NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

Scholars and descendants are uncovering the forgotten role of Black Marylanders in the Revolutionary War, highlighting how free and enslaved men fought for independence yet were largely erased from history.
The post Black patriots of the Revolutionary War: Maryland’s forgotten soldiers appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Anna Jones | UAB News Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. Heart disease can develop and present differently in women compared to men, and studies show that women may downplay their symptoms or delay seeking treatment. In women, the risk […]

bhmlegion.com Chris Richards carries Birmingham with him everywhere he goes. Not just in accent or upbringing, but in perspective, purpose, and responsibility. For Richards, Black History Month is not just about reflection; it is about continuation. It is about understanding the people who came before him in both life and sport, and recognizing the responsibility […]

By Mark Kelly | Alabama NewsCenter If you want your startup business to succeed, you’re going to have to get farther with less money before being positioned to attract major venture investment. That’s according to Matt Hottle, a successful serial entrepreneur who now advises and mentors startups as co-founder and partner of Redhawk Advisory. “Concept-stage […]

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the nation’s only Black governor, said the White House disinvited him from the annual bipartisan National Governors Association dinner, calling the move disrespectful and partisan. The 47th president’s administration limited the event to Republican governors, a break from longstanding tradition that NGA leaders criticized as undermining cooperation.
The post Moore calls White House snub ‘blatant disrespect’ appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Charlene Crowell, a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending, highlights how the current administration’s efforts to defund or undermine the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) hurt working families while protecting Wall Street and corporate interests. Court rulings have now forced the administration to restore CFPB funding, reinstate employees, and resume its oversight work, which prevents billions in consumer losses from predatory financial practices.
The post Commentary: Court ruling forces No. 47’s administration to restore CFPB funding appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Dating can provide renewed confidence and companionship, but as time passes, returning to the dating scene after divorce or widowhood can appear intimidating. Modern dating, online scams and emotional unavailability or stagnancy have created new challenges that experts say should be approached with community, caution and patience.  Lauren Sanders is […]
The post What to know about dating and companionship after 60 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Baltimore County legislators are considering a bill to give the Office of the Inspector General authority to oversee public schools. Supporters say it would increase transparency, accountability and trust in the school system.
The post Baltimore County bill would expand Inspector General oversight of BCPS appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Armed extremists killed at least 162 people in coordinated attacks on the villages of Woro and Nuku in western Nigeria, according to a local lawmaker, with rights groups saying the toll may be higher. The massacre underscores Nigeria’s escalating security crisis, as multiple militant groups linked to the Islamic State and Boko Haram continue deadly assaults across the country.
The post Islamic militants kill at least 162 people in attacks on 2 villages in Nigeria, lawmaker says appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A new Glenarden, Md.–based nonprofit, the Teen & Youth Alliance Coalition (TAYAC), is working to help parents and communities better protect young people from marijuana and non-prescription drug use. Backed by a federal drug-free community grant, the coalition is focusing on early prevention, open dialogue and culturally relevant outreach rather than lectures.
The post Maryland-based coalition arms parents with more effective tools to keep youth drug free appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Obama Foundation has opened applications for the 2026–2028 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service, a program that supports 100 college students with financial aid, travel experiences, and leadership training. Backed by Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky, the scholarship offers up to $50,000 in tuition assistance, a funded summer work-travel “Voyage,” and long-term mentorship to help recipients pursue careers in public service.
The post The Obama Foundation opens applications for the 2026-2028 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Thousands of protesters gathered in Los Angeles City Hall to protest ICE raids and the murders of Renee Nicole Good, Keith Porter and Alex Pretti, who were killed by federal agents.
The post Thousands Gather in Los Angeles to Protest ICE Raids and Murders appeared first on Black Voice News.

By Rev. Stacy Swimp The call to “Abolish ICE”—the federal agency known as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement—is often dismissed as a radical demand for disorder, but for those who recognize the moral arc of the universe, it is a necessary response to a legacy of weaponized law enforcement. Established in 2003, ICE has increasingly […]
The post Rule of law: A moral mandate to abolish ICE  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The California Housing Finance Agency is addressing the low Black homeownership rate in California through the California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan, a down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers that provides up to 20% for down payment or closing costs, not exceeding $150,000.
The post California Program Aims to Close Black Homeownership Gap appeared first on Black Voice News.

By James Pollard and Matt BrownThe Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — It seemed like a high-profile opportunity to lead an influential environmental group’s ambitious new push for green energy financing. And so, in May 2023, Pedro da Silva joined the Sierra Club Foundation, the charitable arm for the nonprofit started by naturalist John Muir. […]
The post Former Sierra Club Foundation director sues over alleged internal racism appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

For generations, Black artists have documented Black life, preserving memory and identity where traditional histories have overlooked or erased their stories. From painting and performance to film and public art, their work captures the everyday, the ancestral and the deeply personal— creating a living record of Black history.
The post Black artists as historians: Preserving memory through art appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Michael Eugene Johnson argues that allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores is not a reliable solution to food deserts in Maryland. He warns it could harm public health, oversaturate neighborhoods with alcohol, and threaten local independent store owners, urging lawmakers to pursue healthier, community-focused alternatives.
The post Opinion: Alcohol sales aren’t the answer to food deserts                    appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The 46th Annual Riverside Black History Parade & Expo will take place on February 14, 2026, and will feature a parade, an expo with award-winning food, vendors, and exhibits, and will be led by prominent community figures as Grand Marshals.
The post Co-Marshals Set for the Riverside for the 46th Annual Parade & Expo on Saturday, February 14 appeared first on Black Voice News.

sewell.house.gov U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced Friday that she secured more than $9 million in direct funding for 14 local projects in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District including $850,000 for the Bessemer Housing Authority toward construction of a multi-purpose community center. “I’m so proud to have secured $9.5 million for 14 community-driven projects that will […]

birminghamal.gov Jones Valley Teaching Farm and the City of Birmingham announced 10 recipients of the Urban Farmer Grant Program. This initiative is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is designated to provide financial relief. The funds will be used to address operational shortfalls that urban farming entities experienced due to the pandemic, […]

By Je’Don Holloway-Talley | For The Birmingham Times Twyla S. Grider self-describes as a creator, cultivator, and curator, bringing fashion and design concepts to life across multiple mediums. Now, Grider, 48, steps into the role of “Costume Goddess” for Red Mountain Theatre’s production of The Wiz, running through Mar. 1, bringing a fresh visual interpretation to one of […]

Dayvon Love, director of public policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (LBS), a Baltimore-based grassroots think-tank, argues that accusations of “dictatorship” aimed at Black political leaders in Maryland reveal deep racial double standards about who is allowed to wield power. He contrasts the tolerance historically shown to forceful White leaders with the backlash Black officials face for far milder assertions of authority, contending that such rhetoric reflects anxieties about shifting power dynamics rather than genuine concerns about democracy.
The post Opinion: There are no ‘third world dictatorships’ in Maryland appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Dr. Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) teamed up with veteran journalist Roland Martin, founder of Black Star Network, to host a two-hour, live-streamed event on Feb. 2 titled “Not On Our Watch: A National Town Hall on Press Freedom.”  The session was prompted by the recent arrests of […]
The post NABJ Town Hall condemns arrests of Black journalists, defends First Amendment appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The 47th president of the United States shared a video on social media depicting former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys, which was met with widespread criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.
The post NAACP condemns racist social media post shared by president appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Jonathan ForneySpecial to the AFRO The Washington Wizards honored the career and community impact of former star John Wall on Thursday, Jan. 29 at Capital One Arena as they took on the Milwaukee Bucks. Fans were shown highlights of Wall’s achievements on and off the court for the city. Attendees were given special bobble […]
The post Wizards honor John Wall appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times Jefferson County approved a tax abatement package Thursday for an international financial services company that could help grow the area’s business sector, county officials said. The County Commission unanimously passed an incentive package for the expansion of StoneX, a Nasdaq-listed, Fortune 50 company that already has a significant […]

UAB News When Saundra Taylor talks about her work, she often focuses on the people she serves: neighbors, seniors, families, and the small choices they make that can lead to healthier lives. It’s a perspective shaped by years of outreach work and deep connections within her community. As a certified life coach and longtime community […]

The Birmingham Times The Birmingham Times this month celebrates the 10th year of its 2016 rebranding. Since that time, the publication has won nearly 80 journalism awards in the Alabama Press Association (APA) and National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) competitions, including 41 for first place and two for General Excellence (2018 and 2021, NNPA). The […]

The Baltimore Police Department has released body-worn camera footage from a Jan. 20 officer-involved shooting that led to the death of 40-year-old Jamarl Muse in Southeast Baltimore. The video shows Muse firing a handgun as officers attempted to detain him, prompting them to return fire. A full investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division is underway.
The post BPD releases bodycam related to officer-involved shooting death of Jamarl Muse  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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Rhyan Gray, a 17-year-old student from Baltimore, has been selected to participate in the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2026, an all-expenses-paid program that provides mentorship and career exploration for students passionate about access and equity.
The post Baltimore’s Rhyan Gray among 100 students chosen for Disney Dreamers Academy appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Word In Black’s national survey of over 1,500 Black Americans reveals that medical mistrust, family concerns, and experiences with the healthcare system shape decisions about organ donation, highlighting the need for culturally responsive outreach, policy, and care.
The post Community views on organ donation appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Word In Black has launched an Insights and Research Division to center the lived experiences of Black Americans and use community-driven data to reshape narratives about persistent health disparities. Its first study on organ donation reveals strong theoretical support but deep mistrust of the healthcare system, and the team is now turning to breast cancer to examine how bias, access and culture affect Black women’s outcomes.
The post Changing the story data tells about Black health  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

  _____________________________               EMPLOYMENT       ____________________________           FOOD PREP WORKER       Boston Fish and Wings seeks Food Preparation Worker in Birmingham, AL.   No education required. One month of training is required.   Responsible for preparing food items for line cooks, including cutting, seasoning, and […]

The Pepsi National Battle of the Bands airs “The Best of the Battles” from Jan. 31 to March 1 in honor of Black History Month, highlighting 15 years of performances by more than 30 HBCU marching bands. The film revisits iconic moments from showcases across the country, including the 2026 event in The Palm Beaches, and celebrates the cultural impact and legacy of HBCU band tradition.
The post Pepsi National Battle of the Bands presents ‘The Best of the Battles’ in honor of Black History Month appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.