NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

Lent is the 40-day Christian season of prayer, fasting and sacrifice leading up to Easter, commemorating Christ’s suffering and resurrection. While many believers give up favorite foods or habits, others practice various forms of fasting or add meaningful spiritual disciplines to deepen faith and prepare for renewal.
The post What is Lent? A guide to fasting, prayer and sacrifice appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Arts for Learning Maryland is presenting the sixth annual “Blacktastic! A Virtual Festival of Maryland Black History and Culture” on February 26th, featuring performances, field trips, and interviews with teaching artists, in order to educate youth about Black History Month and its importance.
The post ‘Blacktastic!’ virtual festival  brings history to life appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A federal judge in New Hampshire blocked a directive from the 47th president’s administration that would have forced schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal funding, ruling it violated educators’ First Amendment rights and was unconstitutionally vague.
The post Judge blocks 47th president’s anti-DEI directive in U.S. schools  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The 47th U.S. president announced plans to raise a newly proposed global tariff to 15 percent, just one day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down many of his previous import taxes as unconstitutional. Despite the ruling, No. 47 signaled he will pursue alternative legal avenues to continue imposing tariffs, while Democrats criticized the move as harmful to American consumers.
The post US president says he’ll raise tariffs to 15 percent after unfavorable Supreme Court ruling appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler, a civil and human rights activist, pastor emeritus of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, and a fixture in the D.C. community, passed away at 71 after a lifetime of fighting for justice and peace.
The post Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler, civil, social and economic rights activist, dies at 71 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Dr. Linda Davis, a special education teacher at Hesse K-8 School in Savannah, Ga., was killed Feb. 16 after a man fleeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents crashed into her vehicle during a traffic stop attempt. The driver, Oscar Vasquez-Lopez, faces multiple charges, including first-degree homicide, as community members and officials mourn Davis’ death and debate ICE enforcement practices surrounding the incident.
The post Georgia teacher Linda Davis killed in car crash as man flees ICE appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Black History Month celebrates the centennial anniversary of Black History Week, honoring the legacy of Black leaders and the progress made in the fight for racial equality, while also acknowledging the ongoing struggle against racism and the need for continued progress.
The post A Black Paper: Racial Liberation Ascension Model: Phase Two appeared first on Black Voice News.

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times More than 200 students from Birmingham and Jefferson County schools, ranging from elementary to high school, gathered at Red Mountain Theatre (RMT) on Friday for the fifth annual YouthSpeak showcase. The gathering, a partnership between Birmingham City Councilor Crystal N. Smitherman and RMT, amplifies the voices of young […]

By James Giles | WBRC As temperatures begin to rise, the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Department is preparing for another busy summer at city pools. But before swimmers can dive in, the city is working to ensure there are enough certified lifeguards on deck. Rod Isaac, aquatics supervisor for the City of Birmingham, said the […]

By Samuel P. Martin | President and Publisher It has been a couple of days since we learned of the passing of the The Reverend Jesse Jackson, and I have had a little time to think about his legacy. I grew up in a small town in southeastern Ohio in the 1960’s and 70’s, and […]

HBCU Week NOW Day will feature free public film screenings celebrating HBCU culture at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Feb. 24, including films, student shorts, and discussions.
The post HBCU Week NOW Day to kick off CIAA Tournament Week appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) has announced a star-studded entertainment lineup for the 2026 Food Lion CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, set for Feb. 24–28 at CFG Arena in Baltimore. The weeklong event blends championship basketball featuring the CIAA’s 12 member institutions with concerts, fan experiences and community programming, continuing a tradition that has generated more than $100 million in economic impact for Baltimore.
The post Marsha Ambrosius, K Camp and Gabby Samone headline star-powered in-arena performances at 2026 Food Lion CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Shuana Stuart | For The Birmingham Times A Birmingham-born musician is set to host a weekend of tributes to honor Jothan Callins, the visionary composer and educator from Ensley who founded and led the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble, a 25-piece ensemble comprising middle and high school students that became a training ground for young […]

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times Survivors of violence in Alabama will gather on February 24 at the State Capitol for a day of advocacy, healing, and finding ways to transform pain into policy change. Survivors Speak Alabama, an all-day event scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will host those directly affected by […]

By Sym Posey | For The Birmingham Times   The McCoy Adult Daycare Center will host its 24th Annual Rock-a-Thon on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at First United Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. The free event, open to the public, will feature games, light exercise, and songs performed by local […]

By Solomon Crenshaw Jr. | For The Birmingham Times Birmingham City Councilmember Crystal Smitherman is an alumnus of Ramsay High School, Hampton University, the University of Alabama School of Law, and Samford University’s Cumberland Law School. She is also an alumnus of First Tee Birmingham. “My father (state Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham) introduced me to […]

Alabama A&M basketball is turning heads nationally as both the men’s and women’s programs earn recognition in the latest College Insider Mid-Major Top 25 poll. For the first time this season, the Bulldogs’ women’s team […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Staff Reports The Southwestern Athletic Conference has issued fines and player suspensions following an altercation during Thursday’s women’s basketball matchup between Mississippi Valley State University and Alabama State University in Montgomery. […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS For centuries, chocolate and cocoa-based treats have been enjoyed across cultures worldwide. While many people have long believed chocolate offered health benefits, modern science has only recently begun to confirm what […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS  Lion’s Mane mushroom is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about functional foods in today’s wellness movement, particularly for its potential role in supporting brain health. Recognizable by its shaggy white […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS A growing preventive health trend in 2026 is muscle preservation. As people age, the body naturally loses muscle mass and strength — a condition known as sarcopenia. This process can begin as […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Access to medical cannabis in Alabama is moving forward as five physicians across the state — including two in North Alabama — are now certified to evaluate and qualify patients for […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Two golden ingredients long used in traditional medicine are making a strong comeback in today’s wellness world: turmeric and ginger. Found in kitchens across the globe, these powerful roots have been […]

Word In Black, a national newsroom and research lab, has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for its reporting series, “On Borrowed Time,” which highlights the impact of providers, policies and the medical system on Black people in need of organ transplants.
The post Word In Black’s Anissa Durham nominated for inaugural NAACP Image Award in journalism appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS The City of Huntsville is taking the next step in strengthening its identity as a music destination by launching a new study to measure the economic impact and growth of the […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Mardi Gras, often known for colorful parades, music, and celebration, is more than a festive season. Its history reflects deep cultural, religious, and African diasporic traditions that continue to shape communities […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS As Black History Month is observed nationwide, the story of the African Methodist Episcopal Church highlights the power of faith, resilience, and leadership in African American history. The AME Church is celebrated as the […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Selma — one of Alabama’s most sacred civil rights landmarks — has been awarded a $1 million preservation grant to protect and sustain its historic […]

The Voice 2026 is an open dialogue event hosted by CSUSB’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration Office of Academic Equity to foster open dialogue around supporting African American men in education and beyond.
The post CSUSB to host The Voice 2026: A Community Conversation on Supporting African American Men appeared first on Black Voice News.

The post Sophisticated Settings — Lifestyle — February 20, 2026 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The post Afro e-edition 02_20_2026 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Associated Black Charities will host a Community Conversation in Cherry Hill tonight, Feb.19, with a goal of connecting residents with neighborhood resources while centering their lived experiences. The event will take place at 6 p.m. inside of the Baum Auditorium at Medstar Harbor Hospital.
The post Associated Black Charities to address safety resources at Cherry Hill Community Convo appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

As demand for artificial intelligence grows, a proposed hyperscale data center in Landover, Md., has sparked concerns among residents about environmental, health and infrastructure impacts. Community advocates warn the project could disproportionately burden historically Black neighborhoods unless enforceable protections are put in place.
The post Power, profit and protection: Local advocates weigh risks of Landover data center appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Solomon Crenshaw Jr. | For The Birmingham Times Chip Thomas, coach of Fore Alabama Kids, the Birmingham affiliate of the First Tee program, walks across a hardwood floor inside a gymnasium at Hemphill Elementary in Birmingham’s Arlington-West End Neighborhood. After Thomas opens the session with exercise and balance drills, youngsters from kindergarten to fifth […]

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times Business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators filled Birmingham’s Red Mountain Theatre on Wednesday for the annual A.G. Gaston Conference under a theme of “Legacy, Leverage, and Liberation: Accumulating Assets That Lead to Wealth.”  The daylong conference served as a catalyst for empowerment, choice, and community transformation. The gathering […]