Monthly Archives: May 2023

East Baltimore’s Chick Webb Memorial Recreation Center set to start reconstruction in June

By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com The Chick Webb Memorial Recreation Center, located in East Baltimore, is set for a $20 million redevelopment. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved a loan guarantee of $12.4 million for the project and the center received $8 million in state bonds.  The center’s renovation

Retail Village at Sycamore and Oak in Congress Heights set to open in June

By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com After eight months of construction, the Retail Village at Sycamore and Oak in Congress Heights will be ready to host its grand opening in June. Situated on the historic St. Elizabeth campus in Ward 8, the retail village seeks to benefit the surrounding community through healthy living, business

McDonald’s found liable for hot Chicken McNugget that burned girl

By The Associated Press McDonald’s and a franchise holder are at fault after a hot Chicken McNugget from a Happy Meal fell on a little girl’s leg and caused second-degree burns, a jury in South Florida found in a case reminiscent of the famous hot coffee lawsuit of the 1990s. A second jury will determine

Biden tells graduates of Howard University: US history hasn’t been a ‘fairy tale’

By Darlene Superville, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on May 13 told graduates of a leading historically Black university that American history “has not always been a fairy tale” and that “racism has long torn us apart.” But on the nation’s best days, he said “enough of us have the guts

Valerie Sheares Ashby, named first female African-American president of UMBC

By Nicole D. Batey, Special to the AFRO The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents has named Valerie Sheares Ashby, as the next president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). She is the first woman and woman of color to hold this position. “Dr. Ashby is clearly the impressive scholar and

Baltimore Museum of Art celebrates 50th anniversary of hip-hop music

By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer This year marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and celebrations have been happening all across the nation. Whether it be live performances, exhibits or parties, hip-hop is getting its rightful due in 2023.  More than just a genre of music, hip hop has thoroughly blended into the daily happenings

Black yogis discuss physical and mental health benefits of engaging in ancient practice

By Jared D. Childress, Sacramento Observer First impressions are everything. At first, Kirsten Johnson didn’t like yoga.  A doctor said it would help mitigate her arthritis and spinal issues, so she dropped into a class at a big box gym in the Rosemont are of  Sacramento, Calif. – but it wasn’t what she’d hoped. Instead