By Maxine Johnson Wood, Ed.D., Special to the AFRO Martin Luther King Jr.’s national holiday was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. It was first observed in 1985, and has remained significant in that only one other American–George Washington– has been honored in this way. The annual observance provides opportunities for diverse
*It has become really cumbersome for a Black American woman to prove she has been injured or abused. Few people are willing to believe, support, or protect Black women. The shooting of Megan Thee Stallion further exposed just how lightly the matter of Black women’s vulnerability is treated. She generally received no moral support, even
*(CNN) — Don’t miss your chance to score an autographed Kobe Bryant jersey. Sotheby’s is bringing Bryant’s MVP-season Los Angeles Lakers jersey to auction, where it is expected to bring up to $7 million. The signed jersey was worn by the five-time NBA champion more than 25 times during the 2007-2008 season. In fact, it
*On today’s Social Heat we kick off with the story of the bronze sculpture commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday in Boston. However, a lot of folks are NOT feeling it. And that’s putting it mildly. The $10 million sculpture, titled “The Embrace,” was unveiled at a public ceremony in the Boston Commons on
*(CNN) — In a 1993 interview with The Paris Review about her writing practice, Toni Morrison spoke of how she achieved the literary feat that is her novel “Jazz.” “I thought of myself as like the jazz musician — someone who practices and practices and practices in order to be able to invent and to
*The title for the tallest man in the world has changed hands. Sulemana Abdul Samed of Ghana now holds the title, thanks to his weird medical condition. His height has overtaken the Guinness World Record held by Sultan Kösen, the Turkey native who stood at 8 feet and 2.8 inches. Samed, 29, has to visit a hospital every
By Catherine Pugh, Special to the AFRO As we focus on the change makers and thought leaders continuing the work of Martin Luther King Jr., the AFRO would like to salute the work of Nicole Hanson-Mundell, the executive director of Out for Justice. Recently, the Baltimore native sat down with the AFRO to discuss her
By Catherine Pugh, Special to the AFRO Though Martin Luther King Jr.’s life was cut short by an assassin’s bullet, his work is continued through organizations and leaders across the world that have taken up his cause. The Mayor’s Office of African American Male Engagement (MOAAME), under the leadership of Dr. Andrey Bundley, has developed
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Del. Adrienne A. Jones (D- District 10) was once again voted Speaker of the House of Delegates on the opening day of the 2023 General Assembly session. She was met with joyous cheers from her colleagues upon being sworn in on Jan. 11. On Jan. 5, House Speaker
By Bianca Crawley, Special to the AFRO The latest installment of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther saga, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” did more than just sell out theaters– it positively influenced millions of young, Black audience members across the country. The film put Black excellence on the big screen in full display for Black children, looking