NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed the California National Guard to support food banks in anticipation of delayed food benefits due to the government shutdown, impacting an estimated 5.5 million residents who rely on the CalFresh program.
The post California Prepares for Food Benefit Delays, Deploys National Guard appeared first on Black Voice News.

Black Founders Table (BFT) is carving out an ecosystem where Black entrepreneurs can scale their companies with strategy, mentorship and policy influence. Rather than offering surface-level support, BFT equips founders with practical tools to commercialize ideas, secure contracts and gain long-term influence.
The post Black Founders Table turns intention into infrastructure for entrepreneurs appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Greater Baltimore Urban League is transforming lives by equipping youth and entrepreneurs with the tools to lead, succeed and build wealth. Through programs like the Saturday Leadership Program and hands-on business coaching, GBUL empowers future leaders with life skills, mentorship and access to real opportunities.
The post Greater Baltimore Urban League builds pathways from classrooms to boardrooms appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Rapper Gucci Mane (Radric Davis) is using his memoir and public platform to speak openly about his diagnoses—bipolar disorder, paranoid schizophrenia—and his recovery journey, highlighting the role of family caregiving and destigmatizing mental health in Black communities. With his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir deeply involved in his care, the couple emphasizes early intervention, accountability, and reshaping masculine norms around seeking help.
The post Inside Gucci Mane’s battle for mental health appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Russell GloorAMAC and AMAC Foundation Dear Rusty: I am a woman, turning 65 this October (2025). It seems that deciding when to claim Social Security is complicated. I would like more information to navigate through this maze. Thank you.  Signed,  Ready to Claim  Dear Ready: Deciding when to claim Social Security can be challenging, […]
The post Ask Rusty – How do I navigate the Social Security Maze? appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The U.S. warship USS Gravely docked in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, for joint military exercises, heightening pressure on Venezuela amid tensions with President Nicolás Maduro. The visit, supported by Trinidad’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has drawn criticism from local activists and follows a U.S. Embassy warning about potential threats to Americans in the country.
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By Liz Courquet-LesaulnierWord in Black If history can be rewritten, then objects, no matter how sacred, can be put back into a shed, hidden in a basement or destroyed. Seventy years on, the task remains what it was in 1955: to look unflinchingly at racism, at the brutality it inflicted on a child and to […]
The post Could Emmett Till’s coffin be erased from the Smithsonian? appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Birmingham Times Martina Winston is the new Chief Business & Member Engagement Officer for the BBA, the economic development organization has announced. Winston began in her role on Monday and will lead the Birmingham Business Alliance’s efforts to strengthen business relationships, expand member and investor services, and support small business growth throughout the Greater […]

By Heather Gann | hgann@al.com The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit by the city of Birmingham against Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway, upholding that the Jefferson County Jail is not legally required to accept city inmates without a valid warrant. The dispute began in Feb. 2024 when Birmingham Mayor Randall […]

By Bria Chatman | WBRC The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) announced on Monday, Oct. 27 that SNAP benefits will be suspended for November. Any SNAP benefit recipients who still have benefits left from October, you must spend them before the week is over. All of this comes as the government shutdown stretches into […]

The country’s most dependable safety net is changing again, and this time, many fear it will fall hardest on the people who have always leaned on it the most. Across the nation, millions are bracing for the next wave of Social Security changes taking effect this fall and into 2026. What Washington calls modernization and reform, others see as a tightening noose around the necks of working people, especially Black Americans, who for generations have been shut out, shortchanged, and forced to survive on the margins of a promise that was never fully kept.

A total of 134 Head Start programs in California and across the country will not receive their operational funding if the federal government shutdown extends beyond Nov. 1 These early-learning programs are located in 41 states and Puerto Rico and serve more than 65,000 children, according to the First Five Fund.

On Saturday, the community gathered not just to celebrate the grand reopening of a historic downtown building, but to reflect on the journey that brought us here. The Woolworth Building, home to the last standing Woolworth lunch counter in the United States, reopened its doors with music, memory, and a message: the past may have been divided, but the future is ours to share.

In January 2025, the NAACP and the law firm Singleton Schreiber filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison Company and Edison International on behalf of Altadena residents whose homes and businesses were destroyed in the Eaton Fire.

For years, Los Angeles-based painter Mia Gardner has relied on side jobs and part-time work to keep her art career afloat. But lately, her biggest challenge hasn’t been finding inspiration — it’s finding affordable health insurance.

Elmer Fonza and his family were disappointed to learn that Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a reparations-focused bill by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) on Oct. 13. That legislation would have established a process for victims of racially motivated eminent domain to seek restitution.

By Chianti MarksAFRO Intern On Oct. 25, 2025, Baltimore native and 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony celebrated the opening of the “House of Melo” exhibit at the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Branch. The event followed Anthony’s recent induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The exhibit, open through Dec. 20, 2025, highlights […]
The post House of Melo” exhibit shines spotlight on Baltimore resilience appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Maryland ranks second in the U.S. for its share of Black-owned businesses, with 10 percent of companies owned by African Americans, according to a 2025 Pew Research Center report. To celebrate this entrepreneurial spirit, the AFRO spoke with residents about their favorite Black-owned businesses, highlighting local gems from bookstores to restaurants.
The post Marylanders weigh in on their favorite local gems appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Hurricane Melissa intensified into a Category 5 storm as it neared Jamaica, threatening catastrophic flooding, landslides, and widespread destruction. The storm, already blamed for six deaths across the Caribbean, could be the strongest to ever hit the island.
The post Hurricane Melissa bears down on Jamaica and threatens to be the island’s strongest recorded storm appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Randallstown NAACP Branch #7032-B On behalf of the Executive Committee and under the leadership of Dr. Tekemia Dorsey, the Randallstown NAACP Branch #7032-B proudly announces the upcoming Baltimore County “County Executive Candidates” Town Hall — a vital civic engagement event designed to connect Baltimore County residents with the individuals seeking to lead the county’s […]
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By The B.E. Spirits Awards  On Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, leaders, entrepreneurs and visionaries from across the nation will gather for the B.E. Spirits Awards Black Tie Gala, an unforgettable evening of elegance, culture and empowerment at the prestigious Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort and Spa in Cambridge, Md.  The B.E. Spirits Awards is […]
The post B.E. Spirits Awards Gala to celebrate Black excellence at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

People can save money more effectively by using a savings strategy that matches their individual personality, whether they are a planner, impulse spender, procrastinator, or perfectionist.
The post Tailor your savings plan to your unique spending habits appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times Portia Lawson, who lives in Birmingham’s Ensley community, recalls the phone call last year from her doctor: “He told me that he found cancer cells in my urethra,” she said. “It was quite a shock to me because I had just gotten over a quadruple bypass heart surgery […]

From Wire Reports Alabama State University football delivered a commanding performance in the 84th Magic City Classic, defeating in-state rival Alabama A&M 56–13 on Saturday afternoon at Legion Field in front of a crowd of 69,372 fans. The win was the Hornets fourth straight win in the Magic City Classic. Jalil Lenore and Birmingham native […]

The Barack Obama Presidential Center, set to open on Chicago’s South Side in spring 2026, will be a first-of-its-kind presidential library and community hub. The 19-acre campus will feature green spaces, a library branch, a podcast studio, and areas for public events, while the museum building—shaped like four hands coming together—will house exhibits on Obama’s presidency and the foundation’s programs.
The post Inside the soon-to-open Obama Presidential Center appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Calls are growing for 88-year-old Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton to retire as D.C.’s nonvoting House delegate amid criticism of her muted response to federal intervention in the city under the 47th president’s administration. Supporters praise her decades of service, while challengers like D.C. Council members Robert White Jr. and Brooke Pinto say it’s time for new leadership.
The post White House intervention in D.C. prompts calls for its 18-term House delegate to step down appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Howard University’s 101st homecoming weekend, themed “One of One,” brought thousands of alumni, students, and visitors to Washington, D.C., for a celebration of legacy, culture, and excellence. The festivities included Yardfest, FamFest, and the homecoming football game, where the Bison defeated Morgan State 33-27 in overtime. Despite the jubilant atmosphere, the weekend was overshadowed by a shooting incident that left five people injured.
The post Howard alumni and students celebrate 101st homecoming appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Coppin State University’s Health and Human Services Building now bears the name of Henrietta Lacks, honoring the Baltimore woman whose cells became the first immortal human cell line. The building, CSU’s largest academic facility, houses nursing, social work, criminal justice, and other programs, and was unveiled during a ceremony featuring CSU President Anthony L. Jenkins and civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump.
The post Coppin State University names Health and Human Services Building after Henrietta Lacks appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By John O’connor A jury was seated Oct. 20 in the murder trial of an Illinois sheriff’s deputy charged with killing Sonya Massey, a Black woman shot in her home last year after calling police for help. Opening statements took place on Oct. 22 in the case against Sean Grayson after a jury of 10 […]
The post What to know about the murder trial of an Illinois sheriff deputy who killed Sonya Massey appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

An incarcerated man at North Branch Correctional Institution in Maryland began making monthly donations to Associated Black Charities (ABC), inspiring two others to join him. Their small but consistent gifts highlight that generosity transcends privilege and circumstance, reminding us that philanthropy belongs to anyone with a heart to give and that even behind bars, humanity and hope endure.
The post The power of giving: Proof that generosity can’t be confined appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A shooting during Lincoln University’s homecoming festivities late Oct. 25 left one person dead and six others wounded, turning a night of celebration into tragedy at the historically Black university in Pennsylvania. Authorities detained one person with a firearm and are investigating whether more than one shooter was involved. Officials say there is no ongoing threat to the campus as state police and the FBI assist in the investigation.
The post Shooting at a historically Black university’s homecoming fest in Pennsylvania kills 1 and wounds 6 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A new report links cuts and inconsistencies in Pell Grant funding to a nearly half-million drop in Black college enrollment over the past decade, with Southern HBCUs hit hardest. Researchers urge federal and state leaders to stabilize Pell funding to ensure equitable access to higher education.
The post Pell Grant cuts helped lower Black college enrollment, report says appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The AFRO celebrated their 3rd annual “Unsung Heroes” luncheon on Oct. 23, celebrating people from the Department of Public Works that have done so much for the Baltimore community.
The post AFRO News honors ‘Unsung Heroes’ Department of Public Works in Baltimore  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Hoodoo is often misunderstood as dark magic, but it is actually a spiritual tradition rooted in African practices, developed by enslaved people to maintain connection, healing and empowerment. Dr. Kokahvah “Mama Koko” Zaditu-Selassie explains how Hoodoo continues to guide Black spirituality and everyday life, alongside organized religions like Christianity.
The post Beyond the myths: Exploring Hoodoo with Mama Koko appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. has outlined the safeguards in place to ensure the security of ballots in the upcoming Statewide Special Election on Nov. 4, including mail ballot tracking, signature verification, and secure ballot drop-off locations.
The post How to Make Sure Your Ballot is Secure and Counted in California’s 2025 Special Election appeared first on Black Voice News.