Afro e-Edition 03-08-2024

MARCH 9 , 2024 - MARCH 15, 2024

CIAA Tournament returns to Baltimore

is the first Black

which returned to Baltimore Feb.

By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer

Student

The men of Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University beat out Fayetteville State 54-51, capturing the men’s 2024 CIAA title, while the ladies of Fayetteville State battled Elizabeth City State University, 64-59, ultimately taking the title.

While most of the action took place on the court at CFG Bank Arena, a spotlight was also shone on Baltimore’s Black dining

scene. The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, in collaboration with the Baltimore Local Host Committee, held the BlackOwned Restaurant Tour for the third time to encourage fans to patronize Black businesses.

“Every night was packed, especially on the weekends,” said Chris Simon, co-owner of the Outkrowd Group, which operates Baltimore

restaurants Prim and Proper and Blk Swan. “Blk Swan was the landing spot for people after they finished bouncing around during the day. We definitely felt a surge in business because of that.” Simon said his sales surged during the eight days of the tournament.

Both Prim and Proper and Blk Swan had several buyouts for private parties from alumni of

schools competing in the competition, like Bowie State University. The rentals substantially added to the restaurants’ revenue for the week, according to Simon.

“I think Baltimore is a great city for CIAA,” said Simon. “I really like how people were purposeful about supporting Black businesses while being here to support HBCUs.”

In 2023, CIAA brought

38,450 fans to CFG Bank Arena. The tournament, which showcases premier teams from historically, Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), generated an economic impact of $29.6 million, up from $19.6 million in 2022.

“We almost doubled in economic impact year over year, and the city of Baltimore really stepped

Continued on A5

Super Tuesday victories sets stage for presidential rematch

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

President Joe Biden and his twice-impeached and four-times indicted predecessor, Donald Trump, emerged victorious on Super Tuesday, wrapping up their respective party nominations and setting up a rematch of the volatile 2020 election.

More than a dozen states participated in primaries and caucuses on March 5, constituting the most significant nominating race day, and shifting the focus from the one-by-one march through early-voting states.

Despite signs of potential weaknesses in their election strategies, both Biden and Trump faced challenges. Numerous progressives, reportedly disillusioned with Biden, opted for the “uncommitted” option in places like Minnesota and Michigan, while college-educated suburbanites leaned towards alternatives to Trump. While the 15 states in contention didn’t officially provide Trump with enough delegates to secure the GOP nomination for a third

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consecutive time, he closed the gap, leaving little room for his main rival, Nikki Haley, who suspended her campaign the morning after. Haley and Biden earned victories in the District of Columbia’s primaries held the Sunday before Super Tuesday.

The latest delegate estimate revealed Trump’s substantial gain of 617 delegates on Tuesday, propelling his overall count to 893, or 92 percent of those awarded, putting him on the brink of the 1,215 delegates required for clinching the GOP nomination. In contrast, Haley lagged significantly with only 66 delegates.

“They call it Super Tuesday for a reason,” declared Trump, whom a civil jury twice sanctioned for sexually assaulting a writer and a New York judge found guilty of massive business fraud. “This is a big one,” continued Trump, who was ordered to pay nearly $500 million for his New York crimes and $90 million for the sexual assault guilty finding. “And they tell me,

the pundits and otherwise, that there’s never been one like this.”

Despite facing challenging headlines and low approval ratings, Biden maintained his dominance on Super Tuesday, securing approximately 80 percent of the vote, while Trump struggled to reach that threshold. Although Haley posed a more formidable challenge, Biden retained solid support from his party’s

Continued on A5

Al Hutchinson (top, left) serves as president and CEO of Visit Baltimore, the city’s designated tourism sales and marketing organization. Jacqie McWilliams-Parker (bottom, right) is commissioner of the Center Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). She

woman to serve as commissioner of the sports conference for historically Black colleges and universities,

26- March 3. After multiple days of battling it out on the basketball court, the women of Fayetteville State and the men of Lincoln University were crowned as the champion teams for 2024. The tournament is a lucrative endeavor that brings thousands of tourists to Baltimore each time the city hosts the event.

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden are gearing up for a tough election season.

AFRO photo/James Fields

AFRO photo/Steven Hopkins

Photos courtesy of Visit Baltimore and CIAA

Photo courtesy of CIAA

Photo courtesy of Visit Baltimore

WHAT’S TRENDING ON AFRO.COM

Paramedic gets five years in prison for Elijah McClain’s death in rare case against medical responders

By Colleen Slevin and Matthew Brown The Associated Press

A Colorado paramedic was sentenced March 1 to five years in prison in a rare prosecution of medical responders following the death of Elijah McClain, a Black man whose name became part of the rallying cries for social justice that swept the U.S. in 2020.

McClain was walking down the street in a Denver suburb in 2019 when police responding to a suspicious person report forcibly restrained him and put him in a neck hold. His final words — “I can’t breathe” — foreshadowed those of George Floyd a year later in Minneapolis.

Peter Cichuniec and a fellow paramedic were convicted in December of criminally negligent homicide for injecting McClain with ketamine, a powerful sedative ultimately blamed for killing the 23-yearold massage therapist. Cichuniec also was convicted on a more serious charge of seconddegree assault for giving a drug without consent or a legitimate medical purpose.

McClain’s death and others have raised questions about the use of ketamine to subdue struggling suspects, and the prosecution sent shock waves through the ranks of

paramedics across the U.S. McClain’s mother, Sheneen, raised her fist in the air as she left the courtroom following Friday’s sentencing, as she has done after previous hearings.

In testimony before the sentence was handed down by Judge Mark Warner, Sheneen McClain said she once dreamed of being a firefighter and considered them heroes “until the day they took my son’s life.”

“You are a local hero no more,” she said as Cichuniec sat with his attorneys at a nearby table.

“Next time, think for yourself and do not follow the direction of a crowd of cowards.”

She added that the other paramedics could have intervened “simply by just saying, ‘Stop hurting my patient.’

Cichuniec had faced up to 16 years in prison on the assault charge, and the five-year sentence was the minimum the judge could have given him under sentencing guidelines. The second convicted paramedic, Jeremy Cooper, is scheduled to be sentenced in April.

Cichuniec, who has been in custody since his conviction, asked the judge for mercy. He wiped away

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Sheneen McClain, the mother of Elijah McClain, leaves the Adams County Justice Center in Brighton, Colo., on March 1 with supporters. Peter Cichuniec, a Colorado paramedic, was sentenced March 1 to five years in prison for the death of Elijah McClain in a rare prosecution of medical responders that has left officials rethinking how they treat people in police custody.

tears as family members and friends testified as character witnesses on his behalf, and later told the judge he had spent his 18year career as a firefighter and paramedic putting his life on the line to save others.

“I have never backed down from a call and I’ve had more things happen to me than you can imagine,” he said. “It sickened me when the prosecution said during their closing argument that I showed no remorse for Elijah. ... There was absolutely no intent to cause any harm to Elijah McClain.”

As he was led out of the court in handcuffs, someone from his family called out, “Love you Pete” as Cichuniec looked back and waved.

Cichuniec’s wife noted that the sentence was the most lenient her husband could have received, before starting to cry.

“It’s almost better knowing,” Katy Cichuniec said.

Before the hearing,

supporters of Cichuniec took up some of the rows of seats on the prosecution side of the courtroom. When Sheneen McClain walked in and saw them, she said “You all supporting Elijah?” sarcastically, holding her hand to her heart.

Firefighters and officials from their union sharply criticized the state’s prosecution of Cichuniec. They said it was discouraging firefighters from becoming paramedics, decreasing the number of qualified personnel in emergencies and thereby putting lives at risk.

“Convicting Pete for the death is not justice. It’s the very definition of a scapegoat,” said former Aurora Fire Lieutenant John Lauder, who recently retired after working with Cichuniec over two decades. “Will paramedics now be held responsible for outcomes beyond their control?”

But Assistant Attorney General Jason Slothouber said Cichuiniec didn’t

follow his training and never properly assessed McClain before he knowingly authorized giving him more ketamine than was needed.

“Elijah was treated as a problem that could be easily solved with ketamine, rather than as a person who needed to be evaluated, spoken to, treated with respect and care,” he said.

Paramedics who are not upholding their oaths to save lives should be held accountable, said Candice Bailey, a police reform advocate in Aurora, Colo.

“If you’re doing your job and you’re living up to the oath of your job, why would we ever have a conversation outside of ‘Thank you’?” said Bailey, who was upset that the longest sentence for killing McClain was only five years.

VP Kamala Harris announces landmark child care reforms to alleviate financial strain on working families

By Stacy Brown NNPA Newswire

In a move towards easing the financial burden on working families, Vice President Kamala Harris recently unveiled a comprehensive set of measures to lower child care costs and provide crucial support for early educators.

The White House noted in a Fact Sheet that the initiative aligns closely with President Biden’s historic executive order on care. The White House said the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a rule that bolsters the Childcare & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, a cornerstone for child care assistance benefiting over a million families monthly.

Director

Executive

Director

Assistant

Archivist

Baltimore

Editorial

Under the new rule, families participating in CCDBG will now face a cap on co-payments, limiting them to no more than 7 percent of their income.

Administration officials asserted that the move is expected to alleviate the significant financial strain that high co-payments have placed on working families, particularly those with low incomes. The HHS projects that more than 100,000 families will see their co-payments reduced or eliminated due to these reforms.

Moreover, the rule urges states to eliminate co-payments entirely for families facing specific challenges, such as those with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, in foster care, in Head Start, and families at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

Financial relief is not limited to families alone. Officials said the rule also addresses the challenges faced by childcare providers. States must now pay CCDBG providers more fairly and on time, which is designed to improve financial stability for approximately 140,000 child care providers. This change is anticipated to incentivize more providers to participate in the CCDBG program, leading to a broader range of childcare options for families.

Additionally, the rule seeks to streamline access to CCDBG subsidies by encouraging states to adopt online applications for enrollment, which reduces the paperwork burdens currently faced by families, with nearly one-third of states still relying on paper applications for childcare assistance. Further, the new rule promotes adopting presumptive eligibility policies, allowing families to receive temporary and immediate financial assistance for child care while their eligibility for the program is determined and verified. Currently, only six states offer presumptive eligibility to families.

Administration officials said the comprehensive reforms underscore the Biden-Harris team’s commitment to addressing working families’ pressing challenges, making quality child care more accessible and affordable for all.

This article was originally published by NNPA Newswire.

Child care can be expensive, taking a toll on already struggling families. The Biden- Harris Administration recently announced new child care reforms, which officials say underscores a commitment to

CORRECTION: In the AFRO edition released for the week of Feb. 24 to March 1, a picture of WNBA player Aaliyah Wilson was used in error to highlight college player Aniylah Bryant as the 2024 CIAA women’s player to watch. Below is a photo of Aniylah Bryant, who is a student at Fayetteville State University. The AFRO deeply regrets this error.

The Denver Post via AP / Hyoung Chang

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Politicians seek new alliances to lead Haiti as gangs take over and premier tries to return home

By Evens Sanon and Bert Wilkinson

The Associated Press

Haitian politicians started pursuing new alliances March 6, seeking a coalition that could lead the country out of the gang violence that has closed the main airport and prevented embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry from returning home.

Haiti remained largely paralyzed, with schools and businesses still closed amid heavy gunfire blamed on the gangs that control an estimated 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, where several bodies lay on empty streets. The country’s two biggest prisons were also raided, resulting in the release of more than 4,000 inmates over the weekend.

Henry faces increasing pressure to resign, which would likely trigger a U.S.supported transition to a new government.

One new political alliance involves former rebel leader Guy Philippe and ex-presidential candidate and senator Moïse Jean Charles, who told Radio Caraïbes on March 6 that they signed a deal to form a three-person council to lead Haiti.

Philippe, a key figure in the 2004 rebellion that ousted former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, returned to Haiti in November and has been calling for Henry’s resignation. He spent several years in prison in the U.S. after pleading guilty to a money laundering charge.

Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations was asked March 6 whether the United States asked Henry to step down.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield replied that the U.S. has asked Henry to “move forward on a political process that will lead to the establishment of a presidential transitional council that will lead to elections.”

American officials believe it’s urgent for Henry to start “the process of bringing normalcy back to the people of Haiti,” she said.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller echoed her remarks, saying the United States was not acting unilaterally but rather in consultation with partners in the region.

“And what we are saying to the prime minister is that he needs to expedite the transition to empowered and inclusive governance,” Miller said.

The prime minister has not made any public comments since gangs began attacking critical infrastructure late last week while he was in Kenya pushing for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country to help fight the surge in violence in the

troubled Caribbean nation.

Before flying to Kenya, Henry was in the South American country of Guyana for a summit held by a regional trade bloc known as Caricom, where Haiti was high on the agenda.

Meanwhile, a Caribbean official told The Associated Press on March 6 that leaders of Caricom spoke with Henry late March 5 and presented several alternatives to end Haiti’s deepening crisis, including his resignation, which he refused to do. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share details about the talks.

Henry landed March 5 in Puerto Rico after he was not allowed to land in the Dominican Republic, where officials closed the airspace around Haiti. Héctor Porcella, director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation, told reporters the plane did not have a required flight plan.

The Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a March 6 statement that U.S. and Haitian officials informally contacted it to inquire about the possibility of Henry’s plane making an “indefinite stop” in the Dominican Republic, adding that the prime minister was in New York at the time.

The government said it twice told foreign officials that such a move would require a defined flight plan.

“It is essential to note that the Dominican Republic maintains its willingness to continue cooperating with the international community to facilitate Haiti’s return to normalcy. However, it is imperative that any action taken does not compromise our national security,” the foreign affairs office said.

Dickon Mitchell, prime minister of the eastern Caribbean island of Grenada, told the AP that regional leaders spoke late March 5 with Henry, who did not

indicate anything except “that he is trying to get back into Haiti.” Mitchell did not provide details.

Henry was appointed prime minister with the backing of the international community shortly after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

As he tried to return to Haiti on March 6, heavy gunfire echoed throughout Port-au-Prince as Haitians feared additional attacks led by powerful gang leaders.

It was not clear when the country’s international airport would reopen.

Wilkinson reported from Georgetown, Guyana. Associated Press writers Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Matthew Lee in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.

This article was originally published by The Associated Press.

Commentary Haiti is on fire: How the Montana Accord Movement could help

By Ron Daniels

Haiti, our first Black Republic, is a virtual failed state where vicious gangs tied to the parasitical elite, and gangs with their own wannabe leaders or criminal kingpins control most of the Capital of Port Au Prince and much of the country. Ariel Henry, an unelected, illegitimate and inept “Prime Minister” has a tenuous hold over what passes for a “government.”

The well-armed rampaging gangs are terrorizing the country utilizing kidnapping for ransom, extortion, trafficking in drugs and assaulting and raping women unchecked. They are attacking police stations and killing members of the National Police, attacking prisons and releasing prisoners and attacking and killing each other over turf. They are also in deadly competition with each other to take over the government or at least emerge as the dominant force that will be the de facto government.

Haiti is on fire and as the people suffer and demand the resignation of an illegitimate prime minister, what is the posture of the U.S. government and the Core Group of nations and multilateral bodies? Unfortunately, tragically the U.S. is propping up a recalcitrant, illegitimate, shaky Henry regime despite massive opposition from the people. Rather than insisting that Henry relinquish the reins of power, the U.S. and its allies are negotiating with him and preparing to finance a Kenyan-led military force to “restore

order.” The U.S. and its allies are arrogantly and blatantly ignoring rather than respecting and supporting the wishes of the Haitian people. We’ve seen this movie before. Unfortunately, even heads of state in the Caribbean, who should be good-faith facilitators, have recently acquiesced to negotiating with Henry rather than demanding his immediate departure from office.

Haiti is on fire. That’s the bad news.

But the good news is that there is a remarkable, broad-based civil society movement involving hundreds of organizations and leaders from across the political spectrum who have boldly and courageously come forward to devise a plan, process and strategy to

put out the fire, to extinguish the raging conflagration; firefighting freedom fighters committed to advancing a “Haitian Solution” to rescue the first Black Republic from what one leader has termed the “criminal enterprise” which is spreading death and destruction across the land. This powerful, people-based effort is called the Montana Accord Movement (MAM). These courageous leaders are determined to raise Haiti from the ashes to create a sustainable, peoplebased democracy.

The issue is, our challenge as allies and friends of the First Black Republic is to persuade, demand, compel the U.S. government, the Core Group and our sisters and brothers from CARICOM to insist that Henry relinquish power immediately.

Equally important, the U.S. and all external international players should immediately acknowledge and support the Montana Accord Movement plan, process and strategy as the way forward toward sustainable democracy and development in Haiti. To achieve this righteous outcome, we the people must rise-up to support the Montana Accord Movement to save Haiti. Let’s do it.

To read more about the Montana Accord Movement, visit akomontana. ht/en/agreeement/

This article was originally published by the Institute of the Black World 21st Century.

AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph

Masked members of “G9 and Family” gang stand guard on March 5 in the Delmas 6 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince Haiti. Haiti’s latest violence began with a direct challenge from Barbecue, a former elite police officer, who said he would target government ministers to prevent the prime minister’s return and force his resignation.

Courtesy photo Dr. Ron Daniels, founder of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century, speaks on the current state of affairs in Haiti and support for the Montana Accord Movement.

AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph

Pedestrians walk past a court building that was set on fire by gangs moments before in the Delmas 28 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

COMMENTARY

The rent is still too high

By Farrah Hassen

“How we gonna pay last year’s rent?” implores the chorus in the song, “Rent,” from Jonathan Larson’s 1996 musical of the same name.

It’s the same refrain for many Americans today. A new Harvard study found that half of U.S. renter households now spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities. And rent increases continue to outpace their income gains.

With other studies confirming that homelessness grows alongside housing costs, this means many more people are vulnerable. Last year, homelessness hit an all-time national high of 653,100 people.

In the wealthiest country on the planet, this is unacceptable.

The pandemic revealed the full extent of the U.S. housing crisis, with roughly 580,000 people in 2020 living unhoused during “stay at home” orders. But it also proved that federal intervention could ease the crisis. Eviction moratoria and unemployment relief helped keep more people housed, fed and secure.

But these initiatives ended too quickly. With homelessness spiking alongside hunger and child poverty, we need to bring those programs back — and more. We need to prioritize making housing affordable, accessible, and habitable for everyone.

Over the past decade,

according to the Harvard study, the majority of growth in renter households has come from Millennials and Gen Zers who continue to be priced out of homeownership while also paying more for a declining supply of affordable units.

Meanwhile, construction in the high-end “luxury” rental market, which drives up rents for everyone else, remains in an upward trend. And private equity firms like Blackstone, the largest landlord in the U.S., have been expanding their real estate portfolios. These trends have fueled increased housing costs and evictions across communities.

The Harvard study revealed that our nation’s aging rental stock also needs crucial investment. Nearly half of renters with disabilities live in homes that are minimally or not at all accessible. Further, around 4 million renter households live in units with structural problems and lack basic services like electricity, water, or heat.

The lack of decent, affordable housing is a policy choice that can be overcome if our federal, state, and local governments prioritize taking much-needed action. Increasing the supply of affordable housing and expanding rental subsidies for lower income renters will help address this housing crisis. But they will not fully resolve it.

Ultimately, it is long past time for our country to change its approach to housing. We

Courtesy photo

policy analyst and adjunct professor in the department of political science at Cal Poly Pomona, discusses housing prices, homelessness and human rights.

need to recognize housing as a human right fundamental to every person’s life, health, and security — instead of as a luxury commodity limited to those who can afford it.

International law already recognizes housing as a human right. Countries are legally obligated to respect, protect, and fulfill this right by enacting relevant policies and budgets to progressively realize adequate housing for all.

What might that look like? Possibilities include rent controls, housing assistance programs, reining in corporate landlords, and creating community land trusts and housing cooperatives to build

permanently affordable rental units and homes. These affordability measures must be combined with legal protections against forced evictions and housing discrimination, along with regulations to ensure that housing is physically habitable and connected to essential services.

The housing justice

movement keeps growing, thanks to the sustained advocacy of community groups across the country.

In California, Connecticut and elsewhere, they are pushing for legislation that would recognize the right to housing at the state level. Colorado lawmakers are considering legislation that would offer tenants “just-cause” eviction

protections. In Congress, the “Housing is a Human Right Act” introduced last year would provide over $300 billion for housing infrastructure and combating homelessness.

The song “Rent” concludes, “Cause everything is rent.” But it shouldn’t have to be.

This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.

Faith, science and policy have the power to reshape fight against cancer

By Kofie and Lachele Bryant

Cancer, an unyielding adversary in our lives, has marked its presence in every community. For far too long it has been a story of diagnoses coming too late, treatments too burdensome and cures too elusive.

The disparities in cancer outcomes are stark and unsettling. A report from the American Cancer Society brings this sobering reality to light: despite strides made in recent years, significant gaps remain—gaps that disproportionately impact people of color, those with lower socioeconomic status and rural residents. These communities face a harsher cancer reality, one where the social determinants

of health—like access to education, income and quality healthcare—sharply dictate outcomes.

But recent medical and technological breakthroughs have the potential to help bridge these chasms and alter the course of cancer diagnosis and treatment for the better. Known as multi-cancer early detection (MCEDs) tests, these new tools have the ability to detect dozens of cancers from a single draw of blood – many of which currently have no screenings available.

MCEDs stand as a testament to our collective scientific progress and could be the reason we may be soon living in a world where many more cancers can be detected early, before symptoms appear. Currently, these tests await

FDA approval, bolstered by extensive clinical trials, including those emphasizing representation from historically marginalized groups. And while science advances, so too must public policy.

The largest pool of people who could immediately benefit from MCED tests are senior citizens covered by Medicare. Yet, the program’s current rules do not allow timely coverage of preventative services like MCED tests even if they’ve been approved by the FDA. Changes are needed to the law to ensure that no time is lost and that Medicare can immediately establish a pathway to coverage for these tests.

Here’s where Maryland’s Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) is leading the charge. He is one

of the leaders of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act and we thank him enormously for his efforts to bring together widespread support for this bill.

Cardin’s bill is currently supported by large bipartisan majorities in both chambers of Congress as well as over 400 organizations from nearly every corner of the cancer advocacy community. As leaders in the faith community, we are adding our voices to this chorus and fight for a change that we know will save lives.

As Congress returns to session, lawmakers will be faced with a critical deadline to pass a bill funding the government through the rest of the fiscal year. While

Making 2024 a year for military families

By Anthony Woods

taken on her. She had no way of knowing when I was safe – or the rare moments I was

challenged me to think about how I could lean in and do more to empower military families, including veteran families, caregivers and survivors.

This challenge - to leave no military family behindresonated deeply with me.

During discussions over the last year with members of the military-connected community, I got a better sense of the challenges they experience and the sacrifices they make while a loved one serves in uniform.

I heard from spouses whose careers took a back seat to their military service member’s; veteran caregivers providing a lifetime of support to a wounded warrior; military kids leaving friends behind and enrolling in yet another new school; Gold Star moms mustering the strength to lift

up others in spite of their grief.

These sacrifices are why the governor and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller launched our latest initiative, Maryland Joins Forces, which brings together government, corporate and nonprofit sectors to support military families, caregivers and survivors. The initiative has five focus areasemployment, education, food and housing insecurity, health and wellness, and service.

We’ve been calling on all sectors to do their part, and on Dec. 13, the Moore-Miller Administration made it clear that Maryland is answering the call by declaring 2024 the “Year for Military Families” to celebrate and honor military families but also to back this pledge with action.

We used that day to announce a suite of new bills we are championing with

partners in the legislature.

Two of these bills are being included in the Governor’s agenda for the current Maryland General Assembly, in support of promoting the administration’s efforts to make Maryland the state that serves.

The first, HB604/SB478 — the Families Serve Act — allows private-sector employers to implement preferential hiring for spouses of active duty service members; it also expands our state government’s current preferential hiring process for veterans to include military spouses. Maryland wants to recruit from this uniquely talented population to help make our government more responsive.

The second, HB580/ SB477 — the Time to Serve Act — doubles military leave

that effort will dominate the headlines, it is also an opportunity to pass this muchneeded change to Medicare.

With so many people feeling the brunt of a cancer diagnosis as a patient or a caregiver, we often rely on our faith to help guide us through those trying times.

In fact, research shows that “spirituality might be an important aspect for quality of life for cancer patients and that it may, in fact, be especially salient in the context of life threatening illness.”

In this moment, the confluence of faith, science and policy has the power to reshape our fight against cancer. Let’s seize this opportunity and ensure that the future of cancer care is

available to state employees who serve in the National Guard or military reserves and gives service members enhanced flexibility to use their leave for personal purposes.

These bills are among the administration’s top legislative priorities for 2024 and they’re essential to fulfilling our promise to leave no one behind in Maryland.

By declaring 2024 the Year for Military Families, we make it clear that when we say “thank you for your service,” it’s more than just a nice sentiment here in Maryland; it’s backed by action. And when we talk about service in Maryland, it doesn’t just refer to those who wear a uniform. It also includes the family members who love and support those who wear a uniform.

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO.

driven by hope, equity and healing for all.

science and policy when it comes to fighting cancer.

233 E. Redwood Street, Suite 600G Baltimore, Md. 21202 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

Pastors Kofie and Lachele Bryant Sr., of Inspired Life Ministries, discuss the intersection between faith,

Courtesy photo

Farrah Hassen, a writer,

Anthony Woods, secretary of the Maryland Department of Veteran Affairs, addresses the sacrifices made by relatives and service members and the “Year of the Military Family” in Maryland.

AFRO Photo / James Fields

Commemorating Maryland’s ‘Year of Civil Rights’ AFRO Archives featured in ‘REVISIT /REIMAGINE’ exhibit at Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis

By Ericka Alston Buck Special to the AFRO

In the heart of Annapolis, Md., nestled at 84 Franklin Street, lies the Banneker-Douglass Museum, a beacon of African-American history and culture. Stepping through its doors, visitors embark on a journey through time, a journey that is both reflective and forwardthinking.

Now, with 2024 marking the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the museum proudly presents “REVISIT/REIMAGINE: The Civil Rights Era in Maryland and Parallels of Today” — a poignant exhibition that pays homage to the legacies of civil rights leaders while shedding light on contemporary issues that continue to shape our society.

Curated by creative visionary Thomas James, “REVISIT/REIMAGINE” is not merely an exhibition; it is a testament to resilience, activism and the enduring spirit of progress. At its core, the exhibit aims to bridge the gap between past and present, inviting visitors to reflect on the strides made since the Civil Rights Movement, while acknowledging the work that remains.

Upon entering the exhibition space, visitors are greeted by a curated collection of images showcasing nationally and locally recognized civil rights leaders, sourced from the archives of the AFRO-American Newspapers. These striking visuals serve as a powerful reminder of the individuals who paved the way for change and justice. Savannah Wood, executive director of Afro Charities and moderator of

the panel discussion, provided insight into the exhibition’s composition.

“When people come, they can expect to see contemporary artwork by Maryland artists,” said Wood, adding that an array of creatives were included in the exhibition, curated by James.

According to Wood, the installation also included “a selection of images from the archives that Thomas selected during extensive research in partnership with Afro Charities.”

The lineup of exhibiting artists reads like a who’s who of creative talent, with each bringing their unique perspective to the dialogue.

Murjoni Merriweather, one of the featured artists, shared her vision for the exhibition.

“For me, what I want people to take away from this experience is the self-love of Black people. I want us to be proud of where we came from, know the history, and also see the creators now making works that talk about us being proud of ourselves,” she said.

The pieces, ranging from paintings to sculptures, from mixed media to digital art, serve as a mirror reflecting the issues of Black people through the Civil Rights Movement and the equal rights initiatives that followed. From education inequities to race-based violence, from disability justice to technological surveillance— each artwork ignites conversations and challenges perceptions.

In a nod to intergenerational relationships, the exhibition space is designed to evoke the familiarity of a home, complete with books, records and other objects scattered throughout.

James explained the intention behind this

“This show is set up to encourage or enact a feeling of home—a feeling of warmth— and really leveling with folks that have done extraordinary things…[they] are just like you. They come home every day to the life that they live, and you can do the same thing in your own way.”

The opening reception, held on Feb. 24, was a celebration of art, activism and community. Guests had the opportunity to engage with the artwork, to immerse themselves in the narratives woven throughout the exhibition. Following the reception, a panel discussion titled “Exhibition Talkback”

provided a platform for dialogue, featuring James, Banneker-Douglass Museum’s executive director Chanel C. Johnson and Wood.

As “REVISIT/REIMAGINE” continues its run until Jan. 4, 2025, it serves as a poignant reminder of the progress made since the Civil Rights Era and the work that lies ahead.

The exhibit is a testament to the power of art in sparking change, in amplifying voices, and in uniting communities. And above all, it is a call to action— urging each of us to play a role in shaping a more just and equitable future.

Another downside of book bans: They stunt reading ability

By Joseph Williams Word In Black

For years, as test scores fell and teachers fretted, educators and analysts rang the alarm: the U.S. is facing a grade-school reading crisis. If left unaddressed, they say, Black children could fall even further behind.

Now, college professors are sounding an alarm of their own. They say college students are entering college unprepared to read anything more than a few pages, and struggle to understand and interpret what they’ve read.

“Professors are also discussing the issue in academic trade publications, from a variety of perspectives,” Adam Kotsko, a humanities and theology professor, wrote in an essay in Slate, an online magazine. “What we almost all seem to agree on is that we are facing new obstacles in structuring and delivering our courses, requiring us to ratchet down expectations in the face of a ratcheting down of preparation.”

But along with COVID-19 learning loss, social media addiction, and attention-draining cell phone scrolling, researchers and educators have identified a new culprit: state and school officials who are stripping diverse books from library shelves and curbing the teaching of Black history.

“This is actually a very preventable problem,” says Allison Rose Socol, vice president for P-12 policy, research and practice at Education Trust. Studies show that “if (students) are given access to texts in which they see themselves reflected, that they will not only want to read, but they will develop a love of reading.”

But “the access and availability of culturally relevant, rich

CIAA Tournament

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up and did a tremendous job with signage and other activities,” said Al Hutchinson, CEO and president of Visit Baltimore.

This year, months before the tournament, CIAA advertisements began to build excitement for the tournament via digital billboards strategically placed on buildings along high-traffic areas in the downtown area.

Before returning to Baltimore in 2021, the CIAA Tournament ran in Charlotte, N.C. for 15 years. According to CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker, its stint left behind more than $600 million for the city and state.

Since being in Baltimore, she said the CIAA has had an intentional impact on minority- and women-owned businesses. McWilliamsParker said Baltimore hotel bookings were full, and ticket

sales went well for the 2024 tournament. The competition created more than 1,000 jobs this year, according to McWilliams-Parker. She also noted the plethora of incentives for Black entrepreneurs.

“We have opportunities for our minority- and women-owned businesses to get engaged and make some revenue themselves,” said McWilliams-Parker. “Over the last couple of years, Visit Baltimore has been able to capture over a $1 million for [these businesses], which we haven’t been able to do in the past. That’s one area I’m really proud about.”

According to Hutchinson, Visit Baltimore partnered with 180 small, Black-owned businesses during the 2023 CIAA Tournament. Over the course of the competition, nearly $1.2 million was spent with the establishments.

Hutchinson was happy to

texts are not happening in a lot of schools,” Socol says. “And that is disproportionately affecting the fundamental reading skills of many students of color.”

Data tells part of the story.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, in 2022, average scores decreased for both literary and informational texts at both the fourth- and eighth grade level, compared to 2019.

And yet, despite research that should encourage reading diverse texts, “there are states and districts that are putting in place legislation and regulation and policy that removes or penalizes teachers, for teaching honest, accurate history, for using books that represent the diversity of our country and for doing things that we know are important for opening up students,” Socol says.

Those books are key to “engaging hearts and minds and creating critical thinkers and engaged citizens,” Socol says.

Eighteen states or jurisdictions scored lower on literary reading in 2022 than in 2019, according to NAEP, while 29 states scored lower on informational reading at grade 4. In eighth grade, 22 states scored lower in 2022 on literary reading, and 30 states scored lower for informational reading.

“And when you look at the data for certain groups of students — particularly marginalized students — the numbers are so much more concerning,” Socol says.

The data shows “just 17 percent of Black students, 21 percent of Latino students, 11 percent of students with disabilities, and 10 percent of multilingual learners in fourth grade are found to be proficient” in reading, she says. “Those numbers are just unacceptable.”

once again engage the Black business community through the Black-Owned Restaurant Tour.

“Last year, we had eight Black-owned restaurants.

This year, 14 Black-owned restaurants [were] a part of the tour,” said Hutchinson. “This is one way we can celebrate Black-owned businesses and push the fan base and our residents to celebrate these Black-owned restaurants.”

Simon’s two restaurants participated in the tour. He said he looks forward to the visitors that come from near and far each year.

“CIAA has had a tremendous impact on our business as it brings a bunch of out-of-towners to the area for an HBCU sporting event with many of them looking to patronize Black-owned restaurants,” said Simon. “We consistently see a spike in sales throughout the week

of CIAA.” Aside from CIAA’s financial impact on Baltimore, Hutchinson said the tournament elevates the city’s brand. Visit Baltimore invites potential conference organizers to the event to demonstrate Baltimore’s ability to host large events.

He added that the competition contributes to the city’s broader tourism industry, which he identified as Baltimore’s third largest economic sector. Many depend on the industry for employment, according to Hutchinson.

“If not for travel and tourism, a lot of folks would not be employed in this community,” said Hutchinson. “I think it’s very important and it should be celebrated. The CIAA helps all of us keep our jobs.”

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

Kotsco, the humanities professor, agrees the book bans are doing damage to the students he’ll eventually have to teach, depriving them of the ability to read long texts and think for themselves.

“Motivated by bigotry, it has already done demonstrable harm and promises to do more,” he wrote. “But at the same time, the appropriate response is, in principle, simple. Named individuals have advanced explicit policies with clear goals and outcomes, and we can replace those individuals with people who want to reverse those policies.”

“That is already beginning to happen in many places,” he wrote, “and I hope those successes will continue until every banned book is restored.”

This article was originally published by Word In Black.

Super Tuesday

Continued from A3 rank-and-file.

Looking ahead to the general election in November, Trump faces potential headwinds like those he encounters now, including four criminal trials that could potentially land him an 800-year prison sentence. Conversely, Biden has room to win over intra-party detractors, especially those critical of his handling of Israel’s conflict in Gaza, where the administration has increased its call for a ceasefire.

“Despite facing challenging headlines and low approval ratings, Biden maintained his dominance on Super Tuesday, securing approximately 80 percent of the vote.”

Meanwhile, in California, the battle for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant after Dianne Feinstein’s death intensified. Rep. Adam Schiff will face former baseball star Steve Garvey, a Republican and Trump supporter. Garvey secured a spot in the top two alongside Democrat Schiff, outpacing Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee and Katie Porter. Sen. Laphonza Butler, appointed after Feinstein’s demise, had earlier pledged not to run for the seat in 2024.

“We have a clear path to victory,” Biden’s campaign said in a memo circulated late Tuesday. “A significant share of moderate and Haley voters across the country are saying that Trump cannot count on their votes in a general election. The November election will be a very close general election contest like all modern presidential elections are… but, we have a clear path to victory.”

This article was originally published by NNPA Newswire.

Photo courtesy of Peace Edwards Savannah Wood, executive director of Afro Charities (left), Thomas James, guest curator, and Chanel C. Johnson, executive director of the Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis, prepare for a panel discussion on the “REVISIT/REIMAGINE” exhibit. setup.

WASHINGTON-AREA

“I AM Story” podcast nominated for NAACP Image Award

By Sabreen Dawud Special to the AFRO

Earlier this year the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) announced their NAACP Image Award nomination for the “I AM Story” podcast. The podcast has been nominated in the Outstanding Limited Series/Short Form category.

Released in April 2023, the “I AM Story” is centered around the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike.The podcast allows guests space to express their personal experiences in a way that invites listeners into the realities of African-American laborers in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement.

“It was really terrible conditions they were under. They weren’t allowed often to take showers even in the facility where they worked. They’d have to go home and you got to realize they’ve been handling garbage all day so that’s number one and sometimes they’d even have maggots on their clothes,” said Lon Walls, senior communications council for AFSCME.

“I AM Story” also invites perspectives from individuals currently working in the sanitation industry, shedding light on parallels these workers have found between their experiences today and the experiences of those participating in the sanitation strike in 1968.

“You’re looking at Black men who were being treated very poorly in the first place just

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Congressional Black Caucus set to launch Artificial Intelligence Policy Series

By Reginald Williams Special to the AFRO

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is looking to address the impact of artificial intelliegence (AI) with the CBC AI Policy Series. This initiative focuses on equity and inclusion in developing and deploying AI technologies and their impact on Black America.

Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV), the CBC chairman, on a Feb. 28 call, spoke on the birth of the initiative. He shared that the initiative will launch in “coming weeks.”

“We are proud to announce the launch of the Congressional Black Caucus Artificial Intelligence Policy Series,” said Horsford, adding that the effort is aimed at exploring “the complex relationships that AI has with Black America.” explained Horsford.

deployment and adoption—and it’s briefing CBC members and their staff in this very important and specific policy area,” explained Clarke. “We hope that each of the sessions that will be facilitated around this discussion of key aspects of AI and its implications for Black America will inform our legislation here in Washington, D.C.”

Despite AI’s advancements, Clarke and Horsford are aware of the potential harm of the technology.

“This multi-part series has brought together our nation’s best and brightest—the top minds on AI design, deployment and adoption and it’s briefing CBC members and their staff in this very important and specific policy area.”

The series, which is purposed to ensure that AI works for Black communities and not against them, will showcase AI’s potential harm in how the system can discriminate against marginalized Black communities.

Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), co-chair of the tech task force and leader of tech and media policy space, said that the CBC has partnered with leading AI experts to support the CBC initiative to become AI educated before legislation is introduced and passed.

“This multi-part series has brought together our nation’s best and brightest—the top minds on AI design,

After being misidentified as a theft suspect, Randal Reid filed a civil lawsuit against DeKalb County, Ga., for a false arrest and being jailed for six days without a bond. Despite never visiting Louisiana, Reid was arrested for theft in Jefferson Parish.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, in addition to Reid’s lawsuit, four AfricanAmericans—Robert Williams, Porcha Woodruff, and Michael Oliver from Detroit, Mich., and Nijeer Parks from Woodbridge, New Jersey, filed civil lawsuits against law enforcement agencies that wrongly arrested and jailed them based on algorithm bias.

According to Reid’s lawsuit, “Black individuals are up to one hundred times more likely to be misidentified by facial recognition systems than white men.”

“We are in need of federal legislation solutions for many of the harms and concerns that impact the lives of Black people in America now that we have really embarked on the 21st century and a virtual world that regulates how we work and how we play, our healthcare,

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Medicaid postpartum coverage extended to 12 months in most U.S. states

Expansion efforts cover mental health counseling and more for new mothers

By Deborah Bailey AFRO Contributing Editor dbailey@afro.com

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is on a mission to spread the news about Medicaid postpartum coverage expansion, a topic of discussion at the agency’s second annual Black Health Forum.

The Feb. 27 meeting was a check-in for health care providers, advocates,

“Our collective goal is to see the United States become one of the safest places to give birth.”

policy makers and citizens with HHS leadership on major health issues facing Black Americans. The annual gathering also serves as a platform to call out the major problems in Black health outcomes and delivery that persist.

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), hailed the fact that 44 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. Virgin Islands have adopted the new expansion of postpartum coverage. The Medicaid extension extends benefits for pregnant women for 12 months after pregnancy, a sizable increase from

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D.C. Fashion Week displays cultural pride during international showcase

By Layla Eason Special to the AFRO

D.C. Fashion Week came to a close with an international couture collections showcase that highlighted international design with a wide variety of styles and culture.

The show took place on Feb. 25 in the National Housing Center’s Atrium. The room buzzed with various vendors, chatter and music as audience members networked about the upcoming show.

“We’re home to over 230 countries. This is an opportunity for our local models, designers and fashion workers to get international exposure.”

In the beginning of the show, Ean Williams, the executive director and founder of DCFW, was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions of artistic significance within the district’s fashion industry and community.

“It’s an amazing experience and an amazing opportunity. I feel truly blessed and honored to have the support that I have,” said Williams. “From my volunteers, our models, our designers, our stylists, our game squad, our media– it’s really a huge honor and I don’t want to let them down. I work extremely hard to give the best for our community.”

The show’s focal point focused on the designers and their work. Throughout the duration of the show, designers showed their true identities through their collections.

“We started D.C. Fashion Week as a 5013c nonprofit organization and our goal has been to establish Washington as a center for nation’s fashions. We’re home to over 230 countries. This is an opportunity for

our local models, designers and fashion workers to get international exposure,” Williams continued.

Francesca Lazzari’s collection was one of the most enjoyed throughout the evening. She focused heavily on different natural sources including water. To Lazzari, the aspect of water always brings a “sense of peace and tranquility” to her shown in her execution of her designs.

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Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford (D-NV) is working to increase equity and inclusion in the technology field with the launch of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Series.

AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

“I AM Story” podcast

Continued from B1 wanting to have some rights and to have a pay raise like anybody else. I say all that to say that on their backs, those are the true civil rights warriors. On their backs, we rise,” Walls remarked.

The 55th NAACP Image Awards will highlight the podcast in a non-televised ceremony. The categories not set to be broadcasted will be recognized from March 11 to March 14 others will air on Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m. on BET and CBS.

“I felt like it was so educational,” expressed Rosita Gabourel, a listener of the “I AM Story” podcast.

“Just to hear that those guys are still dealing with issues and how one guy got laid off during the pandemic. It was just terrible to hear. I couldn’t believe they are still dealing with that,” she continued.

The series notes the involvement of wellknown civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike. As several African-American sanitation workers

“At a moment when issues of racial and economic justice are again front and center, recognizing the Memphis strikers will inspire the next generation to continue speaking out against inequality wherever they see it.”

organized a protest to demand higher pay and eliminate inadequate work conditions, King was drawn to their activism and went to Memphis to support the cause. This marked the last cause King would participate in. While staying at The Lorraine Motel, King was

assassinated during his time in Memphis.

“We are proud to tell the story of the fearless strikers in Memphis who marched with Dr. King, and we are honored to count them as members of our union family,” shared Saunders in a AFSCME press release.

“We can never forget the sacrifices they made to ensure that everyone receives dignity and respect on the job. At a moment when issues of racial and economic justice are again front and center, recognizing the Memphis strikers will inspire the next generation to continue speaking out against inequality wherever they see it,” Saunders continued.

The podcast has released five, full-length episodes ranging from 30 minutes to an hour. Listeners can access the I AM Story from several platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pandora and iHeart Radio.

For more information on the “I AM Story” podcast, visit their website www.iamstory.com.

Montgomery County

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the previous coverage of only 60 days after pregnancy. LaSure said the new expansion covers post pregnancy issues like postpartum depression, what she called “the fourth trimester.”

In the U.S., Black women are more than three times more likely to die from a pregnancy related issue than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Black infants one year or less die at more than twice the rate of White infants in the U.S.

“Under the Biden-Harris administration, we’ve built a firm foundation to support the health and wellbeing of women and families. That foundation now forms the bedrock for a growing majority of states that are prioritizing maternal health improvements, and advancing care for our communities as a result,” Brooks-Lasure stated.

“Medicaid supports 40 percent of all births in this country. It also provides an opportunity to implement changes that can ripple across all the states and localities – all across the nation.”

Dora Hughes, the acting

chief medical officer and acting director of CMS’ Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, added the Medicaid postpartum expansion comes as a result of focusing on equity as a primary healthcare goal.

Hughes said Medicaid has expanded the types of pre and post-birth health care models that pregnant persons are able to access as they listened to the real life experiences of pregnant persons.

“We all understand that we have an all-hands-ondeck situation,” Hughes added, referencing the current grim birth outcomes for Black women and all women in the United States.

Dr. Rachel Villanueva, a board-certified OB-GYN specialist and past-president of the National Medical Association, said that her daily medical practice has given her years of firsthand experience with Black women who come to her in search of a Black physician to guide their pregnancy experience.

“I have seen a dramatic increase of women of color coming to get care. Women who thanked me for listening to them, believing them,” Villanueva said.

The women who seek out Villanueva say they have felt ignored by other providers who minimized their symptoms and experiences or didn’t simply believe them, Villanueva said.

Alexia Doumbouya, a certified doula and president of CocoLife, a community-support organization for pregnant moms and new mothers based in Philadelphia, said

her own post-birth mental health challenges helped her understand the helplessness many Black pregnant women and new mothers experience.

“I didn’t have the language of postpartum depression,” said Doumbouya as she explained the experience that impacts between 29 and 44 percent of Black women, according to the CDC. “I just knew that I felt like a horrible mother. I knew I was struggling, I knew I could not figure out why I could not connect with this person that I just carried for nine months.”

“I felt alone. I was terrified that someone was going to take my child. I knew I needed help, but where do you go,” said Doumbouya, who started CocoLife in 2019. Participants agreed dangerous disparities continue to exist for pregnant and postpartum Black women. The federal agency is still in early stages of centering equitybased approaches. But H.H.S. is awake, listening and responding, said Rev. Que English, the director of HHS Center for FaithBased and Neighborhood Partnerships.

“We are not ostriches in the sand,” said English, acknowledging her colleagues at H.H.S. are fully aware of the grim statistics Black women currently face during pregnancy.

But, looking toward the work being done to combat maternal health disparities, she declared, “Our collective goal is to see the United States become one of the safest places to give birth.”

Congressional Black Caucus

Continued from B1

our ability to purchase a home, and our credit rating,” said Clarke.

The Senate will introduce a report, scheduled for late March, that will set the regulation for AI. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the multi-part series, will serve as an advocate and give voice for the AI Policy Series in that Senate report.

The 60-member CBC works diligently to enhance wealth for Black Americans, according Horsford.

“This Congress is closing the racial wealth

gap by advancing policies, as well as, working with the administration to ensure that racial equity stands at the center of the work that we are doing,” said Horsford. “Whether it’s in AI or any other sector, we understand that we have both the opportunity to make sure our communities participate, but also ensure that the protections and guardrails are there to protect any of the challenges or negative impacts that we know exist if they’re not addressed in a proactive way from a policy standpoint.”

The “I AM Story” podcast is nominated for an award at the 2024 NAACP Image Awards. The podcast tells the history behind the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike.

Photo Courtesy of “I AM Story”

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure serves as the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The organization recently announced that postpartum expansion has been adopted by 44 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands at second annual H.H.S. Black Health Forum.

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

D.C. Fashion Week

Continued from B1

“I am a fashion designer of course, but I studied art and architecture in my past,” said Lazzari, an Italian fashion designer. “So the movement of the water and the feeling of that movement gave me the inspiration for my collection.”

Lazzari became a fan favorite because of how well-orchestrated her collection was. While she decided to show her identity through water, some designers showed their cultural identities throughout their collections.

Fiati Adadevoh, a Ghanaian designer, created professional suits for men and women that were vibrant and included different African patterns and textures throughout the collection. The entire collection gave a fun and exciting twist to the European suit style that is commonly worn.

“So we’ve been in business for some time and creating custom wear for people in terms of what would reflect their personality is something that we aspire to do, but in this collection, we wanted to show a different side of our work where we express ourselves really artistically and show how fashion forward we are within professionalism,” said Adadevoh.

In addition to the intriguing textures, the shows left the audience with an implicit message that D.C. has been and will continue to be a staple community within fashion. The show’s success highlighted that D.C. continues to grow within the fashion industry, as D.C. Fashion Week’s supporters hope to see the district become as iconic and well-known as other fashion capitals around the world.

D.C. community celebrates Harriet Tubman Day

By Kimyatta Newby Special to the AFRO

In efforts to sustain the legacy of Harriet Tubman, the legendary abolitionist’s great-great-great grandniece Enerstine (Tina) Wyatt has made it her personal mission to spread the true history of her aunt.

Wyatt is a co-founder of the Harriet Tubman Day Washington District of Columbia (HTDWDC). After four years of hosting, Wyatt had developed a partnership with the National Archives to host an event officially but public lockdown restrictions of COVID-19 moved the event to a virtual setting.

By 2021 and 2022, Wyatt was invited to public events honoring elder Tubman. By 2023, she was able to host the event in person.

This year, on March 2, Wyatt hosted the annual Harriet Tubman Day celebrations at Westminster Presbyterian Church for the second time. This event included refreshments, special guest speakers such as Caleb Camara, the associate director of the Mayor’s Office of African American Affairs, and performances.

Wyatt stated the purpose of Harriet Tubman Day events is to interact with alternative learning, a “Celebrate to Educate” ceremony is how she referred to it.

“Some states are changing their curriculum to not talk about our history, Black history,” said Wyatt. “We’re losing funding in schools and programs and people aren’t going to churches to learn history, it feels like we’re being written out. We need to share our history, share our culture. ‘Celebrate to Educate’ gives another way to understand history.”

However, Wyatt stated that there aren’t many youths who attend these events because of its timing.

“We previously hosted in the evening but, with it being Saturday, I’m hoping more young people can attend because they don’t have school,” Wyatt said. There were over 60

attendees that filled the chairs of the church, including young children. Most attendees were seniors who ranged from members of the church, strangers who heard from others or seen flyers, even peers of those involved with the event.

“We need to share our history, share our culture.”

The ceremony opened with a prayer connecting not only where the event took place, a church, but also Tubman’s faith in God.

Wyatt then introduced the Harriet Tubman event and the mistress of ceremony Jessica Faith, Storm Team 4 meteorologist, the first Black woman meteorologist on TV for WPXI-TV (Pittsburgh 11).

“It’s wonderful that we

started the second day of Women’s History Month with such a revolutionary that is Harriet Tubman. We need Black women to be appreciated and highlighted properly in history because Black women are often dismissed or misremembered,” stated Faith.

After Faith provided a few words to honor Tubman’s legacy, there was a Presentation of Colors to honor Tubman’s service in the Civil War, along with the American National Anthem and the Black National Anthem,“Lift Every Voice and Sing.” To her service, Lt. Gen. Scott Dingle (ret.), provided more insight on Tubman’s character and her work citing her as an inspiration and invictus – unconquerable and undefeated.

“In this time and age, we need to all remember Harriet Tubman’s character and remain invictus,” Dingle said. “Harriet Tubman said she had the right to two

things “liberty or death” and she fought for freedom, as should the rest of us. Let her inspire.”

The Washington Revels Jubilee Singers, an ensemble who performs to preserve Black history through music, poetry and dance, performed two songs and engaged with the crowd teaching ring shout, similar to a call and response technique. Poems were then performed by guests within the church.

Edda Fields-Black, history professor at Carnegie Mellon University spoke last. Fields-Black is a descendant of Africans enslaved on rice plantations in Colleton County, S.C. She learned this due to her great-greatgreat grandfather fighting in the Combahee River Raid. With that, rice history in the diaspora is one of her most extensively studied topics.

At this ceremony, FieldsBlack introduced her book “COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during

the Civil War,” which was published in February. The book has thorough research, including primary sources of letters, maps, and written documents. It depicts Tubman’s involvement in the Combahee River Raid, destroying rice plantations and notes the raid as one of the largest slave rebellions in the U.S.

“Hariet Tubman and the members of the River Raid freed 756 enslaved people and destroyed 7 rice plantations,” stated Field-Black. “This was the largest US slave rebellion, only second to the Haitian Revolution.”

Camara presented Wyatt with a proclamation that officially declares March 10 as Harriet Tubman Day in Washington, D.C. Wyatt hopes to continue to tell the full story of her aunt beyond Tubman’s role as conductor of the Underground Railroad and focus more on her civil rights history as a spy.

Jessica Faith (left), Ernestine “Tina” Wyatt, Dr. Edda Fields-Black and Lt. Gen. Scott Dingle (ret.) educate the community during a program to honor Harriet Tubman program at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.

AFRO Photo / Kimyatta Newby

Asiha Grigsby floats down the runway in a custom dress.

Photo courtesy of Darrell Stoney Sr.

Edda Fields- Black’s book, titled “Combee,” delves into the lesser-known history of legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman and her work during the Civil War.

AFRO Photo / Kimyatta Newby

Ean Williams, executive director of D.C. Fashion Week, celebrates the organization’s 20-year milestone.

Photo courtesy of Darrell Stoney Sr.

D.C. Office of Creative Affairs hosts Jazz in the City event

By Ashleigh Fields AFRO Assistant Editor afields@afro.com

Residents enjoyed an evening of smooth jazz for free on Feb. 26 at the Carlyle Room in Washington, D.C.

The D.C. Office of Creative Affairs hosted the event to close out Black History Month with a tribute to great legends who often performed in the District, including composers Duke Ellington, Billy Taylor and Andrew White.

Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment Latoya Foster organized the event, ensuring performances from the award-winning artist Raheem DeVaughn. Other performers included pianist Daniel Weatherspoon, keyboard virtuoso Marcus Johnson, the soulful Carly Harvey and instrumentalist Amy K. Bormet.

Latoya Foster welcomes the crowd to the free Jazz in the City event.

Marcus Johnson enjoys the work of other live performers before his set on stage.

Lance Reynolds serves up the latest tunes for the audience from the DJ’s booth.

Teresa Marie serves as the mistress of ceremonies for the widely attended show.

Marcus Johnson plays the piano with passion.

Carly Harvey displays a golden outfit for a memorable night.

Daniel Witherspoon, the first artist ever granted a live in-studio performance at Nasdaq in Times Square, shares his talent on the keys.

Amy K. Bormet pours out her soul on stage.

Shelly Brock (left), Rodney Foster, Eric Pearson and Vernon Martin

Cora Master Berry (left), known as the “First Lady of D.C.,” with Aaron Mayers.

AFRO Photos / Darrell Stoney Sr.

CIAA Tournament returns to Baltimore

Wells Fargo hosts financial literacy breakfast for student athletes

By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com

Wells Fargo, the official banking partner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), hosted a financial literacy breakfast on Feb. 27 for teams competing in the historically, Black conference’s men’s and women’s basketball tournament. The workshop, which took place at the Baltimore Convention Center, stressed the importance of money management in order to avoid financial strain after graduation.

With demands on and off the court and additional sources of income, financial education is crucial to student athletes making responsible fiscal decisions.

“When it comes to things like financial empowerment, what we’re talking about is ultimately giving you the tips and resources you need to manage your income,” said Cecil Burrowes, senior vice president of diverse customer segment growth and acquisition consultant for Wells Fargo. “You all are a brand, each one of you— whether you know it or not. You are now in the process of managing your brand.”

Money management becomes even more important in the wake of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals being authorized across the country. The contracts enable student

“You all are a brand, each one of you— whether you know it or not.”

athletes to profit off of themselves by entering endorsement, sponsorship, social media and licensing partnerships with brands.

According to Burrowes, NIL deals generated $917 million for college athletes in 2021, the first year they were permitted. In the ensuing years, Burrowes said he expects the contracts to produce nearly $5 billion. Access to these deals necessitates a long-term plan for student athletes’ earnings.

“As you’re experiencing these new streams of income, we’re installing resources and tips for you all. That way you’re provided the resources

to be empowered and when you graduate you have a plan and, hopefully, some type of nest egg,” Burrowes said. “We all deserve a launching pad for the income we’re going to be generating off of our brand.”

During the breakfast, Wells Fargo announced an expanded sponsorship of Game Plan, an athlete development software company that works with college and professional sports organizations. Thanks to expert advice from the bank, Game Plan will offer free financial education to 1,200 college sports departments, including those at 107 historically, Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

The various courses cover topics like budgeting, saving, credit management and planning for a secure financial future. Student athletes will also be able to schedule one-on-one strategy sessions with bankers to discuss how to leverage NIL compensation.

Ted White, vice president of collegiate partnership for Game Plan, contended that the platform will be beneficial to student athletes regardless of whether they land NIL deals, as financial literacy is

universally important. “Financial education applies to all of us. We can all benefit from better decision-making and more information,” White said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a first year student who’s trying to figure out how to stretch your budget from the first week of class through finals or a student athlete who has a part time job where you bring in some money and you want to know how to invest it, we’ll help prepare you for that through our platform.”

In August, the NCAA

implemented new rules for Division I schools to provide college athletes with increased support, which included life skills development in financial literacy.

Wells Fargo’s expanded sponsorship of Game Plan makes these resources available to students across all divisions. Ryan Drummond, vice president of employer partnerships for Game Plan. said comprehensive financial education can make a significant difference in a

CIAA Tournament brings the party to Charm City

By Stephanie Harper Special to the AFRO

Events

The

- March 3.

Visitors and fans reveled in the work of celebrity DJs and guest artists: DJ Skillz; DJ Shakim; Chubb Rock; DJ Kool; Sugar Bear; Rare Essence; BDaht; DJ Kid Capri; Fatman Scoop; Keith Murray, Mr. Cheeks; SAINTED Trap Choir; LeVelle; Gabby Simone; The Hamiltones; Rudy Currence; Kevin Ross; Eric Bellinger; Shelby J. and Mike Phillips. Baltimore’s local artists also put their creativity in the spotlight, to include DJ Duke; DJ Dre; DJ Flow; DJ Twisted; Sauce God; Jess Hilarious and others. The CIAA Fan Fest, a free two-day event at the Baltimore Convention Center, highlighted free activities from sponsor organizations and concerts. Tournament officials provided an array of free giveaways and merchandise for all who attended.

Black History Month with music, entertainment, art and of course, fashion.

Coats, jackets, and the latest editions of shoes were on display as the athletes, coaches and staff came to the tournament dressed to match the fans’ energy. The fans and spectators showed up in their best HBCU gear and represented their teams in style.

Fans, and residents enjoyed the multiple events centered around music, culture and arts. The city buzzed with festivities, which included events at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum and at the Hilton, which hosted the Women’s Empowerment Brunch.

As the weekend approached, the anticipation for the annual CIAA Alumni party and the Legends of Hip Hop party spread through the city.

Fan Fest allowed fans and visitors to engage more with local artists, entertainers and community members.

The Vendor’s Village was a bonus this year, featuring a marketplace full of local retailers, businesses and organizations.

Local Baltimore comedian and influencer Smirf described what CIAA means to the area.

“This type of event speaks on the value of engagement and what it means to the community,” he said. “To be able to bring this type of positivity to my city is a blessing.”

The CIAA Alumni party was a glamorous blend of history and modern nightlife. The annual party proved to be another success as everyone enjoyed the first event of many hosted by Rams Head Live located in the Power Plant

throughout the weekend.

The culture of the HBCU history flooded the arena Friday night at the Wendy’s Step Show Throw Down featuring sororities and fraternities from the competing and surrounding area HBCUs. Hosted by 92Q radio personality Dominique Da Diva and sponsored by Wells Fargo, it featured dance-offs, laughs and a proper swag surf to unite the crowd.

The CIAA weekend wouldn’t be complete without a step show. The teams included: Alpha Kappa Alpha from Morgan State University; Alpha Phi Alpha from Elizabeth City State University; Delta Sigma Theta from Central Jersey Alumnae; Zeta Phi Beta from Coppin State University (CSU); Phi Beta Sigma from Long Island University; The HU Step Team from Howard University; Omega Psi Phi from North Carolina Central University and Kappa Alpha Psi from North Carolina Central University.

The space was packed and the energy was electric as the room filled with students from various colleges including Baltimore’s local gems, Morgan State University and Coppin State University. Appearances from Big Tigger from BET Rap City in the basement and the rapper Fabolous surprised the fans and left others wanting more.

Frank James, from Virginia, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha valued the purpose of the event.

“This type of event is beneficial to the city and the youth in particular,” he said.”It shows them that they have more resources and activities to engage in [other] than what they’re used to.”

Danielle Rose, a member of Delta Sigma Theta, from Baltimore, described her experience.

“The amount of energy and people this event brought

student athlete’s quality of life. Poor financial habits lead to stress, anxiety and strained social relationships.

“When we graduate from college, we have hard decisions, financially, that we have to make,” said Drummond. “You cannot avoid it. You have to make decisions, and you need a plan on how you’re going to make those decisions. If you make the wrong decisions, it affects your entire life.”

Megan Sayles is a Report For America Corps member.

out was great and needed for the city. We packed this area with college students, alumni, and the community without incident. I’m happy I came and got a chance to support the event.”

Ultimately, the women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority took the champion’s trophy home to CSU’s West Baltimore campus. Baltimore’s downtown venues welcomed the party atmosphere throughout the weekend. Rams Head Live hosted CIAA The Legends of Hip Hop party featuring Fatman Scoop, Mr. Cheeks, and Keith Murray.

Fatman Scoop started the lineup with 90s and 2000s hits that kept the crowd moving and engaged. Mr. Cheeks followed with a set that turned the Baltimore scene into a nostalgic moment.

Keith Murray ended the show with a blast to the past with hits such as “The Most Beautifullest Thing in the World.”

Crystal Quarles attended the CIAA Legends of Hip Hop Party and described the fun.

“This was a great experience and the CIAA did a fantastic job bringing the city out for the ‘30 and over’ crowd,” she said. “I had a ball, the atmosphere was great and I can’t wait to see what things they have planned for next year. It also makes Black History Month that much more special for me.”

The atmosphere on March 3 mellowed as the crowd turned out for the final day of activities and pop-ups.

The Trap Choir, CIAA edition, was the perfect ending to the weekend.

Baltimore comedian and influencer, Smirf, prepares to

Cecil Burrowes (left), senior vice president of diverse customer segment growth and acquisition consultant for Wells Fargo; Ted White, vice president of collegiate partnership for Game Plan, and Ryan Drummond, vice president of employer partnership for Game Plan, provide athletes competing in the 2024 CIAA men’s and women’s basketball tournament with tips and strategies for money management.

AFRO Photo / Megan Sayles

Baltimore resident Danielle Rose, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter, attends the 2024 CIAA Step Show.

AFRO photos / Stephanie Harper

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) basketball tournament returned to the Baltimore area Feb. 26 - March 3. Bringing athletes and fans from around the country, the conference also included programming for the community and student athletes looking to succeed on and off the basketball court. From the championship games to the CIAA step show and concerts, the AFRO was there to capture it all.

Top HBCU basketball teams battle at championship games

By AFRO Staff

Top Black athletes from around the country descended upon Charm City from Feb. 26 to March 3 for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s 2024 championship games. The tournament is a competition between students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), both private and public.

According to information released by conference officials, the tournament “was founded and incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1912,” and was originally known as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association.”

The organization changed their name at the end of 1950 and currently, CIAA represents Black athletes from Pennsylvania to South Carolina.

The tournament took place in North Carolina for 15 years before moving to Baltimore in 2021.

Teams in the 2024 edition of the conference included: Bluefield State University; Bowie State University; Claflin University; Elizabeth City State University; Fayetteville State University; Johnson C. Smith University; Lincoln University from Pennsylvania; Livingstone College; Shaw University; St. Augustine’s University; Virginia State University; Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University.

Champions were crowned on March 2 after more than 20 games on the CIAA court inside of the CFG Bank Arena. The ladies of Fayetteville State upset defending champion Elizabeth City State, 64-59, to claim the women’s 2024 CIAA title, while the men of Lincoln University beat out Fayetteville State, 54-51, taking home the champion’s trophy in their tournament.

AFRO Photos / James Fields

The ladies of Fayetteville State University take the women’s 2024 CIAA title.

Fayetteville State’s cheerleading squad entertains the crowd.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore enjoys the 2024 CIAA Tournament.

Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott makes an appearance inside of CFG Bank Arena, clad in his CIAA gear.

Miss CIAA Bria Faison, of Winston Salem State University, enjoys the festivities with Mr. CIAA Louis McLeanLowndes, of Saint Augustine University.

The men of Lincoln University are the 2024 CIAA champions for men.

Musician Mike Phillips serenades the audience.

Leah Twine and Olivia Bush show their pride for Elizabeth State University.

Anthony Holloman, commissioner of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), with his wife Maisah Holloman.

Award-winning artist Rudy Currence, a native of South Carolina, beams with pride after singing the national anthem.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity: The bonds of brotherhood and a ‘friendship essential to the soul’

By Ashleigh Fields AFRO Assistant Editor afields@afro.com

Four friends united as brothers on Nov. 17,1911 when they founded Omega Psi Phi Fraternity on the campus of Howard University in Thirkield Hall.

The group was an esteemed bunch, consisting of scholars Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman, in addition to their esteemed faculty adviser, Ernest Everett Just, a world renowned biologist.

The Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity eventually formed with fourteen charter members on Dec. 15, 1911, but not without disdain. Howard University originally refused to recognize the fraternity as a national organization, which limited its impact on campus. However, the institution granted them official sanction after involvement in community based efforts increased. The Beta Chapter of the fraternity formed on the campus of Lincoln University in 1914.

The Omega’s impact on the nation began to spread as its members took up notable professions, with many serving in the armed forces during World War I. The organization also boasted several members in the first class of Black soldiers to graduate from Camp Fort Des Moines.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week- a precursor to Black History Month, inspired the establishment of National Achievement Week. The initiative became a staple of the fraternity’s annual programming and began during their 1920 conclave to promote the study of Black life.

The organization’s cognitive principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplifting the community continue to galvanize members to date. Some of their most notable members include Langston Hughes, Vernon Jordan, Roy Wilkins and Michael Jordan.

On April 20 the AFRO High Tea will honor members of the Divine Nine and their accomplishments in Baltimore County at Martin’s West. This week, the AFRO sends a salute to the brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Dr. Elwood B. Boone (left) and Principal William Clayborne receive a citation from the Third District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for outstanding achievement in higher education and public school education, respectively. Here, Boone is shown as the newly appointed dean of Virginia State College and Clayborne is principal of Prince George Junior High School in Prince George County, Va. The men receive their honors from Third District Representative Sylvester V. Blue, while Basileus Claiborne T. Richardson looks on.

Three of four Omega Psi Phi Fraternity founders, Rev. Edgar A. Love, Dr. Frank Coleman and Dr. Oscar Cooper, share a moment at the 43rd annual grand conclave in Baltimore at the 5th Regiment Armory in 1957. Not shown here: Ernest Everette Just.

The men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in Trenton, N.J. gather on Nov. 28, 1964.

analysis.

• Experience with Critical Path Method construction scheduling and Primavera version 6 scheduling software.

• Experience with Primavera Contract Management version 14 project tracking software.

• Overall team approach to utilize, manage and coordinate assigned tasks of the Minority/Women Business Enterprises partners and to conform to City goals.

DPW encourages all contracting firms that have the experience and capacity to work on this scope to submit their proposals. All firms must demonstrate and document their capacity and resources to deliver the required services on time. Project fees have been estimated at $5,000,000.00 for a period of 4 years. Should you have any questions regarding the scope of the project, please contact Mr. Farid Sikander at 410-396-7300 or email Farid.Sikander@baltimorecity.gov

Prequalification Requirement

All firms listed in the specific proposal for the Project must be prequalified by the Office of Boards and Commissions for each applicable discipline at time of submittal for this Project. A copy of the prime and sub consultant’s current Prequalification Certificate should be included in the bid submittal package. Information regarding the prequalification process can be obtained by calling the Office of Boards and Commissions on 410-396-6883.

Projects must comply with the 2006 edition of “The Specifications for Materials, Highways, Bridges, Utilities and Incidental Structures”. City personnel will utilize the City of Baltimore Guidelines for the Performance Evaluation of Design Consultants and Construction Contractors for this contract/project.

Submittal Process

Each consultant responding to this Request for Proposal (RFP) Project # 1299R is required tocomplete and submit an original Federal Form 255

We are proud to present a reprint of the AFRO book “This is Our War,” from seven AFRO war correspondents!

The war continued for Black soldiers when they returned home from WWII, and this war still rages today

“This is Our War” not only preserves our history but lives on as a testament to the ongoing pursuit of justice

$30/copy includes s/h

BALTIMORE-AREA

Commentary Tackling the affordable housing crisis in Baltimore County

By Ryan Coleman randallstownnaacp @ gmail.com

Our county is in the midst of a worsening affordable housing crisis. Baltimore County renters are now paying more than 30 percent of their income on rent—the highest costburden level in at least 20 years.

Over the last three years, single-family home prices have skyrocketed by 40 percent—reaching historic highs and pushing the dream of homeownership further out of reach for thousands of families in Baltimore County. With households increasingly unable to keep up with rising housing costs, the risk of evictions and foreclosures threatens to push more families into homelessness.

The undersupply of fair and affordable housing is a primary driver of these increasing housing costs which are, in turn, playing a major role in driving up overall inflation. All of this disproportionately impacts communities of color, who have been at the mercy of predatory lending and other long-standing systems that reinforce and perpetuate racial inequities.

Everyone has their own definition of affordable housing, based on their own personal experience looking for a home, their politics, or terms that affordable housing developers actually use. Affordable housing is for all—from poor to rich. Do not be scared of different people and traditions. Do not let racism and bias stop you from supporting affordable housing.

Many people seem

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Favorable vote on juvenile justice legislation gets mixed reaction

By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writer tmcqueen@afro.com

The Maryland House of Delegates Judiciary Committee unanimously voted favorably on a major juvenile justice bill, HB 814/SB744, which brought a range of reactions.

With Black children making up 77 percent of the children detained in Maryland juvenile jails, this legislation, as it stands, could increase that number, causing many observers to voice concern.

“The young people of Maryland don’t need us to turn to more ineffective, failed ‘tough on crime’ policing and incarceration,” said Hashim Jabar and Zakiya SankaraJabar, co-executive directors at Racial Justice NOW, in a statement on Feb. 26. “They urgently need us to make deep investments in

providing a world-class education, community-led, culturally relevant programs. Investing in our children should be our highest priority.”

The Juvenile Law Reform makes several changes to the juvenile system, including increasing the juvenile court’s jurisdiction to include 10 through 12-year-olds who allegedly committed certain violent crimes. Those crimes include cart theft, animal abuse, offenses involving firearms and third-degree sexual offenses. Currently, no child under 13 can be charged with a crime.

“HB 814 remains a plague on Black and Brown communities,” said Natasha M. Dartigue, Maryland’s public defender. “The Office of the Public Defender (OPD) will continue to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, fight laws that have a disparate impact on Black and

“The young people of Maryland don’t need us to turn to more ineffective, failed ‘tough on crime’ policing and incarceration.”

The bill also extends the amount of time possible for several probationary periods and implements various required reporting and referrals for the Department of Juvenile Services to

ensure children are not left without needed services.

Those who approve of the bill say it is a comprehensive approach that addresses critical issues, encourages accountability and increases public safety.

“Our goal is not to lock every child up; the goal is rehabilitation, but there has to be accountability,” said Aisha Braveboy, Prince George’s County state’s attorney, at the bill hearing on Feb. 8.

“What we don’t always know in the system is what is happening to the child. Are they receiving the services ordered by the court, and if they are not receiving the services, why aren’t they?”

“Having some additional safeguards in the legislation that can provide for accountability is extremely important and that’s why we support this bill,” said Braveboy.

MBE Night focuses on economic and procurement opportunities in Maryland

By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com

The 15th annual MBE Night in Annapolis took place on Feb. 22, assembling local political leaders, members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and the minority business community. The conference exists to highlight minority business enterprises (MBEs) to economic and procurement opportunities in the state.

Former Maryland delegate Herman Taylor, who founded MBE Night in Annapolis in 2009, opened up the program by discussing his devotion to supporting diverse-owned

businesses.

“I am steadfastly passionate about minority business inclusion and entrepreneurship because it gives people power— not power over other people but power over themselves,” said Taylor. “It gives them power to control their own lives, which is what we call self-determination, so they can create their own

opportunity and destiny and live their own dream.”

Gov. Wes Moore also gave remarks during the event. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening Maryland’s MBE program and holding state agencies accountable for complying with the state’s aspirational goal of 29 percent MBE

Brown people [and] challenge systems that further strain and impact the quality of legal services that OPD provides.”

Maryland Public Defender Natasha M. Dartigue (left) is speaking out alongside other community advocates about the recent passing of juvenile justice legislation in the state. Legislators like Del. Luke Clippinger (D-Md.-46), a Baltimore Democrat who chairs the Maryland House Judiciary Committee, are seeking solutions to the rise in juvenile crime. Shown here, Clippinger speaking before members of the Maryland House of Delegates inside of the Maryland State House on March 1.

Courtesy Photo Ryan Coleman, president of the Randallstown NAACP, speaks on affordable housing in Baltimore County.

Photo courtesy of the Maryland Office of the Governor

Gov. Wes Moore gives an address at MBE Night in Annapolis on Feb. 22., touting the Maryland Board of Public Works’ efforts to award more contracts to MBEs.

AFRO Photo/James Fields

AP Photo/Brian Witte AP Photo/Brian Witte

MBE Night

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participation on government contracts.

Moore also highlighted his recent appointment of Nichelle Johnson as Maryland’s first MBE ombudsman, who will be instrumental in resolving contract issues between primes and MBEs and creating policies to streamline MBE program compliance.

“I’m proud of the fact that just in our first year, the Board of Public Works delivered $1.4 billion to MBEs, a $160 million increase compared to the year before despite the fact that we allocated $6 billion less [overall] than the year

before,” said Moore. “There was a significant increase in how we evaluated and made sure there was significant MBE participation in the way that government dollars are allocated and treated.”

Minority business owners heard from two prominent Black CEOs on a panel covering growth and success during the conference. Delegate Jazz Lewis (D-24) led the conversation with Warren Thomspon, CEO of Thompson Hospitality and C. Doyle Mitchell, CEO of Industrial Bank.

Mitchell encouraged entrepreneurs

Affordable housing

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to agree that Baltimore County needs more of it. Whether in national polls, Maryland polls, or in our Baltimore County poll, people say it’s too expensive to buy or rent a home, there aren’t enough choices, and they support policies that would create more homes— full stop.

The problem is that our housing system sees housing first as an investment, putting it ahead of the idea that a home is a place to live.

to take advantage of Industrial Bank’s financial literacy workshops and resources.

“A bank is a very inexpensive place to get certain financial advice. We have borrowers who constantly talk to the lenders, and when they listen, they tend to do very well,” said Mitchell. “Our job is to try to grow businesses. The more they grow, the more we grow.”

Thompson said his company maintains a division dedicated to engaging small and minority businesses for contract

work. The hospitality firm also aids entrepreneurs in getting certified as MBEs with the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

“It’s often said, ‘It’s lonely at the top,’ and it is,” said Thompson. “I think any good leader will realize that and surround himself or herself with smart people who are willing to give you good advice and tell you when you’re messing up.”

our housing systems. Existing solutions to the current crisis will not suffice. We must challenge the status quo and shift the power and focus of capital to provide safe, quality, and affordable housing.

“If private development won’t solve the housing crisis, who will? We have to look to the Baltimore County Council, our elective officials and social housing.”

Developers— who are the ones that build the housing—aren’t trying to house people. They are trying to make money. And when they need to make a profit, they either have to cut production costs or charge more for the finished product. Or both. We need our housing system to be better community partners to stamp out the housing crisis.

If private development won’t solve the housing crisis, who will? We have to look to the Baltimore County Council, our elective officials and social housing. The Baltimore County Council must push legislation that would address Baltimore County’s affordable housing crisis, chronic undersupply of housing, cap rental rates, stop evictions and bolster an equitable economy. The Baltimore County Council can take the following actions by passing legislation that :

• Accelerates affordable housing construction

• Connects the Masterplan, Zoning and Smart Growth goals to ensure quality and affordable housing

• Encourages mixed use development throughout Baltimore County and not just in black areas

• Creates a tax abatement to support affordable housing

• Negotiates agreements with rental property owners to lower rent rates

• Caps rental rate increases

• Starts the “social housing” concept

The social housing is not a new concept. It has been practiced in various places throughout the world for over a century. And it is catching on in the U.S. as well. Seattle recently passed a social housing ballot initiative. California recently passed social housing legislation. Montgomery County, Maryland has a public developer for social housing. Other cities and states are trying to make social housing a reality

Social housing is a public option for housing. It is permanently and deeply affordable, under community control, and most importantly, exists outside of the speculative real estate market.

Social housing can exist in different forms. It can be owned by public entities, residents or mission-driven nonprofits and occupied by renters or homeowners. It includes public housing, community land trusts, new construction, existing affordable housing, and conversion of current market-rate housing, and should meet the scale of the housing crisis.

The time is now to be bold, challenge paradigms, and shift the systemic racism in

We must demand change from our leaders. County Executive Johnny Olszewski and Governor Moore’s housing bills began to address the housing issues in Baltimore County. We can’t just continue to oppose these bills, but work with them to craft an even better bill. We must ask all our elected officials what is your solution. We must hold them accountable for their actions or inactions surrounding the housing crisis in Baltimore County. This should guide your decision on whom to vote for at the next election.

Megan Sayles is a Report For America Corps member.

Photo courtesy of the Maryland Office of the Governor C. Doyle Mitchell is CEO of Industrial Bank, a historic Black-owned bank established in 1934.

Photo courtesy of the Maryland Office of the Governor Warren Thompson is the CEO of Thompson Hospitality, the largest minorityowned food service provider in the country.

The Carlton reopens in Reservoir Hill after decades of vacancy

By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writer tmcqueen@afro.com

After more than 30 years of vacancy, the Carlton, has been renovated and re-opened to the Reservoir Hill community.

“When we invest in projects like this, we make sure that we eliminate vacancy and blight by making things safer,” said Chad Williams, executive director for the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA).

that vacancy, we will tackle that blight and we will make Baltimore a better community going forward.”

Baltimore has about 13,000 vacant properties, a noticeable drop from 2020 when the city had approximately 16,000.

Though the city is progressing, Mayor Brandon M. Scott calls for much more.

“In Baltimore, there is a renaissance building.”

“We make Maryland and Baltimore competitive when we make investments like this.”

With the help of many city partners and developers, Alex Aaron led the renovation of a longvacant historic building into a newly renovated apartment building with 12 market-rate affordable housing units.

“I didn’t give up; I held onto hope, and with all of the strategic partners we had it was possible,” said Aaron, CEO of Blank Slate, a Baltimore-based real estate firm. “Mayor Scott, we will tackle

“At the end of last year, we gathered not too far from here to announce a plan to eliminate vacants in Baltimore in its entirety. Accomplishing that goal is going to require tasks like this one,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott.

In July 2023, Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development (BUILD), the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) and Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a collaborative effort to eliminate the city’s longtime vacant housing crisis. Their plan includes a $3 billion investment throughout the next 15 years.

They have already started advocating for some of the funds from

the state during the 2024 Maryland General Assembly session.

On Feb. 27, Scott advocated for the millions of dollars Gov. Wes Moore allocated to Project C.O.R.E (Creating Opportunities for Revitalization and Equity) and other housing priorities in Baltimore. Project C.O.R.E. is an initiative between the state and the Baltimore City government to eliminate thousands of vacant properties to help

redevelop and invest in the city.

“In Baltimore, there is a renaissance building,” said Scott in a hearing on the capital budget funds in the Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.

“The State Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) capital budget, specifically the $50 million allocated for Project C.O.R.E., is going to be crucial to

help accelerate a key component of that effort.”

The governor’s proposed capital budget for fiscal year 2025 includes $115.5 million in additional funds for housing and community revitalization initiatives under the Maryland DHCD.

“That capital budget, as proposed, would allow for significant acceleration of our vacants work around Baltimore City,” said Scott. “The $50 million in Project

Empowering creativity: Highlights from Black Arts District’s annual meeting

By Ericka Alston Buck Special to the AFRO

In a celebration of culture, empowerment and community, the Black Arts District (BAD) recently convened for its annual community meeting at the New Song Community Center in Sandtown. At the heart of their mission lies a commitment to the Black Arts District, employing an anti-displacement framework to empower Black creatives and contribute to the ongoing community-based revitalization efforts in West Baltimore through culture, arts and entertainment.

New Song Community Center was packed with a diverse audience. Attendees included staff, board members, local artists, students, investors, supporters and stakeholders, all coming together to celebrate the achievements of the past year and outline the ambitious goals for the future.

One of the focal points of the evening was the presentation of the Black Arts District’s annual report, a testament to the organization’s impactful work in the community. The report showcased impressive accomplishments, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to its mission and the tangible results of their efforts.

At the meeting, the agency reported that In the previous year, the Black Arts District hosted events that drew an impressive 10,397 attendees, highlighting the community’s

enthusiasm for the arts. The agency provided a substantial $242,080 in funding to support Black creatives, fostering a nurturing environment for artistic endeavors within the community. This financial support was complemented

by the training of 696 artists, demonstrating a commitment to education and skill development within the creative community. A total of 147 curated events further enriched the cultural vibrancy of West Baltimore, showcasing the diversity of

artistic expression and attracting a broad audience. The Black Arts District’s impact extended to supporting 769 artists, emphasizing its role as a pillar of encouragement for the local creative community.

The agency also secured 119 community sponsorships, highlighting collaboration and partnership within the community. Beyond mere numbers, the Black Arts District celebrated a milestone by awarding its first $20,000 Emerging Artist Fellowship. The money will go. Long way in recognizing and supporting emerging talents within the community. Additionally, a significant $140,000 from the creative community sponsorship fund was dispersed to further enhance the cultural landscape of West Baltimore.

The evening commenced with a powerful spoken word performance by local artist Black Chakra, whose original piece titled “Love Me Black” set the stage for a thought-provoking, enlightening and promising event. Lady Brion, the executive director of BAD, intentionally took a back seat during the evening, choosing to applaud the collective efforts of her team and the board.

Dayvon Love, who serves as director of public policy for the local think tank Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, is also chairman of the board for the Black Arts District.

“The purpose of the annual meeting of the Black Arts

C.O.R.E. money in the governor’s budget could be leveraged to unlock $1 billion over 15 years if bonded and sustained.”

“Overall, this ambitious undertaking is going to require all of us to accomplish it,” added Scott. “We will need investments from the city, state and private partners to make it happen.”

Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.

District is to provide the community an opportunity to learn about the work that the organization is doing and to ask questions directly to those in the organization,” said Love. “We hope that those who attended will find ways to connect to the work of BAD.”

During the event, Lady Brion outlined the ambitious goals of the nonprofit organization, geared towards supporting and cultivating a space for local artists to be seen, showcased, and supported. A standout initiative is the development of the “Sanaa Center,” Swahili for “work of art.” This stateof-the-art, multi-million-dollar headquarters aims to provide a thriving space for local art. With a $16 million price tag, the organization has already raised an impressive $3 million towards this transformative project. The Black Arts District’s annual meeting was not just a reflection on past achievements but a promising glimpse into the future.

The organization’s commitment to empowering Black creatives, fostering community-based revitalization, and providing a platform for artistic expression is a beacon of inspiration for Baltimore’s cultural landscape. As Lady Brion and her team look towards the realization of the “Sanaa Center,” the BAD continues to be a driving force in shaping a vibrant and inclusive arts community in West Baltimore for good.

Photo courtesy of Carltonreshill.com

The Carlton, a long-time vacant apartment building in Reservoir Hill, is bringing 12 new units of affordable housing to the community after extensive renovations.

Photo courtesy of Blackartsdistrict.org

Leaders of the Black Arts District are on a roll funding the work of Charm City creatives, and revitalizing the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor, once a staple of Black entertainment in Baltimore. Shown here, Black Arts District Executive Director Brion Gill.

Annual ‘Kappa Vegas’ fundraiser returns for 51st year

AFRO Photos / Edoghogho Joy Ugiagbe

The Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation of Metropolitan Baltimore held the annual Kappa Vegas Gala at Martin’s West in Baltimore County on March 1. Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity donned their best threads for the event, now in its 51st year. The Vegas- themed event was complete with casino tables, food and a dance floor. Elected officials and residents alike came together to celebrate a night of scholarship, brotherhood and Black excellence.

Alexander Washington, of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s Pi Nu Chapter, with his date for the gala, Tylia Eley.

Howard Tutman III (left) enjoys the 2024 Kappa Vegas Gala with Maryland Sen. Antonio Hayes (D-40), Don Ervin and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott.

Kyshaun Bradford, of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s Iota Gamma Chapter, shows allegiance to his organization.

Charles Mason, Stone Mountain-Lithonia alumni, with Alyse Robinson.

Zina Stenner and Dr. Chantelle Teasdell

Each year attendees of the 2024 Kappa Vegas Gala come together to network and enjoy the casino-themed event.

Sherry Wilson (top), Alicia Bell and Snook Kinney

Former Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh takes a moment with AFRO Media Sales Consultant Craig Talley.

Tyrel Fuentes helps Chaz Crockett adjust his bow tie, proving with action that he is his brother’s keeper.

Don Ervin (left) and Howard Tutman III

Quintin and Megan Lathan, founders of “Beauty Plus,” a hair and cosmetic supply store with two Baltimore City locations, enjoy the gala. Quintin is a member of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Trey (left) and Natasha Howard enjoy the event with Dana and Kevin Peck, AFRO director of digital solutions and AFRO vice president of marketing and technology, respectively.