Don’t forget to vote Harris and Alsobrooks Nov. 5!
Determined to have their say
Gen Z voters cast ballots for the first time
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO
Millions of Americans from 18 to 100 and beyond have already submitted ballots thanks to early voting periods across the country. While older generations are certainly weighing in on the future of the nation, so are young voters of Generation Z (Gen Z or Gen Zers ), who have often been dubbed as “digital natives.”
This week, members of Gen Z, many currently pursuing degrees at local U.S. colleges and universities, spoke with the AFRO on being first time voters and the issues that led them to the polls.
Black Girls Vote: A breeding ground for young, politically astute women
Asia Stanley, 20, a native of Baltimore, Md., is a junior at Morgan State University where she’s majoring in
“Everything is on the line now and it’s important for all of us to vote. There are so many things that we cannot afford to lose or see becoming any worse than they already are.”
political science and minoring in legal studies.
Stanley serves as the public relations chairperson for the national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization known as Black Girls Vote, joining the group in 2023.
The organization was founded by Nykidra “Nyki” Robinson on Nov. 30, 2015, the birthday of Shirley Chisholm –the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress.
Stanley said she voted early, on Oct. 26, along with her mother in search of a “more impactful, civic experience.”
“I’ve always been the political one in my family,” she said. “Voting was a bit underwhelming, since all I did was fill in a few bubbles. Still, I know that my vote has a larger impact than that. I surround myself with like-minded people who have all voted already or who plan to vote.”
Stanley has spoken with others in her age group to make sure they vote.
“When I’ve come across peers who say they don›t plan to vote I try to educate them. Voting is one of the easiest ways to participate in government.
The AFRO American Newspapers is proud to present a list of endorsements ahead of the General Election Day on November 5th. Make sure you have this week’s edition of the AFRO in hand for easy reference when you make your way to the polls!
R5th District - Isaac Schleifer*
R6th District - Sharon Green Middleton*
R7th District - James Torrence
R9th District - John T. Bullock*
R10th District - Phylicia Porter*
R12th District - Jermaine Jones*
R13th District - Antonio Glover R14th District - Odette Ramos
By Stacy Brown NNPA Newswire
With just days left before Election Day on Nov. 5, and over 51 million ballots already cast, Democratic
Kamala Harris draws 75,000 at D.C. rally, pledges ‘we won’t go back’ At 7:37 p.m. EST, Harris took the stage to a thunderous, rockstar-like reception, complete with red and blue lights strobing and a standing ovation that roared on.
delivered a historic closing argument before an enthusiastic crowd estimated at over 75,000 at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 29. Initially planned as an intimate gathering of around 8,000, the rally quickly transformed into a record-breaking show of support, highlighting Harris’s momentum in the final days of her campaign as she aims to become the first woman to serve as president of the United States.
Judges
RJudge Michael S. Barranco
RJudge Patricia M. DeMaio
RJudge Marc A. DeSimone
RJudge James L. Rhodes
* Candidate is unopposed
“Good Evening America!” Harris greeted the crowd. “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives,” she said, as chants of “Kamala, Kamala” echoed through the crowd. Harris told voters that their ballots represented “a chance to make a decision that directly affects your lives, the lives of your family and the future of this country. It will prob-
Courtesy photo AFRO photo / Alexis Taylor
Twenty-year-old Samiah Sudler-Brooks (left) and Kobie Johnson, 23, are just two members of Generation Z who will decide the outcome of the 2024 general election.
Photo courtesy of NNPA Newswire Democratic nominee Kamala Harris speaks to a crowd of over 75,000 people on Oct. 29 in her last address before votes for president are cast in the Nov. 5 general election.
An AI chatbot pushed a teen to end his life, a lawsuit against its creator alleges
By Kate Payne
The Associated Press
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.
In the final moments before he took his own life, 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III took out his phone and messaged the chatbot that had become his closest friend.
For months, Sewell had become increasingly isolated from his real life as he engaged in highly sexualized conversations with the bot, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed in a federal court in Orlando this week.
The legal filing states that the teen openly discussed his suicidal thoughts and shared his wishes for a pain-free death with the bot, named after the fictional character Daenerys Targaryen from the television show “Game of Thrones.”
On Feb. 28, Sewell told the bot he was ‘coming home’ — and it encouraged him to do so, the lawsuit says.
“I promise I will come home to you. I love you so much, Dany,” Sewell told the chatbot.
“I love you too,” the bot replied. “Please come home to me as soon as possible, my love.”
“What if I told you I could come home right now?” he asked.
“Please do, my sweet king,” the bot messaged back.
Just seconds after the Character.AI bot
told him to “come home,” the teen shot himself, according to the lawsuit, filed this week by Sewell’s mother, Megan Garcia, of Orlando, against Character Technologies Inc.
Character Technologies is the company behind Character.AI, an app that allows users to create customizable characters or interact with those generated by others, spanning experiences from imaginative play to mock job interviews. The company says the artificial personas are designed to “feel alive” and “humanlike.”
“Imagine speaking to super intelligent and life-like chat bot characters that hear you, understand you and remember you,” reads a description for the app on Google
Play. “We encourage you to push the frontier of what’s possible with this innovative technology.”
Garcia’s attorneys allege the company engineered a highly addictive and dangerous product targeted specifically to kids,
“We believe that if Sewell Setzer had not been on Character.AI, he would be alive today.”
“actively exploiting and abusing those children as a matter of product design,” and pulling Sewell into an emotionally and sexually abusive relationship that led to his suicide.
“We believe that if Sewell Setzer had not been on Character.AI, he would be alive today,” said Matthew Bergman, founder of the Social Media Victims Law Center, which is representing Garcia.
A spokesperson for Character.AI said Oct.25 that the company doesn’t comment on pending litigation. In a blog post published the day the lawsuit was filed, the platform announced new “community safety updates,” including guardrails for children and suicide prevention resources.
“We are creating a different experience for users under 18 that includes a more stringent model to reduce the likelihood of encountering sensitive or suggestive content,” the company said in a
statement to The Associated Press. “We are working quickly to implement those changes for younger users.”
Google and its parent company, Alphabet, have also been named as defendants in the lawsuit. According to legal filings, the founders of Character.AI are former Google employees who were “instrumental” in AI development at the company, but left to launch their own startup to “maximally accelerate” the technology.
In August, Google struck a $2.7 billion deal with Character.AI to license the company’s technology and rehire the startup’s founders, the lawsuit claims. The AP left multiple email messages with Google and Alphabet on Oct. 25.
In the months leading up to his death, Garcia’s lawsuit says, Sewell felt he had fallen in love with the bot.
While unhealthy attachments to AI chatbots can cause problems for adults, for young people it can be even riskier — as with social media — because their brain is not fully developed when it comes to things such as impulse control and understanding the consequences of their actions, experts say.
Youth mental health has reached crisis levels in recent years, according to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who has warned of the serious health risks of social disconnection and isolation — trends he says are made worse by young people’s near universal use of social media.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among kids ages 10 to 14, according to data released this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
James Steyer, the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Common Sense Media, said the lawsuit “underscores the growing influence — and severe harm — that generative AI chatbot companions can have on the lives of young people when there are no guardrails in place.”
Kids’ overreliance on AI companions, he added, can have significant effects on grades, friends, sleep and stress, “all the way up to the extreme tragedy in this case.”
“This lawsuit serves as a wake-up call for parents, who should be vigilant about how their children interact with these technologies,” Steyer said.
Common Sense Media, which issues guides for parents and educators on responsible technology use, says it is critical that parents talk openly to their kids about the risks of AI chatbots and monitor their interactions.
“Chatbots are not licensed therapists or best friends, even though that’s how they are packaged and marketed, and parents should be cautious of letting their children place too much trust in them,” Steyer said.
AP Photo / Megan Garcia
Megan Garcia, of Florida, stands with her son, Sewell Setzer III, in this Oct. 2024 photo.
Gen Z voters
Everything is on the line now and it’s important for all of us to vote. There are so many things that we cannot afford to lose or see becoming any worse than they already are, said Stanley. “I’ve been really excited– someone running for president looks like me and represents many of my ideas.”
Among her top concerns are healthcare, funding for classrooms and the curriculums being taught in public education and reproductive rights.
“To succeed as adults, youth need a strong, educational foundation, not one that has been watered down because of books being banned or funds being cut,” Stanley said. “When the government begins to levy restrictive policies or enforce restrictions on women or on lower income Americans, it could lead to a world that’s far more dangerous. When people have few options or have their rights suppressed, they often feel compelled to do anything simply to survive.”
Samiah Sudler-Brooks, 20, who hails from Bear, De., is also a member of Black Girls Vote, now in her third year – her second as a member of the organization’s executive board. A junior at Howard University, majoring in political science and minoring in international affairs, she said she plans to vote in person on Election Day, Nov. 5.
“I’m both anxious and excited about voting – excited because it will be my first time voting but anxious because of the possible results that our nation faces depending on who wins the race for the White House,” Brooks said. “I can say that being a student at Howard in the city that’s the focal point of American politics, and with one of the candidates being a graduate of Howard, I couldn’t be more excited.”
Brooks said some members of her generation are not as enthused about casting a ballot.
“As for my peers, I’d say it’s about 50-50,” she said. “A lot of the Black women from my group plan to vote. Among my Black male friends, most of them have said they don’t care about voting, don’t see what voting will do for them or don’t understand what difference one vote will make. I try to help them see things differently because for me, voting is a right –even a responsibility.”
Brooks said for her, the ability to vote is something her elders taught her to respect.
“As a young Black woman, I have heard stories from my Nana, from Columbus, Ga., who saw Dr. King march. She always tells me ‘your vote is our justice.’ Voting is a privilege that women and Blacks, male and female, were once denied. She reminds me that our ancestors endured a lot and have provided a strong foundation for us. We cannot move backwards –we must move forward.”
Among her major concerns are health care and women’s
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reproductive rights, affordable housing and supporting public education.
“I believe in health care for all, no matter one’s income. I also believe that abortion should be legal because women should have the right to do what they want with their own bodies.” Brooks said. “As for public education, it’s wrong to eliminate texts and subjects that may make some students feel uncomfortable. History books are coded and often fail to tell the entire story – the whole truth – especially about AfricanAmerican history.”
“I had to come to Howard University to learn my own history – a history that my teachers failed to provide back home in Delaware,” she continued. “It’s wrong to pretend that Black history begins and ends with Dr. King and Rosa Parks.”
Brooks also weighed in on the immigration issues on the election table.
“I believe that any immigrant who comes to America should be given a pathway toward becoming a U.S. citizen. That’s clear and fair and our government should not hinder that process,” she said. “At the end of the day, we are all immigrants and we all have dreams for a better future for ourselves or for our families that we should be allowed to pursue. After all, America is the melting pot of the world.”
A young man’s perspective
Kobie Johnson, a 23-year-old Prince George’s County, Md. native, spoke to the feelings Black men have expressed this election season.
“Sometimes, it doesn’t always feel like either party has our interest in mind. I understand why Black men, in particular, are especially jaded with the aspect of voting,” he said. “I 100 percent understand, as a Black man living in this country. You feel kind of hopeless sometimes with the issues going on. Literally yesterday, I’m on Instagram and I see this video of a cop shooting somebody right near my middle school in my hometown on Collington Road. It’s hard to put into words how it makes you feel.”
Johnson said brutality against Black bodies is a concern for him.
“I’ve seen so many instances of police using deadly force, when it just wasn’t necessary in my opinion, it scares me and I hear things like what Donald Trump said after Sonia Massey… about giving police immunity and that terrifies me. That’s why my vote is for Kamala, personally.”
Johnson also said abortion is a key topic for him, even as a male voter.
“I fear for the health of the women I love,” he said. “God forbid they need to prioritize their health before the health of an unborn child by ending a pregnancy to survive and it’s illegal for them to do that. That terrifies me.”
It’s a family affair
Gabrielle Tyndall, 19, from Atlanta, is a youth member of the NAACP, serving on the executive board as the cochairperson on public outreach. Tyndall, a sophomore at American University, is majoring in international studies and was excited to vote for the first time.
“I first planned to vote in D.C., but my absentee ballot did not arrive in the mail on time and so I called my parents last week and told them I had booked a ticket and was coming back home to vote because I was not going to leave things to
Harris rally
ably be the most important vote you’ve ever cast,” she continued. “It’s more than just a choice between two parties and two different candidates. It’s about a choice of whether you have a country of freedom, or one ruled by division.”
Harris drew a sharp contrast between herself and her opponent, former President Donald Trump, who held his farewell rally at Madison Square Garden two days prior, a gathering that featured racially charged rhetoric. Standing at the same Ellipse where Trump, on Jan. 6, 2021, encouraged his supporters to march to the Capitol, Harris recalled that tragic day.
“We know who Donald Trump is. He is the person who stood at this very spot nearly four years ago and sent an armed mob to the U.S. Capitol to overturn the will of the people in a free and fair election — an election that he knew he lost,” Harris said during her 30-minute speech. “Americans died as a result; 140 law enforcement officers were injured.” The crowd’s response was electric as Harris continued, “While Donald Trump sat in the White House watching as the violence unfolded, he was told the mob wanted to kill his own vice president, and he responded with two words: ‘so what.’ That’s who Donald Trump is. He wants you to give him another four years.”
In an unflinching critique, Harris called Trump “unstable, obsessed with revenge, and out for unchecked power,” and warned that a Trump administration would mean more division, chaos and retribution. “Donald Trump wants to avoid his problems. He intends to use the U.S. military against Americans who simply disagree with him,” Harris charged. “He’s not focused on making your life better. He’s consumed by grievance.”
Harris emphasized her dedication to uniting the country, saying her focus was
chance,” Tyndall said. “We voted as a family: my mother, father and one of my older sisters. My other sister, also older, is in New York, but we all voted on the same day at the same time so we like to say, we voted together. I expected it to be chaotic but besides us, there were only a few other people waiting in line.”
Tyndall had to vote in person because her mail-in ballot was late.
“Back home in Georgia, there seems to be a lot of confusion about how to vote or how to get absentee ballots, which I don’t really understand,” she said. “It’s the reality. So many of my friends, who are in school with me here in D.C. but are from Georgia, all went back home to vote.”
For Tyndall, casting a ballot was a goal long before she could exercise the right.
“I always knew I was going to vote, but about two years ago, I became friends with another young woman whose grandmother was a big activist. She often talked with me about the challenges she and other Blacks faced just to secure the right to vote – and to be able to vote safely. As the election cycle was moving along this summer, and with President Biden dropping out of the race, the first assassination attempt on Donald Trump and Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic candidate, I really became more interested and more vocal about how important it was for anyone who could vote to make sure they did vote.”
Still, she says the voice of another generation was most encouraging.
“Having those conversations with my friend’s grandmother really moved me. That one-on-one conversation really empowered me,” said Tyndall. “Both of my parents immigrated to the U.S. and we never had that conversation like AfricanAmerican families. Still, I’m pretty much an activist at heart.”
Tynall’s mother is from Haiti and her father is from Guyana. “I include immigration among the top of my concerns, but my parents are now both U.S. citizens and have been in America for a long time so it’s not an immediate concern. But when I hear the rhetoric that’s being used to debase and dehumanize immigrants, that really bothers me. How can Donald Trump stand before us and say that Haitians are eating cats and dogs? How can his supporters talk about Hispanic immigrants with such disparaging comments? These are people – real people with real issues who have left their own countries because they need help, they need refuge, they need the chance for better lives.”
Tyndall spoke on how Gen Zers lined the campaign trail for Harris.
“My Gen Z community, especially through social media, has been very active in her campaign. Some of us are creating content, some of us are engaging in TikTok, like on Kamala HQ, or with Jubilee videos,” she said. “I remember how the Black community showed up and showed out for Barack Obama when he ran for president. I hope that we do the same for Kamala Harris.”
As she wrapped her AFRO interview, Tyndall had one last word for the undecided:
“For those who may still be leaning towards Donald Trump, I think that he’s put his foot in his mouth so often–as recently as his [Oct. 27] rally in New York City– that those who are still uncommitted will have no other choice than to vote for Kamala Harris.”
on “common ground and common-sense solutions.” She pledged to be president for all Americans, a theme underscored by banners reading “Freedom” and “USA” that adorned the event space.
“I am not looking to score political points; I am looking to make progress,” she asserted. “Unlike Donald Trump, I don’t believe people who disagree with me are the enemy. He wants to put them in jail.” Harris assured the crowd, “We have to stop pointing fingers and start locking arms. It’s time to turn the page on the drama, conflict, fear and division.”
The atmosphere, likened to a festival with loudspeakers blaring upbeat music and flags distributed to attendees, deeply moved Southeast D.C. resident Fatimah Glasnow, who arrived five hours early to secure her spot. “The feeling here is hope, love and peace,” Glasnow said. “An America where we can all thrive, regardless of our race or gender. I needed this kind of energy in my life.” She expressed confidence in Harris’s promises, particularly on issues of social and maternal justice. “She’s advocated for social justice and, really, justice itself.”
For Harris, the event carried personal significance, serving as a moment to explain what drives her as a leader.
“There’s something about people being treated unfairly or overlooked that, frankly, just gets to me,” she shared. “I don’t like it. It’s what my mother instilled in me — a drive to hold accountable those who use their wealth or power to take advantage of others.”
Addressing the fall of Roe v. Wade, Harris assured the crowd that she would fight to restore the reproductive rights she argued Trump and his Supreme Court appointees had taken away. “I will fight to restore what Donald Trump and his hand-selected Supreme Court justices took away from the women of America,” she declared, reiterating her commitment
to preserving and expanding civil rights.
Capitol Hill resident Leander Davis, a social services worker, said Harris’s words resonated deeply. “She’s all of us,” Davis said. “She’s been criticized, ostracized, demonized and called all sorts of names, yet she hasn’t stopped fighting for what’s right. When she’s president, we will all be better off.”
Harris emphasized that her campaign was about more than just policy changes; it was about ensuring fairness and justice for every American. “If you give me the chance to fight on your behalf, there is nothing in the world that will stand in my way,” she promised, highlighting her experience as a prosecutor who fought against cartels, banks and for-profit colleges.
Harris’s electrifying rally at the Ellipse, with its powerful visuals of American flags and banners of unity, drew a clear contrast with Trump’s rhetoric. “If elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office,” Harris said, gesturing toward the White House, “with an enemies list. When elected, I will walk in with a to-do list.” She stressed that her administration would prioritize solutions to lower costs, support working families and restore a sense of unity, and purpose.
Harris emphasized that, despite her time serving under President Joe Biden, her presidency would take a different course because of the unique difficulties that America is currently facing. “I have been honored to serve as Joe Biden’s vice president,” she said. “But I will bring my own experiences and ideas to the Oval Office. My presidency will be different because the challenges we face are different.”
The vice president also tackled the political lightning rod of immigration. “ Politicians have got to stop treating immigration as an issue to scare up votes in an election, – and instead treat it as the
COMMENTARY
Trump’s vow to be a dictator will destroy us all
By Keith Boykin Word in Black
In 1946, a prominent Lutheran pastor named Martin Niemöller wrote a famous poem about his experience living through the rise and fall of Nazi Germany. During Adolf Hitler’s early years in the 1920s and early 1930s, Niemöller “sympathized with many Nazi ideas and supported radically right-wing political movements,” according to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
But once Hitler came to power in 1933, Niemöller began to realize the danger. He spoke out against Nazi control of the church and was imprisoned in concentration camps from 1938 to 1945, narrowly avoiding execution.
It’s considered dangerous in American politics to draw comparisons to Nazi Germany, and no serious person does so lightly. But in recent weeks we’ve seen evidence that Donald Trump’s own advisers view him as an unprecedented threat to democracy.
His former White House chief of staff, John Kelly, and his top general, Mark Milley, have both called him a “fascist.” Even his running mate, JD Vance, once called Trump “America’s Hitler.” Keith Boykin is a New York Times–bestselling author, television and film producer, and former CNN political commentator. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Keith served in the White House, co-founded the National Black Justice Coalition, co-hosted the BET talk show “My Two Cents,” and taught at the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University in New York. He’s a Lambda Literary Award-winning author and editor of seven books. He lives in Los Angeles. This week, he speaks on Vice President Kamala Harris’ plan to impact the lives of African-American men.
And Trump, himself, has said that he needs the kind of generals that Hitler had.
Trump has tried to downplay the threat, but he has admitted that he would be a dictator “on day one,” would terminate the U.S. Constitution, and would fire Special Counsel Jack Smith “within two seconds” as his first act as president. This is a perilous moment for American democracy, and with that in mind, I offer this poem:
First they came for the old Black people
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t an old Black person
Then they came for the young Black people
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t a young Black person
Then they came for the Native Americans
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t Native American
Then they came for the Mexican Americans
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t Mexican American
Then they came for the Muslims
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t a Muslim
Then they came for the protesters
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t a protester
Then they came for the people with disabilities
And I didn’t speak up
Because I didn’t have a disability
Then they came for the Africans
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t African
Then they came for the Asian Americans
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t Asian American
Then they came for the Black women
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t a Black woman
Then they came for the rest of the women
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t a woman
Then they came for the trans people
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t trans.
Then they came for the Haitian Americans
And I didn’t speak up
Because I wasn’t Haitian
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, examines the issues, the candidates and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.
It won’t just be Haitians who suffer from anti-immigrant lies
By Chisom Okorafor
Politicians are attempting to redefine who counts as an “American,” with my Black immigrant family and people like us on the outside.
For weeks now, right-wing pundits and politicians have spread baseless claims about Haitian immigrants. These lies have caused immense fear among the community, leading to bomb threats, harassment and vandalism. The Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio — the first but not the last to be targeted — reported being “scared for their lives.”
I’m not Haitian. I’m an Americanborn citizen who’s never set foot in Ohio. But as the daughter of a Black immigrant family, these lies worry me, too.
Chisom
is a Henry A. Wal-
at the Institute
Policy
This week, she discusses the real impacts of the dangerous antiimmigrant rhetoric heard during the 2024 election cycle.
I know personally how easily identifiable we are. Even though my Nigerian parents were both naturalized over 20 years ago, they still have strong accents. We have distinctive names. To someone who has been radicalized by hateful rhetoric, my family and I are obvious targets. Just like how Donald Trump’s earlier
comments targeting Mexican or Chinese people spawned a wave of hate against all Latin Americans, Asians, or others thought to “look” Mexican or Chinese, the baseless accusations about Haitians will rebound to all Black immigrants — the Black community as a whole.
Growing up, I’ve seen firsthand how Black immigrants are some of our most vulnerable community members.
For one, many of these immigrants come from largely Black countries and are unprepared for the experience of confronting racism in a way they never had to before.
Black immigrant communities live all across the country. While states like New York have long had Black immigrant communities, a Pew Research study in 2022 showed that a plurality — 42 percent — of Black immigrants now live in the South. My parents are among them.Texas’s Black immigrant population has shot up in the last decade, and the state now houses the third biggest Black immigrant population. Other states
are seeing similarly big increases. In Colorado, the Black immigrant population grew over fourfold during that period.Though politicians increasingly characterize immigration as a problem, immigrants have always been — and are still — a massive benefit to our society.
For one, both documented and undocumented immigrants provide more to our economy than they take out. Far from being burdens, immigrants actually create economic growth in the places they arrive in. The Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio helped fill jobs that were abandoned due to the town’s shrinking population, leading to a boost in wages for the whole community.Moreover, far from bringing in “drugs and crime,” as some politicians claim, studies have shown that having more immigrants in a community actually tends to reduce crime rates. Both undocumented and documented immigrants commit crime at a lower rate than U.S.-born citizens. And in regards to drugs, it’s not immigrants who are smuggling illicit
substances into our country — by an enormous margin, it’s U.S. citizens. Federal authorities recently charged dozens of members of a neo-Nazi group with trafficking fentanyl in California, for example.Instead, immigrants like my parents bring in culture, innovation, and diversity — all good things that make this country what it is. We should be supporting immigrants more, not slandering them on the national stage.
But for some, sowing division is more attractive than actually finding solutions to the problems we face. The attacks on Haitian immigrants is more than a disgusting lie — it’s an attempt to redefine who counts as an “American,” with my family and people like us on the outside. Our leaders need to have the courage to defend immigrants when these baseless claims are spread. They owe it to all Americans, both citizens and immigrants.
This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org
The hidden toll of abortion bans on vulnerable populations
By Sylvia Ghazarian
The surge of abortion bans sweeping the United States has ignited fierce debates about the rights of pregnant people and bodily autonomy. However, one critical dimension often overlooked is the devastating impacts on survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV), as well as the alarming rise in suicide rates among young individuals. Moreover, these effects are not uniformly distributed since BIPOC communities bear a disproportionate burden.
For survivors of IPV, the ability to access abortion is not merely a matter of choice but of survival. Domestic violence often involves reproductive coercion, where abusers manipulate contraception or force pregnancy to entrap their partners further. Access to abortion can be a crucial means for these individuals to regain control over their lives and break free from abusive
relationships. Without the option to terminate unwanted pregnancies, survivors are often forced to remain tethered to their abusers, exacerbating their risk of continued violence and psychological trauma.
Studies have shown that women who experience IPV are more likely to have unintended pregnancies, and those who carry these pregnancies to term face increased risks of continued abuse.
Abortion bans not only strip away a fundamental right but also effectively condemn many to continued abuse and suffering. Compounding this issue is the pervasive disbelief faced by those who report domestic violence, IPV, or sexual assault. Survivors often find themselves subjected to intense scrutiny and skepticism, further traumatizing them. High-profile cases like those of Harvey Weinstein, E. Jean Carroll, O.J. Simpson, and Sean “Diddy” Combs highlight how survivors are often discredited and harassed throughout legal processes– just imagine what it
is like for those cases that are not high profile. What is common in all cases is a societal bias that frequently questions the credibility of survivors rather than holding perpetrators accountable.
WRRAP funds over 21 percent of cases of IPV and these cases are increasing and tragically becoming more common: “I just had a child and was in a very toxic abusive relationship… I had no access to make money, no access to work or leave the house, no cell phone access, or car access, no friends, no nothing. He was mentally abusive and when things started to get worse, and he tried to get physical we immediately called the police and left and then found out I was pregnant again.”
The psychological toll of forced pregnancies and the stress of navigating restrictive abortion laws contribute significantly to the rising suicide rates among young individuals. The prospect of being forced to carry an unintended pregnancy to term can induce severe anxiety, depression,
and feelings of hopelessness.
A study by JAMA Psychiatry found that the suicide rate among women of reproductive age increased in states with restrictive abortion laws compared to those without. The correlation between restrictive reproductive laws and mental health crises cannot be ignored. The inability to access abortion services exacerbates feelings of entrapment and despair, pushing some to the tragic brink of suicide.
The impact of these bans is not felt equally across all demographics. Black and Hispanic women face significant barriers to healthcare, including reproductive services, due to factors like lower income, lack of insurance, limited access to clinics and systemic racism within the healthcare system. Data from the Guttmacher Institute reveal that Black women are more than three times as likely as white women to experience unintended pregnancies, and Hispanic women more than twice as likely.
Moreover, Black and His-
panic women are statistically more likely to experience IPV, and restrictive abortion laws compound their vulnerabilities.
Culturally competent care for survivors of IPV and sexual assault is also critically lacking as many law enforcement officers and healthcare providers are not adequately trained to recognize or respond to the unique needs of survivors particularly those from minority communities. Gaps in care further marginalize survivors, making it harder for them to receive the support and services they desperately need.
The need for a nuanced understanding of the impacts of abortion bans is urgent. These laws do not exist in a vacuum; they intersect with issues of domestic violence, mental health, and racial inequality. Policymakers must recognize that abortion bans are a public health crisis. Ensuring access to safe and legal abortion services is critical to protecting the well-being and autonomy of all people. It is imperative that we
of the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP), a nonprofit abortion fund that provides urgently needed financial assistance on a national level to those seeking abortion or emergency contraception. This week, she speaks on the impact of abortion bans
continue to advocate for policies that uphold reproductive rights and provide comprehensive support for those affected by these draconian measures.
Courtesy photos
Courtesy Photo
Okorafor
lace fellow
for
Studies.
Courtesy Photo Sylvia Ghazarian is executive director
Ballot boxes in Oregon and Washington set on fire days before general election
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
With the Americans just days away from Election Day on Nov. 5, ballot boxes are under attack in multiple states. Votes in both Vancouver, Wash. and Portland, Ore. went up in flames in the early morning hours of Oct. 28.
Officials within the Portland Police Bureau now believe that the two incidents are related.
“At approximately 3:30 a.m., Central Precinct officers responded to reports of a fire at a ballot box in the 1000 block of Southeast Morrison Street.
By the time officers arrived, the fire had already been extinguished by security personnel who work in the area,” said the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) in a press release on Oct. 28. “The Portland Police Bureau is releasing two photos of the suspect vehicle believed to be involved in the incident at a ballot box in Southeast Portland early Monday morning.”
According to authorities, the “suspect vehicle [is] most likely a 2001-2004 Volvo S60, more matte in color than a standard shiny finish in places, tan or light gray interior, after-market grill with Volvo emblem missing, dark wheels, unpainted body trim, no front license plate.”
“Investigators believe the vehicle is tied to two similar incidents in the Vancouver, Washington area,” said authorities.
(MEDU) arrived and safely collected the device, and the fire was extinguished.”
According to VPD, “the FBI is continuing the investigation of this incident.”
Arizona experienced something slightly different on Oct. 24, when a standalone mailbox at a U.S. Postal Office was set on fire. Several ballots were burned according to Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego (D).
level of government to bring the perpetrator to justice.”
According to the Phoenix Police Department, police identified Dieter Klofkorn, 35, as a suspect. He was found and arrested for an unrelated warrant. While being interviewed in custody, Klofkorn admitted to setting the mailbox on fire.
Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE), addressed potential concerns of these attacks spreading to Maryland as we head into Election Day.
“Klofkorn stated that he committed the arson because he wanted to be arrested and that his actions were not politically motivated and not related to anything involving the upcoming election,” wrote Sgt. Rob Scherer, a public information officer at the Public Affairs Bureau for the Phoenix Police Department, in a media release on Oct. 24.
“This is always something I’m concerned about. However, we have taken steps to mitigate any potential problem,” said DeMarinis in a statement to the AFRO. “This was a scenario in our tabletop exercises prior to the election. Drop boxes are under 24/7 video surveillance.”
DeMarinis said SBE is working with state and federal law enforcement partners to enhance security measures, but would not go into specifics for safety reasons.
PPB added that the Explosive Disposal Unit arrived at the scene and cleared the device.
Multnomah County Elections Director Tim Scott released a statement on the Portland attack, stating that “only three ballots suffered damage, and Elections will contact those three voters, via unique identifiers on their ballot envelopes, so they can receive replacement ballots.”
“Voters should be assured that even if their ballots were in the affected box, their votes will be counted,” he said. Amanda McMillan, assistant chief of the investigations branch at PPB, said in a statement that “acts like this are targeted and they’re intentional and we’re concerned about that intentional act trying to impact the election process. We’re dedicated to stopping this kind of behavior.”
PPB said that detectives discovered that the “incendiary device” that ignited the fire at the Portland box was fixed to the side of the ballot box and not placed inside as originally reported.
The devices came with
messages of “Free Gaza,” a phrase echoed around the world as the Israeli- Hamas conflict continues. The scene was more serious in Vancouver, Wash., as stacks of ballots could be visibly seen burning on the ground early Oct. 28.
Video released by local ABC affiliate KATU show authorities frantically attempting to put out the blaze– the second set on fire this month in the state. In the Washington attack, local officials suspect hundreds of ballots could have been turned to ash.
“This morning at about 4:00 a.m., Vancouver Police responded to an arson at a ballot box located at 3510 SE 164th Ave. It was reported that the ballot box was smoking and on fire,” said Vancouver Police Department (VPD) in a media release. “Officers arrived and located a suspicious device next to the box. The ballot box was smoking and was on fire. Members of the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit
WHEN WE VOTE, WE WIN.
When our rights are on the line we fight and when they’re on the ballot we vote, because we’re not going back.
The economy is on the ballot.
Health care is on the ballot.
Criminal justice reform is on the ballot.
Reproductive freedom is on the ballot.
Environmental justice is on the ballot. The right to vote is on the ballot.
If we do our part and show up to the polls, we will make history (again)!
Let’s vote for progress and the future we deserve. Vote for the leader who’s been fighting for us for years.
Election Day is November 5th. Vote for Kamala Harris.
“I am closely monitoring the situation and maintaining regular communication with the @AZSecretary, @ RecordersOffice, and local and federal law enforcement,” said Gallego via Twitter on Oct. 24. “There is zero tolerance for criminal activity in our community, and we are working collaboratively with every
Harris rally
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Jared DeMarinis, state administrator of elections for the
serious challenge that it is,” Harris said, “that we must finally come together to solve.”
“I will work with Democrats and Republicans to sign into law the border security bill that Donald Trump killed,” she demanded. Harris said while she will focus on prosecuting cartels and transnational gangs, “we must acknowledge we are a nation of immigrants.”
“And I will work with Congress to pass immigration reform, including an earned path to citizenship for hardworking immigrants, like farmworkers and our laborers.”
At the close of her speech, Harris delivered a final rallying cry. “America, for too long, we have been consumed with division, chaos and mutual distrust. But it doesn’t have to be this way,” she asserted. “It is time for a new generation of leadership in America, and I am ready to offer that leadership as the next President of the United States.”
She said she “grew up as a child of the civil rights movement, my parents would take
Maryland early voting continues through Oct. 31 and Election Day is Nov. 5.
me to marches in a stroller where crowds of people of all races, faiths and walks of life came together to fight for the ideals of freedom and opportunity. I’ve lived the promise of America.”
“I saw how hard our mother worked to give her daughters the same chances this country gave her,” Harris said. “Growing up, I was blessed to have family by blood and family by love, who instilled in me the values of community, compassion and faith that have always defined our nation at its best. I’ve lived the promise of America.”
“I’ve spent my life fighting for the people who have been hurt and counted out, but never stopped believing that in our country anything is possible,” Harris said. “I have lived the promise of America, and I see the promise of America in all of you. In all of you, I see it.”
As the crowd’s cheers filled the night, Harris left her supporters with a message of hope and unity. “Together, we will turn the page and build a country that rises together.”
Portland Police
A ballot box in Portland, Ore. shows damage after an arson attack in the early morning hours of Oct. 28.
Mayor Bowser announces $1.8 million in funding for 17 local businesses
By Ariyana Griffin AFRO Staff Writer agriffin@afro.com
Washington D.C. Mayor
Muriel Bowser has announced that the District’s Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund will provide 17 businesses with its third round of funding, amounting to $1.8 million.
The fund has been made available through collaboration with 1863 Ventures with help from Mayor Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. It was developed to help entrepreneurs, small business owners and local businesses have equity when it comes to resources and barriers that can be difficult to overcome.
“Through investments like the Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund, we are helping more D.C. founders of color and women founders start and grow their businesses here in the Capital of Innovation,” Mayor Bowser said in a statement. “We’re proud to partner with D.C. Startup and Tech Week to foster a thriving and inclusive community of entrepreneurs, innovators and dreamers.”
D.C. Startup and Tech Week is an annual conference that welcomes business owners, investors, entrepreneurs and others to commune and discuss the future of entrepreneurship. The event extends for a whole week and hosts workshops, panels, networking opportunities and
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Young girls ages 12 to 17 take a look at what it means to be a
program, now sponsored by
Fired up for success
How Camp Spark encourages the next generation of firewomen
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO
In 2006, Beatrice Rudder, the first woman to become a firefighter for D.C. Fire and EMS, retired as a deputy fire chief. She shared the story that when she joined the department, she only planned to remain aboard for a short stint while preparing for medical school. But despite racial and sexual discrimination, she persevered – at one time being the sole female firefighter in a department of 1,450 men.
Her dedication to the job and her community would inspire other women to follow in her footsteps, including native Washingtonians like Roshawnda Drake, who recently marked 20 years of service.
With the example of women who have gone before her, moved up the ranks and currently serves as a lieutenant in the D.C. Fire Department. She now advocates for more young girls to consider a career as a firefighter or paramedic.
We’re changing perspectives about a job that was once only for men. Young girls are seeing women handle their business in various positions within the fire department and it gives them hope.”
“After graduating from Woodson High School, I entered the Cadet Program which is open to D.C. residents, 18-21. But you can also join the department as a paramedic or firefighter EMT,” Drake said.
In recent months, she has led girls from Washington, D.C., ages 12 to 17, in trying their hand at being firefighters at the Camp Spark program, sponsored by the D.C. Fire and EMS Training Academy in Southwest D.C. The program encourages girls to join the male-dominated field by letting them participate in tasks which represent what it would be like to pursue a career in the department. She said she and her colleagues
were more than pleased with the results.
Camp Spark is a two-day event which offers handson training to young girls in the community. The eager participants were introduced to the essentials
Special exhibits on women activists, religion and spirituality coming to D.C.
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO
Since opening its doors on Sept. 24, 2016, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) has served as a place where all Americans can learn about the richness and diversity of the African American experience, what it means to their lives, and how it helped us shape this nation.
Recent exhibits include Harriet Tubman›s hymnal; Nat Turner’s Bible; a plantation cabin from
South Carolina; Chuck Berry’s red Cadillac convertible and works by prolific artists like Charles Alston, Elizabeth Catlett, Romare Bearden and Henry O. Tanner.
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
As D.C. officials look to increase Black homeownership by 20,000 in D.C. by 2030, recent reports by Bright MLS, a real estate organization, found that the District’s housing market is persistently unaffordable for homebuyers.
In September, Bright MLS reported that home sales are improving in the district after being down by 5.1 percent in August. The August housing market also saw a 16-year low in home sales.
Lisa Sturtevant, a chief economist at Bright MLS, believed buyers were waiting for mortgage rates to come down.
Mortgage rates have been coming down since early July and she expects
“Buyers out there are waiting for mortgage rates to come down.”
them to keep decreasing.
“I expect that mortgage rates will continue to fall further for the rest of the year. However, I still think we’re going to be around 6 percent for an average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage through the end of the year. I think that’s kind of a new normal for now,” said Sturtevant.
“Over the past 50 years, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 7.75 percent.”
High home prices are one thing keeping some buyers away. The median price for a home in August was $612,000, which is up 4.6 percent year-overyear. The median price for a home in September was $599,000, which is up 8.9 percent year-over-year.
Sturtevant encouraged buyers who are waiting to purchase a home that the fall will be a good time to
Photos courtesy of IAFF.org
firefighter while participating in the Camp Spark
the D.C. Fire and EMS Training Academy in Southwest Washington, D.C.
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
The National Museum of African American History and Culture will highlight several important topics via special exhibitions during the month of November, such as the role of Black women activists.
What access to mental health care looks like in Prince George’s County, Md.
By Stacker Studios
The country’s mental health is taking center stage in the minds of Americans as the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic fades into the background.
In the U.S., 53 percent of adults said mental health was their top health concern, according to an Ipsos poll published this fall. They join residents of 30 other countries polled by Ipsos reporting similar concerns about health in their nations. That increase in concern is, in part, a result of the traumatic, isolating effects of the pandemic heightening the attention Americans pay to their own mental health, experts say.
“You have an increased awareness of the importance of it, you have an increase in people seeking it and you now have an increased number of people realizing they’re having challenges accessing it,” Texas Counseling Association president Katherine Bacon, who holds a doctorate in counselor education, told Stacker.
It’s a challenge felt most acutely by about 30 percent of the U.S. population that lives in an area with a federally designated shortage of mental health providers, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
To identify areas of the country most in need of solutions for expanded mental health care access, Stacker analyzed data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to break down mental health care access in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
This analysis includes 2022 statistics on each county’s uninsured population and the number of poor mental health days per month that residents report.
Prince George’s County by the numbers
In America, 53 percent of adults report that mental health is at the top of the list for health concerns.
Counties with the least access to mental health care in Maryland - #1. Caroline County: 1,964 residents for every mental health care provider
- #2. St. Mary’s County: 715
- #3. Queen Anne’s County: 696
- There are 520:1 residents for every mental health care provider
- Residents report an average of 4.1 poor mental health days per month
- About 11 percent of residents lack health insurance
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hop back into the market.
“Home prices will fall seasonally, there will be more inventory out there [and] rates are coming down,” said Sturtevant. “For someone who has been waiting, this fall, heading into the winter, seems like a really good time to be a buyer.”
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She also acknowledged that the time frame will not suit everyone.
As the report shows, despite the mortgage rates coming down and more homes being available, prices continue to rise as affordability remains a pressing issue for D.C. homebuyers.
of firefighting skills including forcible entry, ladder work, hauling fire hoses and lifesaving techniques.
An earlier camp was held in July, attracting 27 girls. During the second camp, in September, 38 girls attended the program.
“This was my first time running the program but I was initially involved in Camp Spark back in 2007 with Fire Investigator Tomi Rucker,” Drake said. “I had only been on the job for three years then, but it was really a motivating experience. We presented a plan for the camp pre-COVID, but were unable to move forward until this year. Other jurisdictions in our area have held camps before including Prince George’s County, whose fire department has sponsored Camp Spark twice, so we’re all fairly new in the role of hosts.
Drake spoke on the goal to recruit more women into the profession.
“Only 12 percent of the department is staffed by women today but we are committed to achieving a goal of 30 percent by 2030,” Drake said. “And with programs like Camp Spark, the word is spreading. Young girls are not only getting a rare opportunity to see what it’s like but they’re gaining confidence in themselves, no matter what career they may eventually pursue.”
The Fire Department and the Department of Employment Services jointly host The D.C. Fire Department Action Program – a six-week summer
Year-round, affordability and accessibility can be a major issue for prospective Black homebuyers.
According to the Urban Institute, a D.C.-based think tank that conducts economic and social policy research, only 8.4 percent of homes purchased between 2016 and 2020 were
enrichment program for D.C. teens–boys and girls– who are interested in joining the fire department after graduating from high school. As for Camp Spark, Drake added that the department plans to hold at least one camp next summer in July 2025.
Drake said that while the job has not become any easier than it was when Rudder first broke the “glass ceiling” to become the first woman in the department, more women now realize that they, too, can succeed.
“There are obstacles that women face, particularly passing the CPAT (candidate physical ability test) which is required for those within the hiring process,” she said. “Far more men apply than women so their numbers are higher than ours but we still lose a lot of women in the process because of the rigorous physical requirements.”
Drake said that her job offers the opportunity to work with many different kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds and nationalities.
“I grew up in Southeast which is mostly all Black, but now I have friends and colleagues who represent a wide range of cultures,” Drake said. “We’re changing perspectives about a job that was once only for men. Young girls are seeing women handle their business in various positions within the fire department and it gives them hope.”
“That’s what it’s all about,” she said. “Next summer we hope to have 60 girls register for Camp Spark.”
This story features data reporting and writing by Dom DiFurio and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 2,924 counties.
affordable for average first-time Black homeowners. While on the other side, 71.4 percent of those homes were affordable for the average White first-time homebuyer.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) made it her mission on Oct. 3, 2022, to increase Black homeownership in D.C. by 20,000 by 2030.
“We know that that is the way to pass down generational wealth,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) during their Black homeownership announcement on Oct. 3, 2022. “Fortynine percent of White Washingtonians own their home and 34 percent of Black Washingtonians own their home. We know if we can close that gap we can increase Black wealth in our city.”
Bowser highlighted how being a homeowner has supported her journey to being mayor.
“As a young woman who wasn’t making a lot of money I knew that I wanted to buy my own home,” said Bowser. “I had been renting and I wanted to move into a great neighborhood and do everything that I could to make it even greater. That’s what I did. I bought a house for $125,000. I gave everything I had to get in it and then I just worked hard.”
“That house has only allowed me to make big and bold decisions in my life, and it will allow my daughter to do the same,” she continued.
Nina Albert, deputy mayor for planning and economic development, responded to questions about how the persisting
unaffordability of the D.C. housing market is impacting the mayor’s goal.
“Mayor Bowser has and continues to prioritize strategic investments in programs and strategies that are helping to undo decades-long legacy of discriminatory housing and put homeownership in reach for more Black Washingtonians,” said Albert told the AFRO. “We recognize that the current shortage of affordable homes and increases in mortgage rates since 2021 is putting homeownership further out of reach for many D.C. residents. We are hopeful that improving market trends, coupled with our long-term investments, will increase affordable housing opportunities and make homeownership possible for more Black Washingtonians.”
Unsplash/ Emily Underworld
Image generated by deepai.org
Recent reports by Bright MLS, a real estate organization, reveal record lows and persisting affordability issues in the D.C. housing market.
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more.
Rachel Koretsky, director of D.C. Startup and Tech Week, expressed the importance of the conference in a statement.
“D.C. Startup and Tech Week is vital to foster a thriving startup community as we bring together thousands of founders, investors and innovators during this week and throughout the year to strengthen the region’s role to be a premier hub for groundbreaking tech, innovation and entrepreneurship,” she said. “D.C. is a thriving hub for tech and innovation, and we’re proud our conference has become a cornerstone for fueling collaboration that empowers founders to turn their bold ideas into reality.”
According to Mayor Bowser’s office, “the investments include low-interest loans, revenue-based financing and equity investments, supporting companies in tech, consumer products and high-growth sectors.”
The 17 recipients grants through the Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund are as follows:
AskHumans
This platform gathers customer feedback using AI to analyze responses and present sentiment trends.
Binkey
This business provides allows businesses to accept Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Health Savings Account (HSA) payments to help navigate healthcare costs.
Chad O’L PR and Events
This business specializes in creative brand and digital marketing, event planning and advertising strategies.
Clear Eye Test
This vision technology company offers the world’s first digital optical prescription, providing 24/7 access to virtual eye testing and connections to eye care professionals.
Cookie Wear Fashions
This custom clothing and home goods
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company celebrates the retro era and has designs inspired by the fashions from the 60s to the 90s.
ET OLIVA
This LGBT-owned company sells gourmet Mediterranean food and beverages online and in retail stores.
Go Together, Inc.
This business is a K12 transportation platform, created to help parents and
NMAAHC will host a wide range of programming in November on topics including the Reconstruction era following the end of the Civil War, the impact of Mary McLeod Bethune and other Black women activists. There will also be space dedicated to new practices in African American religion and spirituality.
On Thursdays, Nov. 7, 14 and 21 (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.), children ages 3 – 8 can connect with history and culture through art and play at the museum, learn about ways to express their unique identities and celebrate what makes “you YOU” with a special project and reading corner. The event is free, but registration is required.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12 (6 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.), Dr. Kate Masur will lead a panel discussion about the end of the Civil War, the abolition of slavery and how newly-freed Blacks approached opportunities to build their lives as freedmen and women. Grounded in the history of Washington, D.C., her book, “Freedom Was in Sight: Reconstruction in the Washington, D.C.,” refutes Reconstruction’s conventional endpoint of 1877 and spotlights well-known and lesser-known people who worked to empower the Black community during this period. Joining Masur on the panel will be educator Jessica Rucker and Maya Davis, director of Riversdale Historic House in Prince George’s County, Maryland. This event is free but registration is required.
On Thursday, Nov. 14 (7 – 8 p.m.), in the Oprah Winfrey Theater and streaming online, Brown University professor and public historian, Noliwe Rooks, will discuss highlights from her biography of the founder of Bethune-Cookman Institute in Daytona Beach, Fla., titled “A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary Mcleod Bethune.” In Rooks’ comprehensive work, she illustrates how Bethune worked to advance the struggle for freedom and equality, opening the doors for Black women to claim their citizenship rights and take an active role in shaping American democracy.
In July, the museum opened an exhibition exploring the life and impact of Bethune, which features 75 images, 35 artifacts, a multimedia film, an interactive engagement and an eight-foot-tall plaster sculpture of her.
Finally, on Sunday, Nov. 17 (3 – 5 p.m.),
schools organize safe and cost-effective transportation.
IndyGeneUS AI
This is a Black-owned, veteran-operated company advancing precision medicine with AI and a DNA repository for individuals of African descent.
Mocktail Club
This company develops premium non-alcoholic cocktails. Their drinks are
“Intergenerational Reflections on Activism” will showcase results from an intergenerational initiative that attempts to capture the stories and reflections of elder social justice activists and foster connections between them and the next generation of activists and scholars.
From April 2023 to March 2024, the NMAAHC Oral History Initiative collaborated with nine young scholars to conduct 16 oral history interviews with veteran activists in Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, Fla., the San Francisco Bay area and Atlanta. This program will include both clips from the interviews and a panel discussion with project participants and social justice veterans including Joyce Ladner, W. Paul Coates and Frank Smith. This event is free but registration is required.
Since its opening, NMAAHC has welcomed 11 million in-person visitors and millions more through its digital presence.
The idea of erecting the museum first received public attention a century ago when Black veterans of the Civil War proposed the plan. It gained momentum after Civil Rights Movement icon and Georgia Congressman John Lewis took up the mantle and secured the support of several of his colleagues.
In 2003, then President George W. Bush signed legislation that allowed the project to begin. And on Sept. 24, 2016, with the ringing of a bell fittingly borrowed from First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Va., one of the nation’s oldest Black churches founded in 1776, President Barack Obama officially dedicated the newest addition to the family of Smithsonian institutions located on the National Mall – the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
In his comments, Obama referred to the museum as an “essential part of [America’s] story.”
“The African American story is not a sidebar or a secondary tale. No – it is central to the American story –a glorious story that illustrates how African Americans have been able to rise again and again from tragedy to triumph,” he said. “Of course, this museum won’t end job discrimination, escalating violence in our cities or so many other ills and examples of injustice that we face – those things are up to us to change by speaking out,
“Through investments like the Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund, we are helping more D.C. founders of color and women founders start and grow their businesses here in the Capital of Innovation.”
available in 1,500 retail locations such as Whole Foods and Target.
Myles Comfort Food and Beverages
This company offers premium and healthy mac and cheese alternatives with all-natural ingredients.
Oh Mazing Food and Beverages
This company sells gourmet, allergyfriendly granola snacks available in stores like Whole Foods and Target.
Omega 3
This business produces granola bars and cereals promoting brain health and then distributes their product through schools and e-commerce.
Path AI
This AI-powered educational platform provides affordable test prep and career tools, which recently launched a $25,000 scholarship for high school and college students.
RASA
This Indian fast-casual restaurant offers healthful, flavorful meals in the DMV area.
protesting and voting,” he said. “Hopefully it will help us begin to talk to one another, really see one another and listen to one another.”
For more information about the museum, visit nmaahc. si.edu, follow @NMAAHC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or call Smithsonian information at (202) 6331000.
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Mayor Muriel Bowser details the third round of grant funding from the District’s Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund, totaling $1.8 million in allocated funds so far.
D.C. officials honor Darrell Green with key to the city
By J.Pamela Stills Special to the AFRO
Two-time Super Bowl champion
Darrell Green, with his family on hand, accepted a key to the city from Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Oct. 19.
Family, friends, well-wishers and representatives from the Washington Commanders organization gathered at Franklin Park to celebrate Green.
Green spent his entire football career with one team, playing 20 seasons for the Washington Redskins, now known as the Washington Commanders. He won the Walter Payton Man-ofthe-Year award in 1996 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall
of Fame in 2008. However, these accomplishments alone did not garner the recognition and award from the city.
“You get the key to the city because you’ve done a lot for the community,” said the Commanders’ limited partner, Mitchell Rales, in his speech at the celebration.
In her remarks, Mayor Bowser said Green “represents D.C. values … represents the D.C. spirit: scrappy, fast, underestimated and a champion.”
Before presenting Green with the key to the city, Bowser told the crowd she is stingy with the honor, bestowing it only a handful of times.
In ending her remarks, Mayor
Bowser told the crowd that even though the Commanders plan to retire Green’s jersey, no one can retire his spirit.
In his acceptance, Green acknowledged his family and the work he does with his wife, Jewell, to positively impact the D.C. community. Green told the crowd they all have a metaphorical piece of the “key” and he wants them to go out and serve.
Green was picked in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, then went on to play as a cornerback for the Washington NFL team for 20 seasons. Green played his last NFL game in 2002 at the age of 42 against the Dallas Cowboys. Green won the NFL’s Fastest Man competition four times and holds the league record for most consecutive seasons with an interception at 19.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Darrell Green (left), accepts the key to the city from Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Family, friends, fans and representatives from the Washington Commanders organization gather at Franklin Park to celebrate Darrell Green.
Holding his key to the city, Darrell Green implores attendees to better their communities in his acceptance speech on Oct. 19.
Washington Commanders fan Daryl Johnson witnesses NFL legend Darrell Green receive a key to the city from Mayor Muriel Bowser.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expounds on Green’s service to the community.
AFRO Photos/ J. Pamela Stills
Officials in the U.S. said racism was a public health crisiswhat’s changed?
By Kenya Hunter Associated Press
More than 200 cities and counties declared racism was a public health crisis in the past few years, mostly after George Floyd was murdered by police in Minneapolis in May 2020. Racial justice advocates said they finally felt heard by the quick swell of political will to address disparities like disproportionate COVID-19 deaths or infant and maternal mortality rates.
The declarations “signified this might be us finally breaking through the noise that they haven’t been willing to hear,” said Ryan McClinton, who works at the nonprofit Public Health Advocates in Sacramento County, California. Marsha Guthrie, the senior director at the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, called 2020 a “catalytic moment for us to kind of reimagine social consciousness.”
“Think about the ... decades [and] decades of just fighting to get the conversation about race even centered in the American psyche,” she said. “Now people talk about it as a general course of fact.”
Some places’ health departments took on the work of the declarations, creating improvement plans centered on racial equity. Others turned the work over to task forces and consultants to look at internal work environments or make action plans and recommendations.
Years after the declarations, community organizers and public health advocates in Milwaukee and Sacramento County say not much has changed. Officials counter that it’ll take more than a few years to undo centuries of structural and institutional racism.
But experts, officials and advocates all agreed on one thing: The declarations were an important first step toward creating a racially equitable society. Extensive research shows racism can have detrimental health impacts on people of color, including chronic stress and anxiety and higher rates of heart disease and asthma.
“If we’re not going to name racism in the first place, then we’re not going to start to develop solutions to address it,” said Dara Mendez, who teaches epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh and studied the early declarations. “... Then the next step is (asking) what are the actions behind it? ... Are there resources? Is there community action?
Milwaukee’s approach
Lilliann Paine wanted to see everyday
Chicago’s
By Willy Blackmore Word In Black
Leaders across the nation are highlighting the impacts of racism, which has been declared a public health crisis.
public health work focus on the intersection of racism and public health, and in 2018 brought the idea to the Wisconsin Public Health Association. Milwaukee, where Black people are the largest minority group, became one of the first cities in the country to adopt a declaration in 2019.
“If racism as a public health crisis was truly operationalized, we would have more people graduating from high school. If it was truly operationalized, people could live to their full potential and not worry about being mistaken by a police officer for having a gun,” said Paine, who was the chief of staff at the city’s health department from late 2019 to March 2021.
“And those aren’t changes you can speak to overnight.”
Wisconsin’s biggest city now has a community health improvement plan, released in December, that wants to address racism as a public health crisis in various ways — from increasing voter registration to improving infant mortality rates, which are three times higher among Black infants than White infants.
The plan also highlights the need to improve housing conditions, and one of the health department’s key priorities is addressing lead poisoning in older homes. Black children in Milwaukee are up to 2.7 times more likely to have elevated blood lead levels compared to other races, according to the community health
improvement plan.
“When the built environment is essentially a poison in your families, you’re going to see health outcomes that affect that,” health department commissioner Dr. Michael Totoraitis said, giving an example that kids might be “deemed problematic at school because they were lead-poisoned and have permanent brain damage.”
Deanna Branch’s 11-year old son, Aidan, got lead poisoning when he was a toddler. She pointed to the dilapidated housing that she and many Black Milwaukee residents have to live in.
“We have to work with what we have and do what we have to do to keep that place safe for our kids,” Branch said, adding, “rent is getting higher, but the upkeep of apartments isn’t changing at all.”
Longtime racial equity advocate Melody McCurtis said she’s interested in some parts of the plan — but is largely still skeptical.
“When it comes down to tackling racism, I don’t want to see, I don’t want to hear the word ‘explore,’” said McCurtis, who is deputy director of Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, a resident-led community group. “I know you have to explore things, but some of these things, there’s been plenty of research done already … What is the real strategy that’s really going to get folks where we need to be?”
Sacramento County’s efforts Putting money toward racism-as-a-publichealth-crisis declarations is an important way for governments to show they’re committed to implementing the steps, Mendez said. But money was a rarity in her review of 125 declarations that had been adopted by the end of September 2020.
“It actually is also going to take some financial will and some real investments to create the types of layered strategies that can move the needle on well-being outcomes,” said Guthrie with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, which works with governments on racial equity in about 20 states. “That doesn’t happen overnight.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offered millions of dollars in federal grants in 2022 for state and local health departments to address racial disparities and develop the workforce.
Sacramento County, California, received $7 million and has used it to to pay various consultants to create an action plan for its health department and to train the staff on implicit bias and racial equity.
The county, which passed its declaration in November 2020, has significant Latino, Asian and Black populations, each with varying health disparities. Black infants in Sacramento County had a death rate twice as high as the overall infant death rate in 2020. And between 2010 and 2020, Black, Asian and Hispanic women were all more likely to die during childbirth than White women.
The declaration gave the health department a “green light” to begin addressing equity at the root, county public health officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye said. That included creating a fellowship program for college students by 2029 to create a pathway to employment.
Community organizers from Public Health Advocates praise the health department for starting up a health and racial equity unit. But they are frustrated by the lack of outwardfacing progress.
A year ago, the organization confronted the county board of supervisors during a meeting over concerns that the county was too focused on internal diversity, equity and inclusion as opposed to racial justice. They were frustrated that the county spent $190,000 on an out-of-state consultant and didn’t put community members on the DEI cabinet — which was established in May 2023, three years after the declaration. See more on afro.com
lead problem isn’t going away anytime soon
Earlier this month, there was a deadline for water utilities across the country to submit a survey of lead pipes in their systems to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)— the first step in the Biden Administration’s ambitious plan to replace all the remaining lead service lines in the country over the course of a decade.
But the accounting of the water-delivery system in Chicago, and the agency’s response to it, shows that the goal will not be met: the EPA is giving Chicago, which has more lead pipes than any other city in the country, until 2047 to finish replacing them all.
“That’s decades. That’s generations of children and adults consuming lead contaminated water,” Chakena Perry, a Chicagoland-based senior policy advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council told NPR earlier this year about the EPA’s generous timeline. “It’s incomprehensible to tell a resident that they need to wait that long for safe drinking water.”
Lead’s devastating impact
Lead is a powerful neurotoxin, and there is no safe amount to consume in water. The effects of lead exposure — which can cause developmental and behavioral problems, as well as fertility issues, amongst other issues — tend to be worse for people who are already experiencing other social disadvantages, such as poverty. Combined with the fact that lead water infrastructure is often found in cities like Chicago, lead exposure is an environmental justice issue that disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities. Chicago has an estimated 400,000 lead service lines — the most in the U.S., which connect larger cast-iron or ductile steel distribution lines with the privately owned plumbing system inside a home or apartment building.
One recent study conducted in Chicago found that an astonishingly high percentage of children under the age of 6 (the age group at the greatest risk of long-term complications
from lead poisoning) are exposed to lead in drinking water, nearly 70 percent.
“The extent of lead contamination of tap water in Chicago is disheartening — it’s not something we should be seeing in 2024,” the study’s lead author Benjamin Huynh, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said in a statement in March.
While Chicago has a significant Black and Brown population on the whole, all that lead-contaminated water is by no means evenly distributed. A significant concentration of lead service lines are located on the primarily Black South Side.
The fix — removing lead from water systems — is obvious, but it tends to never be all that quick or straightforward. And there are other cities with a large amount of lead too, including
New York (100,000 lead service lines) and Cleveland (235,000 lead service lines).
The EPA has had a shifting formula for setting the deadline for cities with the most work to do when it comes to removing lead from the water system.
The EPA’s initial formula for granting extended deadlines to cities with the most work to do would have put New York at 14 years, Cleveland at 27, and given Chicago fully 42 years to do all of the work, according to an analysis by Policy Innovation. Thanks to a recent revision to the formula, however, New York is now on the 10-year timeline, and Cleveland and Chicago saw their deferred timelines cut roughly in half.
Flint’s long journey
The long-running effort to replace every lead and stainless steel service line in Flint, Michigan, shows just how arduous this kind of undertaking can be. The city has completed around 30,000 service line replacements in seven years at a cost of $100 million, and while the work initially moved at a rapid clip, it has ground nearly to a halt in recent years. With the finish line approaching, difficulties around finding remaining lines, and also with getting the necessary permissions to check publicly-owned service lines that run under privately owned front yards, have emerged.
There are bound to be similar hang ups in Chicago too, with access complicated by the fact that it’s predominantly a city of renters, not homeowners. Currently, a tenant is not allowed to permit access for service line work, only the owner of a building is. With a significant immigrant population now living on the South Side, there is also the concern that some residents will avoid anyone knocking on a door about lead-pipe removal in order to avoid the risk of deportation.
Then there’s the question of costs: while Flint is on the hook to pay for new service lines thanks to a court ruling that mandates the lead-pipe removal program, in many cases Chicagoans will be on the hook for the costs. Some low-income homeowners will be able to get lead lines swapped out for free, but those who don’t qualify will have to pay between $15,000 and $40,000.
AP Photo/ Clay Banks
Unsplash/ Arun Prakash Chicago advocates are still sounding the alarm regarding the need to replace lead pipes that run water to parts of the city.
Go-Go Museum and Café in D.C. receives opening date
By Ariyana Griffin AFRO Staff Writer agriffin@afro.com
Proprietors of the anticipated Go-Go Museum and Café are giving the public a teaser on Nov. 18 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the 1920 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. SE location in Washington, D.C. Ronald Moten, Go-Go Museum and Café cofounder, shared that the official opening will be on Feb. 19, 2025. The date commemorates the day that Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the bill, marking go-go music as the official music of D.C. in 2020.
The Nov. ribbon cutting will be a soft opening of the site, and the space will host special events until the tentative opening date next year. The opening of the museum will mark a significant moment in the history of go-go music. More than just a physical location, the space will offer a cultural landmark where people can appreciate and learn about the official music of Washington, D.C.
“The museum is leading an ever-expanding coalition of musicians, scholars and advocates connecting go-go’s
“There’s no better time to do it than now and we’re happy that we’re bringing something in Washington, D.C., that nobody ever expected. It’s going to be beautiful.”
polyrhythms to their roots in West Africa and around the Diaspora through exhibitions, programs, partnerships and international collaborations,” the website states.
The ribbon cutting event is intended to be a celebration, featuring live performances and various interactive activities for attendees to enjoy.
The idea of the space has been in the works since the #DontMuteDC movement in 2019, a protest against the erasure of D.C. culture due to Black displacement and gentrification.
“There is a lot of culture erasure going on [so] we’re elevating and advocating to save our music and history
in D.C.,” Go-Go Museum and Café co-founder Ronald Moten told the AFRO. “There’s no better time to do it than now, and we’re happy that we’re bringing something in Washington, D.C., that nobody ever expected. It’s going to be beautiful.”
The cafe and museum fusion will serve as a place for go-go music enthusiasts and lovers to gather and for newcomers to fall in love with the history behind the unique sound. The museum’s website stated that the sound “is a brand of funk, R&B, hip-hop and AfroLatin rhythms created in the 1970s by ‘Godfather of GoGo’ Chuck Brown and his Washington D.C. fans.”
In 2020, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a law that delegated go-go as the official music of the District of Columbia. The act also requires the mayor “to create a plan to support, preserve, and archive go-go music and its history.”
She has also designated the Go-Go Museum as a site in her “Go-Go People’s Plan” to archive, preserve and uplift the history of go-go music. For more information and updates, visit gogomuseumcafe.com
Q&A: RZA on the nostalgic origins of his first classical album, ‘A Ballet Through Mud’
By Ryan Pearson Associated Press
RZA’s hoarding habit led to his newest adventure in music: a ballet and surprisingly traditional classical album he calls “A Ballet Through Mud.”
Early in the pandemic, the 55-year-old Wu-Tang Clan founder, born Robert Diggs, was rummaging through a bag of old spiral notebooks he found in his library. He pulled out a blue Mead notebook full of rhymes, phone numbers and movie ideas that he’d written as a teenager growing up in Staten Island.
Looking through the books, a series of storytelling raps stood out — ones that he’d deemed too “immature” to use when he started his first group with cousins Russell Jones and Gary Grice, who later took the names Ol’ Dirty Bastard and GZA/Genius.
He’d been studying music theory for years and had already composed the scores to 10 films. So, noodling along on the keyboard, he began crafting melodies that matched the emotions of one of his teenage rhymestories about six friends, “Joe Is A Nerd.” Was it an opera, potentially?
He kept going, finding further inspiration and building out orchestration, until his wife weighed in: No vocals needed. After watching a documentary about Alvin Ailey on a flight, he sought out dancers to visualize his imagined narrative, and eventually collaborated with the Colorado Symphony for two performances in February 2023.
RZA sat down at his office in suburban Los Angeles to speak with The Associated Press about the nostalgic genesis of the project, the growing bridge between the worlds of classical and hip-hop and his hopes for what happens next with his composition and ballet.
What are you feeling as you look through that notebook? Are you sitting at the piano with those words in front of you and just sort of seeing where it goes?
I’m remembering my high school buddies, my high school crushes, my high school heartbreak, all that’s happening. And I just saw it and ... It’s kind of like how Elton John would do with Bernie Taupin lyrics. I started writing music, composing music. And as the music started to have its own voice, its own speaking, all the emotions that I was trying to capture would be captured.
to the orchestra. They’re striving to spread the culture.”
It’s a synergy there. And so we agreed to do that. And he’s like, yo, it’s a three-year process. You can develop your own stuff and play with it along the path.
The ballet reminds me of your interest in martial arts and the early John Woo movies. They are balletic. But you think of them in a more macho way than Alvin Ailey did. You have to have a sensitive side now. And that could be the side of hip-hop that I was fighting against. But then you realize as an artist, this is a genius. As I get older, as an artist, my boundaries become more artistic versus more confined to a box.
But it was like there was no need to put lyrics over it. And I fought myself about that over and over until maybe after about six songs. Then the music took on a life of its own. How did you end up linking up with the Colorado Symphony?
We had a great time when we did the Wu-Tang concert with them. They have all the charts for the Wu-Tang, and so I know that (resident conductor) Chris (Dragon) gets me. And then I get on with (Chief Artistic Officer) Tony Pierce and Tony’s like, “That sounds great. We would love to be a part of it. But also, we have started this program called the Imagination Program, where they’re striving to help bring more young people
What are your hopes for what happens next with the ballet?
I created it. I think other people should play with it. I would love to see a high school take it and play it and dance it and share it. That would be the greatest.
Like it actually goes to high schools or go to freshmen in college or go, you know, places where people young can express it and feel it. It’s not complicated like Beethoven’s Ninth, Tchaikovsky. But yet, because of the proper use of the orchestra, it’s still big.
The first intention is for somebody to listen to this, go through the story that it gives them in their own mind and enjoy. That’s the first thing. This is a gift. So that’s what feels so good about it. It’s like, yo, I could’ve bought a Bentley or something. Nah.
I made a piece of music that caused some emotions, you know, put people to work, you know, everybody made a few dollars. Who did it right? Bought back to the community. Music has given me a lot. I gave a gift back.
We’ve been seeing more and more collaborations between hip-hop artists and orchestras. Nas has done many concerts with full orchestras, Cypress Hill did recently. What’s your take on this and where it goes?
Wu-Tang performed at Coachella (in 2013). I only agreed to do it if I could have the orchestra back me. Hip-hop samples from orchestras all the time. Barry White, we love Isaac Hayes because he was orchestrating and composing, Quincy Jones — these are my mentors right here. So, it was natural for us.
And I’m happy that the culture is doing it. There was a hip-hop violinist a few years ago that was dope. There’s a dope orchestra in Atlanta right now, the all Black (Orchestra Noir). They’re bananas with it. They’ll drop some Future on you. I think Metro Boomin tried something recently.
I feel like a pioneer of it. Like in 1997, I’m bringing in real violins into my sessions to create “Reunited” and other songs on “Wu-Tang Forever.” But the idea is that somebody young could start with it, not end up with it like I ended up here. Start with a violin, cello, trumpet, brass — start with those with that knowledge. So then when you start creating with the technology you have now, the sky’s the limit.
AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Musician Robert ‘Rza’ Diggs is proud to present his latest artistic offering, a classical album titled “A Ballet Through Mud.”
Photo courtesy of Dontmutedc.com
Ronald Moten (left) and Dr. Natalie Hopkinson serve as founder and chief curator, respectively, for D.C.’s Go-Go Museum. A soft opening for the space will take place on Nov 18.
Cell-free schools gaining popularity – even among students
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO
When Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin sought to limit the use of mobile phones during the school day, it was unclear if a cell phonefree policy would garner praise or outrage.
Youngkin, upon issuing Executive Order 33 on July 9, said he hoped to eliminate obvious distractions caused by the use of cell phones during instructional time, which includes lunchtime and breaks between class periods, while also citing the impact of social media on the mental health of youth.
In August, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) published a draft of its guidelines following several public events that allowed parents, teachers and students to provide input on the new policy which will become effective in Virginia public schools on Jan. 1, 2025.
Beginning next year, students must turn off and keep their phones put away throughout the day, including during lunch and between class periods.
“This guidance will ensure K-12 Virginia students have a distractionfree environment to focus on learning and reduce the alarming mental health crisis and chronic health conditions from cell phones and social media affecting Virginia students, ” the VDOE said in a press release on Sept. 17.
However, there is some flexibility. Elementary school students, with the approval of their parents, will be allowed to take a cell phone or personal electronic communication device to school, but it must be turned off and stored away during the school day and cannot be used on school grounds either before or after school.
Middle school students should
not have easy access to cell phones during the bell-to-bell school day, but school districts will be allowed to develop local policies as to whether devices can be used on school property before and after school. High school students will be allowed to use their cell phones on school grounds but only before and after school.
Similar policies have grown in popularity across the nation, with America’s three most populous states, California, Florida and Texas, already having introduced or enacted legislation limiting the use of cell phones in schools in efforts to boost students’ mental health and academic performance. And officials in New York say they’re considering implementing a cell phone ban as early as next year. Meanwhile, closer to home in Maryland and Washington, D.C., public school systems have a variety of guidelines on the use of cell phones during the instructional day and before or after school, dependent on the academic level of students, whether students are utilizing cell phones during schoolsponsored activities or if students have special needs or disabilities that might require access and use of cell phones.
Views from the frontline Valiant Binns, 56, an eighth grade mathematics teacher in Prince George’s County Public Schools, said the County’s Board of Education policy for cell phones, which for his students means being allowed only before and after school hours, has not been difficult to enforce. In fact, Binns, who has been an educator for 24 years, said he’s been limiting the use of cell phones in his classes for the past five years and is more than pleased with the results.
“I purchased a locker with 36
Proponents of banning cell phone use in schools say the devices are distracting and could be detrimental to the mental health of students.Still, some parents cite safety concerns when arguing that their children should have access to their cell phones at all times.
slots and when my students enter the room, they put their phones into a slot designated for each student,” Binns said. “Our school theme has been ‘game changers’ and with that in mind, I told my students on the first day of school that our class would be a ‘no cell phone zone.’
“It’s been amazing how easily they have adapted to the policy. Before, in moments of boredom or with their phones vibrating which led to them being distracted, it was hard to keep my students focused. They were routinely looking at their phones. But now, they know to put their phones in the locker before they take a seat and I have not had one student complain. In fact, some students forget their phones at the end of class and have to come back later to retrieve them,” Binns added.
Charlene White, 38, who has two children, ages 9 and 11, enrolled
in schools in Montgomery County, Md., said she’s already instructed her children to put their phones away during school unless they feel it’s imperative to reach her. And she wants to maintain that degree of unfettered communication.
“I’ve trained my children to keep their phones away…. But I reserve the right for my children to always be able to reach me at any moment,” she said.
White said her oldest was participating in a program at a Baltimore university when she and her classmates actually witnessed another youth being chased and shot outside of their classroom window.
“I know that’s not the norm, but that incident alone was enough for me to require that she always have her phone on her person and be able to use it to get me,” the Liberian American said. “She’s much better
When failing to act leads to the death of a student
By Quintessa Williams Word In Black
When Kaleiah Jones, a Black teenager with a heart condition, collapsed in the hallway of her Newport News, Va. high school in February, her odds for survival were good. Her schoolmates immediately called for help, the school nurse and the resource officer raced to the scene and the school had several lifesaving automatic defibrillator machines installed nearby.
Yet 10 minutes later, Kaleiah was still unconscious on the floor as the adults around her couldn’t figure out what to do. No one — not the nurse, nor the resource officer, nor the principal — had checked her pulse. No one had retrieved the defibrillator machines. The officer tried to perform CPR, but stopped after less than 20 seconds.
When paramedics arrived nearly 20 minutes after Kaleiah collapsed, they began CPR, but it was too late. Just 16, she died an hour later at a nearby hospital.
Those are the allegations in a new lawsuit the girl’s family has filed against the city of Newport News, its school board and the halfdozen or so Menchville High School educators who were there after Kaleiah lost consciousness that day.
“The defendants’ gross negligence and willful and wanton negligence to
Despite Virginia laws requiring school staff to be certified in CPR and the use of defibrillators, no one took the necessary actions to save Kaleiah’s life. According to the lawsuit, security cameras in the school’s hallway recorded the scene on Feb. 20, just after Kaleiah collapsed. The family is being represented by The Krudy Law Firm in Richmond as well as high-profile attorney Benjamin Crump.
When they arrived in the hallway, teachers, administrators, a school nurse and a resource officer reportedly stood by for more than 16 minutes, only occasionally trying to revive her, according to the lawsuit. They shook her shoulders, rubbed her leg and splashed water on her face; the resource officer performed chest compressions but stopped after just 17 seconds.
Kaleiah’s medical needs caused her death,” the lawsuit says. “Had the defendants promptly commenced CPR and/or used the AED, Kaleiah would have survived.”
Benjamin Crump takes the case
Kaleiah’s mother, Keyonna Stewart, said the school was aware Kaleiah suffered from bradycardia, a condition in which an individual’s heart rate drops below 60 beats per minute, compared with a normal rate of between 60 to 100 beats per minute.
“My heart is broken. I wake up daily with the pain and sorrow that my sweet baby girl is not with me on this journey called life,” Stewart told local news station WAFB. “I will never get the opportunity to see Kaleiah fulfill every parent’s dreams of getting her license, graduating high school or walking down the aisle on her wedding day.”
The teenager’s death also points to a larger issue: Black K-12 students are at higher risk for receiving inadequate care in school emergencies.
The national disparity in emergency response
Currently, 20 states — including Virginia — have laws that mandate CPR certification for school staff. Some specifically require certain employees, such as teachers, coaches or school personnel, to be trained and certified in CPR. However, CPR certification laws for students are more widespread, with 38 states requiring CPR training for high school graduation.
While many states focus on training students, fewer
now, but that experience was traumatic. I can only imagine how she would have reacted if she had not been able to get me on the phone right after the shooting.”
White’s daughter, Nevaeh, who participates in gymnastics and band, in addition to other activities, said, “I don’t use my phone in school. I need to listen to my teachers and learn as much as I can. And social media isn’t something that I use anyway.”
Brigette Squire, 36, the mother of an 11-year-old boy who attends a magnet performing arts middle school in Baltimore, agrees with policies that require cell phones not be used during instructional hours but believes that they should be available for children before and after school and during lunchtime.
“It’s parents, not teachers and other officials, who should be enforcing the amount of time that children spend on their phones,” Squire said. “My son reminds me that all of his friends have cell phones and they communicate on them all of the time. But I place strict limits on how long he can use his phone.
“I recently was delayed picking him up from school and because he had left his phone at school, I could not reach him for nearly two hours. That was two hours of panic. So, he’ll have his phone on him at all times from now on,” she said.
Still, Squire’s son, Matthew, said he likes having his cell phone and especially likes the things he can do with it.
“I play games on my phone a lot with my cousins and it’s fun,” Matthew said. “And I’ve gotten used to using ChatGPT, which makes it easier to explore things and ask questions. I’m even using my cell phone to write my own book about kids like me using technology.”
states mandate that all school staff—especially those not directly involved in athletics or physical education—be certified in CPR.
According to a 2019 Journal of the American Heart Association report, Black children are 41 percent less likely to receive bystander CPR than their white peers in public settings. Experts say the disparity — due in part to implicit racial biases, systemic neglect and poor training — put Black students’ lives at greater risk.
In August, for example, a Black 14-year-old boy suffering from seizures suddenly collapsed at his Houston middle school and later died. Although the school nurse was there moments after the boy
collapsed, police body camera footage recorded her stating that she was not trained in performing CPR or using AEDs.
A call for accountability Incidents like Kaleiah’s demonstrate the need for urgent reforms to hold schools accountable for the safety of all students, ensuring that when emergencies happen, every child—regardless of race—gets the care they need.
“The teachable moment starts now, just with the filing of the lawsuit, because you all are looking at Kaleiah’s face,” Crump, the lawyer representing her family, said during a press conference. “… and I hope you’re thinking about your children. But by the grace of God, it could be your child.”
Unsplash/ Josue Ladoo Pelegrin
Photo courtesy of Word In Black Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump stands with his client, Keyonna Stewart, whom he represents in a wrongful death lawsuit. Stewart has lodged her claim against the City of Newport News for the death of her daughter Kaleiah Jones, who died in the hallway of a Newport News, Va. public school.
Courtesy of Journal of the American Heart Association Bar graph showing the percentage of children who receive bystander CPR, or bystander CPR, by ethnic group. White children had a 48 percent likelihood of receiving BCPR, while Black children were 41 percent less likely, according to data from the Journal of the American Heart Association.
WASHINGTON, DC 20003 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
HAKIM TATE, whose address is 411 MILLWOOF DRIVE CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD 20743 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILLIE ROSINA TATE, who died on JANUARY 14, 2009 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 APRIL 18, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or
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The soft bigotry of lowered expectations for young people
By Ryan Coleman
In 2001, President George W. Bush gave a speech to the NAACP in which, among other items, he decried the “soft bigotry of low expectations.” While he was speaking of how minority students are treated and viewed in the classroom, such sentiments are now true of American society as a whole–especially for young people.
Unfortunately, the burden of lowered expectations often weighs heavier on young people than any set of responsibilities, for it brings a lack of purpose. This lack of purpose can cause restlessness, discontent and even recklessness.
I believe, and have been an example of, how being your best with the highest standards is essential to reach greatness. It has been adherence to these values that led to the rapid advancement of Blacks from the cotton fields of the South to the highest offices of America.
The bigotry of low expectations is a way to continue to hold Black people down and
Ryan Coleman serves as president of the Baltimore County chapter of the NAACP. This week, he discusses the impact of lowered expectations on the Black community and young people, specifically.
Maryland Port Administration to receive $147 million
By Mekhi Abbott Special to the AFRO mabbott@afro.com
Standing with cranes and shipment containers in the background, President Joe Biden announced roughly $3 billion in grants to support infrastructure and climate-friendly equipment at ports nationwide on Oct. 29. The Maryland Port Administration, specifically, will receive $147 million in grants and awards.
Biden was joined by major Maryland politicians and community members, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott.
“This is about environmental justice,” said Biden, adding that the funding “will cut port’s opening costs, strengthen supply chain, make American businesses more competitive and keep consumer prices down while slashing carbon pollution and support an estimated 40,000 new, good paying jobs.”
In Baltimore, the money could stand
“The last time President Biden was here in Baltimore, he was here because of a tragedy–tragedy not just to our state, not just to the city of Baltimore, not just to Dundalk and Turner Station–but also tragedy to our entire country.”
to significantly impact families that depend on the ports for survival. The Port of Baltimore is counted as one of the most active ports located on the East Coast–especially when it comes to vehicle shipments. According to information released by the White House, “more than 20,000 workers support daily Port operations, including unionized longshoreman and truckers. Each day the Port’s economic impact represents $192 million or more than $70 billion a year, representing 13 percent of Maryland’s gross domestic product.”
Of the $147 million investment, White House officials say more than $145 million will be used “to purchase zero-emission cargo handling equipment and drayage trucks and facilitate the transition of the port to a zero-emission facility, as well as a nearly $2 million planning grant to help the port chart a path to greater emissions reductions in the future, delivering cleaner air for the
Angela Alsobrooks receives support from former Hogan voters
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com
Former supporters of former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) are now backing Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks as she strives for Maryland’s U.S. Senate seat. The Maryland Democratic Party hosted a press conference at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis, Md. on Oct. 28, giving a voice to individuals who have decided to champion Alsobrooks despite voting for Hogan in the past.
The outcome of the race could impact control of the U.S. Senate, as Democrats maintain a narrow majority.
“We know what’s at stake in this election—reproductive freedoms, an economy that works for everyone, creating safer communities by combating gun violence, supreme court justices and, of course, a Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate so we can get all of this stuff done,” said Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman.
The mayor said that he publicly supported Hogan for governor in 2018, noting that the pair worked well together while he was in office. However, he has taken issue with the rhetoric coming from Hogan’s campaign as of late.
“Name-calling, personal attacks— this is not befitting of the man I remember as governor, a man whose whole brand is about being able to work well with everyone,” said Ashman. “One thing is true about all campaigns. As we get closer to election day, they become more emotional and heated. If you look closely, you can tell which campaign has the edge because that’s the one that’s focused on the people and the work that needs to be done.”
On Oct. 8, the former
West Muhammad, 14, becomes Coppin State’s youngest student ever
By Ariyana Griffin AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com
Baltimore native West Muhammad made history when he walked onto the Coppin State University campus this semester.
At just 14-years-old, the first-year cybersecurity engineering student is the youngest student ever admitted to the West Baltimore-based historically Black university, adding to its already rich legacy. Coppin State University’s president Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins, weighed in on the honor to have the young student become a Coppin eagle.
“We are honored to have West join the Coppin family,” Dr. Jenkins said in a statement. “West is a shining example of what is possible with determination, curiosity
and a university [designed] to meet the need of a multigenerational student population.”
Before embarking on his college admission journey, Muhammad shared that he was homeschooled during the pandemic after attending traditional schools in Baltimore.
Homeschooling and acceleration programs allowed him to graduate from high school at 14 years old.
While some young people or even their parents might be worried about taking the next step to attend college, Muhammad confidently shared that he was well-prepared for college life, thanks to his mom’s unwavering support.
“My mom has always wanted me to be outgoing and develop social skills. Even when we weren’t doing physical school during
the pandemic, we would still be doing meetings with my friends, or sometimes we’d go to the library,” he said.
His mother’s dedication to his social skills development and academic achievement, even during the challenges of the pandemic, empowered him to continue.
“I remember when I was younger, I would be nervous. I must have been around five or six years old. I wasn’t as
outspoken as I am now,” he said. “But, her pushing me to develop those social skills and a few programs that I’ve been a part of really made her feel confident that I would make my way through the campus.”
His mother also attended Coppin State University, graduating in 2009 while pregnant with West. He knew that her alma mater was the
Photo courtesy of Instagram / Coppin State University) West Muhammad, 14, is making history at Coppin State University as the youngest person to ever attend the institution.
Courtesy Photo/Mekhi Abbott
Pres. Joe Biden pays a visit to the Port of Baltimore to give an update on the state of the port following the Francis Scott Key Bridge incident in March. The President announced that his administration will be providing nearly $3 billion in infrastructure grants across the country. He was joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) (top, right) and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott (D) (bottom,right).
'Charles M. Thomas Way' dedicated in East Baltimore
By Sean Yoes Special to the AFRO
On Oct. 25, friends, family, former colleagues and fraternity brothers all gathered at the corner of Kenilworth Avenue and Richwood Avenue to honor Charles "Chuck" Thomas Jr., beloved by them all. On that sunny, Fall day Thomas, surrounded by his loved ones, watched as a ceremonial street sign, "Charles H. Thomas Way," was unveiled. Thomas was honored by the Mutual Housing Association of Baltimore (MHAB), an organization that he helped lead for several years as a former board member and president. Along with his wife Angela, other family members and friends, Thomas was joined by members of his historically Black fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, including former State Senator Nathaniel McFadden and University of Maryland Law Professor Larry S. Gibson. Thomas served for 32 years as a school psychologist for Baltimore City Public Schools. The U.S. Army veteran and graduate of Howard University celebrated his 100th
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birthday over the summer with a gathering of hundreds at the historic Forest Park Golf Course in Northwest Baltimore. He was a member of the Monumental Golf
perfect school for him after hearing about his mom’s experiences on campus.
“Coppin State University is a school that I’ve heard about since being a child because my mom went here and she graduated from Coppin State University while she was pregnant with me. So it’s almost like I’ve been here before I was even here,” he said.
During the application process, his mom spoke with representatives at Coppin to inform them of West and his unique enrollment status. After the positive reception from the campus representatives, mom and son both were even more confident that Coppin was the right choice.
His decision to major in cybersecurity engineering blossomed from his love for technology, which was evident when his grandmother gave him a tablet when he was three years old.
“Since then, it’s been like what’s next that we can do with technology,” he said. “I’ve also learned a bit about viruses–thankfully, I’ve never had one. But just the fact that
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destroy our communities.
Below are local examples we see in Baltimore and surrounding areas. The bigotry of lowered expectations is seen when:
- Management at Carroll Fuel in Security accepts and allows criminal activity on its property
- Members of the Black community accept traveling to other areas in search of diverse businesses
- Misbehaving kids cause stores needed in our communities to shutter their doors
- Violent juveniles are allowed to continue to victimize people
- A violent, juvenile sex offender, accused of assault, is placed in a hotel in Owings Mills where another attack allegedly takes place
- Children can squeegee instead of being in school
- White led groups can advocate for more lenient policies regarding youth crime, under guise of equality, leading to more crime in the Black community
- The focus on misbehav-
Club and golf tournament director and advisor for the Baltimore area golf groups for decades. The native of Pittsburgh, PA. was born June 24, 1924.
someone can almost take over your computer intrigues me.”
Being the youngest student does not stop him from being involved on campus and with his peers. He shared that he commutes to Coppin because he is too young to stay in oncampus dorms. However, in between classes, he enjoys exploring the campus and spending time in the library to stay on top of his assignments.
“Navigating the campus is very interesting to me,” Muhummad said. “It’s just great to see what’s out there and see the different people that we have. And, of course, a lot of people have come to recognize me now, so it’s great to say hi and build some relationships along the way.”
The culture of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is a unique experience for students across the country. West explained that he feels he can thrive in the atmosphere because he is surrounded by Black excellence.
“It’s nice seeing so many like-minded indi-
ing children is greater than talk of high achieving Black students
We must not let our focus be on making excuses for misbehaving individuals, our anger over educational policies, or our exhaustion in the face of centuries of dehumanization distract us from the simple fact that antiBlackness, in all of its many expressions, serves a single political goal: To destroy our communities and limit how many Black Americans can reach their full potential. You must keep your eyes open to see the bigotry.
All people must see and recognize the value of Black lives. We must understand that we are equal inheritors of this great nation. We are a part of the creative and moral fabric of our nation. And we must not allow that truth to be thwarted by a small group of misled, underdeveloped and misguided individuals.
We must be both cheerleaders for the best in the community and first responders to the harm caused by the
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More than 2,000 jobs are expected to result from the money poured into the port. Of that number, roughly 350 positions are slated to be manufacturing jobs.
The ports in the United States are a huge economic driver, but they also pose a threat to the environment due to the pollution they produce. The Clean Ports Program will address such environmental issues by installing clean and zero-emission freight technology which is predicted to eliminate nearly 3 million metric tons of carbon pollution over the next 10 years.
The Maryland Port is one of 55 ports that will receive funding through the Clean Ports initiative, which is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Puerto Rico and 27 other states will also receive funding, including Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Detroit-Wayne County Port Authority, as well as ports in Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
In addition to the funding announcement, Biden’s visit to the Port of Baltimore was also aimed at addressing the state of the port after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River after being struck by a container ship on March 26. The incident led to six construction workers losing their lives, while also altering commutes to work, school and more for Baltimore residents.
“Some thought the city channel would be blocked for six months or more, but we did it in 78 days!” said Biden.
The president praised how quickly the Port of Baltimore resumed activity after the accident.
“Eight thousand workers are back on the job and over 100,000 tons of cargo passed through this port again on a daily basis,” he said. “As I promised last spring, we won’t stop until the bridge is finished completely.”
Sen. Van Hollen highlighted those who had a hand in the rebound.
“I want to thank Mayor Scott, [Baltimore] County Executive Johnny Olszewski and everyone who came together from the local and federal levels– volunteers from all over the city– helping in that hour of need,” said Van Hollen. “We’ve got the federal commitment of 90 percent funding to rebuild the Key Bridge…it supports 20,000 direct jobs, including 2,400 union longshoremen.”
Mayor Scott noted how the Biden Administration has been helpful to the people of Baltimore City in a myriad of ways.
“We are blessed to have President Joe Biden and his entire team here again,” said Mayor Scott. “Of course, he was one of the first people who called us following the Key Bridge tragedy. We’ve had the Biden-Harris administration partnership in investing in our young people like never before through the American Rescue Plan Act. We’ve had the Biden-Harris administration’s partnership in reducing gun violence in Baltimore at historic rates. We’ve had their partnership in investing in our infrastructure.”
Gov. Wes Moore, the first Black man to lead the state of Maryland, delivered strong remarks.
“It’s great to be in this moment,” said Moore. “The last time President Biden was here in Baltimore, he was here because of a tragedy– tragedy not just to our state, not just to the city of Baltimore, not just to Dundalk and Turner Station– but also tragedy to our entire country.”
“We’re here because of Marylanders all across the state, of both political parties and all backgrounds, who stepped up to serve when the people of our state needed it,” he continued. “When the story of the port is written, it won’t be about survival– it’ll be a story of renewal. The Port of Baltimore is the gateway to America, and we’re going to live up to that namesake.”
viduals that are the same color as me. We have a lot of Black students and Black youth that have the same desire to learn that I also have,” he said. “Even though you may not know them, there’s a connection because we’re all part of the same history and culture.”
He shared that he is excited to experience his first HBCU homecoming at Coppin, which will take place during the week of Feb. 16-23.
Muhammad stressed the importance of uplifting young people doing great work because
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worst. We must be the first to correct these young people. We must be the first to speak out against their misbehavior. I am disappointed by the lack of outrage expressed by the community for the violent assaults on Black people. If there is going to be an enduring and respected Black community in Maryland, we must continue to develop and discipline our children. We must recognize the value of our presence and accessibility to Black children, both our own and our neighbors. There is a direct correlation between the amount of time we spend together, how valued we feel by each other and the setting of high expectations. Let’s make the time to be fathers, mothers, friends and neighbors to the people who need us and push each other to excellence.
Excellence and high expectations are how we defeat bigotry and structural racism.
Ryan Coleman can be reached at randallstownnaacp@gmail.com
it might inspire someone else. He advises that people support those they see doing good in their community.
“Make sure you tune in to wherever you see greatness out there today because we see a lot of negativity,” he said. “Whenever you do see people trying to do right, try to tune in. Maybe show them some love or even take what they’ve done and try to apply it to yourself because you never know what you can learn from someone else’s story.”
governor shared an ad on X, formerly known as Twitter, undermining Alsobrooks’ public safety record— a core talking point during the county executive’s campaign. The ad touted the Maryland Fraternal Order of Police’s endorsement of Hogan and slammed Alsobrooks for releasing “violent criminals and drug dealers.”
Diane Stokes, a resident of Hyattsville, M.d., also condemned attacks from the former governor’s campaign. She voted for Hogan twice before.
“It’s everything that’s wrong with the current Republican party,” said Stokes. “I’m so proud of Angela and so proud to vote for her. She represents a new generation of leaders— people who are focused on the job and the people they serve, not the petty politics and name calling and personal attacks. I’m not afraid to cross party lines to vote [and] to vote across the aisle.”
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who endorsed Alsobrooks last October, gave remarks at the event alongside first lady Dawn Moore. He said he was proud to cast his ballot early in support of the county executive.
Moore noted that some spectators took issue with his decision to back Alsobrooks in the primary election, as it’s not typical for sitting governors to recommend a candidate so early.
“I know that Angela is going to bring something so unique and special to that seat.”
“It wasn’t just the right thing to do,” said Moore. “It’s because she’s the right leader for this moment. I felt it a long time ago. I still feel it to this day.”
He believes Alsobrooks will usher in an era of integrity, thoughtfulness, kindness and brilliance.
“I know that Angela is going to bring something so unique and special to that seat,” said Moore. “She’s going to bring something that’s going to make us not just proud as Marylanders, I think she’s going to make us proud as Americans.”
Photo courtesy X (Twitter) / Governor Wes Moore
Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman (left) shakes hands with Maryland Governor Wes Moore (right) and at an event in support of Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks as she competes against Larry Hogan, former governor of Maryland, for the state's U.S. Senate seat. Although Ashman once backed Hogan, he has decided to cast his ballot for Alsobrooks in the 2024 election.
"Charles M. Thomas Way" dedicated in East Baltimore.
Charles "Chuck" Thomas (center) is surrounded by family members, including his wife Angela Thomas (left), as the street sign dedicated to him is unveiled.
Courtesy photos
AFRO News honors emergency service workers at annual ‘Unsung Heroes’ luncheon
By AFRO Staff
The AFRO celebrated the bravery and determination of the local emergency services community on Oct. 24. The event took place at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore.
Last year’s event highlighted the resilience of funeral home directors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, 911 operators and dispatchers who work with the fire department in Baltimore were celebrated.
Honorees for the 2024 installment of the publication’s “Unsung Heroes” luncheon included Tenea Reddick, who began her career as a 911 operator and now serves as 911 director for the City of Baltimore; Victoria Cromwell, a former medic who now acts as lead specialist in the 911 center, dispatching calls for the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD); Clarence Spencer, who trains 911 specialists, laying a solid foundation for new emergency workers; Sharon Roy, a fire dispatcher of more than 25 years; Theodore Heinbuch, who is living his childhood dream of being a 911 dispatcher, and Shamonique Davis the “eye in the sky” when Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck by a container ship and plunged into the Patapsco River.
“I think it is a great occasion anytime we can celebrate those who work behind the scenes and oftentimes aren’t in the front for people to see their contribution,” he said.
This year’s celebration was catered by Class Act Catering, and included a spoken word performance by Dikesha Robinson, the
The BCFD dispatcher provided crucial support for those immediately impacted by the collapse, as she provided emergency services on the fateful night of March 26.
“It was the hardest thing I think I’ve ever had to do as a first responder, but I rose above it, I conquered and I’m proud of myself,” said Davis, a 26 years old.
“I’m not used to getting awards for doing my job,” she said, moments after the ceremony. “It is an amazing and humbling experience to know that when it was time for me to do my job- when it really counted-I stepped up to the plate and I was able to do it in a professional manner. I was able to do something that my department could be proud of.”
According to the National Emergency Number Association “an estimated 240 million calls are made to 9-1-1 in the U.S. each year. From minor car accidents to the most dire life or death situations, those who answer the calls for help are the true definition of “grace under pressure.”
Chaplain Avery Thurman, a pump operator for BCFD, weighed in on the importance of holding an event specifically for those who get few opportunities to be in the spotlight.
“Butterfly Poet,” and a song selection by AFRO Managing Editor
“Hero,” by Mariah
Fire Chief James Wallace, who gave remarks during the luncheon, spoke with the AFRO after the ceremony, praising the crucial work of dispatchers.
“They work hard every day,” he said. “The thing about our dispatchers and 911 call takersthey are oftentimes faceless, but they are the first domino in public safety when it comes to an emergency. We rely very heavily on our call takers but also on our dispatchers to get us where we need to be.”
Capt. Sterling Bailey (left) and Avery Thurman join the AFRO and others in spotlighting 911 operators and dispatch workers.
Diane Hocker, AFRO News director of community and public relations, shares words of appreciation for the 2024 honorees.
Paul Novack, of the Baltimore City Fire Department, accepts the AFRO Unsung Heroes award on behalf of Theodore Heinbuch.
Lenora Howze, executive director and head of advertising for the AFRO American Newspapers, moves the annual program along as mistress of ceremonies.
AFRO News hosts a luncheon to honor the Unsung Heroes of Baltimore at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Oct. 24.
Alexis Taylor, AFRO managing editor, performs a song for luncheon attendees.
Raynette Givens (left) stands with Khaliah Yancey at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Oct. 24.
AFRO Photos / Stephen Hopkins
Alexis Taylor, who sang
Carey.
Honorees of AFRO News’ 2024 Unsung Heroes luncheon are recognized for their service at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore on Oct. 24. Shown here, Shamonique Davis; Sharon Roy; Victoria Cromwell; Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace; Tenea Reddick; Wayne Harris standing in for Clarence Spencer; and Paul Novack, standing in for Theodore Heinbuch.
