By Askya Alexander, Special to the AFRO A diverse tapestry of communities coalesce in the nation’s capital. In the midst of this vibrant cultural diaspora lies an incredible array of foods, traditions and delights from all corners of the world. On Aug. 6, the city’s long-standing tradition of fostering multicultural fellowship will prove no different
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com Composed. Compassionate. Courageous. These are just a few of the adjectives used to describe D.C.’s new police chief, Pamela Smith. She is the second woman in this role and the first Black woman to permanently run the force since its founding in 1861. D.C. Council swore Smith in
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com It can be hard to support someone as they navigate grief. It’s even harder helping a child process one of life’s biggest challenges– but in many Black communities, conversations about death are happening earlier and earlier as youth increasingly become victims of violent crime. Grief is a feeling
The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Police have arrested a 17-year-old high school student on a hate-motivated murder charge in the fatal stabbing of a professional dancer during an altercation between two groups of friends at a New York City gas station last weekend. Police took the teenager into custody Aug. 4 in connection
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, will speak in Alabama next month at an event marking the 60th anniversary of a church bombing that killed four girls in 1963. Jackson will give the keynote address at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham
By Howard FendrichAP Tennis Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — A little more than a month ago, Coco Gauff left Wimbledon after a first-round loss that left her dispirited and unsure of what she needed to do. That seems kind of far away after she won the trophy at the very next tournament she entered. Surging at
By Helen Bezuneh, Special to the AFRO As a self-described “Black pageant queen,” winning Miss Black USA 2021 meant the world to Myja Gary, who represented the state of Virginia. But, to her, the crown was just the cherry on top––sharing the stage with other Black women was a monumental experience in and of itself.
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com Parents, students and educators are appalled at Florida’s new education standard regarding the teaching of Black history in public schools. In the updated standard, it noted that middle school lessons must include “how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” The
By Khira Moore, AFRO Intern August 1 marked the return of National Night Out (NNO), with officials and residents taking part in events across Baltimore and surrounding counties. Mayor Brandon Scott toured eight organizations from east to west to show support for his communities. At 11 a.m. Scott kicked off NNO at the Oliver Senior
By Khira Moore, AFRO Intern Baltimore City Fire Department officials joined Mayor Brandon Scott as he nominated James Wallace, acting director of the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, as the new fire chief. Wallace began his career as a medical paramedic before switching to firefighter-paramedics. He’s gained experience in several levels of leadership, even serving