By Dr. Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor A U.S. District Court Federal Judge issued a temporary halt to changes in a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that would have left thousands of Marylanders homeless. On Dec. 22, U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy barred HUD from implementing changes to the federal government’s Continuum of […]
Tag: Maryland
Opening doors: Closing the homeownership gap for Black Marylanders
FHLBank Atlanta offers grants for down payment help to Black first-time homebuyers in Baltimore, fighting against historical discriminatory practices.
Maryland to consider slavery reparations after Gov. Wes Moore’s veto is overridden
Maryland lawmakers overrode Gov. Wes Moore’s veto to create a commission that will study potential reparations for slavery, despite his argument that the state should focus on direct action rather than further study. Supporters say a formal commission is necessary to ensure reparations efforts are credible, constitutional and effective.
New partnership to aid Prince George’s veterans with VA benefits
Prince George’s County Council Chair Edward Burroughs III has started a new partnership with Vet for Vet and Victory Church International to help District 8 veterans with the process of applying for and receiving Veterans Affairs benefits.
The shutdown has ended, but we must move quickly to avoid a health care crisis
Rep. Kweisi Mfume is urging Congress to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies to prevent a 35-50% premium hike for Marylanders and potential loss of health coverage for millions of Americans.
Baltimore sues MoneyLion over predatory paycheck advance loans
Baltimore has filed a lawsuit against fintech company MoneyLion, alleging the app traps residents in high-cost, short-term loans known as “Instacash.” City officials say the company’s misleading marketing and optional fees have disproportionately harmed the city’s most financially vulnerable residents.
Marylanders weigh in on their favorite local gems
Maryland ranks second in the U.S. for its share of Black-owned businesses, with 10 percent of companies owned by African Americans, according to a 2025 Pew Research Center report. To celebrate this entrepreneurial spirit, the AFRO spoke with residents about their favorite Black-owned businesses, highlighting local gems from bookstores to restaurants.
Maryland joins national fight to protect inclusive sex education programs
Maryland joins other states in defending comprehensive, evidence-based sexual health education against federal overreach.
Hot, humid, and getting worse: Why Maryland must step up on climate
Critics question why Maryland has not joined other states suing to preserve stronger clean car standards and why costs of climate damage remain unmeasured. Maryland records 30 heat-related deaths through mid-August, the second-highest number in modern history, along with record ER visits in July.
The invisible caregivers in our prisons
Rev. Jamesina E. Greene argues that incarcerated people often serve as hidden caregivers inside prisons, providing essential support like feeding, lifting, mentoring and comforting others without recognition or resources. Greene calls for policies that acknowledge and support this invisible labor, urging lawmakers to adopt standards that ensure dignity, healthcare and transparency in correctional facilities.
Glenn Ivey’s balancing act: A congressman, a husband, a father
Rep. Glenn Ivey, a devoted father and husband, has managed to strike a rare balance between life on Capitol Hill and the responsibilities of raising a family. With a home just miles from Congress, Ivey’s proximity allows him to stay present, even as his schedule demands near-constant attention to work. His story is one of adaptation, shared sacrifice and the powerful example of a Black political family living their values both publicly and privately.
Morgan State University secures $1.75M grant from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to plan launch of public, nonprofit M.D. medical school
Morgan State University has received a $1.75 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to develop a plan for launching a public, nonprofit M.D. medical school — the first of its kind at Maryland’s largest HBCU. The two-year initiative aims to expand opportunities for underrepresented students, produce physicians committed to underserved communities, and strengthen Maryland’s health care workforce pipeline.

