B4 The Afro-American December 23, 2023 - December 29, 2023
Afro Charities continues tradition of Mrs. Santa Toy Giveaway By AFRO Staff
n Dec. 16 Afro Charities, the sister company of the AFRO O American Newspapers, hosted their annual toy giveaway on North Howard street at Nomu Nomu. Leading up to the event,
organizations like the Baltimore Silhouettes and the Steppin’ Out Bunch held toy drives to make sure the giveaway continued with another successful year. From bikes and board games to dolls, legos and Playdoh, children across the Baltimore area will have presents under the Christmas tree on Christmas Day, thanks to the dedication of all who donated.
Mrs. Santa’s elf helpers make the event a success: Lexie Boone (front, left); Amelia Campbell; AFRO Director of Community Relations Diane Hocker and Afro Charities Curator Deyane Moses. Back row: Jasmine Clarke (left); Oyinda Omoloja; Freddi Vaughn; Bacarri Byrd and Savannah Wood.
Diane Hocker, AFRO’s director of community and public relations, serves as the current Mrs. Santa.
Deyane Moses, curator of the AFRO Archives, takes a break from her duties as one of Mrs. Santa’s helpers.
Afro Charities Executive Director Savannah Wood helps the Mrs. Santa Toy Giveaway continue in 2023.
Zyair Byrd (left), Jahreese Byrd and Jamal Byrd Jr., one of the many happy families from the 2023 toy giveaway.
Queen HD the DJ sets the mood with classic Christmas tunes. Elf helper Freddi Vaughn assists children in selecting toys.
Jamila Monroe (left), with daughters Zaire Monroe and Kassidy Miller, show off brand new bikes and toys at the annual Mrs. Santa Toy Giveaway.
Cortney (left) and Cortlynn Jones make their toy selection at the annual Mrs. Santa Toy Giveaway.
Raegan Witt, Journey Byers, Kaiden Byers and Wynisha Witt, one of many happy families who attended the annual Mrs. Santa Toy Giveaway.
AFRO Photos/A.J. Johnson
Chase Cartmen (left), Lashae Cartmen, Mariah Cartmen and Eli Cartmen show off bicycles and toy selections from the giveaway, held Dec. 16 inside of Nomu Nomu, located at 709 N. Howard St.
Jaela Morris (left), Charity Fisher, Kia Randolph, Harmon and Logan Thompson enjoy the festivities ahead of Christmas Day.
Brand new bikes await a worthy owner at the 2023 Mrs. Santa Toy Giveaway.
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D4 The Afro-American December 23, 2023 - December 29, 2023
Virginia Ali, co- founder
of Ben’s Chili Bowl, turns 90 years old By Ashleigh Fields AFRO Assistant Editor Afields@afro.com
Virginia Ali, co-founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl, celebrated 90 years of life next to family and friends at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 14. The historic venue is just a few doors down from the famous restaurant Ali founded with her husband, Ben, in 1958. The establishment provided much more than just food– it became a place of comfort for civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and more recently, former President Barack Obama. Sheila Johnson, Donnie Simpson and Mayor Muriel Bowser were in attendance at the event, giving Ali her flowers and congratulating her on over 65 years of service to the D.C. community.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks on the impact of Ben’s Chili Bowl over the course of six decades.
Former radio DJ Donnie Simpson, of WPGC-FM, thanks Virginia Ali for her dedication to uplifting the local community.
Attendees enjoy a three tier cake for Virginia Ali’s 90th birthday.
Virginia Ali currently manages five Ben’s Chili Bowl locations with the help of her children.
Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET, honors Virginia Ali for her entrepreneurial spirit. Photos courtesy of Darrell Stoney Jr. Virginia Ali reflects on the love shared for the community staple she opened at a mere 24 years old.
Virginia Ali stands with family, friends and patrons of Ben’s Chili Bowl.
To purchase this digital photo page or photos contact editor@afro.com