NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

Birmingham City Schools Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Birmingham marked a historic day with the unveiling of a new monument that details the school’s history. The marker is now located next to the front doors of the school, which was first established in 1909 before moving to its current building a hundred years later. […]

By Emily Cundiff | ABC 33/40 The Birmingham City Council has approved nearly $1 million to expand housing rehabilitation programs aimed at helping longtime homeowners remain in their homes. Council members on Tuesday passed two resolutions authorizing amendments to agreements with Atlanta-based nonprofit HouseProud to provide exterior repairs and beautification services in Districts 5 and […]

JEFFERSON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE TAMARA HARRIS JOHNSON, WHOSE FAMILY HISTORY IS DEEPLY TIED TO THE LONG-CLOSED HOLY FAMILY HOSPITAL, WHERE BLACKS WOULD GO TO RECEIVE QUALITY MEDICAL CARE DURING SEGREGATION. THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES, FEB. 26.

Black tech leaders in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., are urging greater ownership, access and representation as artificial intelligence reshapes industries and daily life. Through community-building, entrepreneurship and AI governance, they say Black professionals must move from consumers of technology to architects of the systems shaping the future.
The post Black tech leaders call for ownership, access and leadership appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Alexis TaylorAFRO Managing Editor An attorney, a U.S. Army officer, a civil rights pioneer and a public health advocate are all honored in the 14th annual “Strong Men and Women in Virginia History” exhibit.  Presented by Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia, the leaders were recognized this Black History Month alongside scholars who […]
The post Black leaders highlighted in ‘Strong Men and Women in Virginia History” exhibit appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Community elders say sustaining Black progress will require mentorship, economic literacy and resilience amid shifting diversity efforts. They urge the next wave of leaders to focus on ownership, mindset and long-term impact to strengthen future generations.
The post Elders call for ownership, mentorship and mindset shift to secure Black progress appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

This week creatives and art lovers everywhere are celebrating the sixth annual Tom Miller Week, an annual time to honor the life and legacy of the Baltimore artist. The 2026 celebration is focused on restoring and preserving Miller’s work.
The post Protecting the source: Tom Miller Week rallies support to preserve iconic murals appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Debate over the 8(a) Business Development Program: Should it be strengthened or eliminated? Critics argue it’s outdated, but it’s crucial for disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
The post The slow strangulation of Black business opportunity  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Long before modern sports stars like Simone Biles and Coco Gauff, Black athletes such as Moses Fleetwood Walker, a catcher for the American League Association in 1884, broke barriers for future generations.
The post Forgotten firsts: Black athletes who paved the way appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Richmond Free Press and Portland Skanner have shut down as leaders warn of a broader funding crisis in Black media.
The post Two legacy Black newspapers close, citing financial pressures appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Word in Black On the same night Michelle Obama and Kendrick Lamar were celebrated at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards, a reporter for Word In Black quietly made history of her own. On Feb. 23, Anissa Durham won the inaugural Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism award for “On Borrowed Time,” her nine-part investigation into […]
The post Anissa Durham, author of ‘On Borrowed Time’ series for Word in Black, wins NAACP Image Award appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Harry Coker Jr. Every February, we pause to celebrate Black History Month—a time to honor the giants upon whose shoulders we stand. Recently, during a visit to the Banneker-Douglas-Tubman Museum in Annapolis, and while walking past the future home of the AARCH African American Heritage Center in Frederick, I was reminded that Black history […]
The post Black history is in Maryland’s economic future appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Tuesday delivered his 2026 State of the Community Address that covered not just progress over the past year but also a candid acknowledgment of the city’s ongoing challenges. Standing beneath the historic rafters inside the downtown Boutwell Auditorium, Woodfin told a room full […]

By Riley Conlon | WVTM NBC13 Joanne Bland, a Selma native and lifelong civil rights activist, has died. She was 72. In a statement released last week, Bland’s family said that she “departed this life surrounded by love,” leaving behind a legacy marked by “strength, grace and unwavering dedication to her family and community.” Family members […]

By Josh Jackson | MLB.com Minor League Baseball is coming back to Rickwood Field this year. The oldest professional ballpark in the United States is set to host a Southern League matchup between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Double-A MIA) and the hometown Birmingham Barons (Double-A CWS), the Blue Wahoos announced on Monday. In a tribute […]

BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times APRIL & DRE’ CHILDS Live: Gardendale Married: Aug. 18, 2012 Met: Spring 2004, at Holiday Bowling in Bessemer. April was a freshman, attending Fairfield High Preparatory School, and Dre’ was a sophomore at Minor High School. They shared a friend group because both were in high […]

Day one of the CIAA Tournament delivered close finishes, dominant performances and a packed arena atmosphere at CFG Bank Arena. Beyond the court, the weeklong celebration brings youth clinics, cultural programming, business events and citywide economic impact to Baltimore.
The post Day one of CIAA brings tight contests, dominant performances and downtown momentum appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS A former Huntsville pastor has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting to embezzling more than $400,000 from his congregation and using the money for luxury purchases. Adrian Derrell Davis, 42, […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS The Athens Police Department is alerting residents to a phone scam in which callers falsely claim individuals have outstanding warrants and must make immediate payments to avoid arrest. According to APD […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS State and local leaders gathered Friday in Athens to break ground on what officials are calling a transformative step forward for workforce development in North Alabama — The Grove at South Jefferson, […]

John Peavy III was seemingly destined to reimagine education. His mother, Gail Revis, spent 35 years leading guidance counselors for HISD. His grandmother taught Spanish and served as an assistant principal. His grandfather pioneered the School of Liberal Arts at Texas Southern. Peavy grew up surrounded by conversations about both the promise and pain of educating Black children.

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed is raising serious concerns about a proposed state law that could allow Alabama to take control of local police departments that fail to meet minimum staffing requirements — […]

Mellanie Martin 1501 Old Monrovia Rd NW Huntsville Alabama 35806 256-328-9060 Explicit Inkz 5B4KP42Y523339973 WRKH WORKHORSE 2002 Date Of Auction March 5, 2026, Noon @ 2203 Dogwood Lane, Huntsville Alabama 

WHEREAS, certain property has recently been annexed to the City of Huntsville, Alabama; and WHEREAS, said property is now legally part of the incorporated municipality of the City of Huntsville, Alabama, and as such is […]

WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Huntsville, Alabama, has given consideration to an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, a synopsis of said amendment being as follows: (1) The rezoning of certain land lying […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS If you’ve ever stepped inside Harrison Brothers Hardware on Courthouse Square — browsing local art, nostalgic gifts, and handmade goods — you’ve walked into more than a store. You’ve stepped into living […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Democratic lawmakers are calling for a federal investigation after reports that the Internal Revenue Service shared confidential information belonging to 47,000 taxpayers with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Members of the […]

Notice is hereby given that Velvet Pines Developers, LLC has completed all work required under its contract with the City of Huntsville for the following public works project:  Project Name: First Floor Modifications for Huntsville […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Governor Kay Ivey recently met with members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s Leadership South Class 20 during a visit to the Alabama State Capitol, highlighting the importance of civic engagement and […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Two people have been indicted in the shooting death of 22-year-old Xavier “Zay” Colvert, a mechanical engineering student who was found slain inside his pickup truck in Birmingham’s Ensley community. A […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS A Tuscaloosa man remains in critical condition after being shot multiple times Sunday night in what police say may be a case of self-defense. Tuscaloosa police were dispatched at approximately 7:30 […]

Dr. Mohan D. Aggarwal, professor of physics in the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at Alabama A&M University, has been elevated to Fellow of the Alabama Academy of Science, one of the state’s highest […]

Alabama A&M University took a significant step in expanding its international reach Feb. 9, hosting leaders from South Korea’s Konyang University for the first in-person meeting between the two institutions and advancing plans for a […]

Proud Alabama A&M University Bulldog Battalion alumna Col. Amanda Watkins was recently promoted to the rank of colonel during a pinning ceremony at Bob Jones Auditorium on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, marking 25 years […]

BY SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Governor Kay Ivey joined veterans, families, and community leaders Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of the Alabama Veterans Resource Center, a new statewide hub designed to better connect former service […]