By Laura Ungar Maternal deaths across the U.S. more than doubled over the course of two decades, and the tragedy unfolded unequally. Black mothers died at the nation’s highest rates, while the largest increases in deaths were found in American Indian and Native Alaskan mothers. And some states — and racial or ethnic groups within
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Baltimore residents and leaders have grown concerned about the rate at which youth are dying due to street and gun violence. Since the beginning of 2023, several youth have been gunned down during or right after school hours. On Jan. 4, Deonta Dorsey was shot and killed at
By Kavish Harjai, Associated Press The massive federal effort to expand internet access to every home in the U.S. took a major step forward on June 16 with the announcement of $930 million in grants to shore up connections in remote parts of Alaska, rural Texas and dozens of other places where significant gaps in
By Aziah Siid, Word in Black It’s a split-second decision. While browsing the aisles, a kid slips something into her pocket. Or, after school, he throws a punch without thinking about what comes after. But what’s coming are life-altering consequences. Whether it’s a juvenile misdemeanor or offense, students have to face the reality that part
By Emily Wagster Pettus, The Associated Press JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Civil rights icon James Meredith fell outside the Mississippi Capitol on June 25 at an event marking his 90th birthday, but he suffered no visible injuries and was resting comfortably at home later. Meredith leaned onto an unsecured portable lectern as he stood to
By Aria Brent, AFRO News Writer, abrent@afro.com In the first six months of 2023, D.C. already leads the nation in the number of overdoses from overall drug use according to the Center for Disease Control. This year, health advocates called for Mayor Muriel Bowser to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency urging her
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent, @StacyBrownMedia House leaders joined forces with the U.S. Postal Service to reveal a commemorative stamp paying tribute to the late Rep. John Lewis on June 21. The unveiling occurred during a special event held at Capitol Hill. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
By AFRO Staff Hollywood megastar Idris Elba has teamed up with Miroma Group founder Marc Boyan to launch a content creation and marketing company that aims to re-inject fun and creativity into brand-building and also “deliver authentic campaigns with cultural value.” Named SillyFace, the business aims to shake up the industry by amassing a team
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that Washington D.C. is the most expensive place in the country for child care. According to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book, the annual cost for center-based toddler daycare is $24,396, while home-based toddler daycare costs $19,291. Comparatively
By Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (D-SC-6) In 2019, my daughter Jennifer and I took part in a Congressional Delegation to Ghana that included my good friend, the late Congressman John Lewis. Our visit was to commemorate the 400 years since Black people were forcibly taken from the continent of Africa and enslaved in