By B. M. Phillips IV
AFRO President
August 13 marks 132 consecutive years of publishing for the AFROAmerican Newspapers, founded by John H. Murphy Sr. in 1892.
Determined to succeed, at the age of 51, Murphy, a father of 11, borrowed $200 from his wife, Martha Howard Murphy. With their children’s support, a historical journey began that continues today with fourth,
fifth and sixth-generation family members.
Just one month before striking into the publishing business, Murphy’s youngest son, David Arnett Murphy, also known as “D. Arnett,” who was born. On July 9, 1892, his birth completed what would become the second-generation owners of the AFRO. Collectively, they set the standard of commitment, ensuring the company’s success and the pursuit of fairness and equality for Black Americans. They
also supported other likeminded publishers.
When the founder died in 1922, his children embarked on an expansion that saw the company spread their offices north and south, growing to 13 editions. The AFRO became one of the largest Black publications in circulation, with over 200 employees —many of whom were unionized. Its printing press ran every day of the week except Sundays.
The company dispatched seven correspondents
(including the first Black woman) to the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II to report the news. Their accounts are documented in the book “This is Our War,” which was released in a special reprint last year to mark the 75th anniversary of the desegregation of the United States Armed Forces.
Dr. Frances Murphy Draper, CEO and publisher, states in the foreword of the book that “Today, as lawmakers across the United
Kamala Harris selects Minnesota Gov. Walz as running mate
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as her running mate ahead of the Democratic National Convention from Aug. 19-22. “I am proud to announce that I’ve asked Tim Walz to be my running mate. As a governor, a coach, a teacher and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his,” said Harris via X, formerly known as Twitter. “It’s great to have him on the team. Now let’s get to work.” Walz is hitting the ground
U.S. Vice President
in the 2024 presidential
as her official running
The announcement came on Aug. 6, just weeks after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race to throw his support behind Harris.
States attempt to minimize and rewrite Black history, it becomes even more important for us to document and share our own stories.
‘This is Our War’ does just that by highlighting the triumphs and challenges Black soldiers faced. In their own words, AFRO journalists provided intimate details, including names and addresses of servicemen they encountered. In some cases, messages to loved ones at home were included.”
The paper has always
been on the front line, battling racial inequality and afflictions threatening our readers. Shining a light and advocating for better conditions required that the company be financially independent to ensure its message could not be tainted or silenced. It became apparent that advertising revenue was critical to funding these efforts, and the addition of a sales team allowed the AFRO to augment circulation dollars and achieve its goals.
COGIC community remembers international leader, Mother Willie Mae Rivers
By Marnita Coleman
Special to the AFRO
Church of God in Christ (COGIC) General Supervisor Emerita Mother Willie Mae Rivers, a revered leader and a beloved figure within the faith community, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 26.
A viewing was held on Aug. 5 at Calvary Church of God in Christ, located in Goose Creek, S.C. at 302 Jeffs Circle, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The viewing was immediately followed by a service to celebrate her life and work
The national homegoing service for Mother Rivers was held on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
This week marks a monumental victory for Black farmers as they begin receiving payments from the $2.2 billion Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP). After decades of advocacy and struggle, John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA), declared the day “a huge win.”
Nearly two years ago, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Section 22007, authorizing compensation for farmers who faced racial discrimination in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) farm lending practices before 2021. This week, around 43,000 farmers will receive payments of up to $500,000, with the average award being $82,000.
Reflecting on this longawaited achievement, Boyd recounted his journey, which began almost 40 years ago when he first experienced these injustices.
“No matter how it is sliced, the $2.2 billion in payouts is historic,” he said. This follows previous settlements, including a $1 billion payout in 1999 and a $1.25 billion settlement in 2013. The NBFA’s relentless
This week, around 43,000 farmers will receive payments of up to $500,000, with the average award being $82,000.
Nearly two years ago, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Section 22007, authorizing compensation for farmers who faced racial discrimination in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) farm lending practices before 2021.
efforts have also paved the way for similar settlements with Hispanic and women farmers ($1.3 billion), Native American farmers ($800 million), and the Cobell case settlement ($3.4 billion).
Boyd’s dedication to justice has been challenging. He faced hateful phone calls and mail, and even death threats. Despite these obstacles, he remained steadfast in his fight.
“Total restoration is impossible, but for me, the fight was about justice,” Boyd emphasized.
Midtown Group, an unbiased third-party administrator, oversaw the DFAP’s administration to
ensure a fair adjudication procedure for each farmer’s case. Although the 40-page application process and long wait times added to the farmers’ pain, the payments represent a bittersweet victory.
Boyd acknowledged that issues such as banks denying operating funds or farm ownership loans persist, as do recent allegations of racial discrimination against companies like John Deere.
For those denied assistance through the DFAP, there is no appeal or review process, a reality Boyd profoundly regrets. Many Black farmers have died waiting for justice, but the recent announcement brings some closure.
Boyd reflected on his tireless efforts, from lobbying Congress to protesting with his mules “Struggle” and “Forty Acres,” and riding his tractor, “Justice” to Washington. Listening to Senior White House Advisor Stephen Benjamin detail the award notifications and check disbursement made it all worthwhile.
“Today is a huge win for the NBFA,” he declared.
In October 2022, civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced a class action suit against the United States government on behalf of the NBFA. The lawsuit came after findings that Black farmers lost approximately $326 billion of land due to discrimination during the 20th century. Crump and the farmers argued that the federal government breached its contract with socially disadvantaged farmers under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Despite these challenges, President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to addressing inequities in farming.
“Farmers and ranchers work around the clock to put food on our tables and steward our nation’s land. But for too long, many farmers and ranchers experienced discrimination in farm loan programs and have not had the same access to federal resources and support. I promised to address this inequity when I became President. Today that promise has become a reality,” Biden stated.
This article was originally published by NNPA Newswire.
By Mike Schneider The Associated Press
The income gap between White and Black young adults was narrower for millenials than for Generation X, according to a new study that also found the chasm between White people born to wealthy and poor parents widened between the generations.
By age 27, Black Americans born in 1978 to poor parents ended up earning almost $13,000 a year less than White Americans born to poor parents. That gap had narrowed to about $9,500 for those born in 1992, according to the study released last week by researchers at Harvard University and the U.S. Census Bureau.
The shrinking gap between races was due to greater income mobility for poor Black children and drops in mobility for low-income White children, said the study, which showed little change in earnings outcomes for other race and ethnicity groups during this time period.
A key factor was the employment rates of the communities that people lived in as children. Mobility improved for Black individuals where employment rates for Black parents increased. In communities where parental employment rates declined, mobility dropped for White individuals, the study said.
“Outcomes improve ... for children who grow up in communities with increasing parental employment rates, with larger effects for children who move to such communities at younger ages,”
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said researchers, who used census figures and data from income tax returns to track the changes.
In contrast, the class gap widened for White people between the generations — Gen Xers born from 1965 to 1980 and millennials born from 1981 to 1996.
White Americans born to poor parents in 1978 earned about $10,300 less than than White Americans born to wealthy parents.
For those born in 1992, that class gap increased to about $13,200 because of declining mobility for people born into low-income households and increasing mobility for those born into high-income households, the study said. There was little change in the class gap between Black Americans born into both low-income and highincome households since they experienced similar improvements in earnings. This shrinking gap between the races, and growing class gap among White people, also was documented in educational attainment, standardized test scores, marriage rates and mortality, the researchers said. There also were regional differences. Black people from low-income families saw the greatest economic mobility in the southeast and industrial Midwest. Economic mobility declined the most for White people from low-income families in the Great Plains and parts of the coasts.
See more on afro.com This article was originally published by The Associated Press.
The Changemaker Challenge invests in diverse grassroots programs with that meet ongoing and new needs in our region
United Way of Central Maryland works to find and support local, on-the-ground leaders, because they know they’re among the best equipped to drive real change within their communities. Working with its partners, United Way started the Changemaker Challenge in Howard County 2017 to spark new ideas for social change. Since then, it’s expanded across Greater Baltimore and fueled meaningful change across the region.
The Changemaker Challenge amplifies the voices of diverse people and organizations and provides them with a compelling way to share their big ideas: ideas that will help close service and resource gaps and fuel positive change.
After a public call for entries, finalists are selected to present their ideas at public events. This year’s finalists were eligible to win up to $30,000 to bring their ideas to life, including an Audience Choice award of $5,000.
In 2024, United Way received almost 200 ideas and awarded more than $600,000 to 29 people or groups across the region.
Many Black-led organizations received grants through the Changemaker Challenge. Here’s some of what they said about their experience:
•
•
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“The support we've received from United Way has been invaluable. Their resources and staff have not only increased our knowledge and skills but also provided a greater sense of security in our work. We felt both financially and morally supported, which means a lot to a grassroots organization like ours.”
–Robert Cradle, Rob’s Barbershop Community Foundation, Inc.
“The support we’ve received from United Way has been invaluable. Their resources and staff have not only increased our knowledge and skills but also provided a greater sense of security in our work. The technical assistance, responsiveness of the staff, and their genuine support have made us feel both financially and morally supported, which means a lot to a grassroots organization like ours.” –Robert Cradle, Rob’s Barbershop Community Foundation, Inc.
“Winning the Changemaker Challenge was a transformative experience for us. It allowed us to showcase our nonprofit on a bigger platform, and the opportunity to create a professional video pitch was an added bonus that will help us reach even more people. This experience has been truly wonderful and uplifting.” --Arkia Wade, Neighborhood Companions, Inc.
“The Changemaker Grant has been instrumental in propelling our organization forward, empowering us to innovate and inspire the next generation of future leaders in fashion and tech.” --Sabrina Thompson, STEMulating Art
Because United Way believes that every single concept to improve lives is important, all finalists received a $1,500 stipend and coaching leading up to the live presentation events.
And supporting the Changemakers continues long after the distribution of the grants. Each recipient receives year-long access to The Lonely Entrepreneur platform, a learning community that provides group coaching and a one-stop shop for the knowledge, tools, and support needed to start or grow a business or big idea. Learn more at lonelyentrepreneur.com.
In addition, United Way will continue to share their stories to drive even more support for their big ideas. Changemaker Challenge grant recipients have been featured on Good Morning America and in many local media channels, as well as on United Way’s social channels and other public communications.
Learn more about the 2024 Changemaker Challenge grant recipients at uwcm.org/ changemakerchallenge.
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com
As the newspaper looks to its next chapter, the crucial succession question looms: Who can build on its powerful legacy?
It all started in 1892 when John H. Murphy Sr., a formerly enslaved man, turned $200 borrowed from his wife, Martha Elizabeth Howard Murphy, to purchase a printing press for what would become the legendary
AFRO-American Newspapers. What began as a church circular quickly became a vehicle for advancing Black rights and economic empowerment.
After Murphy’s death in 1922, his five sons took over, tasked with providing wages for their five sisters. Carl Murphy became editor and publisher. The family business has endured ever since and is set to celebrate its 132nd on Aug.13.
Today, the newspaper is a media company, also known as AFRO News, with offices in
to
AFRO Vice President of Marketing and Technology Kevin Peck (back); Angela Wheeler; AFRO Director of Digital Solutions Dana Peck; AFRO Board member Laura Murphy and Bill Psillas.
D. Arnett Murphy’s accomplishments are particularly noteworthy in these efforts. He began his
career with the newspaper at the age of 13. He worked for the company for 66 years.
His early roles included
• Your Community • Your News
The Afro-American Newspapers
Baltimore Office • Corporate Headquarters 233 E. Redwood Street 6th Floor, Suite 600G Baltimore, Maryland 21202
410-554-8200 • Fax: 410-554-8213 afro.com
Founded by John Henry Murphy Sr., August 13, 1892
Chairman of the Board/Publisher - Frances Murphy Draper
(Publisher Emeritus - John J. Oliver Jr.)
President - Benjamin Murphy Phillips IV
VP of Marketing and Technology - Kevin E. Peck
Director Digital Solutions - Dana Peck
Receptionist - Wanda Pearson - 410-554-8200, ext. 246
Director of Operations
Andrè Draper - 410-554-8200
Director of Finance
Bonnie Deanes - 410-554-8242
Executive Director/Director of Advertising Lenora Howze - 410-554-8271 - lhowze@afro.com
Director of Community & Public Relations
Diane W. Hocker - 410-554-8243
Editorial
Managing Editor - Alexis Taylor - 410-554-8257
Special Projects Editor - Dorothy Boulware - 410-554-8231
Editorial Assistant - Ama Brown-Parson
Archivist - Savannah Wood- 410-554-8277
Baltimore Circulation/Distribution Manager
Andrè Draper - 410-554-8200
Production Department - 410-554-8200
Washington Office 1140 3rd Street, N.E., 2nd Floor Washington, D.C. 20002-6723
202-332-0080 • Fax: 410-554-8213
(Washington Publisher Emerita - Frances L. Murphy II)
Director of Operations - Andrè Draper - 410-554-8200
Customer Service, Home Delivery and Subscriptions: 410-554-8200
Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, the great-granddaughter of Murphy Sr., sits at the helm as publisher and chairman of the board. Still, she said the crucial question of who will serve next is never too far in the distance.
“It’s an ongoing discussion,” Draper says. “There are a whole lot of people who have legal and stockholder interest in the company. But succession is always at the forefront, because we don’t want it to be left to happenstance or chance.”
Honoring the vision
One thing is clear to Draper: The next successor must uphold the newspaper’s original purpose, which John H. Murphy Sr. outlined in a letter to his five sons two years before his death.
He wrote: “A newspaper succeeds because its management believes in itself, in God, and in the present generation. It must always ask itself: whether it has kept faith with the common people, whether it has no other goal except to see that their liberties are preserved and their future assured; whether it is fighting to get rid of slums to provide jobs for everybody; and whether it stays out of politics except to expose corruption and condemn injustice, race prejudice and the cowardice of compromise.”
This charge has changed slightly over time, as readers have turned to the AFRO for endorsements of political candidates in addition to church and community happenings.
At present, the AFRO is a privately-traded C corporation. The vast majority of its nearly
bookkeeper, pressman, linotype operator, makeup man and reporter. At one point, he ran a sports event called AFRO Marathon, but ultimately, he discovered that advertising was his specialty.
As director and vice president of advertising, his team fueled revenue growth during his tenure. In support of AFRO offices throughout the eastern seaboard, he invested in his teams by holding sales meetings and conferences to share initiatives and train current and new employees to be successful.
By partnering with similar publications across the country, a stronger pitch could be made to increase revenue.
In 1940, D. Arnette Murphy was elected vice president of the Eastern District during the initial formation of what is now the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). Today, NNPA represents more than 200 Black-owned newspapers, both in print and digital formats.
In 1944, he organized and served as president of the Associated Publishers, a national advertising agency representing 35 other weekly newspapers at the time.
A key figure in the company’s management, D. Arnette Murphy was also a stockholder, voting trustee and a member of the board of directors until his death in 1972. He retired from day-today operations in 1963.
As reported by his niece Elizabeth “Bettye” Moss, he was Dubbed “Chief,” “Mr. Arnett”or simple “D.A” by associates and friends. He was an avid reader and an interesting conversationalist, known for his love and
Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston, S.C., hosted by the Church of God in Christ, headquartered in Memphis, Tenn. Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard conveyed his heartfelt condolences about the death in a statement sent to the AFRO, saying “Mother Willie Mae Rivers was a beacon of light and a pillar of strength in the Church of God in
100 shareholders and 17-member board are family members. Ownership has resided with the family since its inception in 1892.
Blending institutional knowledge with outside perspectives
Draper took over the AFRO in 2018 from John J. Oliver, who served as publisher and chairman of the board for 34 years. Oliver, great-grandson of John H. Murphy Sr., never intended to lead the AFRO, although he, like most family members, grew up working in the family business.
The emergence of the personal computer led him back to the company. Oliver recognized that the AFRO would need to embrace the digital revolution in order to compete. Gone were the days of linotype and teletype machines.
When it came time for Oliver to step down, he says there wasn’t a formal blueprint for Draper to take over.
“There wasn’t any real plan,” Oliver says.
Adding that “the younger generations caught on to the importance of taking advantage of digital opportunities quickly,” while also “exploring new ways in which they could radically change what we, historically, expected to be the way a newspaper is run.”
Kevin “MPECKABLE” Peck, vice president of marketing and technology for the AFRO, and Savannah Wood, executive director of the company’s philanthropic sister company, Afro Charities, are the great-greatgrandchildren of John H. Murphy Sr. Several other fifth-generation members are involved via the AFRO board.
See more on afro.com
concern for people.
His impact extended beyond his dedication to the company, and he was proud of his role in integrating Baltimore City’s public golf courses. Along with other members of the Monumental Golf Club and the Citizens’ Civil Rights Committee, the AFRO executive responded swiftly to being denied entry to one of the public courses and helped finance the court suit that opened the public links to all in 1948.
D. Arnette Murphy was a life member of the NAACP and served on the board of Advance Federal Savings and Loan whose mission was to help African Americans secure loans and build their credit.
Like his younger brother Carl J. Murphy, D. Arnett Murphy didn’t have any sons. He and his wife Sadie Clark Murphy had three daughters Mae E Dyson, Virginia Murphy and Arnetta Lottier who followed in the footsteps of his generation working at the paper and lending their talents as members of the Board of Directors.
As noted in the article announcing his death, he had a great love for Grace Presbyterian, where he served many years as trustee and had been a member for 50 years.
So, as we blow out the candles for another year, let’s not forget those who got us here— people like, D. Arnett Murphy, the youngest member of my great-grandfather’s sons and daughters.
B.M. Phillips IV is the current president of the AFRO and is great-grandson of the founder, John Henry Murphy Sr.
Christ.”
“Her unwavering dedication to the work of the Lord and her exemplary leadership have left an indelible mark on the lives of countless people,” continued Sheard. “Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations, giving us comfort. We will sorely miss her, but her spirit will remain with us forever.” See more on afro.com
running alongside Harris, rallying in seven states through the end of this week. The first rally is set for later this evening in Philadelphia.
First elected in 2018, Walz is the 41st governor of Minnesota. While in office, he’s worked on reproductive freedoms, lowering prescription drug costs and expanding voting rights to include 55,000 formerly incarcerated Minnesotans. Walz also established reproductive freedom as a fundamental right in Minnesota in 2023, protecting fertility services, abortion care and more.
Walz also previously served as a congressman for 12 years representing Minnesota’s First District and in the U.S. Army National Guard for 24 years.
“The selection of Gov. Tim Walz as our nominee is a momentous occasion for our party and a pivotal moment for our country,” said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Ken Ulman, in a statement shortly after the announcement. “I am confident that with Gov. Tim Walz on the ticket, Democrats can be confident that our ticket is well-positioned to inspire voters, build on our grassroots momentum and realize a future that reflects our shared values.”
Ulman commended Harris for her choice and threw full support behind her and Walz.
“VP Kamala Harris has once again demonstrated that she is the leader our party needs in this moment with her bold, exciting choice for vice president,” he said. “The Maryland Democratic Party is proud to stand behind VP Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz, and we are ready to work tirelessly to ensure their victory.”
The Trump campaign released a statement on Harris’ choice, calling Walz a “radical leftist.”
“From proposing his own carbon-free agenda to suggesting stricter emission standards for gas-powered cars and embracing policies to allow convicted felons to vote, Walz is obsessed with spreading California’s dangerously liberal agenda far and wide,” said Karoline Leavitt, Trump campaign press secretary.
Harris made her announcement on the heels of growing major endorsements from former officials under Trump, youth voter groups and environmental organizations.
By Talib I. Karim
On July 19, we lost a giant in the fight for justice: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TexasDistrict 18). Her relentless dedication led to the legislation that made Juneteenth a federal holiday, further cementing her legacy of advocating for justice and equality. Congresswoman Lee chaired the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, and the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection. She also chaired the multimillion-dollar Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation. Congresswoman Jackson Lee was a tireless champion for her diverse constituency and a beacon of servant leadership.
I arrived in Washington, D.C. in 1990, after leaving the U.S. Air Force Academy to complete my engineering and legal studies. I landed my first Capitol Hill job with the help of Congressman Harold Ford Sr., as an intern in the office of his CBC colleague and California’s first known African-American lieutenant governor, Congressman Mervyn Dymally.
Since then, my work on and off Capitol Hill has been significant. Yet, none of my experiences have been more memorable and impactful than my tenure as Chief Technology Counsel and Legislative Director for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
My very first assignment was drafting the Congresswoman’s statement introducing General Charles Bolden at the start of his
Senate confirmation to become the first African-American permanent NASA Administrator. This was a wonderful opportunity as General Bolden, along with Guy Buford, and Fred Gregory (who once served as NASA Interim Administrator) were my childhood heroes and fueled my own dreams of following in their shoes as an astronaut.
As legislative director, I also helped the Congresswoman championed reforms of the nation’s healthcare system during the adoption of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. As chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ Health Task Force, our office was at the forefront of advocating for the most progressive elements of the legislation. We mobilized support for Congressman John Conyers’ proposed health care legislation, organized town halls, brain trusts and listening sessions and ultimately secured community health center
funding. We opposed provisions that would have restricted doctors from owning their hospitals, pushed for expanded Medicaid coverage and fought against the punitive tax, which was ultimately ruled as unconstitutional, that disproportionately affected African Americans and the poor.
Our office also tackled the disparity between crack and powder cocaine penalties, successfully reducing the ratio from 500:1 to 18:1. We led initiatives on concussion injuries in the National Football League (NFL), meeting with legends like Jim Brown and questioning the NFL Players Association president.
My role extended to oversight hearings of the Justice Department, including personal meetings with Attorney General Eric Holder.
The Congresswoman represented a diverse constituency, from the homeless and inmates to
oil executives and celebrities. One of the honors of my experience was drafting the congressional proclamation for Michael Jackson. Despite controversies, her bold and diverse hires reflected her fearless leadership style. She recruited military veterans, activists and professionals from various backgrounds, including Muslims, Arabs, Latinos, Ethiopians, Southern Conservative Christians and Jews.
The demanding nature of her office was exemplified by a New Year’s Eve call ensuring a speech was ready. This environment fostered loyalty and dedication among her staff, affectionately
opened doors for many, with alumni becoming tech executives, industry leaders and advocates. Some of her staff have gone on to serve as senior aides in the House, Senate and for governors.
Immediate predecessors like Arthur Sidney, the late Prof. Greg Berry and Christina McMorris served respectively as the Chief of Staff for Congressman Hank Johnson and Chief Counsel to Congresswoman Karen Bass. Greg Berry returned to the staff of Representative Jackson Lee until his death two years ago.
work leading the development of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for law firms, corporations and government agencies. Additionally, it positioned me to assume the role of champion in my own right, advocating for AI-driven afterschool and summer programs to end youth violence in D.C., Maryland and across the country. And while our policy positions didn’t always align, Congresswoman Jackson Lee gladly lent her star power to support the initiatives of STEM4US, which benefitted the youth. See more on afro.com
By Georgia Jensen
From attending summer science demonstrations as a kid to volunteering as a high school student, the library has always been an important presence for me.
When I was seven and my dad lost his job, my parents leaned on our community to help raise my sister and me. We got handme-downs from friends and food vouchers from our church — and the library became an even more central part of my life.
At least once a week, my dad would take us to the library, where my sister could get help on her homework, I could explore the children’s books and my dad could look for jobs. As it’s done for so many others, our local library stepped up to take care of us.
Unfortunately, libraries are under political attack across much
of the country.
Obsessed with “culture wars,” conservative politicians have been taking drastic measures to stop the distribution of what they call “ageinappropriate books” — which are often children’s books by and about LGBTQ+ individuals or people of color.
Last year Missouri enacted a rule defunding libraries that carry such content. And in order to comply with a restrictive new library law in Idaho, some libraries have actually banned children and forced patrons under 30 to present an ID to enter.
All told, 17 GOP-led states are considering bills that would threaten librarians with prison time for lending books that lawmakers deem “obscene” or “harmful” to minors. And even in New York City, it took a massive public outcry to reverse Democratic
Mayor Eric Adams’ devastating cuts to the library system.
When politicians target libraries, communities lose. Public libraries promote equality by championing free and open access to information. They not only allow individuals to access books but also movies, music and the internet.
A 2019 Gallup poll found that adults in low-income households visit their local libraries more than any other income group, which can help boost reading and literacy. By age 17, low-income students tend to lag behind their peers in reading by as much as four years, a disparity fueled by having less access to reading material — especially during the summer, when schools close. That’s why nearly all public libraries offer summer reading programs.
Libraries recognize and meet
the needs of their patrons. In San Francisco, where homelessness is an ongoing crisis, the local library became one of the first in the country to hire an in-house social worker to provide expert help for its unhoused library users.
While legislation and programs aimed at fighting poverty remain stuck in Congress, libraries across the country already offer a variety of services to help society’s most vulnerable.
As of 2019, 75 percent of public libraries offered career services ranging from assistance with writing resumes and cover letters to technology training. Many also offer English as a Second Language (ESL), General Education Development (GED) and citizenship classes.
Hundreds of libraries partner with the USDA every summer to serve free meals to kids in low-
income communities. And they serve as refuges during heatwaves, partnering with local governments to welcome those who need a reprieve from the scorching temperatures.
Libraries ensure that both children and adults get the help they need to succeed in life. To continue, they need our help. We need to support our local libraries by donating or volunteering where we can. We can also pressure our lawmakers not to cut funding. Congress is currently working on the budget for the federal budget for 2025. The American Library Association has an advocacy email list that makes it easy to let your members of Congress know that funding libraries should be a national priority. You can do the same thing at the state and local levels.
By Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (Fla.-District 24)
Trump is “America’s Hitler.”
Those aren’t my words. They’re the words of Donald Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance. That’s what he and many others used to say about Trump before they succumbed to his influence. Now, they’re proclaiming their loyalty by bowing down and kissing the ring of an insurrection inciter, a racist, a sex predator, a twice-impeached, four-time indicted, now convicted felon and former disgrace of a president. Recently, the Republicans held their national convention. Despite the delusional and deranged policies Trump has been shoving down our throats, he was met with thunderous applause.
Let me paint a picture of a
second Trump term, according to MAGA Republicans and Trump’s closest cronies.
Journalist and historian Anne Applebaum aptly noted, “Often, for autocrats, the second time in power is [the] worst.” That’s a chillingly accurate description of what we’d face with Trump, especially with the tyrannical policies in Project 2025.
If you haven’t heard, Project 2025 is a 920-page blueprint for a second Trump term, straight out of a dystopian novel. It’s packed with the horrifying policies MAGA Republicans dream of imposing. It’s the MAGA Republicans’ plan to take control of this country and our lives.
It demolishes checks and
Dear Editor,
As
balances, tramples personal liberties and outlines a Trump power grab ripped from a dictator’s playbook.
Trump wants to fire up to 1 million people in the federal government and replace them with a bunch of extreme MAGA Republicans who would do Trump’s bidding instead of the American people and the Constitution.
and school principal, I find this vile and inexcusable.
Project 2025 also wants students in public high schools to take a military entrance exam in an effort to draft them into the military. However, it leaves private school kids untouched.
The cherry on top? They’re hell-bent on banning abortion and restricting access to birth control and Plan B. As someone who knew life before Roe v. Wade and almost died from a stillbirth, we simply cannot go back.
Now, Trump knows this plan is insane and unpopular, and has recently tried to distance himself from Project 2025, claiming he knows nothing about it.
But Project 2025 is crawling with former Trump officials and cabinet members.
trying to do now is lie about
Project 2025 so they can win the election and begin to implement this draconian plan—just like authoritarians in other countries did when trying to grab onto power. But we cannot ignore their true vile intentions.
So, what’s next?
Trump used his first term to destroy the guardrails of democracy, stack the courts with loyalists, and make the truth seem like “fake news.”
So, while our democracy survived a first Trump term, it won’t survive a second one.
Don’t take my word for it.
Public libraries make up a foundational part of our communities. It’s up to us to help keep them that way.
And let’s talk about your wallet because you can forget about that with Project 2025. MAGA Republicans want to increase taxes on the middle class, gut social security for young Americans, slash Medicare, let employers stop paying overtime and more. They also aim to obliterate the Department of Education and eliminate the Head Start program. As a former Head Start educator a dictator. There is simply too much at stake to focus on anything other than the choice we have in this election: democracy or dictatorship. I’m choosing democracy every day.
Trump said he will become “a dictator on day one.” This isn’t just a scare tactic by Democrats; it’s simply what Trump has already told us will happen if he wins. So, believe him when he says he’ll be
All MAGA Republicans are
As
Sincerely,
William Gleaves billygoat404@gmail.com
Janet Currie President,
By Sen. Cory McCray (D-Md.-District 45)
Despite economists’ reports of a thriving economy, many everyday people, including our neighbors, struggle to make ends meet. The challenge of keeping the lights on, paying bills and putting healthy food on the table is a common narrative among my district’s constituents, especially seniors.
Consider a retiree, the backbone of our community who has contributed a great deal to society, now forced to choose between purchasing essential medications or adequately heating their home. Fixed incomes further exacerbate this reality for many older adults in our community.
In response to these pressing needs, various assistance programs have been implemented, though they often require adjustment to meet evolving challenges.
The Supplemental
Sen. Cory McCray represents the 45th Legislative District in Maryland, covering Northeast and East Baltimore City. This week, he speaks on the hunger challenges facing Maryland.
By Aria Brent AFRO Staff Writer abrent@afro.com
Artscape recently returned to Baltimore, drawing thousands to the event that has become a hallmark of artistic expression and community spirit. Held Aug. 2 to Aug. 4, 2024, artists and art lovers from around the region and beyond descended on Baltimore in hopes of experiencing good music, great food and innovative art exhibits.
This year’s Artscape festival lived up to its reputation as the largest free arts festival in the nation. Over the three day event, attendees were treated to an electrifying mix of artistic exhibitions, performances and interactive experiences that showcased the rich diversity of Charm City’s creative scene.
“It’s these kinds of cultural events that make the difference in people loving a place and being a part of a place,” said Mark Thomas, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee. “I like Artscape because it really makes a difference in exposing people to the art scene and the culture. This is a great thing for us to continue to invest in and make sure it becomes even more impactful.”
Thomas used the weekend to network, enjoy the festival offerings and find interesting art pieces for his home.
The festival had over 150 vendor booths, each offering a unique glimpse into the world of visual arts. From eye-catching multimedia installations
to intricate traditional artworks like paintings and photography, the array of exhibits displayed the depth of local and national talent. Noteworthy installations
“There’s no other place in the world it could happen. This is a celebration of Baltimore as an arts hub and a cultural mecca. We are celebrating and supporting artists from around the city. You can’t move it because you can’t get that secret sauce that’s available
in Baltimore anywhere else, but Baltimore.”
included a large-scale interactive mural that allowed visitors to contribute their own artistic touches, and a series of thought-provoking sculptures that
explored themes of community and identity.
“This festival provides a lot of exposure to culture,” said Jeffrey Kent, a conceptual artist known for his paintings.“It’s bringing culture and art to the street and Black people don’t normally get access to that.”
Aside from visual art, music lovers were not disappointed, as the festival featured an impressive lineup of performances across multiple stages. Musical offerings included jazz, classical music, hip-hop and more.
Headlining acts included The Original Wailers, Sheila E. and Chaka Khan.
However both Sheila E. and Chaka Khan were unable to perform due to inclement weather.
As a result, local bands had their moment in the sun—and the rain— showcasing the burgeoning talent within the city.
Known for being one of the biggest stages for local artists to establish themselves, Artscape is a safe space for many artists that are just getting their start. Mayor Brandon M. Scott spoke on the importance of Artscape.
“One of the best things about Artscape is how we promote local artists. To see our own folks on the stage is a great way to honor Baltimore artists both old and new. That’s why we love Artscape and our city so much,” he said.
Rachel Graham, CEO of the Baltimore Office for Promotion and The Arts (BOPA), also spoke on what the
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
The Department of Public Works (DPW) paused trash and recycling collection on Aug. 6 to conduct mandatory heat safety training after the heat-related death of crew member Ronald Silver II, 36.
A make-up day was scheduled for Aug. 10, with regular duties resuming on Aug. 7. The session focused on the Occupational Safety Health Administration’s guidelines for knowing the signs of a heat stroke and related illnesses. It also aimed to ensure employees notice potential heat stress hazards and know how to address them.
died on
2 while on the
due to heat exhaustion as confirmed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
“We lost a
Petition to thwart Harborplace redevelopment falls short of signatures required to make November ballot
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com
A charter amendment question seeking to halt MCB Real Estate’s $900-million redevelopment of Harborplace will not be on Baltimore ballots this fall. The Protect Our Parks petition, spearheaded by former mayoral candidate Thiru Vignarajah, failed to garner enough signatures to meet the Baltimore City Board of Election’s 4:30 p.m. deadline on July 29.
The initiative sought to create a system of city parks dedicated to public use that would prohibit private and commercial development. The proposed system included the 34-acre Inner Harbor Park, the site of Harborplace’s transformation.
It required 10,000 signatures to make the ballot.
“It’s gratifying that Baltimoreans were unwilling to get behind Thiru’s effort to stop the redevelopment of Harborplace, even with his campaign misleading them by saying it was about saving
“Ironically,
parks,” wrote John Laria, chair of the Baltimore for a New Harborplace ballot issue committee, in a statement to the AFRO. “Ironically, the MCB plan for Harborplace will add more public open space than exists today, for everyone to appreciate and enjoy. We’ll be telling the true story as we promote the City-approved ballot question that will help bring Harborplace back to life.”
Critics of the failed petition believe it was deceptively marketed as an effort to safeguard Baltimore’s parks rather than a blatant attack on the development plan for Harborplace. If the ballot question passed, it would have barred residential development, private office space and buildings taller than 100
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com
It’s been a little over a year since Marylanders, aged 21 and older, were permitted to possess recreational cannabis. The greenlight came after voters approved a referendum in 2022 that legalized the plant for adult use.
As with any new law, the public has encountered some uncertainty around compliance and the implications of the legislation. The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) recently hosted a Cannabis Symposium to clear up confusion.
“Since the passage of this legislation, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights has noticed a plethora of misinformation about the law,” said Cleveland L. Horton II, acting director of the MCCR. “With that being stated, we provided an opportunity to educate the public regarding the state and federal laws surrounding cannabis.”
Much of the information session’s focus was rooted in how cannabis use can impact a person’s hiring and employment. Under Maryland law, employers are authorized to test for the use of cannabis and to take action against employees who test positive for its use.
“There are some additional questions left unanswered, specifically as it pertains to employment,” he continued. “The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights deemed it necessary to start the dialogue to develop an educated approach and a plan to address the myriad of issues left unanswered since the passage of the referendum.”
In its initial draft, the legalization legislation made clear that it did not prevent any employer from denying employment
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Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been a lifeline for many grappling with these daily challenges. However, even this crucial support sometimes falls short, especially for our older neighbors. This has been particularly true in recent years as inflation has driven prices, including those at grocery stores, to record highs. While gross domestic product (GDP) figures and stock market indices may soar, they often fail to capture the struggles of ordinary families. This stark disconnect between macroeconomic indicators and the lived experiences of everyday people underscores the need for targeted assistance programs.
That’s where Maryland’s recent legislative efforts come into play, aiming to bridge the gap between statistical prosperity and actual wellbeing for our most vulnerable residents.
During the 2024
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Legislative Session, I was proud to sponsor Senate Bill 35, which increases Maryland’s supplemental assistance to specific individuals under this federal program. Currently, the federal government provides a minimum monthly SNAP benefit of just $23. In 2016 and 2022, Maryland took steps forward, providing supplemental increases above the federal level for households with a member over 62. But we knew we could do better.
When I first entered the Senate chamber, my goal, shared with Del. Emily Shetty of Montgomery County (DMd.- District 18), was to increase the monthly benefit to at least $95 per individual and remove the minimum eligibility age. The fight was uphill, and I applaud organizations across the state, such as Maryland Hunger Solutions, for their tireless efforts to ease the burden on Marylanders. Ultimately,
feet. The limitations would have interfered with multiple components of the Harborplace proposal, led by MCB Real Estate co-founder P. David Bramble.
His plan calls for the demolition of the current pavilions to develop a waterfront park, two-tiered promenade, amphitheater, mixedused commercial buildings and two high-rise residential towers.
In March, Mayor Brandon Scott signed legislation to alter zoning regulations, the city charter and urban renewal plan for the Harborplace overhaul. In November,
Photo courtesy of LinkedIn Cleveland L. Horton II is the acting director of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR). The organization recently hosted a Cannabis Symposium to discuss how the recent legalization of adult-use impacts the workplace.
Photo courtesy of Maryland.gov
Delegate Nicole A. Williams, of District 22, is the chair of the House Subcommittee on Public Safety. She was a part of the House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Work Group from 2021 to 2023.
to or disciplining an employee for cannabis use. But, the section was later struck from the legislation.
Delegate Nicole A. Williams (D-22) said this was in part because policymakers wanted to emulate the state’s laws for alcohol.
“We basically treated it the same as alcohol, and that was our advice to employers across the state,” said Williams. “If
we achieved a victory that lowered the age requirement from 62 to 60 and increased the minimum state benefit from $40 to $50 a month.
Signed by Maryland governor Wes Moore on April 25, 2024, the legislation will make more people eligible and invest an additional $4.2 million in SNAP benefits in fiscal year 2025. By expanding benefits and increasing the amount, we are throwing a vital lifeline to senior citizens in the 45th district, in the city and across the state who are dealing with food insecurity.
This legislation builds on our previous work to combat food insecurity, such as Senate Bill 218 (2019), sponsored with Del. Pam Queen, which provided summer SNAP benefits to ensure children in low-income households receive additional food assistance when school is out. Additionally, Senate Bill 116 (2019) with Del. Charkoudian expanded the
Baltimore City voters will choose whether to approve the charter amendment, which would permit residential development and parking in the Inner Harbor. The Protect Our Park petition would have countered that if it made the ballot.
Maryland State Senator Antonio Hayes (D40) expressed his disapproval of Vignarajah’s petition drive in a July 21 post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I am told people are out at the downtown farmers market lying. Getting people to sign a petition to protect city parks from development, and it’s really about stopping progress at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor,” wrote Hayes. “Beware of these imposters.”
The Inner Harbor Coalition, a group dedicated to preserving the waterfront hub for public use, has also opposed Bramble’s redevelopment. Leader Michael Brassert said the organization will continue its campaign urging Baltimoreans to vote no on the Harborplace ballot question.
“We maintain that there should be a holistic master plan that includes downtown, the convention center, the stadiums and the Inner Harbor,” wrote Brassert in a statement to the AFRO. “There should be an open concept competition for Harborplace and the city should consult with economists, urban planners and architects to find an appropriate and affordable plan. We should not have to settle on one mediocre plan that was cooked up in a backroom deal that privatizes our public land.”
Vignarajah did not respond to the AFRO’s request for comment.
you would not allow your employee to come to work drunk, then that would hold true in terms of them coming to work high from cannabis.”
Williams also acknowledged that certain industries have voiced concerns since adult-use legalization.
“Some of the industries that rely on safety and sobriety with their workers, like construction in particular, have worries about their employees partaking whether it’s for recreational or medical use and how that could affect them or others around them on a jobsite,” said Williams.
There are also challenges around testing for cannabis impairment. Unlike alcohol, there is no standardized measurement for cannabis intoxication. The drug can also be detected in the body long after a person is sober.
“You can do a blood test to get a level of THC per blood content, but that does not necessarily correlate with whether or not someone’s impaired in the moment,” said Andrew Garrison, chief of the office of policy and government affairs for the Maryland Cannabis Administration. “A lot of the instant impairment tests that are being developed are more so based on cognition and response time rather than any biological indicator of recent consumption.”
This not only has implications for employment but also for driving under the influence. Williams says solutions are in the works for cannabis testing, but it’s unclear how effective they are.
“There are some products out there, but they are still being vetted at this time,” said Williams. “I don’t think they have been certified as being as accurate as a breathalyzer at this point, but I know a number of companies are working on various types of technology to do a better job of testing for impairment.”
definition of “complete streets design features” to include access to healthy food retail stores, particularly in food deserts.
The upcoming Lidl grocery store in the Somerset Community is another piece of the puzzle, bringing affordable, nutritious options to an underserved area. Combined with the expanded SNAP benefits taking effect on Oct. 1, we’re making real progress in the fight against hunger.
While these steps represent significant progress,
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our work is far from over. The challenges facing our seniors and vulnerable populations continue to evolve, demanding our ongoing attention and action. Looking ahead, we must push for even more comprehensive policies and resources to ensure that no one, especially our seniors, are faced with these dilemmas. This might include further expansions of SNAP benefits, increased funding for affordable housing or other innovative programs.
As we celebrate our recent victories, let’s also recommit
Aug. 3. “Our hearts are first and foremost with him, his family and loved ones and his DPW colleagues as we grapple with this loss.”
This all comes a month after the Office of the Inspector General released a report, which described poor conditions in DPW facilities and company trucks. Issues included an inoperable ice machine in an employee break room and no air conditioning in an employee locker room.
Scott and Zaied said Silver experienced a “medical situation” as the workday was about to conclude on Aug. 2, requiring immediate aid while he and his fellow crew members were in their truck.
“Emergency Medical Services were called, dispatched and Silver was transported to the hospital, where he passed away,” they said.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 14,000 Americans have died directly from heat-related causes since 1979.
In an Aug. 5 news release, DPW said they are working with the Maryland Office of Safety and Health as they investigate the conditions around Silver’s death.
ourselves to the ongoing fight against food insecurity and poverty. By continuing to work together – legislators, community organizations and citizens – we can build a Maryland where economic dignity is a reality for all, not just a promise. With these efforts, we are not just addressing immediate needs but laying the foundation for a more equitable and compassionate society. Let’s keep pushing forward, ensuring that everyone in Maryland can live with dignity and security.
“DPW remains committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our frontline workers as the city grapples with the impact of extreme heat. We will continue to assess working conditions at all sites and make necessary adjustments to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.”
“As part of standard procedure, the Baltimore Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit is conducting its own review of the incident,” said DPW. “We are fully cooperating with both efforts.”
Drop-off centers will remain open to residents:
• Northwest Transfer Station, 5030 Reisterstown Road (7 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• Quarantine Road Landfill, 6100 Quarantine Road (9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
• Northwest Residential Drop-off Center, 2840 Sisson Street (9 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
• Southwestern Residential Drop-off Center, 701 Reedbird Avenue (9 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
• Eastern Residential Drop-off Center, 6101 Bowleys Lane (9 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
“DPW remains committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our frontline workers as the city grapples with the impact of extreme heat,” said DPW. “We will continue to assess working conditions at all sites and make necessary adjustments to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.”
Baltimore City Councilmembers, unions demand worker safety now
On the morning of the scheduled heat safety training, several Baltimore City Council members and unions gathered in front of city hall to demand cooperation from DPW. Councilman Zeke Cohen (D-District 1) laid out initiatives the council is expecting DPW to comply with.
“The council will immediately launch a series of hearings to identify necessary changes to safety and health conditions across DPW,” he said. “We call for complete cooperation by DPW and a commitment to make immediate improvements.”
Patrick Moran, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Maryland Council 3, emphasized the need for DPW to act now.
“Heat waves are longer and more dangerous. It’s affecting working conditions everywhere. We must work together to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” said Moran. “This can’t be a marathon. This has now got to be a sprint.”
By Aria Brent AFRO Staff Writer abrent@afro.com
Highly acclaimed civil rights attorney, Ben Crump and attorney, Christopher Seeger of Seeger Weiss announced on Aug. 5 they have filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of Henrietta Lacks. The lawsuit is against Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., Novartis Gene Therapies Inc., Viatris Inc. and Mylan Pharmaceuticals. The lawsuit was filed regarding justice for the wrongful and unauthorized commercialization of Lacks’s cells, known as the HeLa cell line. For decades these cells have been used for the advancement and development of medical research and drug development without her or her family’s consent.
Lacks was being treated for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the early 1950s and during a procedure, tissue samples were extracted from her cervix unbeknownst to her. It was found by medical experts that her cells were unique in comparison to typical cells due to their ability to reproduce indefinitely outside of the human body. This discovery led to the creation of the first immortalized human cell line.
“Black people have the right to control their bodies and their genetic material. The exploitation of Henrietta Lacks’s cells must be acknowledged, and justice must be served for her family.”
“Henrietta Lacks’s cells have fueled countless medical breakthroughs, from the development of the polio vaccine to advancements in gene mapping and in vitro fertilization,” said Seeger. “Yet, despite the monumental impact of HeLa cells on medical science, Mrs. Lacks’s family has had to fight for compensation and acknowledgment for their profound contribution.”
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festival means to Charm City.
“There’s no other place in the world it could happen,” she said.
The lawsuit brings attention to the conscious decisions made by Novartis and Viatris to commercialize Lacks’ cells and profit from it, all the while being well aware of the unethical harvesting of the cells. Novartis acknowledges Lacks story on their website, however they’ve continued to profit off the use of her genetic material without having permission to do so and without compensating her estate. Viatris and its subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals have also heavily relied on HeLa cells for the development of medicine, the advancement of their research and the increase of revenue.
“Medical research has a long, troubled history of exploiting Black individuals, and Henrietta Lacks’s story is a stark reminder of this legacy,” Crump added. “It is time for these corporations to be held accountable for their unjust enrichment and to provide the Lacks family with the recognition and compensation they deserve.”
The lawsuit provides a singular cause of action for unjust enrichment, noting that the defendants’ ongoing use and commercialization of HeLa cells are unethical, morally corrupt and unequitable without compensation to or the consent of the Lacks family. It declares that the profits made from the use of these cells should be given to the estate of Lacks.
“Black people have the right to control their bodies and their genetic material,” Crump stated. “The exploitation of Henrietta Lacks’s cells must be acknowledged, and justice must be served for her family. We will fight tirelessly to ensure that her legacy is honored and that her family receives the compensation they are owed.”
“This is a celebration of Baltimore as an arts hub and a cultural mecca. We are celebrating and supporting artists from around the city. You can’t move it because you can’t get that secret sauce that’s available in Baltimore anywhere else, but Baltimore.”
One of the festival’s standout features was its focus on interactive and family-friendly activities. Attendees of all ages had the chance to engage in hands-on art
workshops, from pottery making to digital art creation.
The festival’s Family Zone was a hit, providing a range of activities designed for younger visitors, including craft stations and puppet shows that delighted children and parents alike.
The 40th Artscape festival was more than just a celebration of the arts–it was a reaffirmation of Baltimore’s commitment to fostering creativity and community. The event highlighted the importance of public art and cultural gatherings in bringing people together and
enriching their lives.
“It’s important that we do this because this is a very important economic sector to this city,” said Graham. “There’s so much cultural richness. What better way to celebrate than to bring it all together in one place at one time.”
Saturday, August 24, 2024
6:00 pm until 10:00 pm
By Lizzie Suber AFRO Intern lizziesuber@afro.com
The 40th Artscape festival took place Aug. 2 - 4, once again bringing artists of every discipline to Charm City. Local and international artists gathered for the three-day outdoor event, complete with food, music and the very best of
Baltimore’s culture.
As the nation’s largest free outdoor arts festival, Artscape attracts thousands of visitors each year. This year, the event featured more than 100 vendors who showed off their work to those in attendance.
This year’s festival included a variety of visual art genres, multiple stages for bands and local performers and fashion shows.
AFRO Photos/ Alexis Taylor, except where noted
Noah Lyles wins a historically close
five-thousandths of a second
By Eddie Pells
The Associated Press
Noah Lyles paced on the far end of the track, hands folded over the top of his head, wistfully looking up at a scoreboard that would, sooner or later, flash an answer he’s been seeking over three sweat-soaked years.
Was all that toil since the last Olympics — all the work on the practice track and in the weight room in the name of finding a centimeter here or a millisecond there — really going to be worth all the trouble?
Ten seconds passed, then 20. Then, nearly 30. And then, the answer popped up.
Yes, Lyles is the 100-meter champion at the Paris Olympics. The World’s Fastest Man.
Just not by very much.
The American showman edged out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson on Sunday by five-thousandths of a second — that’s .005 of one tick of the clock — in a race for the ages.
The final tally in this one: Lyles 9.784 seconds, Thompson 9.789.
The new champion said that before he left for Paris, one of his physio guys assured him this race would be a squeaker.
“He said, ‘This is how close first and second are going to be,’” Lyles said as he pinched his thumb and his forefinger together so they were almost touching. “I can’t believe how right he was.”
For perspective, the blink of an eye takes, on average, .1 second. That was 20 times longer than the gap between first and second.
It was so close, that when the sprinters crossed the line and the word “Photo” popped up next to the names of Lyles, Thompson and five others in the eight-man field, Lyles walked over to the Jamaican and said “I think you got the Olympics, dog.”
Thompson, who raced three lanes to the left of Lyles and had no clue where he was on the track, wasn’t convinced.
“I was, ‘Wow, I’m not even
sure, because it was that close,’” the Jamaican said.
Time would tell. It always does. When Lyles’ name came up first, he snatched his name tag off the front of his bib and held it to the sky. Moments later, he shouted at the TV camera: “America, I told you I got this!”
America’s Fred Kerley came in third at 9.81. “That’s probably one of the most beautiful races I’ve been in,” he said.
In the photo finish, Kerley’s orange shoe crossed the line before anyone, or anything. But it’s the chest breaking the barrier that counts. Lyles’ chest crossed first.
This was the closest 1-2 finish in the 100 since at least Moscow in 1980 — or maybe even ever.
Back then, Britain’s Allan Wells narrowly beat Silvio Leonard in an era when the electronic timers didn’t go into the thousandths of a second. The same was true in 1932, when Eddie Tolan won the Olympics’ first ever photo finish.
Lyles conceded that during the excruciating wait, he was pretty sure he had dipped his chest just a tad too soon. Dipping, it turns out, is one of the few things he doesn’t work on over and over again at his training track in
Florida.
“But I would say I have a decent history with dipping,” he said, recalling races he won in high school and as a junior.
The 9.784 marked a new personal best for Lyles and made him the first American champion in the marquee race at the Olympics since Justin Gatlin in 2004.
Lyles is hoping to go even bigger than that, and maybe take this sport back to a day when it was Carl Lewis and Edwin Moses lighting up the track — a must-see affair, the likes of which Lyles headlined in front of around 80,000 on a warm night at the Stade de France.
The mission started after Lyles settled for a bronze medal in Tokyo in his favorite — and then, only — sprint, the 200. Those COVID-impacted Games were a terrible experience for Lyles. He rededicated himself to bettering his mental health, but also looked for a new mission — the 100 meters and, with it, a chance at track immortality.
The practice was tough for a sprinter never known as a great starter, but he stuck with it. When he won the world championships last year, then backed it up by winning the 200, his
goal for Paris was very much in sight.
But when he came into the Olympic final having finished second in both his qualifying races and staring across at one sprinter who had run faster than him this year — Thompson — and another who had beaten him twice this year — Jamaica’s Oblique Seville — he knew this would be no coronation.
Thompson added another roadblock when, during the introduction, he let out a primal scream, the likes of which Lyles has been unleashing in some of his biggest races.
“I thought ‘Man, that’s my thing, that’s crazy,’” Lyles said.
Lyles galloped and leapt about 20 yards down the track before returning to the starting line, where the runners waited some three minutes for the gun to finally sound.
It was worth the wait.
Now, the question that could be debated for years is: What was the difference in this one?
Could it have been Lyles’ closing speed and that lean into the line that he thought was mistimed?
Was it his ability to stay in reach of everyone among this straight line of sprinters over the first 60 meters — a skill he’s been working on in tedious
Triple jump champion Thea LaFond on winning Dominica’s first Olympic medal: ‘It’s a really big deal’
By Andrew Dampf
The Associated Press
Sometimes, all it takes is one athlete.
In March, triple jumper
Thea LaFond was the only representative of her tiny Caribbean nation, Dominica, at the World Athletics Indoor Championships.
She won the gold medal.
Now at the Paris Olympics, LaFond is the only woman from her country competing in track and field.
Again, she won gold.
Only it was more than gold. It was the very first Olympic medal for Dominica.
“It’s an understatement to say it’s a really big deal,” LaFond said after her victory Saturday night at the Stade de France. “Sometimes you wonder if being from a small country means that you have less accessibility to resources…
But we’ve been really big on [prioritizing] quality and just executing it.”
LaFond left Dominica for the United States when she was 5 and now lives in Maryland.
But she’s still an ambassador for her birth nation.
“My country’s name is Dominica (dah-min-EE-ka).
We’re not the Dominican Republic, so it’s pronounced differently,” LaFond said.
“We are about roughly 70,000 people. Not seven million. Not 70 million. Seventy thousand.
And it is a gorgeous, gorgeous gem in the Caribbean near to Martinique and Guadeloupe. … Our neighbors also include St. Lucia, Barbados and, further south, Trinidad and Tobago.
Our primary language is English. And now they have a gold medal.”
Dominica wasn’t the only Caribbean island to earn its first Olympic medal on Saturday.
Julien Alfred of St. Lucia won the 100-meter title.
In 2017, 90 percent of the homes on Dominica were damaged by Hurricane Maria and 31 people died.
There are virtually no facilities for track and field on the island. Plans to build a track have been stalled for years, LaFond said.
“The biggest issue has been getting the land allocation for this track. Give us the land and there will be a track,” LaFond
said. “I’m really hoping this medal kind of lights a fire under all government officials to get that done. I want a place where the next generation doesn’t necessarily have to go overseas.”
After her move to the U.S., LaFond developed into a classically trained dancer. She gave up dance at 13 when her family couldn’t afford lessons anymore and discovered track and field at John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, and went on to compete at the University of Maryland.
When she made her Olympic debut in 2016, she was introduced to Aaron Gadson, who became her coach and then her husband. Gadson’s first big advice for LaFond involved a big change to her jumping technique.
LaFond had leaped off
her right leg since she was a teenager. Gadson thought she was stronger jumping off her left leg, though, so they made the change.
“It’s basically teaching your body how to jump again,” LaFond said. “There were some very frustrating days.”
Gadson had some more invaluable advice in Paris after LaFond leaped 14.32 meters on her first jump: “He came to me and he said, ‘Listen, there is torrential downpour coming in 20 minutes. You have to do something big now because the weather is not going to be on your side.’”
LaFond leaped 15.02 on her second attempt, which was the winning jump. As Gadson predicted, the storm then came and nobody else could come close in the wet conditions.
“We had to put it together right then and there,” LaFond said.
Shanieka Ricketts of Jamaica took silver at 14.87 and Jasmine Moore of the U.S. got bronze at 14.67.
Missing from the competition was world-record holder and defending Olympic champion Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela, who was out with an Achilles tendon injury.
Besides celebrations on Dominica, LaFond’s victory sparked jubilation at a Navy football preseason practice session when the news was communicated to Chreign
practice after practice since he took on the shorter sprint?
The answer: all that and more.
“Everyone in the field came out knowing they could win this race,” Lyles said.
It took 9.784 seconds, then about 30 seconds more, for the scoreboard to flash the name of the man who actually did.
“Seeing that name, I was like ‘Oh my gosh, there it is!’” Lyles said.
Gold (and bronze) for Ukrainian high jumpers
Yaroslava Mahuchikh won Olympic gold in the high jump for her war-torn country of Ukraine and, as a bonus, had company. Her teammate Iryna Gerashchenko won the bronze and the teammates hopped, skipped and jumped around the track parading their blue-and-yellow flags in a heartfelt celebration.
Mahuchikh needed fewer tries to clear the winning height of two meters than Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers, and so, added the sport’s biggest prize of all — Olympic gold — to her world championship and world record.
The article was originally published by The Associated Press.
Andrade proud of ‘Black Power’ podium
By Samuel Petrequin The Associated Press
Rebeca Andrade, Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles: three Black women sharing the Olympic podium after the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics.
“We can show the Black Power,” Andrade said after claiming the gold medal ahead of Biles and Chiles.
Three Black women had already stood on the podium in the all-around event at the world championships last year, when American Shilese Jones was third behind Biles and Andrade.
“We were able to do it here too,“ Andrade said. “I love myself, my skin color. But I’m also not focused on that. Rebeca goes beyond her color. And the same goes for Jordan, for Simone. The idea is it serves as an incentive. Sometimes it may be more difficult for you because of your skin color. But you can do it, and we proved it’s possible.”
This article was originally published by The Associated Press.
By Lizzie Suber AFRO Intern lizziesuber@afro.com
A July vote held by the National Assembly of The Gambia blocked recent efforts to repeal the Women’s (Amendment) Act of 2015, which criminalized female genital mutilation (FGM). This vote prevented The Gambia from becoming the world’s first country to undo a ban on FGM.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as “partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” The practice, which is typically performed on girls below the age of 15, is sometimes also referred to as female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) or female circumcision.
Before it was banned, the practice was particularly popular in The Gambia, where it was typically performed for religious purposes.
“Today, more than 73 percent of girls and women aged 15 to 49 in the country have already undergone this harmful practice, with many subjected to it before their fifth birthday,” read a joint statement from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell; United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Natalia Kanem; WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; United Nations (UN) Women Executive Director Sima Bahous and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
Although FGM has been illegal in The Gambia for nearly a decade, the procedure recently re-entered the arena of public opinion after three women were arrested in August 2023 for performing FGM procedures, marking the nation’s first FGM-related arrest. Conservative Gambian politicians subsequently began advocating for a reversal of the FGM ban in September of that year.
Assembly members voted in March 2024 to allow for a consideration of the proposed FGM ban reversal, known as the Women’s
“Following the vote today by the National Assembly of The Gambia, we commend the country’s decision to uphold the ban on female genital mutilation, reaffirming its commitments to human rights, gender equality and protecting the health and wellbeing of girls and women.”
become the first nation in the world to undo a ban on FGM. Gambian decisionmakers received resounding international support from FGM critics following this decision.
“We commend the country’s decision to uphold the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), reaffirming its commitments to human rights, gender equality and protecting the health and well-being of girls and women,” Russell, Kanem, Tedros, Bahous and Türk said in their joint statement, issued shortly after The Gambia’s ruling.
FGM is in no way unique to The Gambia.
According to the U.S. Office on Women’s Health, FGM is most prevelant in the southern Sarhara and portions of northern and central Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The WHO reports over 230 million women alive today as having undergone FGM procedures.
(Amendment) Bill, 2024. This move alarmed FGM critics worldwide.
“The proposed repeal of the ban on FGM, referred to as female circumcision in the 2015 Women’s (Amendment) Act, is a severe violation of human rights, and a setback in the global fight against gender-based violence,” Nafisa Binte Shafique, UNICEF representative in The Gambia, and Ndeye Rose Sarr, UNFPA representative in The Gambia, said in a joint statement, released in March 2024 after The Gambia voted to consider unbanning FGM.
“This move not only disregards the immense suffering experienced by survivors of FGM, but also undermines the progress made in raising awareness, changing attitudes and
mobilizing communities to abandon this harmful practice,” continued the activists. “It sends a message that the rights and dignity of girls and women are expendable, perpetuating a cycle of discrimination and violence that has no place in a just and equitable society.”
On July 15, Speaker of the National Assembly Fabakary Jatta ruled that a bill seeking to unban FGM in The Gambia was rejected by members of the National Assembly after a 34-19 vote in favor of maintaining the ban. If the Gambian National Assembly had voted to accept the bill, The Gambia would have
A survey published in 2021 by co-sponsors the Gambia Bureau of Statistics and the Demographic and Health Surveys Program, an initiative headed by the U.S. Agency of International Development, found that Gambian citizens who believed FGM should not be banned most frequently cited religious obligation and the traditions behind the practice. Those against the procedure commonly justified their position by citing the harm FGM can cause.
The validity of FGM as a religious practice is controversial among those who practice Islam, which is the faith of most Gambian FGM advocates. Some Muslims claim FGM as an essential Muslim practice, while others denounce the custom. This tension has inspired efforts to disentangle Islam from FGM by both Muslim community members and unaffiliated organizations.
See more on afro.com
By Chaseedaw Giles KFF Health News
Jonnae Thompson has felt for a long time that her dark Brown skin and natural hair have made finding work in Hollywood especially hard.
“It’s like this negative connotation,” said the 37-yearold actress, singer and stand-up comedian, who said she is often asked to audition for villainous roles such as a bully, drug dealer or pimp.
Her quest for more equitable representation on the big screen isn’t just professionally exhausting. Thompson says anxiety about her skin complexion has affected her health.
“It definitely had a negative impact on my self-esteem,” she said. She recalls being called “charcoal” in kindergarten. “It was big, like, your skin is dark and that’s a problem.”
The term colorism — a form of prejudice and discrimination in which lighter skin is favored over darker skin — was popularized by author Alice Walker in her 1983 book “In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist Prose.”
Clinicians from various ethnic groups have recently begun to draw a direct line between colorism and poor health. A 2023 KFF survey found that, among Black and Hispanic adults, those with self-described darker skin tones reported more experiences with discrimination in daily life compared with those who have lighter skin tones. People who feel they experience daily discrimination can be at higher risk for depression, loneliness, increased alcohol and drug use and anxiety, data shows.
Colorism can also lead to physical health concerns. Hair straighteners and skin lighteners commonly used by women of color, sometimes to conform to racialized beauty standards, increase their exposure to toxic chemicals, research shows.
Because of the potential health implications, the health
a
and a stand-up comedian, performs in the “Ladies Love Comedy” show at the Ice House Comedy Club in Pasadena, Calif., on April 27. She says anxiety about her skin complexion has negatively affected both her physical and mental wellbeing.
care system should pay more attention to colorism, said Regina James, a child and adolescent psychiatrist who heads the American Psychiatric Association’s division of diversity and health equity.
“Skin color discrimination is so insidious it can literally get under your skin,” she said. “And consciously or subconsciously, it can contribute to low self-esteem and self-confidence, and even be detrimental to one’s mental health.”
Conversations about skin complexion can remain overlooked by mental health professionals who do not have expertise about or awareness of a person’s cultural context, if the conversations happen at all, said Usha Tummala-Narra, a clinical psychologist and professor in the department of counseling, developmental and educational psychology at Boston College.
“There’s no specific training on colorism. Many people are unaware that it exists,” Tummala-Narra said.
But the experience can negatively affect a person’s
find
about
the
self-worth, relationships, sense of belonging and dignity.
“These are all really critically important things as human beings that we all need to secure to have good health, both physically and mentally,” she said.
The issue can emerge in childhood for Black and Indigenous people and other people of color, who must navigate fair skin often being seen as superior, a ramification of colonialization. Black children with the darkest complexions experience higher levels of depressive symptoms, found a 2020 study in the journal Society and Mental Health.
Shannon Brown, 34, a former college counselor from the Bronx, N.Y., who is Black, remembers being called “midnight” by classmates and having family members joke about his skin being difficult to light in family photos. “I’ve just kind of accepted it and try to find the humor in it,” he said. “I feel like most folks aren’t intentionally trying to hurt me, but the jokes get tiresome.” See more on afro.com
By Tierra Stone AFRO Intern tierrastone@afro.com
As summer continues to heat up, the AFRO has compiled a list of events perfect for the entire family to enjoy—take a look at what’s happening near you!
Mayor Brandon Scott’s Back-To-School Kick Off
As the summer quickly comes to a close, make sure to bring your family and friends to this back-to-school annual event. All supplies and backpacks are free, but your child must be with you at the event at the time of pickup.
There will be free haircuts and free hair braiding services on a first come first serve basis. In addition, family and community resources will be available, along with live entertainment. Registration on Eventbrite required to receive a backpack and haircut services.
Date: Aug. 24
Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: War Memorial Plaza (Parking Lot)
Cost: Free
100 Holliday Street Baltimore, MD 21202
First Annual You Need a Job Fair
This event will give attendees an opportunity to meet employers in the healthcare, security, warehouse, hospitality and manufacturing sectors. There will be on-the-spot interviews, free resume workshops and career advice sessions.
Date: Aug. 27
Time: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: 1404 Thames Street Baltimore, MD 21231
Cost: Free
We Our Us 10k Power Unity Engagement Men’s Movement
The 10k Power Unity Engagement Men’s Movement is hosting a life coach event for middle schoolers, highschool students and young adults. This event will consist of job training and opportunities, trauma coaching, recreation and fatherhood sessions.
Date: Every Tuesday in August
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: 5011 Arbutus Avenue Baltimore, MD 21215
Cost: Free
Back To School: Hair and School Supplies Event
Local hair salon Brandish Beauty Queen will host its first annual back-to-school event. There will be on site barbers and stylists that will get kids ready for the school year, along with free school supplies ranging from notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers and binders.
The hair services that will be offered are: fades, temps, undercuts, retwist, cornrows and jumbo plaits and twists, but clients must arrive with their hair already washed, as that service will not be offered.
Date: Aug. 22
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: 4449 Bel Air Road Baltimore, MD 21206
Cost: Free
Coppin State University Summer Concert Series
Coppin State University will continue hosting their summer concert series for all alumni, family and friends. Be sure to bring your own lawn chairs, food and beverages. There will be vendors on site. Don’t forget to register here: e.givesmart.com/ events/CYh/.
Date: Aug. 22
Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Location: Coppin State University 2500 West North Avenue (South Quad) Baltimore, MD 21216
Cost: Free
Voter Registration Training
Join the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to learn the ropes of registering voters and receiving a certification to do so. This event will also occur on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. Register at bit.ly/BAC_Vote.
Date: Aug. 24
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Delta Community Center 2501 Springhill Ave. Baltimore, MD 21215
Cost: Free
Virtual Flourishing in Wellness Webinar Series
This virtual event will be moderated by Tracie Daniels, founder of Our Sister’s Circle. Keynote speakers for this event are Jamie Cook, retired army veteran, and Janine Horne, owner of Zen Well Studio. This event will give attendees the opportunity to learn coping skills, utilizing support systems, wellness strategies to thrive amidst change and discover techniques to increase your adaptability.
Date: Aug. 15
Time: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: oursisterscircle.org (Link will be provided upon registration)
Cost: Free
Worcester County Fair
The Worcester County and Recreation and Parks Department will host a three-day county fair, beginning on Aug. 9.. The weekend will be filled with plenty of fun for the whole family to enjoy. There will be food vendors, a horse show and a live performance by the Jimmy Charles Band.
Date: Aug. 9 - Aug. 11
Time: Friday 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 9.pm.; Sunday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: John Walter Smith Park 6030 Public Landing Road Snow Hill, MD 21863
Cost: Free
Kettering Largo and Mitchellville Health Fair
This family day event will consist of health assessments as well as children’s activities such as face painting, a moon bounce and pony rides. The day will also include a fashion show and live performances from the metropolitan area. There will also be local craft and food vendors from the surrounding area.
Date: Aug. 10
Time: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Largo High School 505 Largo Road Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Cost: Free
Summer Family Day
Bring your family and friends and learn about life with interactive games about life in the 1800s. Attendees are allowed into the Woodlawn Museum to play other games, too.
Date: Aug. 10
Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park 16501 Norwood Road
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Cost: Free
Community Care: Mental Health in Maryland
The Maryland Office of the Public Defender will be hosting a virtual legislative briefing and panel discussion with information regarding emergency petitions, incompetency to stand trial proceedings and cases where a person is found to not be criminally responsible. The office will explain how these processes of each procedure and how solution based bills use funding effectively.
Legislative Briefing
Date: Aug. 20
Time: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Watch on Facebook from the Maryland Public Defender’s page.
Caribbean Sports and Family Day Festival
This event is perfect for the entire family with activities such as soccer, cricket, dodgeball, tug-of-war, face painting and so much more. There will be food vendors, entertainment and live DJs. Make sure to stay hydrated and bring your sunscreen.
Date: Aug. 10
Time: 11 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: The Fields at RFK Campus 401 Oklahoma Avenue
Cost: Free
Northeast Washington, D.C. 20002
Irreverent Warriors Silkies Hike
This Silkies hike event is for veterans, active duty, national guard and reservists. The main purpose of this event is to improve mental health and to prevent veteran suicide. No minors, civilians, pets or strollers are allowed to attend. The hike consists of 4-10 miles and is paced between 2-3 miles per hour. Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen, headgear, photo I.D., water, medical supplies and extra socks. Check out this website for any inquiries: irreverentwarriors.com.
Date: Aug. 10
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Location: Thomas Jefferson Parking Lot A 971 Ohio Drive Southwest Washington, D.C. 20024
Cost: $5
B.B.B. Sundays at Calico: Bingo Burgers and Beer
Every Sunday of the month there will be free bingo at Calico’s indoor bar where you can play to win prizes. There will also be exclusive discounts for the Calico signature burger, fries and a pint of their special beer for $16.
Date: Aug. 11
Time: 7 p.m - 9 p.m.
Location: Calico 50 Blagden Alley Northwest Washington, D.C. 20001
Cost: Free
Serving Together, Creating Together
This exhibition will showcase the work of active duty military, veterans and their families by honoring their bravery and dedication. This event will host a large body of work from the past two years from the Workhouse Military Initiative.
Date: Aug. 11
Time: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Workhouse Arts Center (Muse Gallery) 9518 Workhouse Way Lorton, VA 22079
Cost: Free
Job Fair
If you’re looking for a job in Washington D.C., this event is perfect for you. There will be hiring managers for industries ranging from accounting, public administration, beauty and cosmetics, construction and so much more. Make sure to dress professionally, update your resume and put your best foot forward to stand out amongst the crowd.
Date: Aug. 14
Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Holiday Inn Arlington at Ballston 4610 Fairfax Drive Arlington, VA 22203
Cost: Free
Dare to Lead Differently: Book Release and Signing
Come join Twanda E. Young at Busboys and Poets for a book signing of her new book “Dare to Lead Differently: Chew on This…16 Bites for Bold Leaders.” You do not want to miss out on being inspired and tapping into the leader that you are meant to become.
Date: Aug. 16
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Busboys and Poets 4251 Campbell Avenue Arlington, VA 22206
Cost: Free
Free Movie Night
Bring your lawn chair and favorite blanket and enjoy a free movie showing of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Popcorn and drinks will be available while supplies last.
Date: Aug. 16
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Big Gem Park 736 4th Street Shenandoah, VA 22849
Cost: Free
Panel Discussion at Trinity United Methodist Church
Date: Aug. 27
Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: 703 West Patrick Street Frederick, MD 21701
Cost: Free
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PROBATE DIVISION
ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000556
ELIZABETH MARY BOLES AKA
ELIZABETH BOLES AKA
BETH BOLES Name of Decedent
Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
PATRICK ANDREW HUGGINS, whose address is 2520 KINCAID DRIVE APT.# 205, COSTA MESA, CA
92626 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ELIZABETH MARY BOLES AKA ELIZABETH BOLES AKA BETH BOLES who died on JANUARY 6, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before FEBRUARY 02, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before FEBRUARY 02, 2025 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.
Date of first publication: AUGUST 02, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
PATRICK ANDREW HUGGINS
Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 8/02, 8/09, 8/16/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000840 JOYCE A. HARIS AKA JOYCE ANN HARRIS Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
LISA D. REID, whose address is 3903 ROSEBORO STREET ORLANDO FL 32805 was appointed Person-
al Representative of the estate of JOYCE A. HARIS
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000881 ALICE L. LOGAN Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs CHRISTINE HOWELL, whose address is 2203 SCOTT KEY DRIVE DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD 20747 was ap-
pointed Personal Representative of the estate of ALICE L. LOGAN who died on JUNE 09, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before FEBRUARY 09, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before FEBRUARY 09, 2025 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: AUGUST 09, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
CHRISTINE HOWELL Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 8/09, 8/16, 8/23/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000754 ELIJAH SUITT Name of Decedent
Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JULY 26, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
JOHN M. WHITMON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 7/26, 8/02, 8/09/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM798 BRIAN K. SMITH Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
KRYSTAL SMITH , whose address is 1444 W STREET SE WASHINGTON, DC 20002 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate
AKA JOYCE ANN HARRIS who died on MAY 24, 2019 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before FEBRUARY 02, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before FEBRUARY 02, 2025 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.
Date of first publication: AUGUST 02, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
LISA D. REID
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 8/02, 8/09, 8/16/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000858
SUZETTE SAMPEUR AKA
MARIE-ANGE SUZETTE SAMPEUR Name of Decedent
NICKEY EARLINE PATTERSON 6710 OXON HILL ROAD SUITE 210 OXON HILL, MD 20745 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
MIKARL RICHARD SAMPEUR, whose address is 2255 VALENTANO DRIVE, DUBLIN, CA 94568 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of SUZETTE
SAMPEUR AKA MARIE-ANGE SUZETTE SAMPEUR who died on DECEMBER 06, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before FEBRUARY 02, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before FEBRUARY 02, 2025 or be forever barred.
Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: AUGUST 02, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
MIKARL RICHARD SAMPEUR Personal Representative TRUE
REGISTER OF WILLS 8/02, 8/09,8/16/24
DENISE S. ANTHONY, whose address is 12004 MANCHESTER WAY BOWIE, MD 20720 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ELIJAH SUITT who died on NOVEMBER 16, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before FEBRUARY 09, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before FEBRUARY 09, 2025 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: AUGUST 09, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
DENISE S. ANTHONY Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 8/09, 8/16, 8/23/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000889 HINTON G BATTLE JR. Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
LETTIE TRICE BATTLE, whose address is 29 GIRARD STREET NE WASHINGTON DC 20002 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of HINTON G. BATTLE JR. who died on JANUARY 30, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001,
PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000871 JEROME BERNARD HERGENREDER Name of Decedent MITCHELL I. ALKON, ESQUIRE 6110 EXECUTIVE BLVD STE 300 ROCKVILLE MD 20852 Notice
who died on JUNE 06, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th
KATHERINE LEIGH HERGENREDER Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 8/09, 8/16, 8/23/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000851 MARY EPPS Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JIMMIE EPPS, whose address is 71 POTOMAC AVE SE APT 710 WASHINGTON DC 20003 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARY EPPS who died on MARCH 20, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown
on or before FEBRUARY 09, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before FEBRUARY 09, 2025 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: AUGUST 09, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
JIMMIE EPPS Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 8/09, 8/16, 8/23/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000903 REMBERT SEAWARD Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
LINDA ANDERSON, whose address is 9012 CLAUDINE LANE, FORT WASHINGTON, MD 20744 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of REMBERT SEAWARD who died on APRIL 27, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections
CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS NOTICE OF LETTING
Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for BALTIMORE CITY NO. RP24818 – Cab Calloway Legends Park will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204 City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. September 18, 2024. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon. The proposed Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, at the Dept. of Rec & Parks at 2600 Madison Ave, Baltimore, Md. 21217 by appointment only on Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30am – 4:00pm by emailing benitaj.randolph@baltimorecity.gov as of August 9, 2024 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $100.00. Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call (410) 396-6883 or contact the Committee at 4 South Frederick Street, 4th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (“JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is G90132 – Park Rehabilitation, Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $1,200,000.00 to $1,500,000.00. A “PreBidding Information” session will be conducted in-person at Department of Recreation and Parks, 2600 Madison Avenue at 10:30 A.M. on August 20, 2024. Principal Items of work for this project are initial soil remediation, sodded lawn establishment, construction of walking circulation, concrete stage construction, resurfacing of playground, electrical conduit installation, fencing installation, and general landscaping. The MBE goal is 19% and WBE goal is 6%
APPROVED: M. Celeste Amato, Clerk, Board of Estimates
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND Annapolis, Maryland
ANNOUNCEMENT REQUEST FOR BIDS
On or after August 5, 2024, Plans and Specifications may be obtained from the Anne Arundel County Web Page at the following address: https:// www.aacounty.org/departments/central-services/purchasing/P.O.R.T./ bids/index.html . Bids will be received until time/date shown below, please submit your bid electronically via the PORT. Bids received after the date and time set will be rejected.
Due by 1:30 p.m. Local Time, Tuesday, September 10, 2024 Project: P584501 – Jug Bay Environmental Education Center
Sonication No.: CAP25000031
Contact: Julio Jimenez – 443-336-4648
CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NOTICE OF LETTING
Animal Care & Control Supervisor
Booking Officer
Classification/Compensation Analyst, Part-Time
Classification & Compensation Analyst
Sealed Bids or Proposal for the TR-24015, URGENT NEED CONTRACT, CITYWIDE will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until SEPTEMBER 4, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. to receive Bids. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. The bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon. As of AUGUST 9, 2024, the Contract Documents may be examined, without charge by contacting Brenda Simmons at brenda.simmons@baltimorecity.gov or (443) 865-4423 to arrange for a copy of the bid book labeled “NOT FOR BIDDING PURPOSES” to be emailed to you. Anyone who desires to purchase a bid book to be used for bidding purposes must do so in person and by contacting Brenda Simmons at the email address or phone number above. The non-refundable cost is SEVENTY -FIVE DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($75.00) Department of Transportation 417 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 made payable to the Director of Finance. Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors’ Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call (410) 396-6883 or contact the Committee at 4 S. Frederick Street, 4 th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (“JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Categories required for bidding on this project are A02602 (Bituminous Paving) and D02620(Curbs, Gutters & Sidewalk). Cost Qualification Range for this project will be from $3,000,000.00 to $4,000,000.00. A “Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted via Microsoft Teams on AUGUST 23,2024 at 10:00 a.m. hosted by the Department of Transportation. All Bidders must email your contact information to include your name, company name, phone number and email address to uttam.khadka@baltimorecity.gov to receive an invite to the Microsoft Team (video conference meeting). Principle Items of work for this project are: Superpave Asphalt 12.SMM and 19.0MM and Various Mix 2,840 Tons; Curbs, Curbs & Gutters 4,000 LF; Sidewalk 24,400 SF. The MBE Goal is 20%; The WBE Goal is 11%. APPROVED: Celeste Amato, Board of Estimates ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Combination Code Inspector (Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical) Community Case Management Program Specialist (Program Spe-
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
SOLICITATION NO.: 49-2024
OFFICER PATROL GPS TRACKING SOFTWARE SYSTEM
The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) requires licensed, qualified professionals to provide an Officer Patrol GPS Tracking Software System in response to this solicitation.
SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Monday, August 5, 2024, on DCHA’s website at www.dchousing.org under “Business” and “Solicitations”.
PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 12:00 NOON.
Email LaShawn Mizzell-McLeod, Contract Specialist at LMMCLEOD@ dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.
MoCo Planning Board submits recommendations for updated growth and infrastructure policy
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com
The Montgomery County Planning Board has submitted its updates to the county’s Growth and Infrastructure Policy (GIP) for 2024 to 2028. As of Aug. 1, it is now in the hands of the Montgomery County Council for review.
The policy, which is revised every four years, is designed to ensure county infrastructure, like roads and schools, is sufficient to support growth and new development.
D.C. Attorney General sues StubHub for ‘junk fee scheme’
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com
D.C. Attorney General
Brian L. Schwalb has sued leading online ticket exchange and resale company StubHub, accusing the platform of deceptive pricing. The civil suit was filed in a D.C. trial court on July 31. Schwalb accused the company of engaging in “drip pricing,” a strategy where companies initially market a low price to attract consumers and later disclose additional fees during the purchasing process. The charges include fulfillment and service fees.
“The GIP is vital to ensuring the county is meeting the evolving needs of a growing and diverse population,” said
Jason K.
“The GIP is vital to ensuring the county is meeting the evolving needs of a growing and diverse population.”
Sartori, planning director for Montgomery County, in a statement. “We have shifted from a growth policy decades ago that was appropriate as farmland was converted into neighborhoods, to one that complements the infill and redevelopment of maturing neighborhoods, major employment centers, town centers and downtowns that we see today.”
The top recommendations for the GIP include: extending a 50 percent impact-tax discount to developers who construct single family homes 1,800 square feet or smaller, exempting development
By Tierra Stone @tierrastone@afro.com
By Lizzie Suber @lizziesuber@afro.com AFRO Interns
Bloomberg Philanthropies recently unveiled a $175 million donation to the Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM), marking a major milestone in the school’s history.
“This is a transformational gift, not only for its impact on cultivating the next generation of health professionals, but for its visionary investment in the intergenerational wealth and health of our medical students and the communities they will serve,” said Howard University President Ben Vinson III, Ph.D., in a statement.
This gift will allow HUCM to reduce student debt costs for its pupils and continue working towards its mission to “advocate for excellence in education and healthcare for underrepresented populations” as the school instructs upcoming cohorts of Black doctors.
Bloomberg Philanthropies.
“Diversifying the medical field and tackling health inequality are society-wide challenges, and Bloomberg Philanthropies is committed to helping to lead the way in tackling them,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, in a statement. “This gift builds on our earlier investment in these vital institutions, and it will help new generations of Black doctors build a healthier and more equitable future for our country.”
Morehouse School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College also received $175 million, while Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science was given $75 million, each gift proportional to its school’s projected growth and current enrollment numbers.
“This is a transformational gift, not only for its impact on cultivating the next generation of health professionals, but for its visionary investment in the intergenerational wealth and health of our medical students and the communities they will serve.”
HUCM was not Bloomberg Philanthropies’ only gift recipient. This $175 million investment into HUCM was just one of a five-part contribution to historically Black college and university (HBCU) medical schools from
Xavier University of Louisiana also received $5 million in support of their recent efforts to open a new medical school.
This donation, totalling $600 million, marks the largest donation ever made to HBCUs and more than doubles the endowments of three of the medical schools included in the historic gift.
“We have much more to do to build a country where every person, regardless of race, has equal access to quality health care — and where students of all backgrounds have an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams,” Bloomberg said in a statement.
“This is no accident— StubHub intentionally hides the true price to boost profits at its customers’ expense.”
“For years, StubHub has illegally deceived District consumers through its convoluted junk fee scheme,” said Schwalb in a July 31 release. “StubHub lures consumers in by advertising a deceptively low price, forces them through a burdensome purchase process and then finally reveals a total on the checkout page that is vastly higher than the originally advertised ticket price. This is no accident—StubHub intentionally hides the true price to boost profits at its customers’ expense.”
The District houses several professional sports teams, including the Washington Commanders, Nationals and Capitals, as
By Tierra Stone AFRO Intern tierrastone@afro.com
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee are excited to work with new students as they prepare for the upcoming school year. The Summer Bridge Program began on Aug. 5 and serves as a new academic experience for students entering into a new phase of their scholastic journey.
During the program, middle and high school faculty members
throughout the District help 6th and 9th grade students interact with team building activities, icebreaker games, treasure hunts, school trips and art projects. The students also get the opportunity
to address what they will look forward to in the next school year.
The program allows students to learn about their campuses, meet the faculty and build lifelong
The Montgomery County Council is in the process of reviewing the county’s Growth and Infrastructure policy (GIP), which confirms public infrastructure is adequate to bolster future growth and development. The Montgomery County Planning Board’s updates to the policy include a request for the county to conduct a Local Area Transportation Review.
Continued from D1 projects that transform office space into residential units from impact taxes and exempting three or more bedroom households from school and transportation impact taxes.
The planning board also suggested that the county conduct a Local Area Transportation Review for an upcoming development project that’s expected to generate heavy traffic and forgo transportation mitigation requirements during the construction of
affordable housing units.
“Our recommended updates to the growth policy ensure the county can continue to strengthen economic development opportunities while supporting transportation networks and school communities with the infrastructure needed to meet expected population and employment growth,” said a statement from Artie Harris, chair of the planning board.
“The recommended GIP update is forward-thinking
by aligning with the county’s goals of promoting housing for all, achieving racial equity and social justice, fighting climate change and harnessing economic development tools to create thriving communities.”
The Montgomery County Council will host a public hearing for the GIP on Sep. 10. Residents can sign up to testify at the meeting on the council’s website. The policy must be approved by November 15 under county law.
Continued from D1
well as 41 entertainment venues and theaters. The attorney general asserts that the city has been disproportionately impacted by StubHub’s practices as visitors and residents spend more per capita on live entertainment than other major destinations, like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
“The District is home to one of the nation’s largest and most vibrant live entertainment scenes, and StubHub’s predatory tactics disproportionately harm District residents,” Schwalb continued. “That is why today we’re suing to end StubHub’s exploitative pricing scheme.”
In the complaint, Schwalb claims the ticketing platform previously used an all-in-pricing model from 2014 to 2015, which advertised prices that included mandatory fees up front. StubHub then conducted a study to compare the more transparent model against drip pricing.
During the testing period, the company randomly assigned customers to one of the two pricing strategies. Stubhub discovered that even when the final price was the same, consumers were less likely to buy tickets in the all-in-pricing model. It subsequently implemented drip pricing.
The lawsuit also asserts that StubHub engages in dark patterns, including
creating a false sense of urgency and high demand.
According to the complaint, the company has sold nearly 4.9 million tickets to Washingtonians and for District events, amassing $118 million in hidden fees.
The litigation follows the Federal Trade Commission’s 2023 announcement of a proposed rule that would prohibit hidden and bogus fees for resorts, concert tickets, hotel booking and more.
StubHub says the backend fees help the company provide a secure ticketbuying experience. The platform charges a fee when consumers buy and sell tickets on the site. These
fees can vary depending on the ticket price, time before the event and supply and demand.
“StubHub is committed to creating a transparent, secure and competitive marketplace to benefit consumers,” wrote StubHub in a statement to the AFRO “We are disappointed that the D.C. attorney general is targeting StubHub when our user experience is consistent with the law, our competitors’ practices and the broader e-commerce sector. We strongly support federal and state solutions that enhance existing laws to empower consumers, such as requiring all-in pricing uniformly across platforms.”
friendships.
“The DCPS Summer Bridge program helps our young people make a successful transition into a new school experience,” said Mayor Bowser, in a statement to members of press. “As a community, we want our young people to go into the new school year with the resources and relationships to feel confident and excited when they walk into school on that first day. This is what the Summer Bridge
By Aria Brent AFRO Staff Writer abrent@afro.com
program helps us do.” Ferebee weighed in on the program via a statement.
“One of DCPS’ priorities outlined in our five-year strategic plan is to ensure students feel connected to their school,” said Ferebee. “By providing our scholars with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new school environment before the start of the academic year, we’re working to cultivate
As Vice President Harris continues her campaign for president, the support is rolling in at rapid speeds. Many calls and campaigns have been organized to help the presidential candidate receive the financial, communal and political aid she needs to successfully compete to be the next commander-in-chief.
With a great amount of endorsements and backings from celebrities, political figures and elected officials, Harris seems to be moving full steam ahead with her campaign. The excitement surrounding this historic candidacy is shared by many. The AFRO reached out to D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George to get her input on watching a fellow Black woman run for president.
AFRO: What do you think will be VP Kamala Harris’ greatest challenge during this campaign for president?
Janeese Lewis George: From a practical standpoint, I think Harris’ biggest challenge will be the short amount of time she has to build a strong campaign, but the momentum we’ve seen in just the last week has made it abundantly
clear she’ll have no problem overcoming it.
Dealing with the racism and sexism that will undoubtedly shape conversations in this race is not something you get used to even though you expect it. Navigating those conversations and overcoming those who think that way will be a challenge.
AFRO: As a fellow Black woman in politics, how do you feel about her stepping into this role as a presidential candidate?
JLG: Our country is stronger when leaders reflect the full diversity of the people in our communities. That’s true at the local level and at the national level. My experiences as a woman of color who grew up in a union household shapes my policymaking in ways that are very needed in our country. I’m confident that will be true for Harris’s leadership as well. Harris and I both attended Howard University, we both are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and we both served as assistant district attorney and assistant attorney general in a state office.I am incredibly
“The DCPS Summer Bridge program helps our young people make a successful transition into a new school experience. As a community, we want our young people to go into the new school year with the resources and relationships to feel confident and excited when they walk into school on that first day. This is what the Summer Bridge program helps us do.”
a sense of belonging that will help them to build
community and thrive.”
Although every school has its own schedule, each of them offer support
to their students as they transition onto the campus.
Any students that are partaking in the Summer Bridge program are given free breakfast and lunch, and are permitted to use their Kids Ride Free cards for use of public transportation.
The school semester will officially begin on Aug. 26 families that have not completed the enrollment forms for the 2024-2025 academic year can do so on enrolldcps.dc.gov.
proud of her for multiple reasons and of how far she has come and I know that she has the experience and qualifications to step into this role.
AFRO: If elected, how do you hope to see Harris impact the nation?
JLG: We’re already seeing it. There is Obama 2008 energy happening right now and we’re seeing it at her rallies, in
her fundraising and in the people signing up to volunteer. That’s the energy it will take to defeat Donald Trump in November and that’s the energy it will take to advance progressive wins in 2025.
AFRO: Where do you think her influence is needed most right now?
JLG: We need national action on gun control. Every community in this
“Harris and I both attended Howard University, we both are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and we both served as assistant district attorney and assistant attorney general in a state office. I am incredibly proud of her for multiple reasons and of how far she has come and I know that she has the experience and qualifications to step into this role.”
country has been affected by Congress’s failure to act on guns and I hope VP Harris can make progress on it with urgency.
This moment is also making it clear that we need D.C. statehood. To have a major party candidate promising to overturn D.C. home rule is incredibly dangerous. The people who live in D.C. deserve to elect their own leaders, just like everyone else in this country and the only way to ensure that is by making D.C. the 51st State.
AFRO: How do you think having a Black woman as president will affect the climate of Black women in politics?
JLG: Black women are already doing incredible work in local government, in Congress, in state governments, federal agencies, in the courts and more. I’ll celebrate the nation’s first Black and Indian woman president, but at the end of the day I’ll get back to doing the work.
By Patricia McDougall
On Saturday, Aug. 3, the Embassy of Barbados in Washington, D.C. hosted Things to Do DC for a night of culture and fun. Attendees enjoyed the taste of Caribbean food, mingled with people from the D.C. area and danced to the sounds of Ryan “DJ Pumpkin” Brown and Johnathan “DJ Jahno” Hudson.
Things to Do DC partners with embassies throughout Washington, D.C. to introduce the culture of the various countries. The embassies entertain guests with their national dance and food tastings, as they discuss current events and offerings available in their respective countries. Things to Do DC invites the community to come out and enjoy the festivities.
