Shirley Raines, founder and CEO of Beauty 2 The Streetz, a nonprofit organization providing resources to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, has died at age 58, leaving behind a legacy of service and advocacy.
Tag: Victoria Mejicanos
Posted inDMV News
D.C and Maryland officials declare state of emergency ahead of winter storm
A major winter storm is expected to hit 200 million Americans this weekend, prompting local officials in Washington, D.C. and Maryland to declare a state of emergency and urge residents to stay inside and be prepared.
Posted inBlack History
Remembering the fight for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
By Victoria Mejicanos AFRO Staff Writer vmejicanos@afro.com Nearly 60 years after the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and decades after a hard-fought campaign to make his birthday a federal holiday, organizers, city leaders and scholars are preparing to celebrate on Jan. 19. Though Martin Luther King Jr. Day events are festive, many are […]
Posted inDMV News
Tradition and change usher in 2026 MLK celebrations
Though he is no longer physically present, the spirit of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lives on through the federal holiday in his honor and the work of activists across the world. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026 will offer a variety of events for people of all ages and backgrounds on Jan. 19.
Posted inBaltimore News
YouthWorks opens 2026 summer job applications for Baltimore youth
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writer YouthWorks, the program within the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Employment Development that provides a five-week summer job opportunity to thousands of Baltimore City youth and young adults will return in 2026. The program, which began in 1973 as “Blue Chip,” creates employment opportunities each year for people ages 14 […]
Posted inBaltimore News
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.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Seven principles, one people: How Kwanzaa connects Black Americans to their heritage
Kwanzaa, a week-long, non-religious celebration observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, honors African heritage through the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba, encouraging reflection, creativity and community engagement. Celebrants say the holiday remains vital today as a way for Black Americans to reconnect with culture, strengthen community values and affirm identity amid ongoing challenges to Black history.
Posted inBUSINESS
Not just for the rich and wealthy: How to start investing in 2026
According to Pew Research, in 2022, 66 percent of White families owned stocks directly or indirectly, compared to 39 percent of Black families according to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF).
Posted inBaltimore News
City leaders unveil 10-year financial plan to stabilize Baltimore, strengthen services
Baltimore City Administrator Faith Leach says Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s 10-year plan aims to target the city’s current budget deficit, while investing in service delivery, infrastructure and making taxes more equitable for residents.
Posted inBaltimore Community
Rooted in community: Coppin State University’s ‘tiny but mighty’ theatre program
Coppin State University’s small but powerful theatre program blends artistic training with community engagement, using productions and post-show discussions to address issues that impact West Baltimore. Students and alumni say the program nurtures their growth, offering interdisciplinary opportunities, close mentorship, and a strong sense of belonging.
Posted inVeterans
Delayed but not denied: Honoring Charles Jackson French
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Charles Jackson French wasn’t supposed to be remembered. In a segregated United States Navy that intentionally kept him out of combat, French did the impossible. He saved 15 men by tying a rope around his waist and carrying a raft of his injured shipmates, swimming them to safety through shark-infested […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Home Depot program trains future trades professionals for free
Home Depot’s free Path to Pro Skills Program offers online training in construction and other trades to help address the labor shortage and boost diversity. Since 2021, more than 60,000 people have graduated and over 100,000 have participated.