The 151st running of the Preakness Stakes will be held in Laurel, Md., this year, bringing thousands of visitors to the city. Local officials say the temporary relocation, while the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore undergoes renovations, is expected to boost small businesses and generate economic activity across Prince George’s County.
Tag: Megan Sayles
Navigating life’s big changes: Expert advice on finances, divorce and disasters
Life-changing events—from divorce to a serious illness to natural disasters—can upend not only daily routines but financial stability. Certified financial planner Zaneilia Harris shares strategies to help households prepare, protect and recover when the unexpected happens.
Special committee seeks public input on changes to Baltimore City charter
Baltimore’s Charter Review Special Committee is gathering public input on potential changes, including revisions to how city contracts are awarded. Residents and council members alike say understanding the charter’s complexities is key to making informed decisions.
Coppin State Women’s History Month forum explores leadership, student loans and AI
Coppin State University celebrated Women’s History Month with a forum focused on leadership, resilience and shaping a sustainable future. Speakers highlighted the importance of documenting personal stories, making strategic financial choices and using technology like AI responsibly, while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human judgment and impact.
Northeast SARE Partnership Grant seeks proposals for innovative farming projects
The Northeast SARE Partnership Grant program is offering up to $30,000 for researchers, educators and agricultural service providers to test innovative farming practices in collaboration with local farmers. Past projects, like one in Baltimore that turned food and farm waste into nutrient-rich compost, have improved urban food production while engaging youth and reducing pollution.
Mentorship and strategy help Black women navigate workplace barriers and build leadership paths
Black women face unique challenges in the workplace, from slower promotion rates to higher burnout, often navigating environments where their contributions are overlooked. Through mentorship, career strategies and confidence-building, leaders like Sherry Sims and her clients are finding ways to claim leadership and thrive.
Turner Station receives federal funding to fight flooding
Turner Station, a historic Black community in Baltimore County, has received a $3.15 million federal grant to improve flood resiliency and reduce decades of persistent flooding. The funding will support the first phase of the community’s Flood Resilience Roadmap, including mitigation pumps, drainage upgrades and new plantings to protect homes, streets and infrastructure.
CIAA Tournament day three update
The CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinals concluded with the Claflin University Lady Panthers, Bluefield State Big Blue, Fayetteville State Lady Broncos, and Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls advancing to the semifinals on February 27.
CIAA Tournament day two sets semifinal field
Day two of the 2026 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament featured close contests and commanding victories, solidifying semifinal spots.
Behind the byline: AFRO reporters talk top stories, lessons learned in 2025
An amazing group of tenacious reporters empowered the AFRO to cover everything from health and education to politics, public safety, business and more. Click the link to learn a bit about the reporters and the work done in 2025.
As ACA enhanced subsidy expiration looms, families brace for higher costs and limited care
With the expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced subsidies looming, families who rely on Medicaid coverage are facing uncertainty about how they will afford care. For parents like Hillary Harris in Missouri and Sam Gwesinie in Minnesota, higher costs and reduced access threaten both their own health and the care of their children.
Despite new stores, east-of-the-river residents face limited food access
Despite modest growth in grocery stores across Washington, D.C., residents east of the Anacostia River continue to face limited access to fresh and affordable food. A new report from D.C. Hunger Solutions highlights stark disparities, noting that wealthier wards have more than a dozen stores while Wards 7 and 8 have just three and four, respectively.

