NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) provides free services to help entrepreneurs pursue government contracts and create intergenerational wealth for themselves, their families, and their communities.
The post Tapping into federal procurement: How to position your business to win contracts appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $1 million in planning grants to 14 states as part of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program, which aims to address the ongoing mental health and substance abuse crises nationwide.
The post U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awards $1 million in planning grants to 14 states appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Je’Don Holloway-Talley | For The Birmingham Times Growing up in Birmingham’s Powderly neighborhood in the 1970s, the idea of becoming a filmmaker felt as distant as the movie sets of Hollywood for Roderick McClure. While attending Powderly Elementary School, he found solace and inspiration in the images portrayed on screen. “My exposure actually came […]

By Eric Hall | Special to The Times An Opinion In response to Birmingham City Councilor Hunter Williams’s opinion article, “Birmingham’s 99 Neighborhood Associations No Longer Serve Residents,” published January 22, 2025 on birminghamtimes.com, I must express my deep disagreement. As a former Neighborhood Officer for the Central Pratt Neighborhood Association and a dedicated community […]

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times When Ramsay IB High School senior Laila Miller was given the chance to illustrate for a children’s book, she did not hesitate. Art has always been a part of her life. Miller, 18, lent her artistic talents to the children’s book Strong Enough? written by another Birmingham resident, […]

Driving during winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous especially in snow, icy conditions and sleet. On average, winter weather directly or indirectly contributes to more than 540,000 vehicular accidents in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that approximately 120,000 police reported crashes in 2021 occurred during snowy or sleet conditions. […]

I haven’t heard very many people talk about New Year’s resolutions in recent years. Even as the month comes to an end, have you noticed? It seems the dawn of new calendar years are taking a turn into more themes and intentions, but not necessarily people resolving to do anything. Maybe we’ve become jaded at […]

ART FRANKLIN, BASILEUS OF THE ALPHA PHI CHAPTER, ON HELPING THOSE IN NEED DURING MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY; CBS42.COM.

Retired US Army Nurse Corps Major Nancy Leftenant-Colon, who was the first Black woman to join the US Army Nurse Corps after the military was desegregated in the 1940s, has died at the age of 104.
The post Nancy Leftenant-Colon dies at 104 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Black women can boost their dopamine levels and improve their health and wellness by engaging in physical activities, setting strong boundaries, and celebrating themselves, according to experts.
The post Why women need to find their dopamine appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The NAACP and law firm Singleton Schreiber have announced a partnership to advocate for justice on behalf of the victims of the Eaton Fire and the burning of the historic Black community of Altadena.
The post Seeking Justice for Victims of Eaton Fire That Destroyed One of CA’s Most Historic Black Communities appeared first on Black Voice News.

A young woman publicly apologized for her pregnancy outside of marriage and was met with a public shaming by her pastor, raising questions about Black church traditions and shame.
The post Video of church shaming unwed pregnant woman sparks heated backlash appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. emphasized the importance of economic justice and the use of boycotts as a powerful tool for driving change in the Civil Rights movement, and the article highlights the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott led by King and the purchasing power of Black Americans to influence industries and shape market trends.
The post Keeping it Real: The Power of Boycott: King’s Legacy in the Civil Rights Struggle appeared first on Black Voice News.

Youth in Cherry Hill are working with their elders to strengthen community connections and address safety concerns through the Cherry Hill Elder Safety Survey, led by the Youth Resiliency Institute and the Switching Lanes Adult and Youth Institute.
The post Youth leaders focus on elder safety in Cherry Hill appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Fifth Annual Tom Miller Week will take place from Feb. 15–22 with events hosted at the Eubie Blake National Jazz and Cultural Center, the Maryland Center for History and Culture, and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, celebrating the life and work of renowned artist Tom Miller through community art-making, an oral history circle and the auction of a never-before-seen screenprint.
The post Tom Miller week returns to Baltimore appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

In the wake of the unprecedented fires that have ravaged Southern California — devastating cities like Pasadena, Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu — there has been an alarming rise in the blame being placed on Mayor Karen Bass.

Sharon Pratt, the first female leader of the District of Columbia and first Black woman to serve as mayor of a major urban city, spoke at the Greater Washington Urban League Guild’s MLK holiday prayer brunch, discussing the need for justice and equality in America.
The post Achieving justice: Former D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt speaks to new generation appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Many Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. customers are seeing extreme increases in their electric bills this month, prompting calls for the Maryland Public Service Commission to do away with the multiyear rate plans that have led to excessive rate hikes.
The post Baltimore County residents want action: End BGE’s multi year rate plans and increased rates appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Jay Diallo founded First Community Capital in 2019 to expand access to affordable capital and mentorship to economically disadvantaged small businesses and lower income individuals, and has funded about 150 loans in 2024, 95% of which went to and are being paid back by minority owned businesses.
The post Good Black Jobs: Advancing Meaningful Work and Wealth in the Inland Empire-Part 1 appeared first on Black Voice News.

Former President Joe Biden did not pardon Marilyn Mosby, the former State’s Attorney of Baltimore, despite her legal battles and public support, while he pardoned his son Hunter Biden, highlighting a systemic disregard for Black women in positions of power.
The post Commentary: Why Biden’s refusal to pardon Marilyn Mosby is a disservice to justice appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A major winter storm dumped record-breaking snow and sleet across parts of the Florida Panhandle, Georgia, and eastern Carolinas, causing widespread travel disruptions, school closures, and power outages, as well as at least three deaths due to the cold weather.
The post Winter storm that dropped record-breaking snow in New Orleans spreads into Florida and the Carolinas appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Elijah Miles, founder and chairman of the Tendea Family, is continuing the work of Martin Luther King Jr. by empowering the Black community in Baltimore and providing opportunities for youth to become community advocates and leaders.
The post Meet the Tendea Family: Leading change in Baltimore appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.