NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

With an expansive plan to tackle homelessness across California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced an $827 million investment through the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program. The funds will be allocated to 37 regions, benefiting 100 cities and counties statewide, including many communities where Black Californians are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity.

Following the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) announcement last week that California faces a $2 Billion deficit next year, legislative leaders are urging restraint and committing to focus on issues important to working families.

I refuse to utter his name. Since the announcement of his Presidential re-election, I’ve tried to stay calm, to remain, as they say, “very demure.” But after what unfolded this past Saturday, when a group of masked white nationalists stormed the Short North Arts District area in Columbus, Ohio, waving swastika flags and shouting racial slurs, a ratchet display of pure hate—I just can’t. I am annoyed, but we knew this was coming. Classic American terrorism, live and in color. And make no mistake: as “that man” ascends to his concocted throne, these events will only intensify.

As the 100th anniversary of Shirley Chisholm’s birth approaches on November 30, a growing effort to honor her legacy is taking shape. Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to Congress in 1968 and a trailblazer for equality and justice, remains a powerful symbol of courage and leadership. The Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, spearheaded by Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler, is moving closer to passage with bipartisan support.

The Birmingham Times The purchase agreement between Birmingham-Southern College and Miles College expired on Monday, meaning it is unlikely the private, historically black liberal arts college located in Fairfield, Alabama would purchase BSC campus. BSC issued a statement late Monday that said it has been working with Miles since May when it closed to facilitate […]

As the holiday season kicks off with Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Christmas shopping, a new study by MarketWatch Guides has identified the states with the highest consumer debt levels. The District of Columbia is top of the list, with an average debt per capita of $166,186.

The Birmingham Times The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) last week presented Odessa Woolfolk, the city’s renowned educator, civic leader and lifelong advocate for civil and human rights, with the 2024 Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award. Woolfolk accepted the award at the BCRI’s 32nd anniversary reception with dozens from throughout the Birmingham metro area in attendance including […]

By Ariyana Griffin  AFRO Staff Writer  agriffin@afro.com On Nov. 25, officials on the federal, state and local levels convened at Baltimore Police Department headquarters to announce a significant drug takedown. The operation, part of the “Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS), was titled “Operation Tornado Alley” and successfully dismantled four individual crime organizations wreaking havoc in […]
The post Local, state and federal officials announce takedown of four criminal organizations in drug bust appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

In Santa Barbara, a coastal city of about 89,000 residents, the Black population has dwindled from a peak of 3.27% in 1970 to about 1.37% in 2024.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority could potentially change how life circumstances are considered in death penalty cases, as evidenced by Justice Clarence Thomas’s denial of an appeal in a Boston Marathon bombing case.
The post Could people facing the death penalty lose the right to tell juries their life stories? appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Maryland Black Caucus Foundation hosted its 29th annual Legislative Weekend to discuss top issues for state lawmakers, including increasing minority, veteran and women business participation in the state’s procurement and contracting ecosystem.
The post Business Over Breakfast: Addressing Maryland’s procurement landscape for minority and veteran businesses appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Educators in Maryland grapple with how to address the controversial history of Thanksgiving in the classroom, as the holiday is a reminder of centuries of brutality against Native Americans and massacres by Europeans.
The post In the classroom: How educators are teaching Thanksgiving lessons to the next generation appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Dr. John E. Warren, publisher of San Diego Voice and Viewpoint Newspaper, calls for a return to prayer and a collective approach to politics in response to the election of Donald Trump.
The post What we should think and do in this era appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Electric vehicles are changing the face of transportation, leading to a contentious political environment in which Republican leaders in North Carolina and Virginia have rolled back EV initiatives adopted by Democrats, and President-elect Trump has criticized EV policies under President Biden.
The post How Washington D.C. is committing to electric vehicles appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network are planning a rally on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025 to protest the second presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, and to honor and defend Dr. King’s dream of justice, equality and change.
The post National Action Network announces 2025 Inauguration Day rally appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Herbert English Jr., a Riverside City College alumnus, has dedicated his life to education and advocacy, transforming the lives of countless students and working to break down barriers to college access for marginalized students.
The post From RCC Student to Dean and Advocate for Educational Equity appeared first on Black Voice News.

Angel Blue, a Grammy-winning opera singer and University of Redlands alumna, has had a successful career in classical music, performing at the Metropolitan Opera and winning a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording.
The post From Redlands to the World Stage: Angel Blue’s Inspiring Journey in Opera appeared first on Black Voice News.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance a bill that would transfer control of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium land from the federal government to the District of Columbia, potentially allowing the NFL’s Washington Commanders to return to the nation’s capital.
The post Senate panel approves measure aimed at luring Washington Commanders from Maryland back to D.C. appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The AFRO team has provided three easy-to-make recipes for Thanksgiving, including garlic parmesan mashed potatoes, miso maple brussels sprouts with bacon, and pinwheels with goat cheese and sundried tomato pesto, which are sure to please any guests.
The post Three recipes to put on the Thanksgiving table this year appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Business owners should ensure local, state and federal compliance when navigating the legal challenges of holiday season sales, including clear terms and conditions for promotions, protection of intellectual property, data protection, and adherence to advertising laws.
The post Commentary: How to legally prepare your business for holidays appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Maryland Center for School Safety has released new guidelines for active shooter drills, which prohibit trauma-inducing elements and require school systems to notify parents in advance, in an effort to limit the impact of the drills on students’ mental health.
The post Maryland schools have new rules to follow for active shooter drills appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Black entrepreneurs face significant racial barriers in the startup world, but some have found ways to capitalize on their racial identity by creating products that reflect their communities and give back to their communities.
The post Commentary: Black entrepreneurs are often shut out from capital, but here’s how some are removing barriers appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Wanda Durant’s Family Foundation and Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair Sydney J. Harrison hosted Thanksgiving food drives in Prince George’s County, providing 500 turkeys and food boxes to those in need, while the National Capital Area Food Bank’s Hunger Report confirmed that 50% of Prince George’s County residents have experienced food insecurity this year.
The post Food insecurity is on the menu: Pre-Thanksgiving turkey giveaways run out of food in Prince George’s County appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times Randall Woodfin recalls a visit to his mother’s house in 2016 with news that he’d been sitting on for a while. “I tore my mom away from reruns of Wyatt Earp and asked her and my stepdad to have a seat,” he writes in his soon-to-be-released memoir, “Son […]

By Je’Don Talley Holloway | The Birmingham Times Tyesha Brown, a celebrated indie filmmaker born and raised in Birmingham’s Ensey community, died on Friday in Dayton, Ohio. She was 42. Known for her passion for filmmaking and storytelling and her commitment to uplifting local talent, Ms, Brown’s work enriched the Birmingham arts scene and inspired […]

The Birmingham Times The Miles Golden Bears (10-2) are moving on to the second round of the Division II Football Playoffs following a razor-thin 14-13 victory on Saturday over Carson-Newman (9-3) in Miles’s first-ever NCAA Division II Playoff game at Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium. The school is looking to become the first SIAC school to […]

Black women on dating apps face racial bias and sexual racism, as algorithms and data decide who matches are presented to them, reflecting and reinforcing Eurocentric beauty standards.
The post How racist algorithms could be disrupting the dating pool appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Spelman College’s President, Dr. Helene Gayle, has stepped down permanently after a leave of absence, with interim President Rosalind Brewer taking over while a plan is being developed to select the college’s next president.
The post President of Atlanta’s historically Black Spelman College steps down after leave of absence appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

California and Washington state are recovering from storm damage and power outages, while forecasters warn of another round of winter weather that could complicate travel leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday.
The post Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across US during Thanksgiving week appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Scott Turner, a former NFL player and former head of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, has been named as President Trump’s Housing Secretary for his new administration.
The post What to know about Scott Turner, the President-elect’s pick for housing secretary appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Eric Phoenix has led the South Carolina State Bulldogs to an 8-2 season and a spot in the Celebration Bowl, thanks to his impressive play and the team’s overall completeness.
The post Eric Phoenix takes MEAC by storm, helping South Carolina State improve to 8-2 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives are divided on how to appeal to voters in the next presidential election, with some arguing that the party has strayed from its core values and others suggesting that President Biden should have stepped down sooner.
The post House Democrats divided over whom to blame for Trump’s victory over Harris appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

USC defeated UCLA 12-3 in the 94th edition of their storied rivalry, with new quarterback Jayden Maiava leading the Trojans to victory with four field goals.
The post USC Over UCLA in Annual Rivalry, 19-13 appeared first on Black Voice News.