NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

Richard Smallwood, the eight-time Grammy-nominated, classically trained gospel composer and recording artist whose work reshaped contemporary gospel music, died Dec. 30 at age 77 from complications of kidney failure. Over a five-decade career, Smallwood blended classical, pop and gospel traditions, creating enduring songs like “Total Praise,” “I Love the Lord” and “Center of My Joy,” while influencing generations of artists across gospel, R&B and popular music.
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With the Baltimore Ravens facing a win-or-go-home showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 4, the path forward is clear: feed Derrick Henry. After a dominant 216-yard, four-touchdown performance against Green Bay, the Ravens’ playoff hopes hinge on leaning into their bruising running identity and letting Henry carry the load in a high-stakes AFC North battle.
The post It’s a simple call: Give Henry the ball appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. This week he highlights that curriculum reform efforts falter without intentional, culturally grounded curriculum implementation leadership.
The post Commentary: Structural inequality undermines Jamaica’s schools appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Eric Velasco | SoulGrown It’s that time again when we make resolutions for how we’ll live in the new year and perhaps assess how we did with the goals we set 12 months ago. As a culinary writer, my thoughts naturally turn to what and how I plan to eat and drink this coming […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Governor Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that Bad Boy Mowers will invest $10.5 million to open a new tractor assembly plant in Monroeville, bringing 50 new jobs to Monroe County and revitalizing the former Vanity Fair distribution center. The Batesville, Arkansas-based company […]

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By Black Press USA (NNPA Newswire) – In a significant moment for the labor movement, Roxanne Brown is set to become the first African-American woman elected as president of the United Steelworkers (USW), North America’s largest industrial union.  With the official transition happening in March, Brown’s ascent is more than just a personal achievement; it […]
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By AFRO Staff Nearly 2,500 participants—most of them children and youth, alongside families and adults of all ages—convened in Baltimore Dec. 26–30, 2025 for Elevate 2025: Flourish and Thrive, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church’s Christian Education Department Winter Conference. The event took place at the Hilton in downtown Baltimore. Through outstanding worship […]
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2025 was a year of growth, creativity, and empowerment across Baltimore. From new Black-owned businesses and parks to wellness events and neighborhood projects, these highlights showcase the people and initiatives strengthening the city’s communities.
The post Building, thriving, celebrating: Charm City Wins from 2025 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

As 2026 begins, Washington, D.C. residents face new laws, including Medicaid eligibility changes, an extended youth curfew, inflation‑linked minimum wage increases and automatic expungements for certain misdemeanor cases, with some exceptions for violent offenses.
The post D.C. law changes in 2026 impact workers, youth and healthcare appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Alexis TaylorAFRO Managing Editor Members of Morgan State University’s Magnificent Marching Machine will start the year off strong, proudly representing the historically Black institution at the 137th Tournament of Roses (Rose Bowl) parade on Jan. 1, 2026.  The marching band of the National Treasure, led by Dr. Jorim Reid, will bring the flavor and […]
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By AFRO Staff The Steppin’ Out Bunch held its annual toy drive on Dec. 1 at Colin’s Seafood & Grill, located on the 1700 block of East Northern Parkway in Baltimore. The group of retired Black women educators, who formed the “Bunch” in 2009, demonstrated their enduring love for children as they sought to make […]
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By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS), the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) and other local nonprofits Dec. 4, to ensure families who are at risk or currently facing homelessness can be rapidly placed in permanent housing with […]
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The crowded 2026 race for Washington, D.C.’s nonvoting House delegate seat in U.S. Congress reflects growing concerns over federal interference and the city’s future. Multiple candidates say the moment demands new leadership to protect local autonomy and representation.
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By Rev. Stacy Swimp For many, New Year’s Eve is a night of sparkling lights and resolutions. But for the Black community, the ticking clock has a deeper echo. To understand why we gather in churches on Dec. 31, we must look beyond the party and confront a journey of profound survival. We must remember […]
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Jackson State continued its streak of five years leading the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in home attendance and was again a major factor in the largest attended black college games in 2025 with four of […]

Alabama A&M University has appointed Douglas LaVergne, Ph.D., as interim dean of the College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences (CALNS). LaVergne currently serves as associate vice president for Academic Affairs and Undergraduate Studies. In […]

Aniah Cosby has become the first Alabama A&M University student to earn the National Retail Foundation’s Bright Futures (NRF) Scholarship. The senior computer science major from St. Louis will attend the 2026 NRF Foundation Student […]

Alabama A&M University alumnus Emondre Johnson has built two thriving community-focused ventures in Birmingham – one for families and one for their pets. Earlier this year, Johnson, a 2020 animal science graduate, opened The Bark […]

By Michal Higdon | WVTM The Birmingham City Council has voted unanimously to continue funding multiple programs and organizations aimed at providing violence intervention. There are four organizations that are receiving this financial support to help with outreach, support and data collection. The funding adds up to more than $2.5 million. All items were recommended […]

By James Giles | WBRC New data from the Alabama Department of Public Health shows viral respiratory disease-related emergency department visits jumped more than 100 percent statewide in just one week, between Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. The flu accounted for most of that increase, rising from just over 2 percent of emergency room visits […]

David Fitzgerald knows how tough it is to prevent gun violence. In 15 years working in some of Baltimore’s deadliest neighborhoods for a program called Safe Streets, he said, he’s defused hundreds of fights that could have led to a shooting.

As 2026 approaches, states across the country are preparing to activate a wide range of new laws that will shape paychecks, housing conditions, health care costs, consumer privacy, and the use of artificial intelligence. The measures differ sharply by state, but together they point to a growing reality: in the absence of sweeping federal action, states are setting the rules that govern everyday life.

By Dr. Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor A U.S. District Court Federal Judge issued a temporary halt to changes in a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that would have left thousands of Marylanders homeless. On Dec. 22, U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy barred HUD from implementing changes to the federal government’s Continuum of […]
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By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS If you’ve been feeling exhausted, mentally foggy, or experiencing tingling in your hands and feet, you may have searched online for answers — and landed on vitamin B12 deficiency. Somewhere in […]

The winning streak continues at Hard Rock Casino Tejon, where two guests hit life-changing jackpots totaling more than $226,000 within a day of each other, over the holiday weekend.

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS If you’ve ever reviewed your cholesterol lab results and felt confused, you’re not alone. Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides are often listed together, yet each number reflects a different aspect […]

By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Bowser announced Dec. 17 the appointment of Jeffery Carroll as interim police chief in the District. According to a news release from Bowser’s office, Carroll currently serves as Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) executive assistant chief of specialized operations, a position to which he was appointed by […]
The post Smith gives impassioned farewell speech, challenges ‘haters’ as interim MPD chief steps up  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Hemorrhoids are a common anorectal condition that can cause pain, itching, swelling, and rectal bleeding. One of the most frequently asked questions by patients is: How long do hemorrhoids last? The answer depends […]


California Senate Bill (SB) 648, authored by Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D–Los Angeles), takes effect on Jan. 1. The law strengthens legal protections for workers against employee tip theft.

Black pop culture in 2025 did not chase attention. It set terms. Across music, television, film, fashion, and sports, Black creators tightened control over narrative, ownership, and meaning at a moment when the country itself felt unmoored.

Tyeesha Ferguson fears her 28-year-old son will kill or be killed.

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Just in time to help residents turn New Year’s resolutions into lasting habits, the West Huntsville Recreation Center is opening its doors as a major investment in health, wellness, and community […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS 2025 struck a different chord for the Huntsville Music Office — one that resonated far beyond songs and stages. This was the year when planning turned into action, and music firmly […]