NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

The Westside Map Coalition is opposing Baltimore County’s proposed 2-2-5 redistricting plan, arguing it fractures Woodlawn and dilutes Black voting power. They’ve proposed an alternative “Woodlawn Approach” map, which they say better reflects census data and complies with the Voting Rights Act.
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BMORENews.com honored founder Doni Glover for his 60th birthday with a benefit celebrating Black media and community. The event recognized media pioneers with an award ceremony for the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Honorees. Keynote speakers included Dawn Moore, first lady of Maryland, and Wanda Draper, former executive director of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Guests enjoyed musical performances, soul food and heartfelt reflections.
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Free State Justice, a Black-led Maryland nonprofit providing legal aid to LGBTQ+ individuals, has lost over $300,000 in grant funding, threatening its ability to serve clients facing discrimination, criminal records, and legal barriers. Despite the setback, Executive Director Phillip Westry remains hopeful that community support and alternative funding can sustain their life-changing work for some of Maryland’s most marginalized residents.
The post Maryland nonprofit offering legal aid to LGBTQ+ community loses more than $300,000 in grant funding  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Baltimore native Shelley Jordon, 71, makes her filmmaking debut with “Colored Footprints,” a documentary chronicling the enduring 50-year friendship of 17 women from north and northwest Baltimore. Set to premiere July 19 at Morgan State University, the film highlights their shared experiences of family, love, loss and cultural legacy, offering a heartfelt tribute to sisterhood and the spirit of Baltimore.
The post Shelley Jordon debuts documentary honoring 50 years of friendship appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

As electricity prices continue to rise, Maryland residents can now apply for the Customer Relief Fund, a one-time assistance grant funded by Exelon to support low- to moderate-income households. The $19 million initiative offers up to $750 in relief per eligible BGE customer and is being distributed through local nonprofit organizations.
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Sen. Tim Scott praised the new federal tax law as a win for American families, but critics argue it overwhelmingly benefits the wealthy while threatening healthcare, housing, and education programs vital to Black communities. Analysts warn the law will worsen inequality, accelerate gentrification through expanded Opportunity Zones, and leave millions—including Black families—more vulnerable as social safety nets are dismantled.
The post Sen. Tim Scott is wrong – new tax law fuels inequality, strips healthcare and displaces Black communities appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Happy Nappy Day + Poets in the Park returns July 13, transforming Gwynn Oak Park into a vibrant celebration of natural beauty, hip-hop and community.
The post Baltimore’s Happy Nappy Day celebrates culture and creativity appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Two years after Greenbelt, Md., was selected for the FBI’s new headquarters, the White House administration reversed course, announcing plans to keep the agency in D.C., prompting strong opposition from Maryland leaders.
The post FBI HQ move to Greenbelt reversed as D.C. site is chosen instead appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise praise of Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s English sparked backlash in Liberia, where English is the official language. While some Liberians and officials interpreted Trump’s words as a compliment, others saw them as patronizing and disrespectful, especially in light of recent U.S. aid cuts to the country. The exchange reignited concerns about how African leaders are perceived on the global stage and raised questions about the future of Liberia-U.S. relations.
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Dean Kremer pitched seven shutout innings and the Orioles’ offense delivered 12 hits to secure a 5-2 win over the Marlins on July 11. Key contributions came from Ryan O’Hearn, Ramon Laureano, and Jordan Westburg as Baltimore continued its post-May surge.
The post Orioles ride good offense and Kremer’s arm to win series opener against the Miami Marlins appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

birminghamal.gov The Negro Southern League Museum (NSLM), in partnership with the City of Birmingham and the Center for Negro League Baseball Research (CNLBR), proudly announces the unveiling of a new exhibit honoring the life and legacy of Alabama native and baseball legend Willie Mays. The exhibit unveiling will take place during a special ceremony at […]

freedomprep.org Freedom Preparatory Academy, a public charter school located in Birmingham’s historic Titusville community will host an upcoming Freedom West Community Tour, Thursday, July 17 through Saturday, July 19. This three-day initiative supports area businesses in the western section of Greater Birmingham, engages local families, and promotes the power of public education. The tour also […]

The only two black college players to make Sam Herder’s Preseason FCS Preview Central for Hero Sports’ list of the 30 best returning wide receivers in 2025 FCS football are both at defending SWAC and […]

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. hosted its 57th National Convention in Washington, D.C., drawing more than 20,000 members to the city where it was founded in 1913. The five-day event celebrated over 111 years of sisterhood, scholarship and service, and featured public meetings, civic engagement and educational forums focused on issues impacting the Black community.
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Mayor Muriel Bowser has signed emergency legislation expanding D.C.’s youth curfew to address rising juvenile crime, allowing earlier curfews in designated zones and extending coverage to 17-year-olds. The measure equips police with more flexibility and aims to prevent disturbances in high-traffic areas while supporting youth safety and engagement.
The post Mayor Bowser expands youth curfew with an eye to public safety  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A mass overdose in West Baltimore affected around 25 people, highlighting the strain Baltimore’s opioid crisis places on emergency services. Community leaders are calling for lasting solutions rather than temporary fixes.
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The National Association of Black Journalists will celebrate its 50th anniversary at its annual convention in Cleveland this August, honoring its legacy of advocating for Black media representation. The event will feature major industry partners, career opportunities, and a focus on uplifting young Black journalists.
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By Alaina Bookman | abookman@al.com In a series of stories, AL.com will continue to explore big ideas for transforming Birmingham. Every morning, Amber Martin sings to and prays over her 5-month-old son. The rest of the day is spent reading aloud, talking and explaining absolutely everything she sees and does. It’s a routine she started after learning the importance […]

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times In his own words, 15-year-old *Leon says he used to be “real bad, doing crazy stuff” including some gang activity and ended up being shot at.  “I was in the house, in the living room … all you could hear was gunshots and one came through the window […]

Special to The Times Birmingham has transformed in recent decades from a gritty industrial town to a foodie paradise. Its vibrant restaurant scene has been praised by outlets like Fodor’s, Esquire, CNN Travel and The New York Times. Condé Nast Traveler called Birmingham “one of the South’s must-visit cities” for its award-winning eateries and cultural […]

Braxton Street, a Baltimore native and Morgan State University doctoral candidate, has announced his candidacy for District 40 delegate in the 2026 election, pledging to fight for affordable living and support for youth and elders. As the first to enter the race, Street brings a background in education, community leadership, and grant management across Baltimore City schools.
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Florida A&M has landed a significant addition to its football program with the commitment of former Tulane tight end Guiseann Mirtil. The Winter Haven, Florida native announced his decision to join the Rattlers, bringing both experience […]

by HBCU Sports The top baseball player in the SWAC is moving on. Junior outfielder and SWAC Player of the Year Cardell Thibodeaux officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after a standout season with the Jaguars. Thibodeaux, a Louisiana native, […]

The Love Groove Festival returns to West Baltimore on Sept. 13 with a new location, national headliners, local talent and expanded activities like a skate park, community run and bike ride. Founded by Emmy-winning composer John Tyler, the free festival is now in its ninth year.
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A mass overdose at Baltimore’s Pennsylvania and North Avenues has laid bare the city’s chronic neglect of its most vulnerable communities. In this searing opinion piece, Michael Eugene Johnson calls for urgent, systemic investment in accessible healthcare and addiction services to prevent further tragedy and restore dignity to a historically overlooked neighborhood.
The post A wake-up call written in tragedy: Baltimore’s drug crisis laid bare on Penn and North  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman has reintroduced the “Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act,” a bill designed to address the mental health crisis affecting youth, particularly Black youth, by increasing access to culturally competent care and supporting research into racial disparities in mental health. The legislation proposes $995 million in grants to fund research, reduce stigma, and train providers to meet the unique needs of minority communities.
The post Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman aims to empower Black youth with mental health legislation appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A July 12 rally at Athletic Republic in District Heights, Maryland, will honor Shahid Omar Jr., Myles Prentice and Donnell Stephenson—three young men lost to gun violence. The event, hosted by Kim Lee King and supported by the S.E.L.F. Foundation, will feature guest speakers, music, food and a raffle to remember the lives lost and call for justice.
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Student producers from Morgan State University’s Black SoccerLab are now analyzing culture and technique as part of “Goalkeepers,” a podcast and video series spotlighting African diasporic perspectives during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The post Morgan State’s ‘Goalkeepers’ spotlights African Diaspora on the soccer field during World Cup  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Baltimore police have released bodycam footage showing the fatal shooting of 70-year-old Pytorcarcha Clark-Brooks, a mentally ill woman who approached officers with a knife during a welfare check. The NAACP is demanding an independent investigation, condemning the use of lethal force and calling for systemic change in how mental health crises are handled.
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____________________________   MERCHANDISE ____________________________   _____________________________   EMPLOYMENT ____________________________ Event Coordinator – Protective Stadium   BJCC, is recruiting for a 1) Event Coordinator – Protective Stadium for information & to apply visit https://www.bjcc.org/jobs/ or send resume to careers@bjcc.org /fax resume 205-458-8530.     BT07/10/2025   ______________________________   Senior Maintenance Engineer McCalla, AL. Req’d: Master’s deg. in Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Electrical Eng. […]

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times Birmingham Police Department (BPD) Chief Michael Pickett is not satisfied. He’s just entered a conference room at the department’s First Avenue North headquarters with some good news. There’s been a 56 percent reduction in homicides in the first six months of 2025, compared with where homicides were this […]

By Don Rhodes II | The Birmingham Times Add a multi-layered, youth-centered summer session built on investment, prevention, and partnership to the programs that Uche Bean, Director of Birmingham’s Community Safety Initiatives, has to help address violence prevention in the city. With homicides down 56 percent in Birmingham this year, local officials are pointing to […]