toni” Murphy DraperWord in Black I remember college as a place of possibility. We protested — yes — but we did so with sit-ins, with leaflets, with raised voices and locked arms. We marched and we sang “We Shall Overcome Someday.” We believed, perhaps naively, that collective courage and moral clarity could […]
Tag: Covid-19
Six vaccines that can keep you safe this holiday season
By Jennifer Porter GoreWord in Black Christmas, Kwanzaa and other end-of-year holidays typically mean travel followed by close indoor contact with friends or loved ones — near-perfect conditions for nasty airborne viruses to spread. And when it comes to communicable illnesses, experts say, this holiday season is going to be a doozy. This December, public […]
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.
Black churches strive to reignite youth engagement amid shifting generational ties
Black churches have long supported youth through education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, but changing generational dynamics and declining attendance—especially post-pandemic—pose new challenges. At Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., Rev. Brian Woolfolk is working to revitalize youth programs and reengage the next generation through a holistic approach combining spiritual growth, community service, and digital outreach.
Bishop Michael Curry’s gospel of love
By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware Overview: Appointed in 2015, Curry, a widely respected theologian, guided the Episcopal Church through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and racial reconciliation. Bishop Michael Curry has no doubt: There is evil in the world. Turn on the evening news, as he does most days, and you’ll see plenty of […]
Racial Healing: What we can learn from Octavia Butler in times of chaos
Octavia Butler’s novels, including “Parable of the Sower,” seem to be chillingly prescient in the current social landscape, with her works serving as a roadmap for survival and a way to imagine alternate realities through a Black cultural lens.
Five things we know and still don’t know about COVID, five years after it appeared
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has resulted in more than 20 million deaths worldwide, and the virus continues to evolve, making it difficult to determine its origin and develop next-generation vaccines.
World health officials say nearly 10,000 COVID-related deaths in December signal deepening health crisis
By Stacy M. BrownNNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent@StacyBrownMedia (NNPA NEWSWIRE) — The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a staggering total of nearly 10,000 global deaths in December, raising alarm bells about a worsening worldwide health crisis stemming from the continued threat of COVID-19. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also noted pressing humanitarian crises in Gaza, […]
AFRO names 13 local funeral directors ‘Unsung Heroes’ for vital service during COVID-19 pandemic
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com The AFRO took time to honor the “Unsung Heroes” of the COVID-19 pandemic at Valley Mansion by Martin’s on Aug. 6. The media company commended morticians for the critical and often under recognized role they played in helping families navigate the loss of a loved one during a […]
New Covid-19 relief legislation and support for families with children
(By Monkey Business Images_Shutterstock) COVID cash to change the caliber of children’s lives By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO Tucked into President Biden’s historic 1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package is a “game changer” according to the American Academy of Sciences, The US Conference of Mayors, The National Urban League, economists, child-advocates and a chorus […]
Africa welcomes COVAX doses but warns against ‘selfishness’
A nurse holds a vial of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and provided through the global COVAX initiative, at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya March 5, 2021. Urgent calls for COVID-19 vaccine fairness rang through African countries on Friday as more welcomed or rolled out doses from the global […]

