In this opinion piece, Dr. John E. Warren argues that while many Americans celebrated the nation’s independence on July 4, others were reminded that the promises of freedom and equality remain unfulfilled, echoing Frederick Douglass’ enduring question about what Independence Day means to Black Americans. He calls on citizens to honor the holiday through civic engagement, voting, economic empowerment and collective action to protect constitutional rights and advance justice.
Tag: Frederick Douglass
Posted inOpinion
The era of legalized unfairness begins, again
Explore the ongoing struggle against injustice in America. A thought-provoking opinion on the impact of unfair laws and the need for change.
Posted inEvents
DMV events offer Afrocentric perspective on America’s 250th anniversary
By Dr. Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor The July 4 weekend is almost here, an occasion Frederick Douglas called “a sham” in his scathing address of July 5, 1842, in Rochester, N.Y. What then can residents of the Washington, D.C. ‐ Maryland – Virginia area do to speak their minds, gather with like-minded souls and experience […]
Posted inHistory
Inaugural Martyrs Day as part of America’s 250th anniversary
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary of independence, legal scholar Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is leading an effort to establish July 5 as “Martyrs Day,” a national day to honor those who died fighting for justice, equality and civil rights. The initiative ties the nation’s founding ideals to its ongoing struggles, encouraging reflection, education and continued civic engagement.
Posted inOpinion
Week One: America’s birth, our nation
Karsonya Wise Whitehead, president of The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), reflects on America’s founding through a Black historical lens, emphasizing centuries of resistance, contributions and ongoing struggles for freedom, equality and inclusion in the nation’s promise.
Posted inBlack Press
NNPA Fund hosts Black Press Day 2026 at Howard University, celebrating the past and looking ahead to the future
The NNPA Fund’s Black Press Day 2026 at Howard University brought together journalists, students and supporters to honor the legacy and future of the Black Press. The event featured discussions on innovation, including AI in newsrooms, ongoing digitization efforts, and the importance of intergenerational leadership, while also enshrining the late publisher Bernal E. Smith II for his lasting contributions to Black journalism.
Posted inBlack History
D.C. Mayor Bowser, National Capital Parks – East and Congress honor ‘The Lion of Anacostia’
Frederick Douglass, the most important leader in the struggle for Black civil rights in the 19th century, was honored in Washington, D.C. with the groundbreaking of a new community center in his name, the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, and the renaming of the U.S. House press gallery.
Posted inBlack Press
Black Press Week to kick off with annual Sunday service
Black Press Sunday is celebrated annually to honor the 199th anniversary of the Black Press in America and the heroic Black leaders who founded it, with the goal of promoting the importance of Black media and journalists.
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: As the Old Guard of civil rights finish their march, ours must continue
By Steven Ragsdale This past weekend, thousands gathered in Alabama for the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Celebration, retracing the famous steps across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where civil rights marchers once faced violence for demanding the right to vote. As the nation reflected on that history, many of today’s and yesterday’s activists also mourned […]
Posted inBlack History
Woman’s search for family’s roots leads to ancestor John T. Ward – a successful entrepreneur and conductor on the Underground Railroad
After more than a decade researching her ancestry, Shanna Ward published a book about her forefather John T. Ward, a formerly enslaved man who became an Underground Railroad conductor, abolitionist and founder of one of the nation’s oldest Black-owned businesses. Her work highlights the power of genealogy to reclaim lost histories and honor the resilience of enslaved Africans and their descendants.
Posted inDMV News
Upcoming Black History Month events in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area
This Black Month History, the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area is full of events for the entire family. Take a look at this month’s community calendar to get an idea of happenings in your area.
Posted inBlack History
Dr. Carter G. Woodson: The man who shaped Black History Month
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week, Black History Month, and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, is remembered for his dedication to preserving and promoting the accomplishments of African Americans.
