NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

Levi Henry Jr., founder of the Westside Gazette, has died, leaving behind a decades-long legacy of championing Black voices, advancing community empowerment and preserving local history through journalism rooted in truth and purpose.
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By Tashi McQueenAFRO Staff Writertmcqueen@afro.com As the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session came to a close, lawmakers rushed to pass dozens of bills before the midnight deadline on April 13. Bills that failed to pass before the deadline must be reintroduced next session and go through the legislative process again to be reconsidered. The 90-day […]
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The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to build momentum early in the season, taking two of three games from the Texas Rangers before opening their next series with back-to-back wins over the New York Mets.

Long Beach will celebrate two influential figures in racing and public service this week as NTT IndyCar Series driver Alexander Rossi and former Mayor Bob Foster are inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame.

Fresh off UCLA’s first national championship, a historic group of Bruins is already moving on to the next chapter—this time at the professional level.

Many U.S. Catholics and some evangelical leaders are expressing dismay after the 47th U.S. president launched an unprecedented verbal attack on Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, highlighting growing tensions between the White House and key religious constituencies ahead of the midterm elections.
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By Jordyn Davis | The Birmingham Times Geno Gardner isn’t your typical Community Manager at JP Morgan Chase. While he clocks in every weekday, his focus extends far beyond personal or corporate gain. Gardner builds trust and teaches financial education in underserved communities to show up for Birmingham. And while most workforce traits are developed […]

The Trump administration is quietly seeking unprecedented access to medical records for millions of federal workers and retirees, and their families.

As momentum builds around new sickle cell legislation in Georgia, advocates say a deeper issue continues to threaten the very communities the disease impacts most. Black-led organizations on the front lines are still being shut out of critical funding.

There was a time when NaTesha T. Johnson knew the Kern County Fair the way a lot of Black kids from Bakersfield knew it, as a rare treat carved out of a tight budget. Her mother, a single woman raising four daughters while putting herself through school, would gather just enough to give each girl about $20 in ride tickets. When the money ran out, they found other ways to stretch the day: the free stages, the livestock pens, the gospel celebration that drew the African American faith community together.

New data showing rising unemployment and widening economic gaps for Black Californians framed a statewide conference at UCLA, where more than 200 advocates, policymakers, elected officials, scholars, entertainers and community leaders gathered to examine the conditions facing Black Californians and to push solutions for a thriving Black California.

Nearly 6 in 10 Californians delayed or skipped medical care in the past year because of cost, and 4 in 10 reported their conditions worsened as a result — trends that disproportionately affect communities already facing disparities, including Black Californians.

She loves him. She loves him not. He loves her. He loves her not. One woman. Two men. She’s living a lie and falling in love under the Tuscan sun.

birminghamal.gov If you think Sloss Furnaces is only a place to visit on special occasions, here’s a little insider knowledge: Every Wednesday, the historic site comes alive with the energy of students discovering Birmingham’s roots in a hands-on, unforgettable way. Learning Where It Actually Happened There’s something powerful about standing in the very place where […]

HBCU Basketball Association The HBCU Basketball Association (HBCUBA) will host a free professional open tryout on Sunday, April 19, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School. Athletes from across the Southeast will compete for placement on one of 10 teams in the league’s inaugural summer season. The event is […]

When Aurelle Garner stepped out of her car one summer evening and saw a group of youths marching down her street, her stomach dropped.

Apollo Theater and Howard Theatre will co-present “Best of The Apollo” on April 26 in Washington, D.C., featuring performances by hip-hop duo Clipse and rising artists, while celebrating the legacy of “Amateur Night” and supporting the Howard Theatre Foundation.
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____________________________ EMPLOYMENT ____________________________  Ticketing Manager   BJCC, is recruiting for a 1) Ticketing Manager for information & to apply visit https://www.bjcc.org/jobs/ or send resume to careers@bjcc.org /fax resume 205-458-8530. BT4/09/2026   ________________________________ Booking Administrator   BJCC, is recruiting for a 1) Booking Administrator, for information & to apply visit https://www.bjcc.org/jobs/ or send resume to careers@bjcc.org /fax resume 205-458-8530. BT4/09/2026   ________________________________ ______________________________ LEGAL ______________________________   01-CV-2026-900493.00 NOTICE […]

Revolve Fund has awarded a $20,000 grant to the Black Belt Community Foundation to support food access initiatives in Alabama’s Black Belt, helping communities impacted by SNAP delays and rising food insecurity.
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Rising global oil prices have driven up fuel costs in Haiti, worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis by increasing transportation and food prices, forcing families to eat less and struggle to survive.
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Miles College students celebrate the opening of the Abascal Student Success Center. (Miles College) " data-medium-file="https://www.birminghamtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DSCF0886-300x200.jpg"...

By Jamie Dimon | JPMorganChase Investing in Alabama For over 50 years, JPMorganChase has helped drive economic and job growth, support businesses of all sizes and put the American Dream within reach for more Alabamians. It’s clear that Alabama’s future is bright, and we are excited for what’s next. We’ve been working hand in hand […]

As music festival season kicks off, experts advise attendees to prioritize safety by planning ahead for risks like heat, dehydration, injuries and overexposure to noise, while staying aware of surroundings and personal limits.
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Kireem Swinton has been named permanent president and CEO of Visit Baltimore after serving in the role on an interim basis since July 2025. In his new role, Swinton said he aims to expand tourism while reshaping how Baltimore is perceived on the national and global stage through storytelling and major events.
The post As new Visit Baltimore CEO, Kireem Swinton pledges to reframe Charm City’s story appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

For 93-year-old Verlie Decay and 91-year-old Hortense Reine, attending Xavier University of Louisiana was more than a chance at a degree—it was a gateway to opportunity in a segregated city. The two alumni recall creating their own social and cultural spaces, forming lifelong friendships and finding purpose in careers shaped by the barriers of their time.
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Community members gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of funeral home founder Al P. Wylie on April 10 at Wylie Funeral Homes. Wylie received personal certificates from Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and Baltimore City Police Department Western District’s Major Natalia Preston and a street was renamed in his honor.
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Michael Eugene Johnson is creator of the Pikes Studio Cinema and cofounder of Black Men Unifying Black Men. This week, he argues that new development near transit needs to include ownership opportunities for average residents in order to foster distributed, generational wealth.
The post Opinion: If Baltimore wants equity, it must build ownership near transit appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Equal Justice Now, in partnership with attorney Ben Crump, hosted a panel discussion at Bowie State University to discuss legal, social and civil rights issues, including bail reform and police responses to mental health crises.
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The family of 8-year-old Anadith Danay Reyes Alvarez has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government, alleging medical neglect while she was in border custody in 2023 despite known serious health conditions.
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A new documentary premiering April 15 revisits Morgan State’s championship-era swimming and diving program, tracing how former teammates are working to preserve a legacy of winning, connection and Black achievement that many outside the group may not fully know.
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The recently signed executive order mandates the immediate removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements from all federal contracts, prioritizing a strict merit-based standard for government procurement. This policy shift is expected to significantly alter the economic landscape for Black and Brown business owners who have historically utilized these programs to gain access to the federal marketplace.
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Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott presented a nearly $5 billion proposed fiscal year 2027 budget during a virtual town hall, emphasizing investments in infrastructure, youth programs and public safety without raising property or income taxes. Residents raised concerns about transportation, housing and access to grocery stores as officials encouraged continued public input ahead of City Council hearings.
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This editorial calls on readers to challenge and disengage from media coverage that distorts or diminishes Black communities, emphasizing the power of audiences to shape narratives by withholding attention, support and resources from outlets that fail to provide fair, contextualized reporting.
The post Don’t like how our community is being portrayed? Turn it off. Cancel it. Stop giving it power. appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra hosted GospelFest on April 9 at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The 2026 installment of the event was a grand tribute to the late Richard Smallwood, the great gospel legend and composer that died Dec. 30, 2025. The concert was conducted by Jonathan Taylor Rush and featured performances by HBCU choirs. Guest artists included Maurette Brown Clark, Tabitha Brooks and Kymberli Joyeragin.
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Compiled by Javacia Harris Bowser | The Birmingham Times Alabama is home to a host of historic sites, monuments and museums dedicated to African American history. These places serve as powerful reminders of the resilience that has shaped the region and the nation and help to ensure that the stories of struggle, resistance, creativity, and […]