NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

By Dr. Teresa M. Jeter Every October, we celebrate National Community Planning Month, a recognition  established by the American Planning Association (APA) to highlight the vital role urban and regional planners play in shaping our communities. While often behind the scenes,  planners help communities navigate change, protect culture and build resilience.  For African American neighborhoods, […]
The post Faith, housing and hope: How planning builds stronger Black communities  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The death toll from Hurricane Melissa has climbed to 43 in Haiti and 32 in Jamaica, with thousands displaced and entire communities cut off by flooding and landslides. The U.S. has pledged $24 million in aid as relief efforts ramp up across the devastated Caribbean region.
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By Jonathan ForneySpecial to the AFRO A crowd of friends, family and fellow servicemembers gathered on the lawn of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to commemorate Army Captain Bianca Ross’ promotion to major on Sept. 15. The historically Black college and university alumna from Clark Atlanta University was born at Fort […]
The post Army Maj. Bianca Ross celebrates promotion, urges Black women in uniform to be ‘unstoppable’ appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Homebuyers in Baltimore can access down payment assistance programs, such as grants, forgivable loans, deferred-payment loans, and low-down payment loans, to help cover the upfront costs of homeownership.
The post Overcoming barriers to homeownership: Assistance programs for first-time buyers in Baltimore appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Sarahia Benn “Maryland artists just saved the arts budget, and yet somehow, we still can’t get a grant. It’s like showing up to your own party and being told the punch bowl is for everyone else.” – Sarahia Benn  For decades, I’ve worked as an artist, educator and advocate for public arts funding in […]
The post The goalposts keep moving: Maryland’s public arts funding is failing its working artists  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Flight delays continued across major U.S. airports Nov. 2 as air traffic controller shortages worsened amid the ongoing government shutdown. Airports including Newark, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles experienced multi-hour delays and some cancellations, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized he won’t fire controllers working without pay.
The post Flight delays persist as government shutdown leads to air traffic controller shortages appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Heavy rains in western Kenya triggered a deadly landslide in Elgeyo Marakwet County, killing at least 26 people and leaving 25 missing as flash floods forced rescuers to suspend search efforts. The government and Red Cross are airlifting supplies and urging residents in high-risk areas to relocate as rains and landslide threats continue.
The post Kenyan landslide death toll rises to 26 as flash floods hamper search for survivors appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times Mayor Randall Woodfin and City Councilor Hunter Williams on Monday helped kicked off Birmingham’s response to cuts in SNAP benefits with a community-wide food relief drive at the Christian Service Mission. The food drive will run daily through Thursday, November 6, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at […]

Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times Allyson Felix, the most decorated woman in Olympic track and field history, was the featured speaker last week at the Women’s Foundation of Alabama’s Unleashed event held at the Haven in downtown Birmingham. Felix, holder of 31 global medals at the Olympics and World Championships, and titles as both […]

By Mark Kelly | Alabama NewsCenter Global venture firm gener8tor, in partnership with Birmingham-based Bronze Valley, recently announced the Fall 2025 cohort of the Bronze Valley Investment Accelerator. Five startups, selected for their high growth potential from among more than 450 applicants, have begun the accelerator’s 12-week program to support the next stage of their […]

Bowie State University celebrated its 90th annual homecoming with a week of spirited events, including a parade led by Tony Award-winning alumnus Myles Frost and a lively football game that ended in a narrow 28-27 loss to Elizabeth City State. The festivities highlighted Bulldog pride, community spirit, and the university’s ongoing commitment to safety and student success.
The post A legacy in motion: Bowie State’s 90th Homecoming ignites joy, family and Bulldog pride appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Geoff Mulvihill and Kimberlee KruesiThe Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration said Nov. 3 that it will partially fund SNAP for November, after two judges issued rulings requiring the government to keep the nation’s largest food aid program running. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance […]
The post No. 47’s administration says SNAP will be partially funded in November appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ericka Alston BuckSpecial to the AFRO On Nov. 1, the Rotunda of Baltimore City Hall was filled with pride, reflection and gratitude as four of the city’s former mayors– Sheila Dixon, Stephanie Rawlings Blake, Catherine Pugh and Bernard “Jack” Young– joined Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott for the unveiling of their official portraits. […]
The post Former Baltimore mayors honored with portrait unveiling appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com A stable job, homeownership and a family often defines the concept of the “American Dream.” However, for Black Americans across the country, it can feel impossible to reach, even for those who have “made it.”  Caprice Rigsby was born to teenage parents. Her family relied on different types of federal […]
The post When success isn’t enough: Why the Black middle class is still struggling appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Kisha Brown “Access to justice” is a term of art and action in legal and policy circles — a call for better inclusion and participation in our legal system. That system of course is not relegated to just the courts; it includes nearly every facet of life from healthcare to education to housing to […]
The post Legally Written: The missing voice in America’s access to justice PART 1 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Andrea StevensAFRO Staff Writerastevens@afro.com Baltimore County Public Schools says it will retrain staff, following the Oct. 20 incident involving an artificial intelligence surveillance system that misidentified a Doritos bag as a gun. Though the alert was ultimately called off, the school’s principal alerted a resource officer, who called the Baltimore County Police Department, leading […]
The post Baltimore County Public Schools agrees to retrain staff after AI surveillance mistakes student’s chip bag for weapon appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Compiled by The Birmingham Times Beginning today, Monday, Nov. 3, the City of Birmingham will join Christian Service Mission (CSM) in collecting food for Birmingham food banks in the city. The food collection days will be Monday, Nov. 3 through Thursday, Nov. 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CSM is located at 3600 Third […]

By Roy L. Williams | Birmingham Public Library The Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) has received a $5,300 grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) to help fund BPL’s popular Bards & Brews spoken word poetry series. The grant will support BPL’s mission to provide free, high-quality arts programming […]

birminghamal.gov The City of Birmingham is taking bold action to combat the growing opioid epidemic by investing $1.5 million in local programs designed to prevent addiction, save lives, and support recovery. Funded through national opioid settlement dollars, these initiatives will expand access to treatment, prevention, and harm reduction across the city. “These investments reflect our […]

The Maryland Bankers Association and Coppin State University hosted a Community Conversation on Credit Equity to address financial literacy gaps in Baltimore. Students and community leaders emphasized accessible education and practical strategies for building credit and economic opportunity.
The post Maryland Bankers Association, Coppin State address credit equity gaps appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com Emmy Award-winning comedian, author and activist Loni Love delivered a perfect blend of humor and serious insights as the host for the 10th Annual Multicultural Media Correspondents Dinner (MMCD™) Gala Extravaganza, on Oct. 27, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.    “Media diversity starts at the top, and it’s […]
The post From Cam Newton to James Brown, honorees at 10th Annual MMCA Gala assert commitment to diversity, inclusivity in media appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Sandra SmithCapital News Service As of Oct. 1, Maryland’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, or SNAP-Ed, has been defunded following President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” SNAP-Ed provides SNAP participants, low-income individuals who receive food assistance benefits and low-income families with nutrition education classes and partners with programs such as food pantries and farmers’ markets. […]
The post Maryland’s SNAP-Ed program defunded at the expense of low-income families appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

West Baltimore students from Robert W. Coleman Elementary School showcased their skills at a spelling bee held Oct. 10 at Herbert Street Community Park. The family-friendly event, hosted by the West North Avenue Development Authority and Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council, also featured an outdoor movie screening and food from Black-owned Concierge Catering.
The post West Baltimore students compete in spelling bee at Herbert Street Park appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Coppin State University celebrated its 125th anniversary with a black-tie gala, honoring its legacy of resilience and brilliance, and raising over $500,000 to support scholarships and student success.
The post Coppin State University celebrates 125 Years of legacy, leadership and service appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Justice Department is investigating whether leaders of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation and other affiliated groups misused millions in donations raised during the 2020 racial justice protests. While no charges have been filed, subpoenas and a search warrant have been issued, renewing scrutiny of the movement’s finances amid concerns about political targeting of progressive organizations.
The post Justice Department investigating fraud allegations in Black Lives Matter movement, AP sources say appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Dr. Frances Murphy DraperAFRO CEO and Publisher As Americans worry whether they’ll get their next paycheck, keep the lights on, or afford dinner tonight, an internal email dated October 31, 2025, from the halls of the U.S. Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense) lands — addressed to “Policy Colleagues,” wishing them a […]
The post Compassion has left the building appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Philadelphia native Edmond W. Davis is a historian, college professor and journalist. In this column he spotlights the disconnect between Africa’s production of world-class athletes and its exclusion from opportunities to host the world’s biggest sporting events.
The post The African avoidance: What World Track and Field Championships, Summer Olympics and other major sporting events have in common  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The 2025 TEDCO Entrepreneur Expo brought together business owners, investors and industry leaders to explore opportunities for innovation and growth. Speakers, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and University of Maryland President Darryll Pines, highlighted the state’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage and fostering a thriving startup ecosystem.
The post TEDCO’s last Entrepreneur Expo highlights Maryland’s innovation and thriving startup ecosystem appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A federal judge in Rhode Island has ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to use emergency funds to keep SNAP running just hours before its funding was set to expire. The ruling averts an immediate crisis for the 40 million Americans who rely on the program — including one in four Black households. Without SNAP, experts warn, many children would face hunger and struggle to focus and learn in school.
The post Judge orders Feds to use emergency funds to keep SNAP afloat appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

During the fall, high school students in schools across D.C. are actively applying for colleges and universities of their choice with the help of dedicated school counselors and teachers. Is your student prepared for college or career? Read here for tips.
The post D.C. education advocates speak on preparing high school students for college and career appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

From Wire Reports Crews battled to put out a fire out Friday in the Five Points South neighborhood. The wood frame building, which had originally been a house, became fully engulfed in intense flames and the roof collapsed. According to AL.com, the fire began early Friday morning near Cobb Lane, a historic cobblestone street in […]

By Donald Hunt | For The Birmingham Times Miles College has been playing some good football over the last three weeks. The Golden Bears have won three consecutive games – Lane College, Clark Atlanta and Central State respectively. This week, Miles (3-6, 3-3) takes its winning ways on the road against Fort Valley State (3-5, […]

Lamar Jackson’s return sparked new life in the Ravens, leading them to a 28–6 win over Miami and keeping their playoff hopes alive. Now 3–5, Baltimore is healthier, more confident, and eyeing a midseason turnaround — though lingering injuries and line struggles remain hurdles.
The post Down but not out, the Ravens eye a second-half resurgence after Lamar Jackson’s return appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Triple-negative and triple-positive breast cancers present unique challenges, with treatment often taking a physical and emotional toll. Women like Tara Doaty, Giovanna Hughes, Marcia Ferrell and Deriece Harrington share their journeys, highlighting the importance of early detection, resilience and support.
The post Facing the odds: Women share their journeys with triple-negative, triple-positive breast cancers appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.