From Christmas to Kwanzaa:
The importance of family traditions
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com
North Baltimore resident John Jones’ earliest memory
of the holidays dates back to when he was five years old. Raised in Detroit, he fondly recalls his parents’ annual show on the big day. Each year, the couple would pretend to catch Santa working under the Christmas tree just as their son awoke for the
Rep.
By Ashlee Banks Special to the
AFRO abanks@afro.com
day. As an adult, recalling the tradition still brings a smile to his face.
Though he grew up celebrating the traditions of Christmas, today the math teacher observes Kwanzaa, a week-long African-American and Pan-African holiday that
Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-Ohio-11) has taken a significant step to address the pressing health care workforce shortage in the United States by introducing the Expanding the Health Care Workforce Act. The statute aims to help students, particularly those from underrepresented communities, pursue careers in health care through innovative work-based learning programs. If enacted into law, the legislation would establish a federal demonstration grant program that will enable hospitals to create or expand educational partnerships with high schools. By following the successful model of the Lincoln-West School of Science and Health in Cleveland, Ohio, the legislation seeks to provide students with hands-on experience in health care settings, preparing them for future
honors history, values, family, community and culture.
“During Kwanzaa, we observe each day by trying to build community within our small, social circles,” said Jones. “We try to use the holiday to build community and trust and to learn more about
our heritage and the Swahili language.”
Kwanzaa, celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, was created by activist and author Maulana Ron Karenga, a native of Maryland, in 1966, according to the National Museum of African American History and
U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown is working hard to ensure that Black students have equal opportunities in the health care workforce.
Culture. The holiday centers on seven principles, expressed in Swahili, the most-spoken language in Africa. They are: umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative
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careers in a rapidly growing industry.
Lincoln-West, which operates in partnership with MetroHealth, is unique as it is the only high school in the nation with classrooms located within a hospital. This proximity allows students to gain
“We are
teaching health care with an equity lens.”
invaluable insights and practical skills that are crucial for entering the health care workforce.
In a statement obtained by the AFRO, Brown said it is important to “expand this model” beyond Northeast Ohio.
“[The act] would provide similar opportunities for students, while growing the workforce in the
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
A celebration of love: Pastor Jamal Bryant and Dr. Karri Bryant host regal wedding reception
By Dana Peck AFRO Digital Solutions Director
In an atmosphere filled with joy, gratitude and divine inspiration, Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, and Dr. Karri Bryant celebrated their union with a spirited reception that united friends, family and faith leaders.
Pastor Bryant, who served as pastor of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore before leading New Birth in Atlanta, reflected on his journey from singlehood to marriage with heartfelt words.
“Six years ago, I walked into New Birth as a single pastor. Today, I stand here
as a husband,” he said.
The couple wed on Nov. 14 at the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta and held a reception at the Porsche Experience, with Pastor Bryant citing the appropriateness, as he claimed 2025 as the year of acceleration.
Tears flowed as Dr. Karri Bryant addressed the guests. With poise and passion, she expressed gratitude to God and her unwavering love for her husband.
“I believe this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes,” Dr. Bryant shared. “I had no clue when I arrived at New Birth four years ago that this was part of God’s plan for me. He has a way of keeping His promises beyond our imagination.”
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“I deeply love me some Jamal Harris Bryant,” she declared. “He is not only my husband, but my leader, my Lord. I submit my life, name and ministry to him.”
The night quickly transitioned from their remarks to celebration, with live music and DJ Nutty on hand to spin house and trap music—a nod to Baltimore and Atlanta’s vibrant music culture.
The evening not only marked the joining of two hearts but also underscored the power of community, prayer, and divine timing.
Pastor Bryant and Dr. Bryant’s love story reminded everyone present that with faith, patience and purpose, anything is possible.
Biden grants largest single-day clemency in modern history, offering second chances to nearly 1,500 individuals
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire @StacyBrownMedia
President Joe Biden announced the largest single-day grant of clemency in modern history on Dec. 12, commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals and pardoning 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes. Officials said the move reflects the administration’s dedication to criminal justice reform and the belief that individuals who have shown rehabilitation deserve the opportunity to fully reintegrate into society.
The commutations apply to individuals who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic under the CARES Act. The individuals have spent at least a year demonstrating their commitment to rebuilding their lives, securing employment, advancing their education, and supporting their families. The White House said the 39 pardoned individuals, many of whom were convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, are now contributing members of their communities, working as veterans, healthcare professionals, teachers and advocates.
struggling with substance abuse.
• Michael Gary Pelletier of Augusta, Maine, a 67-year-old Coast Guard veteran who participated in more than 790 search-and-rescue operations and volunteers to support wounded veterans.
In addition to these commutations and pardons, the White House noted that Biden is the first president to issue categorical pardons for individuals convicted of simple marijuana use and possession. He also pardoned former LGBTQI+ service members who were punished due to their sexual orientation.
“The President has issued more sentence commutations at this point in his presidency than any of his recent predecessors at the same point in their first terms,” White House officials stated.
Biden’s clemency actions address sentencing disparities, particularly for nonviolent drug offenses. Many of the individuals receiving commutations today would have received shorter sentences under current laws.
“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden insisted. “As President, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation.”
Biden’s actions have impacted individuals such as:
• Nina Simona Allen of Harvest, Alabama, is a 49-yearold woman who, after a nonviolent conviction in her 20s, earned a post-baccalaureate degree and two master’s degrees. She works in education and volunteers at a soup kitchen and nursing home.
• Kelsie Lynn Becklin of Falcon Heights, Minnesota, a 38-year-old woman who completed a doctorate and mentors formerly incarcerated individuals pursuing higher education.
• Duran Arthur Brown of Cleveland, Ohio, a 44-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who works in education and is described as caring and compassionate.
• Norman O’Neal Brown of Washington, D.C., a 56-yearold man whose sentence for nonviolent drug offenses was commuted by President Obama in 2015. He now works with non-profits focused on rehabilitation and reentry.
• Rosetta Jean Davis of Colville, Washington, is a 60-yearold woman who works as a peer supporter for those
Those granted clemency come from diverse backgrounds, including military veterans, healthcare workers, addiction counselors and community volunteers:
• Arthur Lawrence Byrd of Clinton, Maryland, a 58-yearold equipment operator who contributes to his church’s coat drive and food pantry.
• Stevoni Wells Doyle of Santaquin, Utah, is a 47-yearold licensed substance use disorder counselor who fosters animals and serves her community.
• Gregory S. Ekman of Fountain Valley, California, is a 58-year-old Air Force veteran who volunteers with youth groups and his local church.
• Emily Good Nelson of Indianapolis, Indiana, is a 39-yearold woman who completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees and works in healthcare while volunteering in addiction recovery programs.
• Nathaniel David Reed III of San Antonio, Texas, a 46-year-old Air Force veteran who achieved the rank of master sergeant and mentors fellow airmen.
Biden signaled that more clemency actions could follow. “I will take more steps in the weeks ahead. My administration will continue reviewing clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehabilitation and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances.”
Former Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby was absent from the list. Mosby was sentenced in May 2024 on charges related to perjury and mortgage fraud convictions. Her sentence included one year of home detention, three years of supervised release and 100 hours of community service.
AFRO Photo /Dana Peck
Pastor Jamal Bryant and Dr. Karri Bryant enjoy their wedding reception at the Porsche Experience, roughly one month after their Nov. 14 wedding at the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta.
Photo courtesy NNPA Newswire
On Dec. 12, President Joe Biden set a record for the largest number of commutations and pardons granted in one day.
Corporations face backlash for ending DEI initiatives while using Black celebs for advertising
By A.R. Shaw New Pittsburgh Courier
Corporations that have decided to end DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives are facing a backlash from civil rights organizations and the public.
Following the re-election of Donald Trump and push from right-wing organizations and media pundits, major corporations such as Walmart, Harley-Davidson, John Deere and Tractor Supply announced the rollback of DEI practices.
In the case of Walmart, the nation’s largest employer, several holiday ads have appeared with prominent Black celebrity figures. Actors Nia Long and Larenz Tate get cozy for the holidays in a Walmart ad that brings nostalgia to fans of their 1997 romantic film “Love Jones.”
In another Walmart ad, Busta Rhymes raps about Walmart’s holiday deals as he dances through the store which resembles a nightclub with holiday decor.
Both ads touch on specific themes that are prevalent to Black culture such as hiphop and Black cinema. However, some viewers are pushing back against the recent ads and claiming that it’s pandering to Black consumers as it rolls back initiatives that would increase diversity efforts within the company.
“Walmart rolled back their DEI policies but
Family traditions
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economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith).
“It’s useful to get to know the different principles of Kwanzaa. They’re helpful for being mindful about how we interact with our communities,” said Jones. “It’s something we only get to observe once a year, but we try our best to uphold those principles throughout the year.”
Olu Butterfly Woods, a self-described “child of the diaspora,” was born in Nigeria and then spent time living in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands before coming to Baltimore. She, like Jones, grew up celebrating Christmas.
Her grandmother was Lutheran, so she remembers
Photo courtesy of New Pittsburgh Courier
Walmart and several other major retailers are facing backlash for rolling back the DEI initiatives while using Black culture to line their pockets. Shown here, actors Nia Long and Larenz Tate in a Walmart ad alluding to their 1997 cult-classic film, “Love Jones.”
they’re still marketing to us, interesting. Shout out to the Black employees at their ad agency who created this though,” Melissa Kimble wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Boyce Watkins wrote, “Walmart just dropped all their DEI programs, but still wants to receive Black money. This is how it works. They don’t invest in you, but want you as their dominant consumer.”
What’s Da Bizness posted, “Walmart doesn’t prioritize DEI, but they care about $1.7 trillion spending power of Black people. Their relationship with the Black community is purely transactional which is why they cut
the centerpiece of the table, holding all other Kwanzaa symbols. These symbols include the kinara, a sevenpronged candle holder that represents unity; the mishumaa, seven candles that coincide with the seven Kwanzaa principles; the unity cup; mazao, or crops; muhindi, or corn, and gifts.
The muhindi is special for children as it represents them as the future of the family. An ear of corn is placed on the mkeka for each child in the family.
“They love it,” said Woods. “They also usually get handcrafted gifts from Black businesses and Black creators, some practical and some creative.
“In the Black community, cultural traditions observed during the holidays are the ties that create and connect us to one another over space and time.”
exchanging gifts and attending church service each year. But, Woods’ mother exposed her to the traditions of a variety of faiths, including Buddhism and traditional African religions.
Now, with her four children, Woods celebrates Kwanzaa.
“My children end up being the center of the tradition,” said Woods. “I have four, and they range from eight to 16, but they all participate, and they all enjoy taking turns lighting the candles and saying what the different principles mean to them.”
During their ceremony, Woods’ mother provides the items for the Kwanzaa table. The mkeka, a woven mat, is
Some holiday traditions may not even be tied to a religion or culture. Chrissy Thornton, president and CEO of Associated Black Charities (ABC), has a birthday on Christmas Eve. One of her customs is getting a cake and listening to nostalgic holiday music.
“Growing up, our family tradition was to go to Carvel and get an ice cream cake for my birthday. I still love and get the ice cream cakes, but they have to be Carvel brand,” said Thornton. “We also listened to a whole lot of the Temptations’ Christmas album, and I still do that today too.”
According to Claudia Thorne, a professor of social
DEI initiatives but featured Larenz Tate and Nia Long.”
Walmart has yet to respond to the backlash of the recent commercials as it relates to their new DEI stance.
Mark Morial of the National Urban League took Walmart to task prior to the release of the ad spots.
“They went from worst to first class when it comes to diversity,” Morial said on CBS Mornings. “The idea that they would throw all of that away without any careful consultation with their partners, without any real serious evaluation of the success of these programs, is
work at Coppin State University (CSU), traditions play a critical role in our society. They help to foster solidarity between communities, inform people’s identities and transmit values.
“In the Black community, cultural traditions observed during the holidays are the ties that create and connect us to one another over space and time,” said Thorne. “Traditions are related to cultural heritage, building community
Brown
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and connecting generations.”
As Black culture can be overlooked, erased or appropriated by mainstream society, Thorne said keeping traditions, as a means of community-building, is crucial.
“Historically, the Black community has faced various societal challenges, including discrimination and marginalization, making cultivating a strong sense of community even more vital,” said Thorne. “This supportive network of-
future so more care and service can be provided,” said Brown.
The congresswoman added that she is committed to equity in education and that this bill aligns with the broader goals of increasing diversity in health care, which is critical for improving health outcomes in underserved communities.
In 2023, Brown hosted a roundtable discussion at MetroHealth, highlighting the importance of this innovative program along with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and other stakeholders.
With health care being one of the largest and fastest-growing employment sectors, the demand for qualified health care professionals is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. The Expanding the Health Care Workforce Act aims to address this shortage by authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services to award at least 20
what dismays me.” Nia Long, Larenz Tate, Busta Rhymes and the ad agency that created the commercials were advantageous in producing memorable ads that highlight the best of Black culture. But the timing of the ads as it relates to Walmart’s recent DEI stance will continue to cause an uproar to some who view it as pandering for Black consumers while ignoring the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion.
This article was originally published by Word In Black via the New Pittsburgh Courier. See other articles on the topic at wordinblack.com.
fers resilience and strength for its members, where shared values and mutual support can counterbalance external adversities.”
Traditions can also be a benefit to mental health, according to Thorne. They can provide a sense of stability, connectedness and comfort. But, she warned that the holidays can also be a triggering time for some.
“Many people are isolated and challenged to meet the
demonstration grants nationwide. This initiative is essential not only for bolstering the workforce but also for ensuring that a diverse array of voices and experiences are represented in health care professions.
For Black communities, this legislation is particularly important. Historically, systemic barriers have restricted access to educational and career opportunities in health care for Black students and professionals. By creating pathways for students to engage with the health care system from a young age, the Expanding the Health Care Workforce Act seeks to dismantle these barriers and foster a more equitable workforce.
MetroHealth President and CEO Dr. Christine Alexander expressed her support for the legislation, recognizing the importance of creating a robust pipeline for future health care professionals.
“Lincoln-West School of Science &
financial demands of the holidays. Being with family during the holidays can bring on feelings of anger, depression and loss,” said Thorne. “We must acknowledge that we can create new traditions that preserve and enhance mental health. Beating holiday blues can include self-care practices such as prayer, meditation, being active, being with chosen friends and families and volunteering with chosen friends and family.”
Health at MetroHealth, which opened in 2016, has been one of our proudest achievements,” she said in a statement obtained by the AFRO. “We want other hospitals and school districts across the country to be able to take advantage of the tremendous benefits we have realized.”
Lisa Farmer Cole, chief of external affairs for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, added that the bill supports their core value of equity and inclusion.
“We are teaching health care with an equity lens,” she said in a statement..
The Expanding the Health Care Workforce Act has garnered support from a diverse group of 19 cosponsors, including representatives from various states, which reflects a collective commitment to addressing health care disparities and workforce shortages across the nation.
Photo courtesy of Claudia Thorne
Claudia Thorne is a social work professor at Coppin State University.
Photo courtesy of John Jones
John Jones is the math teacher and spoken word poet in Baltimore. He celebrates both Christmas and Kwanzaa during the holiday season.
Let’s make
this a season of giving, not hoarding
By Chuck Collins, Bella DeVaan
For as long as we can remember, the end of the calendar year has marked the start of America’s giving season.
The holidays that light up our darkest months also invite us to celebrate (and practice!) generosity. Food banks, youth groups, arts and civic organizations, and community service programs heavily depend on the support they receive in November and December.
Year-end giving is big for tax purposes, but many people donate without regard to whether they’ll get a deduction. In fact, fewer than 10 percent of donors claim a tax deduction for charitable giving.
The super-wealthy, who do take advantage of itemizing their tax returns, give differently. They give more to large hospitals and universities, where you can get your name on a building. That kind of giving can be valuable too.
But a less visible difference is crucial to recognize.
Increasingly, wealthy donors are parking money in entities they control, like private foundations and donor advised funds (DAFs). These intermediaries then, in theory, donate money to working charities.
But private foundations are only required to “payout” 5 percent of their assets a year to these other charities. And DAFs have no requirement to payout at all. So wealthy donors bank their tax break immediately, but the donated funds may remain sidelined for decades.
According to a new report we co-authored, Gilded Giving 2024: Saving Philanthropy from Wall Street, over 35 percent of all charitable donations now go to one of these two intermediaries.
There’s now $1.7 trillion parked in private foundations and DAFs — money that could be flowing to working charities in a timely way to solve problems. We estimate that by 2028, half of all donations will go to private foundations and DAFs.
As wealth has concentrated in fewer hands over the last four decades, so has this kind of dubiously “charitable” giving — a trend we call “top-heavy philanthropy.” And it’s increasingly profitable for financial advisers to the ultra rich.
Wall Street financiers promote DAFs as a way for donors to receive immediate tax reductions in the year they give, but then they sit on those funds and collect wealth management fees. The financiers have no financial incentive to ever see the money go to a mental health center, food bank, community theater, or other working charity. It’s more profitable for them to keep assets under management.
The rest of us subsidize this system. For every dollar a billionaire donates to charity, including to their own foundation or DAF, the rest of us chip in up to 74 cents in the form of lost tax revenue.
The AFRO sends holiday greetings to each and every reader this season! This cartoon,
by
was retrieved from the AFRO Archives, and serves as a reminder of the real reason to celebrate
was the AFRO’s editorial artist for more than five decades.
So how did we get a charity system that works for multi-millionaire donors and wealth managers but not for nonprofit charities, small donors, and the taxpaying public? In part, it’s because lobbyists for the financial industry and DAF sponsors fight vigorously against any change.
But a growing coalition of donors, nonprofit charities, and people who care about tax fairness are pushing back. They point out that lawmakers could easily fix the rules to increase the flow of charitable funding, increase transparency, and shut down the tax avoidance and self-dealing practices currently corrupting philanthropy.
The message is getting across. A 2024 Ipsos poll found that 71 percent of respondents believe Congress should raise the
Don’t obey in advance
By José Luis Vilson
On Nov. 5, I hopped off a bus and voted early. It was quick, convenient and came with two stickers: one for me and one for my son.
As I walked out, the volunteers (mostly elder Black women) thanked me for voting. I said, “Of course!” One of the volunteers said, “Wow, it feels like all day, I’m seeing Black men with the same reply after voting.” As an AfroLatino, that made me smile a bit. For years, I’ve thought about how a civic duty for some was a moral obligation for others in this country. In the week before election day, the Harris campaign was cautiously optimistic that their 100-day journey would triumph while the other side doubled down on a dark, bigoted vision for America. As waves of fascism hit countries large and small across the world, the influx felt more pernicious here, where the specter was ever-present.
Many of us knew the work we needed to do regardless of the results. At this point, the world knows the story. The re-ascendance of Donald
By Jamie Seals
Many parents across America wake up, go through their day, and go to sleep, consumed with the same overwhelming thought: “What about my child?”
Parents, caretakers and those charged with guiding, directing, shaping, molding, developing and protecting human life ask that same question. My mother has reminded me daily as an adult that regardless of my age, stature, abilities or capabilities, I will “always be her baby,” which will always cause her to be concerned for my well-being as she thinks to herself, “What about my child?”
Suppose you are a parent or an individual fortunate enough to experience the joys, pains, struggles and sense of gratitude that comes from being a parent. In that case, your child will always be your baby, even as they mature and grow
Trump to the presidency only confirmed the unapologetic White supremacy and patriarchy that looms over the nation. Pundits and politicians have used code words like “economic anxiety” and “wokeism” to explain Dems’ White House and Senate losses. However endearing, organizers rebuked the cavalcade of celebrities that came to represent the Harris campaign. (I thought Kamala Harris’ appearance on SNL was perhaps her most soulful moment of the campaign.)
Others like Rachel Maddow openly wondered why Trump didn’t seem to court votes like he wanted to win. But regardless of the reasons, it bears repeating that millions of people across the country, including in so-called blue states, voted for Trump’s return with indictments and all, this time with fewer guardrails against his agenda. 15 million people either stayed home during this election cycle or didn’t vote for Harris at all. Yes, the Palestinian genocide played a role in the discontent. So did courting the Cheneys, who didn’t move many registered Republicans or independents, it seems.
But ultimately, the United States has
into adulthood.
“What about my child?” is a statement, feeling and concern that crosses and touches all humanity regardless of our religious beliefs, economic status, educational background, gender or ethnicity. Numerous individuals from what can be viewed as marginalized communities grapple with the harsh realities, thinking to themselves, “What about my child?”
Moving to the realization in many aspects of their child’s life that their reach isn’t long enough, and their span of power and control is limited, which causes many parents to feel a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. At the same time, they whisper to themselves, “What about my child?”
As literacy rates plummet, educational tax dollars spent on pupils in urban areas decrease, affordability and opportunities for higher learning dwindle, the average American’s debt continues to skyrocket
annual payout rate for private foundations and require the same for DAFs. Across the political spectrum, a clear majority of Americans believe if a donor gets a tax break, they should move the money in a timely way to a working charity.
So, big donors: You want a tax break? Make sure the money gets to a working charity — and fast. You want other taxpayers to subsidize your giving preferences? Tell us where the money’s going.
Don’t like these rules? Then don’t ask the rest of us to subsidize it. Let’s make sure the season of giving actually centers on giving, not hoarding.
This article was originally published by Other Words.
a deep cultural problem, and one election won’t fix it. A country founded on enslavement, subjugation, and colonial terror can only run from its shadows for so long.
Zooming in a bit, many of our schools and classrooms have had to contend with influences that don’t show up on standardized tests, but still affect how children see the world. Politicians overscrutinize and under-resource schools. We’re seeing cultural shifts, too. Our schools have seen how the manosphere influences our boys, how concepts like “trad wives” set women’s political and cultural rights back decades, and how phobias and aggressions further ostracize LGBTQIA+ folks. Our social studies books have histories just like this, but diluted and dispassionate in form and function.
This dynamic is happening in multiple languages across multiple districts and student racial demographics. Our teachers aren’t all prepared to teach children to develop an internal spam filter or to moderate their addictions. Local politicians have normalized gun violence in schools. Our kids have access to watching people — like and unlike them
and inflation continues to outpace our take-home income– stifling and suffocating our dream of homeownership, which could lead to generational wealth. We all still find ourselves saying, “What about my child?”
Ideally, as parents, we would always be able to shield our child from any harm, the harsh realities of life, and the hard times that come from the gift of living because we love our child even if the world at large doesn’t. Since traces of racism, misogyny, and classism are still present, many parents are still saying, “What about my child?”
In the Holy Bible and the Quran, the story of Moses says that his mother, Jochebed, floated him in a basket on the Nile River to save him from Pharaoh’s decree to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. She did this because she said to herself, “What about my child?”
On Dec. 1, Democratic President Joe
— die needlessly with little recourse, justice, or accountability. Mayors and governors ran from socio-emotional learning and racial justice lessons shortly before election cycles.
Rather than demanding better, many of our youth have decided to idolize a person who reflects that darkness back to them. That, too, is an identity.
But I’ve been heartened by some of the reactions post-election-day from educators and others, too. Unlike 2016, when people jumped into a deep depression, I’m seeing people more energized to build community. That’s an important pivot. Some local wins in different states happened, not around party lines, but the kind of world we want to live in.
I’m heartened by the examples I’ve seen from Black women who’ve insisted that other groups do better, and the Black men who were confident in letting a woman lead. It’s also exciting to engage in conversations about machismo, xenophobia, and transphobia in a way that might build a real movement.
Whether you were shocked at recent electoral results or you knew this is who America has been all along, it means you are part of the coalition of folks
Biden, in his last full month in his elected office, thought to himself, “What about my child,” as he looked to protect his son, Hunter Biden, from the possible punishment our American judicial system may have assigned to him at his sentencing date for crimes he plead guilty too. He provided his son, Hunter Biden, a complete and unconditional pardon from any offenses against the United States that he has committed or may have committed or taken part in from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2024.
As President of the United States of America, President Joe Biden has a long reach and spear of power and control that the everyday US citizen could only dream of. Unlike the average American, President Biden can and will always be able to do more than to be left thinking and saying “What about my child?
For years in the past, before having a change of heart, it was then-Senator
who want to build a better world. And build I will with me and mine. Locally and internationally, I believe we have to walk together towards a shared humanity. A world where we do better together feels brighter than a siloed caste system, especially in the midst of unprecedented crises on our minds, hearts, and planet.
See more on afro.com
This article was originally published by Word in Black via The José Vilson.
Biden who advocated for harsher and stricter sentencing for those found guilty of dealing drugs.
See more on afro.com
Courtesy photo José Luis Vilson is a veteran educator, writer, speaker and activist in New York City. This week, he discusses the platform publicized by the incoming presidential administration and what it could mean in the classroom.
Courtesy photos Chuck Collins directs the Program on Inequality at the Institute for Policy Studies. Bella DeVaan is the Associate Director of the IPS Charity Reform Initiative. This week, they discuss how billionaires and Wall Street elitists exploit charitable giving laws to dodge taxes and collect fees, hurting real charities in the process.
Courtesy photo Jamie Seals is a writer and speaker who constantly evolves his thoughts. This week, he discusses President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, and the hopes of so many other parents with no means to do the same for their children.
Joe
drawn
Thomas Stockett,
Christmas. Stockett
Legislators introduce bipartisan bill to support families of incarcerated individuals
By Ashlee Banks Special to the AFRO abanks@afro.com
In a significant move aimed at protecting the rights of families with incarcerated loved ones, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37) and Senators Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) reintroduced the bipartisan Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act on Dec. 11.
The statute seeks to ensure that families are promptly notified in a compassionate manner if a loved one in custody suffers a serious illness, injury or death. The bill comes at a crucial time when issues surrounding the treatment of inmates and their families have garnered increased attention, particularly in marginalized communities.
In a statement obtained by the AFRO, Kamlager-Dove said that families deserve to know the status of their relatives who are behind bars.
“Parents, children, and siblings deserve to know about the well-
VOICES
being of their family members,” she said. “However, our current prison system does not require correctional facilities to notify the families of incarcerated people if their loved ones are seriously ill, injured, or deceased.”
The Democratic lawmaker highlighted the profound emotional impact that the absence of communication can have on families.
Under the proposed legislation, the U.S. Department of Justice would be tasked with establishing best practices for family notification, providing centralized guidance to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, as well as state and local correctional facilities.
The need for such a bill is underscored by tragic incidents, such as the case of Wakiesha Wilson, a Black woman who died in custody in 2016 without her family being informed of her condition. After her tragic death while incarcerated at the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center, her family was not directly informed of her passing. It took them 18 days to finally see her at
the Los Angeles morgue, a delay that compounded their grief and suffering.
“That’s why we are introducing this bipartisan reform legislation.”
This incident highlights the systemic failures that can occur within the correctional system, disproportionately affecting Black families who are often already navigating complex social and economic challenges.
“No one should have to experience the agony of the unknown, which is why this bill is so important,” Kamlager-Dove said.
Sen. Ossoff echoed these sentiments, saying in a statement that this happens too frequently.
“Too often, the families of those incarcerated never find out about a serious illness, a life-threatening injury, or even the death of a loved one behind bars,” he said.
The implications of this legislation are particularly vital for Black families, who are disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system. Black individuals are overrepresented in prisons and jails, and the psychological and emotional toll on their families can be devastating. Ensuring timely communication about the health and safety of incarcerated loved ones is a critical step toward addressing some of the systemic inequities that these families face.
the AFRO, the pair said that they are “encouraged” by the lawmakers efforts to bring about prison reform.
“We worked hard for many years on this with BLMLA support and are encouraged to see it finally reintroduced,” said the sisters. “Wakiesha’s Law will help to ensure that no other family has to endure the agony our family did.”
“Parents, children, and siblings deserve to know about the well-being of their family members.”
Lisa and Sheila Hines, Wakiesha Wilson’s mother and aunt, expressed their support for the reintroduction of the bill.
In a joint statement obtained by
The Hines sisters’ experience underscores the urgent need for legislative changes that prioritize the well-being of both incarcerated individuals and their families.
As the Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act moves forward, its proponents hope it will not only establish essential communication protocols but also foster a more humane correctional system. By addressing the emotional needs of families, especially those from marginalized communities, this legislation represents a crucial step towards a more equitable justice system that recognizes the humanity of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.
for Black women seeks 100,000 healthy Black women to understand cancer risks
By Deborah Bailey AFRO Contributing Editor dbailey@afro.com
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is searching for participants to join VOICES of Black Women (VOICES), the largest contemporary cancer study done with Black women in history.
The medical community is in search of answers to questions about how the life experiences and every day environment of Black women leads to stubbornly higher rates of chronic disease. As a result, ACS established VOICES to engage 100,000 Black women willing to help researchers understand cancer risks and outcomes in their community.
“This kind of cancer study with a large cohort of Black women is a first,” said Lauren McCullough, PhD., the ACS visiting scientific director and co-principal investigator of the VOICES study.
“This is a behavioral study,” McCullough emphasized. “Women who enroll in the study will only be required to complete two surveys each year. No needles, blood donations, medical tests or lifestyle changes are required,” McCullough stated. We need to learn about the lived experiences of Black women,” said McLauren.
Black women are dying from cancer at the highest rates of all racial and ethnic groups and have the shortest survival rates, according to data from the ACS. Despite breakthroughs in cancer treatment that have resulted in a major reduction in deaths from cancer since 1991, Black women have not benefitted equitably.
“We are still less likely to be diagnosed with leading cancers and our death rate for breast cancer is twice the rate it is for White women,” said Rev. Madeline Long, a breast cancer survivor and ambassador for the VOICES study. Long, her mother and aunt were all diagnosed with cancer on the same day, but are living, thriving advocates for Black women’s health.
Like many long-term cancer survivors, Long is refreshingly candid and passionate about the potential as well as the challenge of engaging 100,000 Black women for the VOICES study.
“We’ve done the first wave of major recruitment but still have a way to go,” Long said. The study has currently enrolled a little more than
2,700 women. She admits that Black women haven’t been beating down the doors to join the Voices study yet. But
she is hopeful that continued recruitment and the ACS’s capacity to engage non-traditional approaches to connect
with Black women will attract more participants to the longterm study.
Long mentioned that the study can benefit from a deeper understanding of the ways Black women want their voices to be heard. Because the study involves a 30-year obligation, Long emphasized the need to take a deeper look at why Black women would remain connected with a longterm project.
“It would be wonderful if Black women who volunteer for the study are able to connect with other Black women who care about Black
women’s health,” Long said. “And maybe some women might join the study if there were opportunities to support them in monitoring their own health,” Long added.
Long touches on a major concern – recruitment of Black Americans for health studies. Black people are woefully under-represented in behavioral studies, according to the National Institute of Health’s National Cancer Institute. Studies conducted by the NCI report a Black participation rate of 5-7 percent in cancer research studies, while the percentage of Black
people in the general population is closer to 14 percent.
VOICES of Black Women hopes to recruit more than 4500 Black women across the DC-Maryland area. Recruitment for the study is also ongoing in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. To learn more about the study and how to participate, please visit the website, www. voices.cancer.org
Courtesy photo
Lauren McCullough, Ph.D., is the American Cancer Society’s visiting scientific director and co- principal investigator of the groundbreaking ACS’s VOICES of Black Women study.
WASHINGTON-AREA
D.C. Bar Association salutes trailblazing attorney
Elaine R. Jones
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to
the AFRO KMcNeir@afro.com
The Bar Association of the District of Columbia (BADC) and the BADC Foundation continue to embrace diversity and pay tribute to unsung leaders within the District’s legal profession.
BADC held the 153rd Annual Leadership Awards Banquet on Dec. 7. The black-tie gala took place in the Presidential Ballroom of the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. with BADC president Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq. presiding over the event.
“We are honored to recognize and celebrate the 2024 honorees of the BADC’s 153rd Annual Awards Banquet,” Andrews said in a statement. “The purpose of the BADC Honors is to recognize judges, attorneys and community leaders who have distinguished themselves by and through their commitment to the rule of law, civility across the Bench and Bar, and equal access to justice. This year’s honorees are legends, shining stars, or servant leaders within our legal profession and the Washington metropolitan community who have demonstrated professional excellence, integrity, agility and resilience.”
BADC, founded May 23, 1872, represents the first bar association in the District and is the third oldest bar association in the U.S. Andrews, who bears the distinction as the organization’s only living two-term president, noted that BADC has come a long way since its formative years when its membership was limited to Whites.
“We must continue to teach future generations
Mayor
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to service-year students in Prince George’s County
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com
Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Prince George’s County, Md. on Dec. 17 to praise Maryland students who are participating in the state’s Service Year Option, a public service program for high school graduates launched by Governor Wes Moore in October 2023.
The speech, given at Prince George’s County Community College, marked Harris’ most extensive address since her concession to the president-elect in November. During her remarks, the vice president not only expressed her gratitude for the young people’s commitment to service, but encouraged them to remain in the fight despite any disappointment they may feel over the outcome of the 2024 election.
“In moments like this, the true test of our character is how resilient and persistent we are to pursue the future that we all can see,” said Harris. The true test of our commitment is whether, in the face of an obstacle, do we throw up our hands, or do we roll up our sleeves?”
The vice president noted that many
people have told her they feel tired and resigned, but she urged them to push on.
“Let me be very clear, no one can walk away,” said Harris. “We must stay in the fight—everyone of us, including the fight for an economy that works, not
“In moments like this, the true test of our character is how resilient and persistent we are to pursue the future that we all can see.”
just for those at the top but for working people [and] all Americans; the fight to make sure everyone has a fair shot to pursue their ambitions; [and] the fight for our ideals, including the equality among us, the freedoms to which we are entitled [and] the dignity that we possess and is possessed by every one of us.”
Harris called public service a noble calling that serves as an expression
of optimism, as those who dedicate themselves to it believe that the help they provide creates true impact. She challenged the students to start the new year prepared to chart the country’s path forward.
“Each one of you has decided to dedicate yourself to the work of service, the work of lifting up the condition of other people— people who often you may never meet,” said Harris.
“The work you do in service will affect people who, for the most part, will never know your names. But, their lives, because of your work and your dedication, will forever be touched in a positive way.”
Maryland’s Service Year Option is the first of its kind in the U.S., and states, like New York and Utah, have sought to follow its lead. The program was a cornerstone of Moore’s promise to elevate Maryland’s public education system during his campaign for governor.
In it, high school graduates are paired with apprenticeship programs, nonprofits, businesses and government agencies throughout the state to gain on-the-job training, mentorship, exposure to career avenues and
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO KMcNeir@afro.com
On Sept. 17, an ad hoc committee of the D.C. Council, chaired by At-Large Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, began its initial steps in pursuing an independent investigation into allegedly illegal actions of Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White. McDuffie made it clear that the committee did not presume to be a court that would attempt to adjudicate White’s criminal charges. Still, the committee voted to expel White on Dec. 16.
“The Ad Hoc Committee is established so that the Council can consider whether there have been violations of our code of conduct, rules or policies that warrant Council action,”
Bowser premieres $26 million fund, encouraging new venture capital to D.C. based start-ups
By Aria Brent AFRO Staff Writer abrent@afro.com
On Dec.16 Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the D.C. Venture Capital Program, a new $26 million fund created to bring equity investments to early-stage, D.C., based tech companies with a prioritization for underrepresented founders.
“Washington, D.C., is the best place in the nation to launch and grow a business. We know that sometimes talent alone isn’t enough to succeed and that is why the city has stepped in with a suite of innovative grants to help more entrepreneurs get their fair shot,” said Mayor Bowser. “The D.C. Venture Capital Program is about investing in people, jobs and the future of D.C.’s tech economy.”
The D.C. Venture Capital Fund marks a significant investment in D.C.-based businesses by strategically leveraging public funds to attract private capital. For every dollar invested by the District, private investors are required to match or exceed that amount, effectively doubling the total funding for D.C. startups to a minimum of $52 million.
This initiative is supported by the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), a federal program administered by
the U.S. Treasury Department. Originally launched in 2010 and renewed through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, SSBCI aims to spur business growth in states and territories nationwide.
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) has selected K Street Capital as the Program Administrator for the D.C. Venture Capital Fund. With extensive investment expertise and strong ties to the local community, K Street Capital will manage the deployment of SSBCI funds by partnering with local and regional venture capital firms. These firms will collaborate directly with local startups to secure funding deals ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. DMPED will oversee K Street Capital’s administration of the program to ensure its effectiveness and success.
“K Street Capital could not be more excited to launch the new D.C. Venture Capital Fund in partnership with Mayor Bowser and DMPED,” said Paige Soya, managing partner at K Street Capital. “Capital is the most critical resource earlystage startups need, yet it is also the scarcest. This is a huge step forward for D.C. and it will have a far-reaching impact on the community.”
In addition, Mayor Bowser has invested $4.2 million in
39 businesses through the District’s Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund (IIEIF). This program is designed to level the playing field by providing access to critical resources for entrepreneurs who face barriers to early-stage funding. IIEIF supports startups and local business owners seeking to grow in D.C., by offering low-interest loans, revenue-based financing and equity investments. The fund prioritizes businesses in tech, consumer products and high-growth sectors. In October, Mayor Bowser announced the third round of IIEIF funding, awarding $1.8 million to 17 D.C. businesses. Investors, fund managers and venture capital firms are encouraged to connect with K Street Capital and DMPED to learn more about this program. Additional details on the application process for SSBCI equity investments will be announced in the coming months.
AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin
Vice President Kamala Harris addresses students participating in Maryland’s Service Year Option at Prince George’s County Community College on Dec. 17. Harris praised students for their commitment to public service, which she called a noble calling.
Courtesy photo
An ad hoc committee recommendation from the
White,
AP Photo
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is investing in local tech start ups to the tune of $26 million dollars via the D.C. Venture Capital Program.
Teen drug use varies by state - here’s how Washington D.C. compares
By Stacker Media
Fewer teenagers are using drugs after rates precipitously dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, but overdose rates are on the rise as fentanyl becomes more common.
Substance Use Treatment
Facilities examined data from the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future survey and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to determine how teen drug use varies by state and how it has changed over time.
In 2023, about 1 in 5 children between the ages of 12 and 17 had used an illicit drug in the past year, down from about 28 percent of teens in 2020, according to the University of Michigan’s annual Monitoring the Future survey. The report, which is sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, surveyed more than 22,000 students in the eighth, 10th and 12th grades.
The steep decline can partially be attributed to school closures during the pandemic, which limited access to drugs, while parental supervision increased due to work-fromhome orders. After a slight rebound in 2021, alcohol, nicotine and cannabis use has largely continued to decline across all grades and remains substantially lower than prepandemic levels.
Among 12th graders, prescription misuse has also decreased, falling from 8 percent in 2020 to 4 percent
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money management skills. Participants earn $15 an hour, working at least 30 hours per week, and $6,000 toward college tuition or as a cash stipend when they complete the program.
More than 50 percent of the inaugural cohort, which graduated in July, were people of color, and over
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McDuffie said in a statement.
Unsplash/ Sam Balye
A study throughout the United States places Washington D.C. at number 14 when it comes to ranking illicit teen drug use in areas throughout the country.
in 2023. Still, it remains the most common form of drug abuse after alcohol and marijuana, and while opioid overdose rates are dropping overall, they’re rising among teens. A 2024 report published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that drug overdoses have become the third-leading cause of pediatric deaths after gun-related injuries and car crashes,
largely due to an increase in the use of fentanyl in counterfeit pills.
Teen drug use on the decline
Teens turn to drugs for multiple reasons, including to relieve boredom, to feel like an adult or to fit in. It can also be a sign of mental illness, as drugs can be used as a form of self-medication for conditions
such as depression, anxiety and ADHD.
After peaking in the mid’90s, teen drug use has largely been on the decline. This has
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Continued from B1
partially been attributed to increased anti-drug messaging, including the war on drugs policy in the late 1980s and the proliferation of national drug education campaigns like D.A.R.E.
After dropping during the pandemic, researchers had speculated teen drug use could rebound once students returned to school. However, the latest data shows a delay in first-time drug use among younger students has led to lower levels of chronic drug use overall. In other words, since fewer students experimented with drugs for the first time, it reduced their chances of using them again.
In 2023, the share of 10th graders who had never tried drugs or alcohol rose to 54 percent from 49 percent the year before. For 12th graders, the increase was even more significant—38 percent had abstained from drugs in 2023, up from 31 percent in 2022.
Drug use higher in Western
states
While teen drug use has largely declined, the latest data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health shows moderate differences by state. In Washington D.C., an estimated 8.7 percent of teens had used an illicit drug in the past month, making it
number 14 on a list gauging teen drug use in America. Drug use is generally higher in some Western states, including New Mexico, where 13.7 percent of teens had used drugs in the past month. This is in line with larger trends, as New Mexico has had some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug-related deaths in the country for decades. A 2023 report from the state’s legislature found fewer teens are using drugs than they were a decade ago, but overdoses are on the rise.
Northeastern states including Rhode Island and Massachusetts also have some of the highest rates of teen drug use. Again, this is in line with larger regional trends, as New England has felt the outsized impact of the opioid crisis. States with the lowest rates of teen drug use were Alabama and Utah, with both at around 5 percent. However, both states have experienced a rise in opioid deaths in recent years. In 2023, Alabama launched the Odds Are Alabama campaign to raise awareness and prevent fentanyl-related overdose deaths.
75 percent of the members joined the program without a college degree.
Before Harris took the stage, Moore addressed the young people himself, explaining his cause for excitement over the students participating in the service year.
“At a time when
White, accused of accepting more than $35,000 in cash along with a guarantee that he would receive additional gifts totaling more than $150,000, had previously chaired a council subcommittee with the responsibility of overseeing the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. He was stripped of his committee leadership role after he was indicted on federal charges. However, on Dec. 16, the committee voted unanimously to recommend the expulsion of White from the Council.
The full Council must still vote on whether to censure or expel White with a final vote expected on Feb. 4, 2025.
White was elected to a third term by D.C.’s Ward 8 voters in November by an overwhelming majority of 20,371 votes (75.84 percent), according to the D.C. Board of Elections. The 40-year-old councilman will have the opportunity to speak before the Council in his own defense in a hearing set for Jan. 28. 2025. Still, it remains to be seen if he will exercise that chance.
While Phil Mendelson, Council chairperson, said in a statement that the Council’s report found “substantial evidence” that White violated rules which council employees agree to follow, White has yet to appear before his colleagues and has been reluctant to speak with the press.
AFRO requests for interviews and/or statements from McDuffie and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser were not answered ahead of the print deadline.
However, two prominent, longtime activists in the District, the Rev. Franklyn Malone and Stuart Anderson, spoke with
everything feels dark, you give us light. At a time when everything feels a little bit shaky, you provide the stability,” said Moore. “You are the change we’ve been waiting for, and you will lead us to a rock that is higher than I. You are not just a campaign promise completed. You are the promise of our future.”
the AFRO with reflections that illustrate the breadth of thoughts which continue to circulate among members of the Black community in Washington, D.C.
Malone, CEO and founder of The 100 Fathers Inc., a D.C.-based, nonprofit advocacy group which he has led for 19 years, and who is a resident in Northeast D.C., said he’s concerned about the example that White has set for future leaders.
“I have long supported Trayon and love him as a brother, but we cannot excuse immorality or the absence of integrity,” Malone said. “If he has made a mistake, he needs to admit it and be willing to accept the consequences. No one is above the law. This is not about popularity. And it’s not about race. We must have leaders who talk the talk and walk the walk.”
Anderson, a former candidate for D.C. Council Ward 8 who currently serves as an elected Ward 8 committee man and second vice chairperson for the Ward 8 Democrats, has lived in Southeast D.C. for 18 years.
He said it’s premature for the Council to recommend the expulsion of White.
“I believe what they’ve done is wrong,” Anderson said. “For me, they’re standing on the edge of a slippery slope. I differ from a lot of my colleagues because I see the Council attempting to penalize Trayon White before he has the chance to exercise his constitutional rights.”
“The Council should not act until White’s right of due process has run its course,” continued Anderson. “They just don’t have the authority to do so, and it sets a precedent that deeply troubles me. He’s innocent until proven guilty. That’s the law and that’s how the Council should have proceeded.”
the history of Washington, D.C. and the BADC which didn’t allow integration within its ranks until 1958 – four years after the historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education,” Andrews said. “Just think – Thurgood Marshall and his colleagues, who successfully argued that historic case, were prohibited from becoming members of BADC during the time that they were breaking down the walls of segregation in America.”
He added that this year’s honorees, many of whose names may be unknown to some Americans, truly deserve being recognized as trailblazers and living legends.
“We’re talking about soldiers and servants within the legal profession,” he said. “Students of history need to know [about them] and should never forget,” he said.
“The awards committee recognized a group of African-American attorneys and judges who have
served with distinction and have earned the respect of their colleagues, race notwithstanding.
Elaine R. Jones, Esq., 80, who learned the lessons of Jim Crow during her formative years in Norfolk, Va., received the Honorable Annice M. Wagner Pioneer Award during the gala event,” said Andrews, noting that Jones followed in the “footsteps of the Honorable Thurgood Marshall.”
“She joined the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in 1970 and in 1993, became the organization’s first female director-counsel and president,” said Andrews. “After graduating from Howard University with honors in 1965, she enrolled in the University of Virginia School of Law and was the first African-American woman to graduate from the School of Law.”
Those in attendance for the ceremony will forever remember the honor bestowed upon Jones.
“Elaine both understood
and accepted the assignment time and time again throughout her storied career and when many said she didn’t have to, or need to– she did,” said Andrews. “She’s never played it safe and was even threatened more than once by the Ku Klux Klan. When a majority-White bar votes unanimously to honor an individual like Elaine Jones, it speaks volumes,” Andrews said.
Other honorees included: Hon. James E. Boasberg, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; Shirley Ann Higuchi, Esq., who will succeed Andrews as BADC president in June 2025 and become the first Asian American to assume the helm; Sanchita Bose, JD, MPH, Esq.; Hon. Pauline Newman, Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; David F. Grimaldi, Sr., Esq. (Posthumously); and R. Scott Oswald, Esq.
To learn more about BADC, visit www.badc.org
Photo courtesy of Rawle Andrews
Kim Keenan (left), former NAACP general-counsel and past president of both the District of the Bar and the National Bar Association, presents Elaine R. Jones with an award alongside Bar Association of the District of Columbia’s (BADC) president, Rawle Andrews, Esq. Jones received the Hon. Annice M. Wagner Pioneer Award during the Bar Association of the District of Columbia’s (BADC) 153rd Annual Leadership Awards Banquet on Dec. 7.
Story editing by Cynthia Rebolledo. Additional editing by Kelly Glass and Elisa Huang. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.
National Park Service celebrates 149th birthday of Dr. Carter G. Woodson
By J. Pamela Stills Special to the AFRO
Dec. 19 marked the 149th birthday of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. In celebration, the National Park Service (NPS) hosted a birthday celebration on Dec. 14 at Dunbar High School located in Northwest, Washington, D.C. The location is significant, as Dunbar High School is the country’s first Black public high school. As part of the birthday celebration, the NPS presented the 2025 National Theme: African Americans and Labor.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson is known as the “Father of Black History” because of his life’s work. In 1915, he co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History which is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The organization informed society about the contributions of Black Americans in the formation of the country, its history and culture. He is also remembered as a renowned author, with one of his most notable titles, “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” still widely read today.
John Fowler II, NPS supervisory park ranger, presided over the celebration, which kicked off with a jazz selection from the Finn Murphy Quartet. Members of the quartet are all under the age of 18. The musical tribute included a solo of the song, “My Funny Valentine,” by Layla Bunch. Layla, 16, is a student at The Duke Ellington School of the Arts and is the 2025 Virginia E. Hayes Williams opera prize winner.
Featured speakers of the event included Robert C. Warren Jr.; Mr. Robert Stanton, a retired NPS director, and Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead, president-Elect of the ASALH. The keynote speaker, Dr. Pero Dagbovie, is the lead historian consultant for the restoration of the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Dagbovie is the former editor of the Journal of African American History, the leading scholarly journal in its field founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1916. He is the university distinguished professor at Michigan State University in
the department of history, vice provost for graduate and postdoctoral studies and dean of the graduate school.
During his remarks, Dr. Dagbovie, spoke of Dr. Woodson in the 1930s, who served as caretaker of what is now the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site in exchange for a place to live free of charge. Dr. Woodson used the home as his base of operations for the early Black history movement–a movement that required and depended upon a lot of Black labor.
Born in New Canton, Va. in 1875, Dr. Woodson passed away April 3, 1950. The Woodson House was added to the national historic sites in February 2006.
Dr. Pero Dagvovie, keynote speaker and caretaker of Dr. Carter G. Woodson home, poses beside a display of the great historian’s postage stamp. Dr. Carter G. Woodson was recognized in 1984 with his own stamp in the Black Heritage Stamp Series, an initiative popularized by the United States Postal Service.
Members of the Kiamsha Youth Empowerment Organization gather at the Carter G. Woodson birthday celebration. Shown here, Whitney Croom (left); Denise Nolan; Caleb Wilson; Miracle Davis; Marc MacAdams; Sarah Robinson; Samuel Bradley and Ayanna Toms.
Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead, president-elect of ASALH, delivers a powerful message to the audience during the Carter G. Woodson birthday celebration.
Caleb Wilson is the great grandson of former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry. Wilson told the audience his great grandfather created the summer youth employment program in D.C. He also spoke on how his great grandfather’s work has shown many that opportunities are key to building strong futures.
Robert C. Warren Jr., former third district representative for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, delivers remarks during the birthday celebration for Carter G. Woodson.
John Fowler, II (left), master of ceremonies for the Carter G. Woodson birthday celebration, stands alongside Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead, president-elect of ASALH; Dr. Pero Dagbovie the keynote speaker; Robert C. Warren, Jr. Esq.; Robert Santon, retired NPS director, and Michael Commisso, the deputy superintendent of National Capital Parks-East at National Park Service.
Michael Bowie, musical director of the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra, introduces the Finn Murphy Quartet.
Ayanna Toms, member of the Kiamsha Youth Empowerment Organization introduces herself as the great, great grand-niece of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. Ayanna spoke on how her aunt fought for racial and gender equality– especially for Black women in the workplace.
Whitney Croom, member of the Kiamsha Youth Empowerment Organization, speaks to descendents of notable Black figures who were present during the birthday celebration.
Layla Bunch performs a rendition of “My Funny Valentine” for the audience. Park Ranger Inez Henry sings the Black National Anthem.
The Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site is located in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The house became a unit of the National Park Service in 2006.
AFRO Photos/ J. Pamela Stills
Seven creative ways to teach students about Kwanzaa
By Quintessa Williams Word In Black
It’s the time of year when educators have a chance to spotlight Kwanzaa — a vibrant, week-long celebration of African culture and Black pride observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Often overlooked in schools, Kwanzaa’s seven principles offer powerful lessons on community, identity and self-determination that can empower Black students all year round.
Here are seven creative ideas for teaching Kwanzaa to Black students while fostering a deeper understanding of its principles:
1. Practicing Umoja (Unity):
Umoja, which means “unity” in Swahili, is defined on the Kwanzaa website as “to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.” This key principle can be a valuable practice in the classroom.
Classroom Strategy: Assign students to create a collective quilt or mural that represents their shared values and cultural heritage. This project will promote the strength and value that is found in unity.
2. Encouraging Kujichagulia (SelfDetermination): Kujichagulia, or self-determination, is a principle referring to defining, naming, creating, and speaking for oneself. This important principle is perfect for helping Black students affirm their identity.
Classroom Strategy: Encourage students to write a list of self-affirmations for seven days or write an essay on their personal identities, aspirations, and the principle of self-determination in achieving their goals.
3. Embracing Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility):
Translated as “collective work and responsibility,” ujima refers to uplifting your community and an active commitment to shared liberation — a principle that can be highly inspiring to Black students in the classroom.
Classroom Strategy: Organize a class initiative, such as a community outreach program, to instill a sense of responsibility and collective effort. This assignment will promote the power of shared commitment and goals.
4. Promoting Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics):
Similar to ujima, Ujamaa, translated as cooperative economics, refers to the practice
Each year Kwanzaa offers an opportunity for families and community members to come
character and give a sense of unity that lasts throughout the year.
of uplifting the community economically. This principle is a good opportunity to teach students the importance of financial literacy or businesses that benefit the community.
Classroom Strategy: Turn your classroom into a mock marketplace where students can create and trade goods or services. This principle will instill the value of economic cooperation and entrepreneurship.
5. Cultivating Nia (Purpose): Nia, which means “purpose,” is defined as a collective vocation that “builds and develops community to restore our people to their traditional greatness.” Like the self-determination principle, purpose is a key principle that can help Black students not only affirm themselves but also cultivate how to continue to build on their identity.
Classroom Strategy: Organize a session in the classroom where students set personal and academic goals that align with the purpose of community and student achievement. This principle will help students understand the importance of seeing themselves as positive assets.
6. Fostering Kuumba (Creativity): Meaning “creativity,” the principle of Kuumba is defined as “doing as much as we can in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.”
Classroom Strategy: Host an event for students to present artwork or decorate an area outside the school. This project will help students reflect on their cultural heritage and personal creativity.
together around the principles that build
7. Instilling Imani (Faith): The final principle, Imani or “faith,” refers to “believing with all our heart in our people, parents, teachers, leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.” This full-circle principle presents the perfect opportunity to teach students the importance of believing in themselves and everyone around them.
Classroom Strategy: Invite some community leaders or role models to speak with students on the last day before the winter break to share their stories of perseverance and success. This event will inspire students to believe in themselves and their academic achievement.
This article was originally published by Word in Black.
Single in the City: Whole and healed for the holidays
By Ericka Alston Buck
The holidays are here again. The twinkling lights, the matching pajama photos flooding your timeline, the “cuffing season” memes—it’s giving pressure. But let me stop you right there. We’re not about to let this season send us scrambling to find a plus-one for dinner or tolerating someone who doesn’t even deserve a seat at our table. This year, it’s all about choosing you. Take a moment and reflect on the partners you’ve entertained over the past year. I know, it might be a tough pill to
swallow, but think about where you must’ve been mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to even consider some of those situations. Whew– you can tell a lot about the frequency you’re on by the choices you make—and some of these choices? Yeah, they scream, “I was tired, distracted or just trying to feel something.”
Here’s the truth: you are the common denominator in every relationship you’ve had. That’s not shade— it’s empowerment. Because if you’re the common thread, you hold the power to shift the pattern. And maybe, just maybe, this holiday season is the perfect time to hit pause on the pressure, the traditions, and the “I need somebody by New Year’s Eve” mindset. Instead, let’s talk about being whole and healed.
The gift of self
“Let’s normalize not ‘settling’ just because society says we should…the holidays aren’t really about having someone else to complete you; they’re about gratitude, love and connection—with yourself first and foremost.”
members or nosy coworkers. Practice saying, “I’m focusing on me right now, and it feels amazing.” And then, mean it.
3. Invest in your growth: Take a holiday class, pick up a new hobby or travel solo. Anything that feeds your soul and reminds you of your own magic.
First things first, healing is not a linear process. It’s messy and it takes time. But when you focus on being whole—when you pour into yourself, take accountability and commit to growing—you start attracting what aligns with your higher self. The version of you that deserves peace, respect and love.
This season, let’s rewrite the narrative. The holidays don’t have to be about finding someone to bring home to meet Auntie. It’s about meeting yourself where you are and asking, “What do I need to feel whole?”
Tips to kick off the holiday season whole and healed
1. Declutter your spirit: Just like you’d clear out your closet before a new year, clean out your emotional baggage. Journal about your past relationships and what you’ve learned. Release the hurt, the resentment and the self-blame. Let it go!
2. Set boundaries like you are royalty: Sometimes, that pressure to find a partner comes from well-meaning family
4. Create your own traditions: Who said matching pajamas can’t be with your girls or your babies? Bake cookies, watch movies and sip hot cocoa—your way. Make memories that aren’t tied to anyone else but you.
5. Celebrate small wins: Healing isn’t an overnight thing. Celebrate every step you take, whether it’s realizing a red flag quicker or choosing not to text that toxic ex.
Let’s normalize wholeness
Let’s normalize not “settling” just because society says we should. The truth is, the holidays aren’t really about having someone else to complete you; they’re about gratitude, love and connection—with yourself first and foremost.
This season, when the holiday music starts playing and you feel that little pang of loneliness, remind yourself: you are the prize. Whole. Healed. Radiating love from the inside out.
And when that time does come for you to share your life with someone, you’ll be ready—not because you’re desperate or lonely–but because you’re aligned with your higher self, matching pajamas and all.
AP Photo/ Erica Jones
Special to the AFRO
Courtesy photo Ericka Alston Buck speaks on the gift of self-love this holiday season.
Six culturally relevant holiday books to add to your gift list
Six culturally relevant books to add to your gift list
By Quintessa Williams Word In Black
The holiday season is more than just a break for Black K-12 students — it’s a chance to unwind and recharge after navigating a fall semester filled with challenges. Along with the normal academic pressures, students this year dealt with the weight of book bans, efforts to censor Black history, the 2024 presidential election and racist messages sent to kids after Donald Trump won.
Diving into culturally relevant reading over the holidays can be transformative for Black students. Research indicates that reading can reduce stress by 68 percent, surpassing other relaxation methods such as listening to music or walking. These books also celebrate Black heritage and reinforce a positive Black identity, providing a much-needed sense of belonging and empowerment.
So, whether you’re looking to gift one book to an individual student or multiple titles to an entire classroom of kids, these six books are perfect for inspiring and uplifting Black K-12 students this holiday season.
For elementary school students:
1. “Thank you, Omu!” by Oge Mora: This heartwarming tale follows Omu, an elderly woman who prepares a delicious stew with an enticing aroma that travels throughout her neighborhood. As neighbors follow the scent to her door, Omu generously shares her meal with everyone — only to find her pot empty when it’s time for her own dinner. In a touching turn of events, the community comes together to show their gratitude by bringing her a feast. This story illustrates themes of generosity, community and thankfulness, — making it ideal for Black elementary students during the holidays.
2. “The Nutcracker In Harlem,” by T.E. McMorrow: This retelling of the classic Nutcracker tale celebrates Black culture, jazz, music, and the magic of the holiday season. Set in 1920s Harlem, this version follows a young girl named Marie who receives a Nutcracker doll at a Christmas party. That night, she embarks on a magical journey where toys come to life, and she discovers her own voice and confidence.
For middle school students:
1. “As Brave As You,” by Jason Reynolds: Genie, 11, and his soon-to-be 14-year-old brother, Ernie, spend a summer with their grandparents in rural Virginia, away from their Brooklyn home. During their stay, they learn about their family’s history, their grandfather’s blindness and what bravery truly means. This novel for middle schoolers delves into themes of family and courage and encourages reflection and personal growth during the holiday season.
2. “Tristan Strong Punches a Hole In the Sky,” by Kwame Mbalia: This story follows seventh-grader Tristan Strong, who is sent to his grandparents in Alabama after losing his best friend, Eddie. While there, Tristan accidentally opens a portal to a world where African American folk heroes exist. Intertwining mythology and adventure, Tristan sets on a journey to reunite with Eddie and discover his storytelling power. This mythological fantasy is an engaging read for Black middle school students, providing them with entertainment and a deeper connection to cultural heritage.
For high school students:
2. “The Voting Booth,” by Brandy Colbert: On Election Day, two first-time Black teen voters, Marva and Duke, meet at the polling place to make their votes count. In a surprising turn of events, Duke is turned away, and together, he and Marva team up to ensure their votes count. In the midst, the two end up falling in love. This novel highlights the importance of civic engagement and youth activism — a timely story that encourages Black high school students to reflect on their role in society and the impact they can make.
1. “Parable of the Sower,” by Octavia Butler: Set in a fantastical future, the novel follows Lauren Olamina, a 15-year-old Black girl who can feel others’ pain as she navigates a world plagued by social and environmental collapse. She develops a new belief system called “Earthseed” and embarks on a journey to find a safe haven. The story represents resilience, community and the power of faith, offering Black high schoolers an inspiring read during the holidays.
What folks say about weight loss meds and the holidays
What folks say about weight loss meds and the holidays
By Anissa Durham Word In Black
By Anissa Durham Word In Black
Branneisha Cooper was terrified of attending her first holiday gathering after starting Mounjaro. The 28-year-old started the injectable medication on Nov. 2, 2022, just a few weeks before Thanksgiving.
Branneisha Cooper was terrified of attending her first holiday gathering after starting Mounjaro. The 28-year-old started the injectable medication on Nov. 2, 2022, just a few weeks before Thanksgiving.
“I told my family … do not take offense that I don’t eat that much on Thanksgiving,” she says. “Because for Black families, it’s like ‘oh you not eating the mac and cheese no more, was it nasty?’”
“I told my family … do not take offense that I don’t eat that much on Thanksgiving,” she says. “Because for Black families, it’s like ‘oh you not eating the mac and cheese no more, was it nasty?’”
Mounjaro, a GLP-1 drug, is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, but it can be prescribed off-label for weight loss. Cooper, based in Flint, Texas, says she’s struggled with her weight for most of her life. After trying diet after diet, nothing seemed to help her lose weight, which became even more difficult after a polycystic ovarian syndrome diagnosis.
Mounjaro, a GLP-1 drug, is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, but it can be prescribed off-label for weight loss. Cooper, based in Flint, Texas, says she’s struggled with her weight for most of her life. After trying diet after diet, nothing seemed to help her lose weight, which became even more difficult after a polycystic ovarian syndrome diagnosis.
In 2022, she told her primary care doctor she was willing to undergo weight loss surgery. After taking into consideration her family history with type 2 zdiabetes, Cooper’s doctor prescribed Mounjaro. Within the first week on the medication, she lost seven pounds.
In 2022, she told her primary care doctor she was willing to undergo weight loss surgery. After taking into consideration her family history with type 2 diabetes, Cooper’s doctor prescribed Mounjaro. Within the first week on the medication, she lost seven pounds.
“I don’t have any plans right now of getting off of it,” she says. “When I started, I was 241 pounds. I’m now 158 and I’m at my goal. I don’t want to lose any more weight.”
“I don’t have any plans right now of getting off of it,” she says. “When I started, I was 241 pounds. I’m now 158 and I’m at my goal. I don’t want to lose any more weight.”
But, reaching her weight loss goal with the help of the medication, didn’t come so easy. Last year, her insurance stopped covering Mounjaro, because she wasn’t clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. So, her doctor switched her to Zepbound, another GLP-1 drug that’s used to treat weight loss and type 2 diabetes.
But, reaching her weight loss goal with the help of the medication, didn’t come so easy. Last year, her insurance stopped covering Mounjaro, because she wasn’t clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. So, her doctor switched her to Zepbound, another GLP-1 drug that’s used to treat weight loss and type 2 diabetes.
241
“memories over macros.”
Healthy modifications, healthier outcomes
Innocent Clement, a general internist and the founder and CEO of Ciba Health, a digital platform that works with patients to prevent and reverse chronic disease, says it’s important for patients to balance traditional foods within the Black community with healthier modifications. For example, he recommends using a leaner cut of meat or reducing added sugar, so as not to lose the cultural significance of the meal.
Healthy modifications, healthier outcomes Innocent Clement, a general internist and the founder and CEO of Ciba Health, a digital platform that works with patients to prevent and reverse chronic disease, says it’s important for patients to balance traditional foods within the Black community with healthier modifications. For example, he recommends using a leaner cut of meat or reducing added sugar, so as not to lose the cultural significance of the meal.
of Health and Human Services defines those determinants as economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and environment, and social and community contexts.
ic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community contexts.
Since most health outcomes result from social determinants of health, it’s no surprise that Black Americans have higher than average rates of chronic disease — including disparities in access to healthy food and health insurance.
Choosing to be present
Choosing to be present
scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital, says while each patient is different, some of her patients taking a GLP-1 medication have expressed a decreased desire for food.
of her patients taking a GLP-1 medication have expressed a decreased desire for food.
“If the pathology that’s defective is the GLP-1 pathway, then patients can see significant shifts in their eating behaviors,” Stanford says.
“What I’ll hear patients say is this idea of food noise. They forget about food. They don’t even have a preference for food anymore.”
“If the pathology that’s defective is the GLP-1 pathway, then patients can see significant shifts in their eating behaviors,” Stanford says. “What I’ll hear patients say is this idea of food noise. They forget about food. They don’t even have a preference for food anymore.”
GLP-1 drugs, like Mounjaro, Zepbound, and Ozempic, are typically taken as weekly injections that mimic the effect of hormones triggered by food and tend to slow down digestion and curb hunger. While the long-term effects of these medications are unknown, their popularity continues to soar. So much so that patients with type 2 diabetes who were prescribed Ozempic faced pharmacy shortages.
Navigating the holidays
GLP-1 drugs, like Mounjaro, Zepbound, and Ozempic, are typically taken as weekly injections that mimic the effect of hormones triggered by food and tend to slow down digestion and curb hunger. While the long-term effects of these medications are unknown, their popularity continues to soar. So much so that patients with type 2 diabetes who were prescribed Ozempic faced pharmacy shortages.
Navigating the holidays
Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physicianscientist at Massachusetts General Hospital, says while each patient is different, some
Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician-
Attending family gatherings, specifically the holidays, also came with its own challenges. Some family members didn’t understand why Cooper wasn’t eating as much as she used to. And she has publicly shared her experience using GLP-1 medications on social
Attending family gatherings, specifically the holidays, also came with its own challenges. Some family members didn’t understand why Cooper wasn’t eating as much as she used to. And she has publicly
media, attracting a mix of supporters and negative commentators.
shared her experience using GLP-1 medications on social media, attracting a mix of supporters and negative commentators.
While the debate about who should use GLP-1 drugs, or not, continues to flare — it doesn’t negate the fact that patients like Cooper are seeing results from the medication. With a decreased appetite, she admits she doesn’t have the same strong cravings she used to. But she pushes back on the misconception that people don’t eat at all while using it.
While the debate about who should use GLP-1 drugs, or not, continues to flare — it doesn’t negate the fact that patients like Cooper are seeing results from the medication. With a decreased appetite, she admits she doesn’t have the same strong cravings she used to. But she pushes back on the misconception that people don’t eat at all while using it.
“Some days I’m struggling to get food in. But we really [are] eating on the medication,” she says. “I’ve gotten hate comments and troll comments where people will be like ‘You’d rather starve yourself than actually go to the gym.’ Honestly, the medication doesn’t work unless you work with it.”
“Some days I’m struggling to get food in. But we really [are] eating on the medication,” she says. “I’ve gotten hate comments and troll comments where people will be like ‘You’d rather starve yourself than actually go to the gym.’ Honestly, the medication doesn’t work unless you work with it.”
“I think it’s important to provide culturally relevant education that allows for tailored nutrition that respects cultural preferences — because it’s very difficult to tell someone to stay away from certain foods,” he says. “We want to respect tradition while promoting healthy choices.”
“I think it’s important to provide culturally relevant education that allows for tailored nutrition that respects cultural preferences — because it’s very difficult to tell someone to stay away from certain foods,” he says. “We want to respect tradition while promoting healthy choices.”
But Clement recognizes it’s not just about eating healthier foods. About 80 percent of health outcomes are driven by social determinants of health.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines those determinants as econom-
But Clement recognizes it’s not just about eating healthier foods. About 80 percent of health outcomes are driven by social determinants of health. The U.S. Department
Since most health outcomes result from social determinants of health, it’s no surprise that Black Americans have higher than average rates of chronic disease — including disparities in access to healthy food and health insurance. Many of Stanford’s patients present with multiple diagnoses. If someone is living with obesity, she says, it’s not uncommon for them to have high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Many of Stanford’s patients present with multiple diagnoses. If someone is living with obesity, she says, it’s not uncommon for them to have cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Recent clinical studies have found that GLP-1 drugs have been shown to improve obstructive sleep apnea and osteoarthritis. And it’s not unusual for Stanford to hear from patients they’ve seen improvement in their management of substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Which means GLP-1 drugs help resolve multiple conditions patients have concurrently.
Recent clinical studies have found that GLP-1 drugs have been shown to improve obstructive sleep apnea and osteoarthritis. And it’s not unusual for Stanford to hear from patients they’ve seen improvement in their management of substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Which means GLP-1 drugs help resolve multiple conditions patients have concurrently.
After more than two years taking GLP-1 medications, Cooper says they’ve helped manage her PCOS and lower her high blood pressure. There were times throughout her journey where she had to navigate side effects and feelings of discomfort. But she reminds people she wouldn’t have been able to lose 83 pounds without the medication.
After more two taking medications, Cooper says manage her her high pressure. times throughout journey she had to naviside effects of discomfort. But she reminds people she wouldn’t have been able to lose 83 pounds without the medication.
As she lives through her third holiday season while on Zepbound, she encourages others are enjoy themselves present theing her mindset back that enjoying the time family has been her.
As she lives through her third holiday season while on Zepbound, she encourages others who are new to GLP-1s to enjoy themselves and be present in the moment. Shifting her mindset from worrying about gaining back that weight to enjoying the time spent with family has been freeing for her.
“You’re on the medication for you,” she says. “You now have control over the food noise and over your compulsion. Long-term success means feeding your body the things that it needs but also allowing yourself the foods that you want.”
“You’re on the medication for you,” she says. “You now have control over the food noise and over your compulsion. Long-term success means feeding your body the things that it needs but also allowing yourself the foods that you want.”
This was by In
This article was originally published by Word In Black.
This year marks her third holiday season on a GLP-1 medication. Now, Cooper is much more confident about handling questions about her body and maintaining a balanced view about holiday meals. Instead of avoiding all the common foods Black families prepare for Thanksgiving or Christmas, she prioritizes “memories over macros.”
This year marks her third holiday season on a GLP-1 medication. Now, Cooper is much more confident about handling questions about her body and maintaining a balanced view about holiday meals. Instead of avoiding all the common foods Black families prepare for Thanksgiving or Christmas, she prioritizes
Courtesy of Word In Black
Like millions of Americans across the country, Branneisha Cooper uses a weight loss drug to maintain a healthy weight. She began her journey at
pounds, and now weighs in at 158 pounds.
Courtesy of Word In Black
Like millions of Americans across the country, Branneisha Cooper uses a weight loss drug to maintain a healthy weight. She began her journey at 241 pounds, and now weighs in at 158 pounds.
Holiday spending hacks: How to unwrap savings without sacrificing festive cheer
By Frank Sennett Stacker Media
The holiday season arrived with a glittering price tag this year. Americans are projected to spend a whopping $902 per person on holiday expenses, according to the National Retail Federation. With more than half of holiday shopping still on the horizon after Thanksgiving, consumers have a prime opportunity to transform their financial strategy from stressed to savvy.
Insights from Cardlytics, a provider of card-linked offers, reveal that many consumers are leaving money on the table—or more precisely, in their banking apps. These cashback offers represent a strategic stocking stuffer for smart shoppers navigating the expensive holiday landscape.
Smart savings strategies for the festive season
1. Beyond price tags: The cash-back advantage
Don’t fall into the trap of comparing prices alone. Take an extra moment to check for cashback rewards specific to different merchants.
When purchasing a gift available from multiple retailers, one may offer card-linked rewards that could save you significantly more than a minor price difference.
For instance, a $50 gift might cost the same at two stores, but one could offer a 10 percent
cash-back reward—effectively reducing your purchase price to $45. While $5 may not seem like a lot, savvy shoppers know that these savings can add up quickly. By consistently using card-linked offers, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars.
2. Grocery shopping: A savings opportunity in disguise
Grocery bills often consume a substantial portion of holiday spending, but smart shoppers can turn this expense into an opportunity. Before embarking on your holiday meal preparation, take a moment to activate available rewards in your banking apps. The savings on your festive feast could be substantial.
3. Subscription savings: The overlooked opportunity
Before paying for any subscriptions— whether it’s music, video streaming, meal services or VPN—investigate potential card offers, special deals, or cash-back opportunities. When you find a card-linked deal from your provider, update your payment method and watch these small savings accumulate as you repeat the exercise across multiple subscription services.
4. Keep your rewards radar active Make it a habit to frequently check for rewards, which tend to rotate more rapidly
Give the gift of Black art
By Nadira Jamerson Word in Black
For Black artists, art is more than a pursuit of beauty or a means of expression.
As Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison put it in her essay collection “The Source of Self-Regard”: “Art is not mere entertainment or decoration, it has meaning, and we both want and need to fathom that meaning.”
From Morrison’s novel “Beloved,” which chronicles
Quan Draws
the horrors of slavery and the resilience of Black communities, to photographer Gordon Parks, who used his lens to chronicle the fight for civil rights, to musician Nina Simone sharing the plight of Black Americans during Jim Crow through her 1964 anthem “Mississippi Goddam,” Black art has long served as a tool of resistance and a beacon of hope and justice. Despite the impact of their work, though, modern
Blending bold colors and shapes, Shakquan McAllister’s afrofuturistic creations are nothing short of fantastic. Gathering inspiration from the words he hears in songs to strange videos he encounters online, the New York City-based visual artist, creatively known as Quan Draws, uses his work to show that Black bodies are beautiful and belong in every realm. In addition to selling prints of his artwork, McAllister is also periodically open for commissions, helping others bring their unique ideas to life.
during the holiday season. Some credit card companies even offer personalized cash-back discounts for loyal customers, offering up to 25 percent back at specific retailers during this festive period.
How to find and use card-linked offers
Utilizing card-linked offers is incredibly simple and requires minimal effort. You don’t need to download a separate app to access these offers. All you need to do is log in to your banking or credit card mobile app and follow these three easy steps:
1: Look for the “Offers” or “Deals” section in your existing banking or credit card mobile app.
2: Activate relevant promotions from merchants with a single click.
3: Watch savings automatically apply when you use the designated credit card.
These card-linked offers often provide additional savings on top of coupons and discounted prices, making them extra satisfying.
The magic lies in dedicating just a few minutes to exploring these opportunities to maximize savings. By adopting a mindful approach to holiday spending, you can reduce expenses without diminishing the season’s joy. After all, the true spirit of the holidays isn’t about how much you spend, but the thoughtfulness behind each gift.
This story was produced by Cardlytics and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Black artists don’t receive the support or funding of their non-Black peers. According to a 2021 study by the L.A. County Department of Arts and Culture, BIPOC arts workers in Los Angeles
County — one of the largest hubs for art in the U.S. — earned 35 percent less than White arts workers. Globally, Black art only represented 1.9 percent of auction sales in 2022, according to a report
from ArtNet. Despite these obstacles, Black artists continue to make an impact like the Black artists who came before them. From painting to photography
Courtesy of Instagram/ JustJoycelyn
Arieanne Evans
For Atlanta-based artist Arieanne Evans, photography is about more than snapping a photo — it’s about capturing the beauty and depth of the lives of everyday people. It’s no wonder Evans’s platform is called Friends on Film because, when you’re in front of her lens, even the most inexperienced models feel relaxed and empowered by her sense of familiarity and care. Evans has shot campaigns for musicians, including rap star Anycia, and fashion brands like Urban Outfitters. In 2023, Evans released her first photography book — “Close Friends” — in collaboration with Snap Collective London. It features 190 pages of her film photography and conveys “intimacy, nostalgia, and fantasy,” she says.
and illustrating, here are three Black artists breaking barriers in the art world by centering Black voices and creativity. Want to support them? Add their artworkto your gift list.
Just Joyce
As a self-taught multimedia and visual artist, Just Jocelyn knew early on that she wanted to turn her creative passions into a sustainable business. After taking an art class in high school, the entrepreneur found many folks reaching out to inquire about her art, and in 2017, she launched DaredtoPaint. The online store is “Rooted in culture, innovation, and hospitality,” according to the website, and offers prints, T-shirts, calendars, and more featuring Just Joceyln’s creations. “We aspire to empower, inspire, and bring life to the homes and lives of people,” says the website.
Unsplash/ Nathan Dumlao
Courtesy of Instagram/ quandraws Untitled illustration by Shakquan McAllister
Courtesy of Instagram/ friendsonfilmduh “The Illusion” by Arieanne Evans
“Braided Baldies” by Just Joyce
This article was originally published by Word in Black.
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM001359 ELIZABETH WHITLOW Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs TINA FORD, whose address is 304 SCHAFFER DR., FREDERICK, MD 21702 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ELIZABETH WHITLOW who died on NOVEMBER 17, 2021 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 JUNE 06, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JUNE 06, 2025 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: DECEMBER 06, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
TINA FORD
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/06, 12/13, 12/20/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM1396 JUDIETH WELCH Name of Decedent
HENRY M. TERRELL, ESQ. 2101 L ST.,NW, SUITE 300 WASHINGTON, DC 20037 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs DR. MARY WELCH, whose address is 2428 S. DAKOTA AVE., NE, WASHINGTON, DC 20018 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JUDIETH WELCH who died on SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision.
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM001416
JASPER ARMSTRONG, JR. Name of Decedent
CELCILIA R. JONES, ESQ. 5335 WISCONSIN AVE., NW, SUITE #440 WASHINGTON, DC 20015 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
JAMIQUA JOHNSON AND TAMIARA JOHNSON, whose addresses are 647 49TH STREET, NE, WASH., DC 20019, 2342 WOODBARK LANE, SUITLAND, MD 20746 were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of JASPER ARMSTRONG, JR. who died on NOVEMBER 05, 2023 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 JUNE 20, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JUNE 20, 2025 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: DECEMBER 20, 2024
Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
JAMIQUA JOHNSON TAMIARA JOHNSON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/20, 12/27, 01/03/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM001455 MAXINE E LEWIS Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
3rd Floor, Washing-
D.C. 20001, on or before JUNE 06, 2025.
decedent shall be
with a copy to the
to the
of Wills or
with the
of Wills with a
to the undersigned, on or before JUNE 06, 2025 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: DECEMBER 06, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
WILLIAM A. ALSTON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/06,12/13, 12/20/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM1357 EVELYN G LAGROOM Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JAMES E LAGROOM, whose address is 15621 TIBBERTON TERRACE, UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20774 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of EVELYN G LAGROOM who died on FEBRUARY 10, 2024 with a Will and will serve
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 JUNE 13, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JUNE 13, 2025 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.
Date of first publication: DECEMBER 13, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
DR. MARY WELCH Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM001390
MARIEA (MARIA) CATHERINE DYSON Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
CHARLES E. HERBERT, JR., DENISE E. JOHNSON, whose addresses are 9815 BRIXTON LANE, BETHESDA, MD 20817; 8028 PATUXENT LANDING LOOP, LAUREL, MD 20724 were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of MARIEA (MARIA) CATHERINE DYSON who died on SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JUNE 13, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JUNE 13, 2025 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: DECEMBER 13, 2024
Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
CHARLES E. HERBERT, JR
DENISE E. JOHNSON Personal Representative
OF
12/13, 12/20, 12/27/24
EVELYN L. WIGGINS, whose address is 7212 MOUNT FOREST TERR FORESTVILLE MD 20747 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of MAXINE E LEWIS who died on SEPTEMBER 06, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JUNE 20, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JUNE 20, 2025 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: DECEMBER 20, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
EVELYN L. WIGGINS Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/20, 12/27, 01/03/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PROBATE DIVISION
ADMINISTRATION NO. 2017ADM001324
VALGENE M. MILLER AKA
VALJEAN MARIA MILLER AKA
VALJEAN W. MILLER Name of Decedent
ANDREW T RICHARDSON, III 1629 K STREET, NW, SUITE 300 WASHINGTON, DC 20006 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
ANDREW T. RICHARDSON, III, whose address is 1629 K STREET, NW, SUITE 300, WASHINGTON, DC 20006 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of VALGENE M. MILLER AKA VALJEAN MARIA MILLER AKA VALJEAN
and Tikeshia Nakia Vinson
Petition: Transfer of ownership
Premises: 5418-20 Sinclair Lane 21206 (City Council District: 2nd; State Legislative District: 45th) CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION NOTICE OF LETTING
CITY OF BALTIMORE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE WATER RATES
A public hearing has been scheduled by The Board of Estimates for considering the adoption of these recommendations for January 22, 2025. The hearing will take place in the Hyman Pressman Board Room located at 100 Holliday Street, City Hall Room 204, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
The City of Baltimore owns and operates a public water supply, treatment, and distribution system built and maintained by the City to provide potable water and wastewater services. Baltimore City Code Article 24 § 3-5(a) states, “It shall be the duty of the Director of Finance and the Director of Public Works to recommend, and the duty of the Board of Estimates to: (1) establish rates and charges to make each utility financially self-sustaining at all times.” The Director of Finance and Director of Public Works jointly recommend that the Board of Estimates adjust the fixed, infrastructure, and volumetric rates for the water utility by 3.00% and sewer utility by 15.00% for Fiscal Year 2025, effective February 1, 2025. It is further recommended that the Board of Estimates adjust the fixed, infrastructure, and volumetric rates for the water utility by 9.00%, sewer utility by 9.00%, and stormwater utility by 3.00% effective July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026.
Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for SANITARY CONTRACT NO. 1028-CLEANING OF THE OUTFALL INTERCEPTOR will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204 City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M on February 5, 2025. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates and can be watched live on CharmTV’s cable channel 25/1085HD; charmtvbaltimore.com/watch-live or listen in at (443) 984-1696 (ACCESS CODE: 0842939) from City Hall at Noon. The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, at Contract Administration 4 South Frederick Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202 on the 3 rd floor (410) 396-4041 as of December 20, 2024, and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of 100.00 Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call (410) 396- 6883 or contact OBC at 4 S Frederick St., 4 th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (“JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is G90129 Large Diameter Sewer Cleaning. Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $5,000,000.01 to $10,000,000.00.
A “Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. Vendor can call +1667-228-6519 PASSCODE: 689032354# on January 9, 2025 at 10:00AM. “All bid inquiries must be emailed to: amber.coles- johnson@baltimorecity.gov and carlos.stephemson@ baltimorecity.gov by the Q&A deadline of January 15, 2025. Questions received in writing and by the deadline will only be considered”.
For further inquiries about purchasing bid documents please contact the assigned Contract Administrator @baltimorecity.gov and dpwbidopportunities@baltimorecity.gov
Principal items of work for this contract include, but are not limited to:
* Approximately 31,300 linear feet of cleaning and inspection of interceptor sewer CCTV and sonar inspection
* Approximately 7,000 tons of disposal of sanitary sewer debris
* Approximately 58 manhole inspections
The MBE/ MBE goal is 23% The WBE/DBE goal is 16% APPROVED: APPROVED:
Clerk Khalil Zaied
Board of Estimates Director City Hall Department of Public Works
by the following applicants for licenses to sell alcoholic
BALTIMORE-AREA
Equity is not a dirty word
By Chrissy M. Thornton
“Equity,” as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “justice according to natural law or right; freedom from bias or favoritism.” At its core, equity ensures fairness, providing historically marginalized groups access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. It is a word with profound meaning and transformative potential. Yet today, some organizations, leaders and corporations seek to erase it from their lexicon and mission statements. This misguided effort to align with political rhetoric from the Trump era— in a city like Baltimore, with its predominantly Black population and deeply entrenched disparities—is disastrous.
Baltimore’s history is one of resilience amidst systemic inequities. From redlining to underfunded schools and health disparities, the city’s Black communities have endured generations of systemic oppression. Some might consider these disparities purely historical, but for those engaged in equity work, it’s clear that today’s struggles are inextricably tied to past injustices. Systemic inequities persist, showing up in the racial wealth gap, unequal access to education and healthcare and disproportionate incarceration rates. The fight for equity is not merely addressing historical wrongs; it is dismantling
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2024 Baltimore Weaver Awards includes Ebony
co-owner of Essential Wellness; Grace Marshall and
of Free Baltimore Yoga; Nigeria Segure-Watson, founder and program director Girls Innovation Club; Nicole Bryant, founder of We Responders; Erin Lonon president of I Am A Child of God; Rebekah Opher, Jeannie Anderson who will use this grant to continue their community based work; Omar Tarabishi, founder of Leftover Love; Rena Jackson, CEO of Sisters Caring and Sharing with Love; Tracey Malone founder of Eddie B Productions; Tia McDonald, Naijha Wright-Brown and Tayonna “TayyBandz” Jackson, CEO of Be You Youth; Jasmine Mayers, founder of M.O.V.E. Collective; Nabeehah Azeez, founder of The Salaam Lounge in West Baltimore; MarTaze Gaines, urban gardener in the Saint Josephs area; and Kai Inman, founder of The Hygiene Hookup.
2024 Baltimore Weaver awardees push to make change in their communities
By Ariyana Griffin AFRO Staff Writer agriffin@afro.com
The Baltimore Weaver Awards, created by The Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C. and M and T Bank, annually selects 20 recipients who have organizations that are founded on the importance of community.
Each local recipient receives $5,000 to help propel the work that they are doing in their community to help those around them.
Among the 20 awardees, Tayonna “TayyBandz” Jackson, the youngest winner, is intersecting her passions of arts, music and community within her organization Be You Youth LLC. The rapper’s Be You Talent Showcases provide young people with paid experience to showcase their musical and artistic talents on stage.
“Be You isn't just about the showcases–it's a movement,” said Jackson. “We provide Baltimore youth that are talented and resilient . Investing in youth means investing in the future because we are the future.”
Nicole Bryant was driven to create We Responders after the heartbreaking loss of her father and nephew to fentanyl overdoses. She was determined to equip
others within her community with the tools to prevent similar tragedies. Her organization offers a variety of training, including CPR, overdose awareness, Stop the Bleed and other essential resources to prepare individuals for emergencies.
Bryant is looking forward to diving into 2025 with more vital programming to increase overdose awareness for the community.
“There are so many people out there with the same story as me,” said Bryant. “We have so much that the community can do within if we can come together, collaborate and share the knowledge.”
To learn more about the amazing services and organizations that the 2024 awardees are working on, please read the bios below, provided by organizers of the 2024 Weaver Awards:
Jeannie Anderson, Northeast
Baltimore
Jeannie felt lonely and disconnected as a child and didn’t want other kids to grow up that way. She started leading workshops to share relational skills and the healing power of listening. She will expand her trauma-informed, social-emotional learning at City Neighbors Charter School, the local library and the farmers’ market.
Nabeehah Azeez, Central West
Baltimore
Nabeehah noticed that while many Muslim youth want to pursue spirituality, they often feel alienated from traditional places of worship and crave community. She created The Salaam Lounge in West Baltimore as a non-religious place for young people to gather around art and social events, as well as congregational prayer.
April Dodd, West Baltimore
For April, art has been a source of healing and self-discovery. She shares its power by offering art therapy and creative workshops to underprivileged and at-risk youth, trauma survivors and elders in underserved communities. Through these programs, April creates safe spaces for self-expression, confidence-building and personal growth.
MarTaze Gaines, Carroll-South
Hilton
After the last supermarket in Edmondson Village closed, MarTaze started a new community garden in nearby Saint Josephs as a hub for healthy food, gardening and community gatherings. The longtime community organizer and urban
Baltimore City Police Department hires chief who resigned from Boise Police Department with misconduct allegations
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com
The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) has selected a former police chief who resigned from his post following allegations of misconduct to serve as chief of detectives in the department’s operations bureau.
Ryan Lee, a current resident of Baltimore, was asked to step down as Boise, Idaho police chief by Mayor Lauren McLean in 2022 after complaints from nine officers regarding verbal abuse, a hostile work environment and favoritism, were publicized in local press. Lee was also sued by Boise Police Sergeant Kirk Rush that same year who alleged that Lee injured his
neck in an unsanctioned restraint during a team briefing.
The announcement of his appointment to BPD came on Dec. 11. In an email to the AFRO, Lindsey Eldridge, a spokesperson for BPD, said the department was aware of the circumstances surrounding his previous post.
“The department is aware of his previous service in Boise, as well as his departure— none of which disqualify him for his new position with BPD,” wrote Eldridge.
She noted that Lee was selected after an “extensive” four-month hiring process and pointed to BPD Commissioner Richard Worley’s statement on his appointment.
“Ryan Lee is an experienced leader, and we are
BOPA’s new interim CEO Robyn Murphy shares plans for the future
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com
The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) board of directors appointed seasoned communications consultant Robyn Murphy to become the organization’s interim chair and CEO on Nov. 20. The board vote came after BOPA and former CEO Rachel Graham, who only took on the role in March 2024, agreed to part ways. Murphy, a native of Edmondson Village, enters the organization following months of financial challenges, the termination of BOPA’s contract with the city of Baltimore and the resignation of eight board members. As interim CEO, she will be tasked with improving BOPA’s relationship with the city and the local arts community while the organization searches for permanent leadership.
“One of the things that enhances quality of life is equitable representation of a city’s citizens on stage, in visual arts, as part of the museum culture and in live theater.”
“When you look across the nation and across the world, you understand that there’s so much that makes up city life, and a lot of it is about quality of life,” said Murphy. “One of the things that enhances quality of life is equitable representation of a city’s citizens on stage, in visual arts, as part of the museum culture and in live theater.”
grateful to have him with the Baltimore Police Department and city of Baltimore,” said Worley in a Dec. 11 release.
“He brings significant and relevant experience to addressing the challenges in policing.
Lee will be taking on a critical role for the department, as we continue to drive historic
The AFRO connected with Murphy to discuss her plans for getting BOPA back on track. The responses below have been edited for length and clarity.
AFRO: In light of the recent challenges BOPA has faced, what made you want to take on this role?
Courtesy Photo
Chrissy M. Thornton serves as president and CEO of Associated Black Charities. This week, she speaks in defense of the equity work being challenged and cut down in states across the country.
Photo courtesy of Weave The Social Fabric Project
The
McClenny (left top), founder of Surviving Our Neighborhood (SON); Raquel Johnson,
Naadiya Hutchinson, co-leaders
Photo courtesy of the City of Boise
Chief Ryan Lee is the new chief of detectives for the Baltimore Police Department's (BPD) Operations Bureau.
Meet Dana Robinson, the new associate dean of strategic communications and marketing at JHU School of Nursing
By Aria Brent AFRO Staff Writer abrent@afro.com
Dana Robinson is a Baltimore native with a passion for helping others. With bettering the lives of others at the forefront of all that she does, Robinson is no stranger to service. Her community oriented attitude has been the driving force behind the many positions she’s held.
Most recently, Robinson became associate dean of strategic communications and marketing for the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (JHSON). She stepped into the role on Dec. 9. The communications expert and former Miss Delaware State University spoke with the AFRO about the people and places that have shaped her life and career path and what she’s hoping to bring to JHSON.
AFRO: What in your background prepared you for this position?
DR: I’m a proud Baltimore native, raised in public schools and a graduate of Edmondson Westside High School. I’ll be honest—I was a C student at best, but I always had a passion for community and bringing people together. My life changed when I received a second-chance scholarship to Delaware State University in 2003. I majored in mass communication and became Miss Delaware State University. That experience taught me how to adapt to new environments, take on leadership roles and connect with people in meaningful ways.
After graduating, I worked at nonprofits like the Arthritis Foundation and Planned Parenthood.
At Planned Parenthood, I started as direc tor of communications in Maryland, expanding our outreach efforts from 20 events a year to over 300 and ensuring our volunteer base reflected the communities we served. I later moved to the national office, where I supported affiliates across the country, addressing critical healthcare challenges in states like
Weaver awardees
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is
to serve as associate dean of strategic communications and marketing at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, where she will promote the stories and experiences of the institution’s nursing students.
Texas, Florida and Alabama, while also building Planned Parenthood’s presence at major national events like South by Southwest and Essence Festival.
Now, after two years of national work, I’m excited to be back in Baltimore. I’m looking forward to focusing on the incredible reproductive justice work happening here and reconnecting with the community that shaped me. Being home allows me to elevate the work we’re doing locally while bringing national perspectives to support Baltimore’s progress.
AFRO: How did you decide to make the move to JHSON?
DR: Some people have questioned why I’m moving from one large institution to
farmer sees connection to the earth and ancestral wisdom as a path to empowerment and dignity.
Vaunita Goodman, Inner Harbor
When Vaunita’s kidneys failed and she needed to spend 12 hours a day on home dialysis, she felt isolated and trapped. Life was about medical care, not living. Then she joined a sailing club and found belonging and adventure again. Now she runs Dialysis to the Docks helping other patients find joy and freedom on the water.
Kai Inman, East Baltimore
Like many girls, Kai felt uncomfortable in her body after experiencing her first period. She started The Hygiene Hookup to create a supportive community for open conversation about menstruation. She plans to launch a menstrual hygiene hub to make period products and information easily accessible for girls in East Baltimore.
Rena Jackson, Sandtown
Rena has long given back to the place where she grew up and raised her daughter, often feeding the homeless and working with seniors. Now, she fills the gap left when local grocery and clothing stores closed. As CEO of Sisters Caring and Sharing with Love, she makes sure seniors get the basics of life and support services.
Raquel Johnson, West Baltimore
A former parole and probation officer and a seasoned psychotherapist, Raquel founded Essential Wellness to offer holistic mental health services that could bridge the gap between officers and civilians. Therapy sessions, community engagement training, and meditation workshops foster healing, unity, and community for the city.
Police Department
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reduction in violent crime and rebuild trust with the communities we serve.”
According to KTVB7, a Boise affiliate for NBC that first reported on Lee, allegations against the former police chief included declining to put an officer on probation because of their personal relationship and interfering with an investigation of an officer who made conflicting statements about his involvement in a shooting. Multiple officers also alleged that Lee’s
“Law enforcement agencies’ reputations are built not only on the competence of their leadership but also on the trust they maintain with the communities they serve.”
another, but the answer is simple: I have big ideas. When I met with the dean and leadership team at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, they were open to these ideas, which made me excited about joining this space. Nurses play a huge role—they’re on the front lines with patients all day, addressing social determinants of health, pushing for better access to quality care and focusing on preventive care to keep people healthy from the start.
What Hopkins is doing now is building pathways for nurses to become policy changers, advocates and leaders in their own research. It aligns perfectly with my passion. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned about creating footprints in larger spaces and apply it here, helping to tell better stories about their research, patient care and the incredible work nurses do every day. Nurses understand the gaps in our systems and how to improve care better than anyone and I’m thrilled to help elevate their voices and contributions.
“I’m so excited to be back in Baltimore. I’m looking forward to focusing on the incredible reproductive justice work happening here and reconnecting with the community that shaped me.”
AFRO: What challenges are you anticipating in your new role? How do you plan on attacking them?
DR: I’m a feeling person, so I lead with my heart and head. I’m excited to join a dean who
Erin Lonon, Northeast Baltimore
As a teen, Erin suffered from anxiety, lacked self-confidence and felt alone. She started the nonprofit I Am a Child of God to help middle and high school students find community, confidence, and mental health. It offers Safe Haven Saturdays and retreats where teens can feel seen, heard and accepted.
Tracey Malone, Sandtown-Winchester
After losing her brother to gun violence, Tracey started helping others turn personal tragedy into community triumph. She led healing programs through dance, photography and family fun days. Now she is working to create safe, appealing places for neighbors to connect by reclaiming and beautifying three vacant lots as community spaces.
Grace Marshall and Naadiya Hutchinson of Waverly, Remington and beyond
The COVID-19 pandemic made longstanding issues of racial trauma, economic disparity and LGBTQ violence more pressing in the city. Naadiya and Grace became co-leaders of Free Baltimore Yoga and expanded it to support BIPOC and queer healing and empowerment. They offer consistent, trauma-informed yoga in many neighborhoods.
Jasmine Mayers, Park Heights
Jasmine founded the M.O.V.E. Collective to heal distrust between Black and indigenous communities and the people who serve them. Her team offers meditation, mental health resources, sound baths and gatherings for officers, community stakeholders and residents to meet each other as partners, rather than as adversaries.
Ebony McClenny, Central East Baltimore
McClenny founded Surviving Our Neighborhood (S.O.N.) after the loss of her son to gun violence just one day before
shares this balance, as I think it will make for a great team in driving change. The challenges ahead aren’t unique—uncertainty in our political landscape affects every industry. But one thing I bring from my nine years at Planned Parenthood is optimism. Fighting every day for access and equity taught me the importance of hope. Even in tough moments, we stayed focused on the people we served.
That’s the perspective I bring to Hopkins: centering people—students, staff, faculty and the broader community. By addressing their needs and creating innovative solutions, we can build healthier communities and–ultimately– a more equitable society. The road ahead might feel uncertain or heavy, but I believe in the power of collective effort. We’ve handled hard things before and while we shouldn’t have to carry everything, we can face these challenges together.
AFRO: What are some of your personal goals for this position?
DR: For me, the best gift is having healthy people around me. Leaving Planned Parenthood wasn’t easy, but the way I was celebrated as I left made me realize that I created a space where people felt safe and experienced more harmony in their lives. I believe in work-life harmony—not balance—where both aspects work together, especially in a place like Planned Parenthood, where one week might be heavy with media requests and the next could be quieter, offering time to recharge.
What truly fills me with joy is seeing people thrive, like when my students shared how much they loved the learning environment in my final class. Some even said they never wanted to learn before taking my class. My personal goal is to see people grow, become healthier and have a positive impact on their families. I’m also committed to helping my team grow and move on to better opportunities if they’ve outgrown their current roles. Watching people succeed in this way is the best gift I can receive.
his 18th birthday. S.O.N. is committed to addressing the needs of Baltimore families looking to identify resources for at-risk youth.
Nigeria Segure-Watson, East Baltimore and beyond
When Nigeria was in the 10th grade, mentors took her to other cities to meet experts in creative and tech fields. It opened her world and gave her confidence. She started the Girls Innovation Club to pay that forward, helping girls from underserved communities find peer support, mentors, and resources to overcome the barriers to STEAM careers.
Tia McDonald, Greater Mondawmin
Tia is a native of Mondawmin and no longer knew neighbors as new groups arrived and community gatherings disappeared. She became a Master Gardener and started growing in the Mondawmin Urban Green Space (MUGS). Now she meets and teaches neighbors to grow food and native flowers, while rebuilding the community garden.
Omar Tarabishi, Highlandtown and beyond
During a cross-country road trip, Omar visited popular restaurants he saw on social media… and was shocked to find that, at closing time, most threw their leftover food away. Back in Baltimore, he created Leftover Love, collecting food that would go to waste and spurring a community of support among businesses, nonprofits, and people.
Naijha Wright-Brown, Cherry Hill
Naijha has been building community around food for over 10 years. Along with running a vegan soul food restaurant with her husband, she holds a festival in Cherry Hill to teach kids to grow and cook cruelty-free food so they can support each other in finding ways to live more sustainably and ethically in the world.
behavior led to mental health breakdowns.
Boise Police Sgt. Kirk Rush sued the city of Boise in 2023, claiming that Lee caused significant damage to his neck during a training exercise. Rush alleged that Lee targeted him after disagreeing with his plans for the police department’s K-9 team, according to KTVB7. In October, the city settled the lawsuit, paying Rush $850,000 .
The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement
(NOBLE) told the AFRO it is crucial for Baltimore City officials, and those from other jurisdictions, to conduct comprehensive background checks as part of their due diligence in ensuring any appointed leader is fit to guide the department and serve the community effectively.
The organization said the complaints about Lee should be seriously considered.
“These types of issues can significantly impact the culture of any law enforce-
ment agency and its ability to function optimally,” said Jeffrey Glover, president of NOBLE. “It is vital that cities take these factors into consideration when appointing candidates for leadership roles, as effective leadership is key to the success of any police department.”
Glover said his organization trusts that BPD assessed any potential leadership challenges for Lee and that the department will be transparent when addressing any raised
concerns. “Law enforcement agencies’ reputations are built not only on the competence of their leadership but also on the trust they maintain with the communities they serve,” continued Glover. “It is in the best interest of the department and the city of Baltimore to appoint individuals capable of fostering a positive and productive work environment while upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability.”
Photo courtesy of Dana Robinson Dana Robinson
excited
structures that perpetuate injustice still today. It’s about building pathways to fairness and opportunity. Equity is not a trend—it is a necessity. Yet, in the face of divisive national rhetoric that vilifies equity and denies systemic racism, some are abandoning their commitments to this critical work. Such abandonment is not just cowardly –yes, I said it– but perpetuates the very injustices equity movements aim to dismantle.
Organizations that retreat from the word “equity” to appease those uncomfortable with addressing race and injustice are choosing to prioritize fragility over progress. History shows us that avoiding inequities only prolongs suffering and deepens divides. Now is the time for Baltimore’s organizations, community members, corporations and philanthropic leaders to recommit to the work, not shy away from it.
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, many organizations made performative gestures, declaring their commitment to equity. Statements were issued, social media posts went viral and promises of change were made. However, as the spotlight dimmed, so too did the enthusiasm of some efforts. Organizations that truly invested in equity before George Floyd’s death remain steadfast, recognizing that this work requires endurance. Meanwhile, those whose efforts were shallow have rolled back their commitments, exposing their lack of genuine intent. We see you.
Let me be clear: “equity” was never a buzzword and
it has always demanded accountability.
Organizations dismissing the term - a word that embodies inclusion and fairness - should reflect on the harm they are actively causing. By doing so, they undermine hard-won progress and signal that placating detractors matters more than real people.
Outside of the civil rights movement, history offers countless examples of the consequences of neglecting equity. Consider women’s suffrage efforts. Had equity been embraced earlier, millions of women could have shaped societies that excluded them. Similarly, think about the experiences of Jewish communities throughout history - facing exclusion, systemic discrimination, and violence. Had equity been a guiding moral principle, tragedies such as the exclusionary quotas in higher education and the refusal of refuge to Jewish immigrants during the Holocaust might have been averted, saving countless lives and fostering greater societal inclusion. The concept of equity addresses society’s harms and missteps by ensuring that resources, opportunities, and support are distributed in ways that rectify injustice. Why would anyone in good conscience be pushing to move away from that?
In Baltimore, the stakes are particularly high. The city’s racial wealth gap, health inequities and educational disparities are not abstract—they are ongoing lived realities. While our region is asset rich and progressing,
until everyone has access to the progress, we haven’t won. Dismissing the word equity and the work it represents is not just symbolic; it is a tangible threat to Black people.
The Baltimore region needs leaders who are brave enough to advocate for justice, even when it is unpopular. It requires organizations that will stand firm in their commitment to equity, recognizing that fairness benefits everyone. Communities must hold these leaders and organizations accountable, demanding bold and unapologetic reform. Challenging systemic racism, economic inequality, and social exclusion isn’t always a lot of fun. But, to abandon equity work is to abandon the people who need it most.
Baltimore’s future, and that of the nation, depends on our willingness to address longstanding disparities with courage and urgency. Now is the time to reject the rollback of progress and demand that organizations, corporations, and philanthropic entities remain committed. Equity is not a partisan issue; it is a moral imperative. It ensures everyone, regardless of race, gender, income, or ability, has the opportunity to succeed.
To those who remain steadfast in their commitment to equity – THANK YOU. Your work is invaluable, your courage inspiring. To those reconsidering their missions and statements, reconsidering their funding priorities, or reconsidering their investment in learning and growing - stop retreating and recognize the harm you are causing - aban-
Robyn Murphy (RM): If there’s one thing people know about me, it’s the level of love I have for Baltimore– my city. I have been fortunate enough to be a stakeholder and philanthropist as it pertains to arts and culture, and I firmly believe that what we are witnessing in Baltimore is a true renaissance. A society is not robust, full or complete without a vibrant and robust arts and culture landscape.
I have a lot of opinions, and I talk a lot about what should be done to build up the arts and culture landscape to match the energy of this renaissance that’s happening in Baltimore. I talk a good game, so when asked, I have to walk it like I talk it.
AFRO: Now that BOPA is no longer a quasi-government agency, what will its future look like?
RM: There is still a significant amount of engagement with Baltimore City. I was able to stand next to the mayor as he announced the festivals that will be happening in Baltimore in 2025. While BOPA will not be producing Artscape or directing the festival itself, it will have a strong and robust role related to the arts and propping and curating the artists for it. This is really important and what BOPA should be focused on in the first place.
In addition to that, I have also been working really closely with the mayor’s office on rebuilding the relationship with the city. Don’t count BOPA out yet as a city partner moving forward.
AFRO: What are your priorities for BOPA in the new year?
RM: There are a myriad of things that I am working on to set the organization up for success in 2025 and way beyond that, and a lot of that is restructuring and reorganizing. The organization has so much to give to artists and to the city, but the structure that it was existing under was not a sustainable structure.
doning equity is a betrayal of progress and perpetuates the very injustices you once vowed to address. To those who would erase equity from our vocabulary and work -
My biggest job is to reframe, reset, set it up for success and hand it off to a CEO that is not coming into an organization in flux.
AFRO: How do you intend to ensure BOPA can be a source of support for Baltimore’s Black artists and creatives?
RM: Arts equity is my thing. I have looked at the structure of organizations before that have institutionally marginalized people of color in representation, in grant-making and in organizations receiving a disproportionate amount of funding for the arts. Anybody that knows me knows that that will not happen with me. It’s paramount to me that the way arts show up in Baltimore is a reflection of everyone, from Park Heights to Roland Park.
history will remember where you stood.
If you’re counting, I’ve used the word equity 25 times throughout this piece–inclucing the headline– and I’ll
keep using it until we no longer need to explain its importance. Someone has to. Equity is the only path forward, and it’s time we all walk it together.
Photo courtesy of BOPA
Robyn Murphy, founder of JRM Consultancy, is the interim CEO and board chair for the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA). The organization, which has faced a slew of challenges as of late, appointed her to the post on Nov. 20.
Afro Charities team hosts annual Mrs. Santa toy giveaway
By AFRO Staff
Since its founding in the 1950s, the Mrs. Santa initiative has served thousands of Baltimore families, becoming a cherished holiday celebration. In the past, families sent letters to the AFRO office, requesting essential items like food, clothing and toys for their children. Today, the tradition is carried on by members of the Afro Charities team, which acts as the fiscal sponsor for the annual drive. Toys from this year’s drive were collected and donated with help from the Steppin’ Out Bunch, the Baltimore Silhouettes and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., who all came together to share the holiday cheer.
For the 2024 installment of the event, members of the Afro Charities partnered with Furman L. Templeton Preparatory Academy, led by Executive Director Rosalind Lockwood and Principal Ladaisha Ballard.
At the event, the social action committee of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.’s Pi Omega Chapter donated bicycles, which were delivered by Dwayne White. Toys were provided by Unlimited Potential, a nonprofit youth center organization founded by Haneef Hardy, and Class Act catered the event, providing eats for all those in attendance.
AFRO team members honor Denise Dorsey with retirement party for 48 years of service
By AFRO Staff
On Dec. 12, the AFRO held its annual staff Christmas party at Matthew’s 1600 in Catonsville, Md. The event is held in honor of all the hard work and dedication provided by staff each year, but this year was special, as the celebration was focused on longtime AFRO Production Manager Denise Dorsey.
Dorsey joined the AFRO 48 years ago when the publication was still using cold type to put the paper together. Today, she uses InDesign to dutifully lay out the pages of the AFRO American Newspapers each week. At the 2024 AFRO Christmas party she was able to fellowship not only with current staff, but AFRO employees from decades past, including Sean Yoes, former AFRO reporter and Baltimore editor, and Talibah Chikwendu, former AFRO executive editor.
Keeping the tradition, AFRO’s staff provided the entertainment for the gathering, complete with a fashion show, a line dance and a selection by the AFRO chorale, which performed a rendition of the song, “That’s What
Denia Payton enjoys the atmosphere during the Mrs. Santa toy giveaway, hosted this year at Furman L. Templeton Preparatory Academy.
Volunteers from Afro Charities join the Furman L. Templeton staff and the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.’s Pi Omega Chapter at the Mrs. Santa toy giveaway. Shown here, Randolph Scott Jr. (back, left); Bilphena Yahwan; Dwayne White; George Hendricks; Scott Hopewell; Ladaisha Ballard; Nii Sowah; Rosalind Lockwood; Jasmine Clarke and Imani Haynes; Afro Charities Executive Director Savannah Wood (front, left); Freddie Vaughn (front, center) and Deyane Moses, Afro Charities director of programs and partnerships.
DJ SoundsbySeven provides the tunes for the party.
Members of the Afro Charities staff serve lunch to families present for their toy drive.
Toys donated by Unlimited Potential, a non-profit organization with a focus on local youth, are put on display.
Freddi Vaughn (center), in the role of Mrs. Santa, poses with AFRO Director of Operations Andre Draper (left) and AFRO Publisher and CEO Frances ‘Toni’ Draper.
Jerard Thompson (left) and Grace Shipman prepare for participants at the gingerbread house station.
Savannah Wood, Afro Charities executive director, poses after a stop at the face painting station.
Na’laiya Banning enjoys her new toy, courtesy of Afro Charities’ Mrs. Santa program.
AFRO Photos/ Stephen Hopkins
The AFRO team of past and present comes together to honor AFRO Production Manager Denise Dorsey. Shown here, Andre Draper (left, back); Sammy Graham; Mitchell Bolling; Aja Perry; Megan Sayles; Craig Talley; Denise DeLeaver; Tashi McQueen; Diane Hocker; La’Tasha Owens; Ursula Battle; Chakya Brown; Wanda Pearson; Robert Blount; Takiea Hinton; Clarence Massey; Ama Brown; Lenora Howze; Ashleigh Fields; Rev. Dorothy Boulware (front left, standing; Alexis Taylor (front left, kneeling); Denise Dorsey; Dr. Frances ‘Toni’ Draper, and Deyane Moses (front right, kneeling), of Afro Charities. Mitchell Bolling, former AFRO production manager, shares a hearty hug with Denise Dorsey at her retirement party, celebrating 48 years of service to the publication.
Denise Dorsey arrives at the 2024 AFRO Christmas party, only to learn that it is really an early retirement party for her 48 years of service to the publication.
Denise Dorsey (left) shares a moment with AFRO Publisher Emeritus John Oliver and Ursula Battle, a former AFRO reporter.
Artist and former AFRO Advertising Manager Robert Blount presents Denise Dorsey with an original art piece inspired by their time working at the publication together.
Scott Hopewell (left), Dwayne White, Nii Sowah and George Hendricks are representatives of the Pi Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The organization delivered 20 bicycles to the 2024 Mrs. Santa toy drive.
Friends are For,” with lyrics adjusted in tribute to Dorsey. The fashion show included classic Christmas-themed outfits and the dance team inspired attendees to join a line dance to Christmas classic. The newest group of contributors, the visual arts group, offered a miniature Winter Wonderland, created by AFRO Editorial Assistant Ama Brown Parson and holiday cards from Deyane Moses, director of programs and partnerships for the Afro Charities team.
The celebration proved to be both joyous and sad as many past employees joined in the farewell to Denise Dorsey.
AFRO Photos/ Stephen Hopkins