Baltimore clergy and community leaders gathered at New Shiloh Baptist Church to emphasize the importance of voting and encourage churches to support voting efforts, with Rev. Jerome Stephens leading the event.
Tag: Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper
Posted inJuneteenth
Juneteenth, justice and America’s double standard
Juneteenth, a reminder of delayed justice, exposes America’s double standard in responding to injustice. Conversations on reparations and racial justice continue.
Posted inJuneteenth
AFRO’s fourth annual Juneteenth Breakfast honors local stalwarts of Black history
AFRO News hosted its annual Juneteenth Breakfast to honor individuals and organizations that have accepted the responsibility of preserving Black history and culture, and to promote the message of safeguarding knowledge, strengthening communities and equipping future generations with the context needed to build a more informed future.
Posted inObituaries - Washington D.C.
Hundreds gather to honor life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Marie Braxton
Remembering Rev. Dr. Marie Elizabeth Murphy Phillips Braxton, a trailblazing AME clergywoman, educator, and mentor who broke barriers for women in ministry.
Posted inJuneteenth
Juneteenth, justice and America’s double standard
In a Juneteenth reflection, AFRO CEO and Publisher Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper argues that the holiday serves as a reminder not only of delayed freedom for enslaved Black Americans but also of the nation’s ongoing failure to deliver the equality and justice promised after emancipation. She contends that recent discussions about compensating some participants in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, while reparations for descendants of enslaved people remain stalled, highlight what many view as a persistent double standard in whose suffering receives political attention and urgency.
Posted inAfro Events
‘Hats, gloves and brilliance’: Black community shines at the AFRO’s 2026 Baltimore Tea
Nearly 1,200 guests gathered in Baltimore for the AFRO’s 2026 Baltimore Tea, celebrating Black excellence and honoring women leaders across corporate, nonprofit and civic spaces. The annual sold-out event highlighted the achievements of Black women in executive roles while fostering community, tradition and intergenerational connection.
Posted inAfro Briefs
Women preserve legacy through shared family names
While “Jr.” and “Sr.” traditions have long defined lineage through men, these stories show how women preserve family history in their own ways. Across generations, they describe names as a lasting link to identity, ancestry and legacy.
Posted inEditorial
‘A whole civilization will die tonight’?: Dangerous words, 93 million lives, and a Congress that must act
An AFRO editorial by Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper warns that escalating rhetoric from the 47th president toward Iran risks normalizing mass destruction, endangering millions of civilian lives and increasing the likelihood of catastrophic conflict, while urging Congress to reassert its constitutional authority over war.
Posted inArts & Culture
Black women take center stage at Harriet Tubman museum event
By: Tavon N. Thomasson Special to the AFRO tthomasson@afro.com The Harriet Tubman Spirit Awards honored local leaders March 21 at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum in Annapolis during a two-part program that also featured an artist discussion on history, memory and Black women’s stories. Held during Maryland Day programming from March 19-25, the event was one of […]
Posted inBlack Press
Black Press celebrates ties to Black Church in annual Sunday service
The Black Press, founded in 1827 by John Russwurm and Rev. Samuel Cornish, has been fighting for justice and equality for Black communities for 199 years, and continues to be an important source of information and advocacy today.
Posted inAfro
AFRO News launches ‘133 Years. 133 Days. 133k Strong’ campaign
Effort to support independent Black journalism By AFRO Staff The AFRO-American Newspapers (AFRO News), the nation’s longest-running Black-owned family newspaper, has launched a new community fundraising effort titled “133 Years. 133 Days. 133K Strong” to strengthen and expand its work as an independent voice for Black communities locally and nationwide. The initiative invites readers, partners, […]
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO News to honor DPW workers as Unsung Heroes of Baltimore
The AFRO will honor four Baltimore City’s Department of Public Works employees on Oct. 23 for their dedication in keeping the city clean and safe, celebrating their often-overlooked service.
