REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD
A look at policing under a new administration
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
In the five years after the fatal police encounter in Minneapolis that killed George Floyd, there has been a major shift in conversations related to law enforcement in the U.S.
“Policing continues to go through pendulum swings,” said Andre McGregor, CEO and co-founder of Force Metrics. “2020 was a time when the community wanted to have better transparency and understanding of how policing is happening in their communities. I think the pendulum had swung in a way that increased victimization.”
Calls to defund the police increased after the killing of George Floyd and roughly a dozen cities, including Austin, Texas and Los Angeles, pledged to decrease police funding and reinvest the money
“Policing continues to go through pendulum swings.”
into community services such as violence prevention. However, in several cities, these efforts were later reduced or reversed.
According to the Brennan Center for Justice, a non-partisan policy institute, in the year after the death of Floyd, over 20 states including Maryland, passed legislation that addressed use of force, the duty for officers to intervene in instances of police misconduct, reporting requirements or officer decertification.
But now, in 2025, there may be a reversal of much of the progress made.
With the 47th president in office, members of the new administration have moved to roll back consent
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decrees and further empower and protect local law enforcement throughout the country. Experts say the future of policing could dramatically shift.
“I believe that the administration plays a large role in determining the temperature, essentially, of the environment in which law enforcement performs their duties,” said Jeff Wenniger, founder and CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants. “Under the prior administration, the focus was on de-escalation, accountability and transparency.”
Wenninger said, under the new administration, he’s seeing a shift to the hyper vigilant emphasis on law and order, a focus on the militarization of law enforcement
and the president shifting away from federal oversight of local law enforcement agencies, which include consent decrees.
“That’s concerning to me, because I worked 33 years in law enforcement, primarily with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and I was there when we were under our own consent decree,” said Wenninger. “It took us 10 years to get out from under it. The LAPD needed a consent decree, and it implemented the management best practices to ensure that the department was policing in a constitutional manner.”
According to the Brennan Center for Justice, while Black Americans only make up 13 percent of the country, they experience 21 percent of police encounters and are around three times more likely to be killed by law enforcement than White Americans.
Justice Department moves to cancel police reform settlements reached with Minneapolis and Louisville
By Steve Karnowski
The Justice Department moved May 21 to cancel settlements with Minneapolis and Louisville that called for an overhaul of their police departments following the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor that became the catalyst for nationwide racial injustice protests in the summer of 2020.
Following a scathing report by the Justice Department in 2023, Minneapolis in January approved a consent decree with the federal government in the final days of the Biden administration to overhaul its training and use-of-force policies under court supervision.
The agreement required approval from a federal court in Minnesota. But the Trump administration was granted a delay soon after taking office while it considered its options, and on May 21 told the court it does not intend to proceed. It planned to file a similar motion in federal court in Kentucky.
“After an extensive review by current Department of Justice and Civil Rights Division leadership, the United States no longer believes that the proposed consent decree would be in the public interest,” said the Minnesota motion, signed by Andrew Darlington, acting chief of the special litigation section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The United States will no longer prosecute this matter.”
The Justice Department announced its decision just before the five-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd.
Then-officer Derek Chauvin used his knee on May 25, 2020, to pin the Black man to the pavement for 9 1/2 minutes
in a case that sparked protests around the world and a national reckoning with racism and police brutality.
However, no immediate changes are expected to affect the Minneapolis Police Department, which is operating under a similar consent decree with the Minnesota Human Rights Department.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reiterated at a news conference Tuesday that his department would abide by the terms of the federal agreement as it was signed, regardless of what the Trump administration decided.
The city in 2023 reached a settlement agreement with the state Human Rights Department to remake policing, under
court supervision, after the agency issued a blistering report in 2022 that found that police had long engaged in a pattern of racial discrimination.
Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said the state court decree “isn’t going anywhere.”
“Under the state agreement, the City and MPD must make transformational changes to address race-based policing,” Lucero said in a statement. “The tremendous amount of work that lies ahead for the City, including MPD, cannot be understated. And our Department will be here every step of the way.”
This article was originally published by The Associated Press.
Courtesy photo Andre McGregor is CEO and co-founder of Force Metrics, a public safety tech company that works with local law enforcement throughout the country.
AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File
Damarra Atkins honors George Floyd at a mural in Minneapolis on April 23, 2021.
AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Federal officials are reversing course on police reform agreements in Minneapolis and Louisville, prompting uncertainty around accountability efforts that followed the 2020 racial justice protests sparked by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
FIVE YEARS AFTER GEORGE FLOYD:
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD
‘Black America’s Attorney General’ talks civil rights fight
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO
Few attorneys are as closely tied to America’s civil rights struggles as Benjamin Crump. Known for representing families in high-profile wrongful death cases, Crump has become a leading legal voice in the fight against police brutality and racial injustice.
His clients have included the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, and others whose deaths sparked national and global protests. Crump has also fought for those impacted by the Flint water crisis and the estates of Henrietta Lacks and Malcolm X—cementing his status as one of the most influential attorneys of his time.
In 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic spread around the world, he waged war in American courtrooms over the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
Arbery was shot down by two White men while running in a predominantly White neighborhood in February 2020. The next month, Taylor, 26, was wrongfully shot and killed on March 13, 2020, just days before the country shut down to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Taylor was shot to death during the execution of a “no-knock” warrant at her home in Louisville, Ky. And then an officer kneeled on the neck of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, for more than nine minutes.
Crump and his team secured a $12M settlement for Taylor’s family in September 2020. This historic settlement, one of the largest payouts for a Black woman killed by police in the U.S., was accompanied by tangible policy changes in the city of Louisville. “No-knock” search warrants are now banned in Louisville under legislation called “Breonna’s Law.”
In March 2021, the city of Minneapolis awarded a $27M settlement to the Floyd family. And in August 2022 three men were convicted by a federal judge for racially motivated crimes in the death of Arbery.
should, instead, celebrate the struggle because as Frederick Douglass said, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
AFRO: What is the status on laws or policies routinely employed by law enforcement like knee on the neck, neck restrain chokeholds, and no-knock warrants, or even stand your ground laws which generally allow individuals to use deadly force in self-defense without a duty to retreat, even if they could safely withdraw from a situation?
BC: So many of these laws seem to be biased in their application. As my personal hero, Justice Thurgood Marshall advised, we must fight all of them.
It’s not a fair fight because we must fight all of them at once. Today, with the progress we’ve made in civil rights being rolled back, we must speak truth to power. Just as some are unapologetic in espousing White supremacy beliefs and acting on them, we must be equally unapologetic in our defense of Black life, liberty and humanity. And while we have made progress since the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, and achieved historic justice in those cases, we should understand that racism is a shift-changing, ever-present cancer. We must always be prepared for it to raise its ugly head in new ways.
AFRO: Many African Americans admit that they’re afraid of local police and fear that they will not be treated fairly. How do you assess the relationship between Black people and law enforcement across America? Is race still a factor?
education or experience Black people bring to the table, we didn’t get there because of merit but by a quota. The reality remains, if you look at the credentials of many of the top people within the Trump Administration, none of them have the merit that makes them qualified for the positions they now hold – and that’s from the top down.
AFRO: You have achieved phenomenal success in several high-profile cases in your career. What have you learned and what has surprised you the most?
BC: The biggest thing I’ve learned is that with each success come greater challenges. Those who are enemies of equality become even more intentional in making it more difficult for us to knock down those walls that keep Black people from realizing America’s promise of us having an equal opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They don’t want the victories that I have achieved – landmark victories in American jurisprudence – to be able to inspire the next generation of civil rights lawyers and leaders.
AFRO: Some people refer to you as “Black America’s Attorney General.” How do you feel about that title given the work you do as an advocate for social justice?
BC: First, I am humbled that the Reverend Al Sharpton and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and others, gave me that title. I always feel a sense of obligation when I hear people refer to me in that way and it makes me go out and fight even harder against the intellectual justification of discrimination.
Ahead of the fifth anniversary of the deaths of Arbery, Taylor and Floyd, the AFRO spoke with Crump about his work and what still needs to be done to effect change.
AFRO: As we mark five years since the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, what lessons do you believe are most important for African Americans to carry forward?
Ben Crump: We can never be complacent. Justice is not a destination – it’s a perpetual journey. The struggle is real, and we cannot become depressed because of the struggle. We
BC: Race is absolutely still a factor, particularly given what’s been happening within the federal government under the Trump Administration. Americans have grown more overt in making statements that proclaim their belief that Black and Brown people are inferior to Whites. Consider the ongoing attack on DEI which they have made a bad word. Nothing could be more noble than stepping in and supporting DEI initiatives. It’s clear that they’re coming for us and that they believe that no matter how much
One thing I realized during my recent travels to Africa is that when we allow 1619 to be a benchmark, that’s America’s attempt to define and to predict what Black history is. But our history did not start with, nor will it end with slavery. Africa has over 10,000 years of documented history. Our history is far greater than America’s 400 years of history which they try to project on us. From Shaka Zulu to the Moors, Africans ruled Europe for centuries. That’s our history.
Keith Ellison reflects on the fight for accountability
George Floyd woke up on May 25, 2020 with no inkling it would be the last day of his life.
Though thousands were dying nationwide on a daily basis in the COVID-19 pandemic, the 46-year-old African-American’s life was taken – not from a virus– but a different type of threat: an interaction with violent, careless members of the Minneapolis Police Department.
After being arrested for allegedly making a purchase with a counterfeit $20 bill, a White officer named Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes.
Floyd was handcuffed, lying face-down on a Minnesota street.
Two other police officers assisted Chauvin in restraining Floyd, while a fourth police officer prevented bystanders from intervening.
In the end, officials would determine his death to be a homicide. Protests took place across the nation. Riots broke out in Minneapolis. And across the country businesses and wealthy philanthropists began to make large donations to fund initiatives and projects in Floyd’s name, promising to give back to
Black communities facing both coronavirus and racial injustice.
On March 12, 2021, Minneapolis agreed to pay $27 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Floyd’s family. And Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison led a team of lawyers, that included both colleagues and members of his staff, in successfully convincing a jury that Chauvin and his three colleagues were guilty as charged. Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison.
Ellison, 61, is the first African American and the first Muslim American to be elected to statewide office in Minnesota. He has served as the State’s 30th attorney general since being sworn in on January 7, 2019. Now, as the nation marks the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, Ellison speaks to the case, describes the man at the center of a global call to action and considers the road ahead in securing laws and policies that might beat back the prevalence of police brutality and racism, while also bolster police accountability.
AFRO: In your role as attorney general of Minnesota, you’ve had conversations with the family of George Perry Floyd Jr. What kind of man
was he and what were some of his dreams that he was unable to achieve because of his untimely death?
Keith Ellison: George Floyd was an interesting guy who began life in a typical African American way. He was born in Fayetteville, N.C., and while his parents were not married, he grew up surrounded by those who loved him.
His mother, as a single parent, worked hard to care for him and his brothers, and then moved from a segregated community in North Carolina to one in Houston, Texas, Cuney Homes. As a public housing complex, it remains one of the city’s oldest
low-income communities. That’s where he spent his formative years. In 2014, he moved to the Minneapolis area. He was a big guy– six feet, four inches and 220 pounds. He was tall, agile and a good athlete. But no one has ever described him as being a “tough guy.” I received a letter from his second-grade teacher who shared that in one assignment, he said he wanted to become a judge like Thurgood Marshall. Unfortunately, as he moved to high school and then to junior college, his grades suffered, and he eventually dropped out of school.
At some point, around the age of 19 or 20, he was confronted with what it means to be a young, Black man in America with few options. He tried his hand as a rap artist, but that apparently didn’t pan out. He had several brushes with the law but in at least one situation, a police officer who arrested him in an alleged set up, was later convicted for having committed several illegal actions and sentenced to multiple years in prison. George faced an unforgiving world, and we know him not because he was an angel, but because he became a martyr.
AFRO: In several accounts, you refer to Chauvin, the officer convicted for the murder of Floyd, as “small.” Why do you mention his stature?
KE: When I first saw Chauvin in the courtroom, I remember expecting to see a huge man. After all, someone who had done something so horrific, something so wicked to another human being, had to be a big man. I just assumed that the size of the wickedness would match the size of the man. Chauvin seemed so plain and ordinary that it was initially hard for me to imagine him being such a callous man capable of murder.
AFRO: How were you able to secure the rare conviction of a police officer for an on-duty death?
KE: As the prosecuting team, one of the main things we did was center on the people who had been on the scene when George was detained and physically restrained. Some people were already there as things unfolded while others joined the crowd out of curiosity. We focused on the words and actions
of people who were there yelling and trying to save George’s life. Darnella Frazier, 17, who recorded his murder and posted her video on social media, was there with her cousin, Judea, who was just nine. Genevieve Hansen, an off-duty Minneapolis firefighter and EMT would be a key witness at the trial. Charles McMillian, another bystander around 61 years old, tried to use psychology to persuade the police officers to ease up on George and just put him in the police car. Donald Williams II, also testified for the prosecution and witnessed what happened. When I watched the video of the trial later, I realized that Donald and my kids had been on the same wrestling team when they were children. It was a diverse, eclectic group of people, various ages and different races who all asked the police to treat George Floyd with respect.
AFRO: In previous interviews with other members of the press, you’ve said that despite the successful conviction achieved in the Chauvin case, you believe that wider police reform is necessary. You have also been critical of efforts for such reform having stalled in Congress. Can you say more?
KE: One thing that has not happened is Congress passing the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act. In addition, officer-involved deaths with civilians have increased over the past year. I applaud the efforts of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass who got the Act through the House of Representatives. However, in the Senate, Corey Booker worked with Tim
but they
Courtesy of Southern University Law School
Attorney Ben Crump is a leader when it comes to fighting for racial justice in America. He has represented the families of Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and unfortunately, many more.
Scott,
just could not secure the needed Republican votes.
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO
Photo courtesy Keith Ellison
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is the first African American and first Muslim American elected to statewide office in Minnesota. He successfully led a team of attorneys in the rare conviction of an on-duty police officer, Derek Chauvin – the man responsible for the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD
Remembering Ahmaud Arbery: A life cut short, a legacy that lives on
By D. Kevin McNeir
By her own admission, Wanda Cooper-Jones never imagined that one day their lives of her and her three children would be upended and painfully transformed due to hate and racism. But that’s exactly what happened to the Georgia native when her youngest child, Ahmaud Arbery, was murdered during a racially motivated hate crime on February 23, 2020.
While jogging in Satilla Shores, a community not far from Brunswick, Ga. in Glynn County, Arbery was approached by three White men who later told police they assumed he was a burglar. Then, in a situation hauntingly similar to one which resulted in the murder of Trayvon Martin, the three men pursued the 25-yearold Black man in their trucks, blocked his path when he attempted to flee, and stopped him with their weapons drawn.
Following a physical altercation, Arbery was fatally shot – his murder captured on cell phone by one of the assailants.
For months, calls for justice fell on deaf ears. It wasn’t until the murder of George Floyd that social media users began to rapidly spread word of another brutal death- that of a Black man, shot down during a jog through a predominantly White neighborhood.
As public pressure grew, the men were eventually arrested and charged with a variety of crimes- including a racially motivated hate crime.
All three were convicted. Cooper-Jones said since that day, during particularly rough moments, she reminisces about the kinds of antics her son Ahmaud often pulled on her – how
he was a master at making her smile.
“Ahmaud was a jokester, and he would make silly comments or do silly things just to get a reaction out of me. He was a goofy child,” she said, adding that —had he lived— he would have turned 31 years old on May 8.
“Ahmaud’s birthday fell on Mother’s Day in 1994 which I especially liked but which he did not,” she said. “We had a family tradition of spending the day at Grandma’s house, but he wanted to celebrate his birthday at home. We’d laugh about it each year, and eventually he got used to it – even if he didn’t fully accept it.”
C onfronting i njusti C e , D eman D ing C hange CHANGING THE STORY:
Ahmaud’s mother said that after her son’s death, and with each passing year, she thought things would become easier –that she’d handle things better. But it hasn’t. Still, she’s slowly finding ways to cope.
“With Ahmaud being my youngest child, one might think losing him the way I did would be even harder to handle,” Cooper-Jones said. “But the pain I feel would be the same no matter which of my children may have been killed. However, because he never married and never had any children – because his life was just beginning – the pain is even greater when I realize that he’s gone.”
Black men speak on redefining their narrative
By Andrea Stevens
AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com
Being a Black man in America comes with clear trials and daily challenges—many of which go unspoken. The fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s death provides a moment to center the voices of Black men and their lived experiences.
This week, Black men spoke to the AFRO about the weight of racial perception, the importance of community and the urgent need for change.
“Black men get treated differently no matter the profession—even if you’re a world medalist or in the military– you’re still seen as a problem,” said Matthew Stuart, a father and military veteran.
Greene, a young man raised with an acute awareness of America’s racial dynamics, said his perspective was shaped early by these hard truths.
“I was taught the hardships of being a Black man in America before I ever saw the positives,” said Greene. “So I tend to see the world through a negative lens first.”
For both men, navigating a society filled with assumptions means constantly staying alert. Stuart shared the difficulty of having to teach that vigilance to his children.
“The biggest challenge for me right now is explaining to my child how the real world works—and preparing them for the things I know they’ll face,” he said.
The emotional pressure to appear invulnerable weighs heavily on many Black men. Greene spoke on the expectations placed upon them to
carry that weight without faltering.
“Black men are expected to be tougher than the average person,” Greene said. “When we can’t live up to those expectations, we’re looked down upon.”
He added that he initially distanced himself from the very support system he needed most.
“Growing up, I pushed my community away because I thought I had to figure it all out myself. I didn’t know the power of mentorship and support.”
Both Stuart and Greene agree that media portrayal plays a central role in reinforcing negative stereotypes.
“You’ll see negative portrayals of Black men long before you see the good—and even the positive stories often come from pain,” Greene said.
Stuart expanded on that point, citing how the culture around entertainment and poverty reinforces harmful narratives.
“They push the narrative through the music industry and poverty,” Stuart said. “It makes us an easy target.”
Despite this, Stuart credits the strength and example of Black male mentors in shaping his identity and offering a blueprint for growth.
“Men need other men to thrive,” Stuart said.
“I was raised by strong Black men—military men—and each one can lead the next. That’s how we build stronger communities.”
He also noted how assumptions about Black men cloud even basic human interaction.
“People see Black men and automatically think we’re aggressive or violent,” Stuart said.
“Instead of taking time to understand who we are, they judge us based on stereotypes.”
In the past five years, Arbery’s family members have pressed on.
“My family is doing much better these days and when people ask me, I tend to say, I’m doing fine. But there are moments when the five years seem more like it happened yesterday. Prayer and meditation have helped a lot, my relationship with God has become even stronger since Ahmaud’s death and I’ve been further strengthened because there are so many people who I know are praying for me and my family.”
In 2021, Cooper-Jones established the Ahmaud Arbery Foundation Scholarship which benefits African-American male students who currently attend her son’s alma mater, Brunswick High School. Since his death, she has remained committed to securing a positive narrative about his life and leaving a legacy so that his spirit will live on.
“I formed the foundation in my son’s name to give young men who look like Ahmaud academic scholarships and other means of support that will help them achieve their dreams of going to college,” she said. “The young men who enter our program may start out as strangers but by the time they graduate and leave our program, they’ve become as close as brothers.”
Cooper-Jones said one thing she did not anticipate was being invited to join a community, a sisterhood of other Black women – mothers who, like her, carry the unescapable burden of having lost a child because of racism and hate crimes.
“Over the past several years, I have attended an annual weekend conference in Miami,
sponsored by Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin and it’s really been helpful,” she said. “We encourage one another, share suggestions and advice, swap stories and above all, just try to have a good time together. People may think they understand how we feel, but if you haven’t lost a child like we have, you can’t imagine the hurt, the pain, and the emptiness with which we struggle.”
One day she hopes to turn the page and release the anger that bubbles up when she thinks about what her son faced as he took his last breath.
“I just have not gotten there yet – I haven’t reached the
Though their stories are personal, their hopes are shared. Both men see a path forward rooted in self-awareness, mindset and community healing.
“Mindset is everything,” said Stuart. “Once you elevate your thinking beyond your circumstances, you can change your life—and help
point where I can forgive the men who murdered Ahmaud,” she said. “To be honest, I’m not sure if I will ever truly be able to forgive them for taking my son, my youngest child, away from me.”
In honor of what what would have been Ahmaud’s 31st birthday, Cooper-Jones and the Foundation recently launched the “31 for 31 Mental Health Awareness Initiative” – a campaign which invites supporters to stand with her in efforts to build stronger minds and healthier hearts and to invest in what she believes matters most: improving the mental well-being of our youth.
build a stronger community.” Greene echoed that sentiment with a call to self-reflection and growth.
“As Black men, we’re always trying to dodge hate and negativity first,” Greene said. “But if we shift our mindset, we can start seeing the world—and ourselves—differently.”
Special to the AFRO
Photos courtesy of Wanda Cooper-Jones
Friends and family of Ahmaud Arbery still mourn his death at the hands of three White men in February 2020.
Photos courtesy of Wanda Cooper-Jones Wanda Cooper-Jones shares a tender moment with her son Ahmaud Arbery, the youngest of her three children, in one of her favorite photos taken during his formative years.
Courtesy photo/ Koby Greene Koby Greene is a young professional navigating life as a Black man in America.
Courtesy photo/ Matthew Stuart Matthew Stuart is a father and military veteran.
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD
Post-Floyd, Americans are more pessimistic about racial equality
By Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier Word In Black
In the months after George Floyd’s murder, as protests swept the globe and books on racism and White privilege flew from bookstore shelves, hope grew that America might finally confront its original sin. Corporate America pumped billions of dollars into racial justice initiatives, while lawmakers debated police reform at both the state and federal levels.
Five years later, a new Pew Research Center survey of how Americans view race, racial inequality, and policing confirms what Black Americans have long known: The so-called racial reckoning was an illusion, and White people think the country focuses too much on race. Black people, meanwhile, see true racial equality as further away than ever.
Pew found that 72 percent of Americans “say the increased focus on race and racial inequality after Floyd’s killing did not lead to changes that improved the lives of Black people.” In 2020, 67 percent supported Black Lives Matter; today, just 52 percent do. In 2020, around half believed the nation hadn’t done enough to achieve racial equality, but now only 43 percent hold that view.
Most sobering is the collapse of faith among those still working toward racial justice and progress: just 51 percent of survey respondents believe Black folks will gain equal rights someday, down from 60 percent in September 2020.
There’s a stark racial divide behind that data point. Pew found that only 32 percent of Black Americans believe Black people will have equal rights, yet 61 percent of Whites, 59 percent of Asians, and 49 percent of Hispanic people still believe equality is possible.
In other words, “Two-thirds of Black adults who think the country hasn’t made enough progress on racial equality say that eventual equality with White people is not too or not at all likely,” according to Pew.
Support for Black Lives Matter
The phrase “Black Lives Matter” dominated social media in the summer of 2020, and at the time, nearly 7 in 10 Americans supported
the movement. Pew’s latest survey, however, found that barely half of Americans currently support it, and the phrase no longer dominates the national conversation on social platforms.
The fading belief that Black lives still matter is familiar to African Americans. Pew found that almost 70 percent of Black adults said the country pays too little attention to racial issues, compared to just 26 percent of White adults. Overall, 41 percent of Americans surveyed believe race and racial issues get too much attention, but the racial divide is evident: around half of White respondents believe this, but only 14 percent of Black adults do.
The partisan divide on the issue is just as stark.
Two-thirds of Republicans (66 percent), who tend to be White, said there’s too much attention paid to racial issues, while
only 17 percent of Democrats agreed. On the flipside, 56 percent of Democrats said there’s too little attention paid to race in America, but just 12 percent of Republicans believe that to be the case.
As for the effectiveness of the Black Lives Matter movement, Pew found that fewer than half of Black adults said it “has been extremely or very effective at bringing attention to racism against Black people.” Only 27 percent of White adults agreed.
Pew also asked Americans how they view the relationship between police and Black Americans. According to the survey results, 54 percent of Americans say relations between police and Black communities are no better than before Floyd’s murder, while 33 percent say things are worse. Only 11 percent believe things have improved.
Will the U.S. president help or hurt racial progress?
Pew asked Americans how they felt President Donald Trump would handle issues related to race during his second term as president. Nearly half of all Americans (48 percent) believe Trump will make racial issues worse — a view held by 8 in 10 Democrats but just 14 percent of Republicans. Meanwhile, 53 percent of Republicans expect him to improve racial equity, compared to only 5 percent of Democrats.
Republicans are also more likely than Democrats to say they frequently feel “uninterested” when they think about race in the U.S. Meanwhile, only 5 percent of Democrats feel “satisfied” when they think about race.
This article was originally published by Word In Black.
From Minneapolis to Lagos: The global call for justice
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
The death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 did more than spark outrage in Minneapolis, Minn. It sent a shockwave through the U.S. that then reverberated across the globe.
Top African officials and organizations, such as the African Union, responded to Floyd’s death, calling for justice and standing in solidarity with Black Americans who are overwhelmingly impacted by police use of force.
According to the Prison Policy Initiative, a non-profit organization that works to end mass incarceration and create a just society, law enforcement disproportionately uses force or threatens individuals of communities of color during police encounters.
From 2019 to 2020, over 4,000 individuals per 100,000 Black Americans reported experiencing nonfatal use of force and threats during police encounters, compared to 1,527 people per 100,000 White persons.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairperson of the African Union Commission at the time of Floyd’s death, strongly condemned the murder. He urged “authorities in the United States of America to intensify their efforts to ensure the total elimination of all forms of discrimination based on race or ethnic origin,” in a statement issued the month the killing took place.
Mgeoji “Yugoszn” Geoffrey, a Nigerian musical artist, reflected on how he and other Africans viewed Floyd’s death and the subsequent protests.
“From our perspective, it wasn’t even about racism–it was about police brutality,” said Geoffrey, 20.
Geoffrey explained that Nigeria has similar issues with police brutality and the abuse of power. He said in Nigeria, police officials, when they get into the position, feel like they can do anything without real repercussions.
Geoffrey shared a story about a time he had a
terrifying encounter with Nigerian police. In September 2024, he was traveling in Lagos, Nigeria, from the island to the mainland to shoot a video for his song “Heartbreak Hotel.” He and a friend were stopped by police.
“We were in a cab,” said Geoffrey. “They said it was a stop-and-search. Everything was going fine until the part where they demanded that they search our phones, which was absurd.”
Geoffrey said his phone happened to be dead, so they could not search it, but his friend had his phone but refused to give it to the officer,
In this June 3, 2020 file photo a Maasai man, who said he had seen videos on Facebook about protests in the U.S. over the death of George Floyd, performs a Maasai jumping dance, known as “Adumu” in Nairobi, Kenya. The dance is meant to display strength and unity. After George Floyd’s death in the United States, his face was painted on walls from Nairobi to Idlib, Syria, some with the Swahili word “Haki” meaning “justice.”
“From our perspective, it wasn’t even about racism–it was about police brutality.”
at which point the situation got tense.
“One of the police officers pointed his fully loaded AK47 at my friend, saying that if he doesn’t comply, he’s going to shoot,” said Geoffrey. “I had to use my friend’s phone to call someone I know who’s in the military to neutralize the situation. If I didn’t know
that person in the military, it would have probably turned out a different way.”
Geoffrey believes a major factor in continued police brutality throughout the world is the lack of proper repercussions for police wrongdoing.
“Police officers barely get punished for certain crimes,” said Geoffrey. “They do stuff
they can get away with.”
Geoffrey believes justice in regards to police brutality looks like truly no one being above the law.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, even if you work in the justice system, you should have to adhere to the rules,” said Geoffrey.
Geoffrey shared that he puts his hope in God through all of the police brutality issues.
“People are unpredictable,” said Geoffrey. “One day, you see a police officer helping an old woman cross the coastal road, or doing justice, and then the next day it’s the other way around.”
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
The gap in perception is wide: while a majority of White Americans still believe racial equality is achievable, most Black Americans say they don’t think they’ll ever have equal rights in this country.
Courtesy photo
“Yugoszn” Geoffrey, 20, is a Nigerian musical artist.
AP Photo/Brian Inganga, File
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD
C onfronting i njusti C e , D eman D ing C hange THE TRUE COST OF POLICE VIOLENCE:
Trauma, trust and taxpayer burdens
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com
Police brutality has left deep wounds across the country— not just in the lives lost, but in the communities and families who have been shattered. The cost is not only a human one.
Each year, cities across the U.S. draw from public funds to settle police misconduct cases, placing financial responsibility on taxpayers.
“Police violence takes lives, inflicts lasting trauma and erodes trust between communities and law enforcement,” said Kelly Davis, managing director of advocacy and organizing at Campaign Zero. “Cities spend billions on legal settlements and on misconduct payouts over time— money that could instead fund schools, housing, mental health care and violence prevention.”
Established in 2015, Campaign Zero tracks police violence nationwide and develops evidence-based solutions to reduce harm by law enforcement. Its latest “Mapping Police Violence” analysis found that police violence reached its highest
level on record last year.
In 2024, 1,365 people died at the hands of law enforcement, and Black people were 2.9 times more likely than their White counterparts to be the victims.
Davis noted that one of the most overlooked impacts of police violence is lingering emotional trauma that invades other aspects of individuals’ lives.
“This trauma can fundamentally alter how victims interact with family and peers, changing relationship dynamics that have become infused with fear and anger,” said Davis. “Without adequate trauma response tools or accessible mental health services in our communities, these emotions can compound harm to victims and others.”
Police violence is personal for Davis. Her husband, Keith Davis Jr., was shot by Baltimore officers in 2015 following a foot chase and later charged with a murder he said he didn’t commit. Davis Jr. was tried four times, spending over seven years behind bars.
In 2023, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates dismissed all charges against him amid mounting concerns over police and
“Police violence takes lives, inflicts lasting trauma and erodes trust between communities and law enforcement.”
prosecutorial misconduct.
York and Chicago are among the cities with the largest payouts for police misconduct.
From 2010 to 2019, New York City spent $945.2 million on police misconduct claims and settlements. The city of Chicago paid $295 million between 2010 and 2018.
approach aims to shift some of the financial burden away from taxpayers and onto officers themselves. Still, no such laws have been enacted.
As the repercussions of police violence pervade through neighborhoods, the damage extends beyond mental health. It can disrupt housing, schools and local businesses.
“As someone whose husband was shot by Baltimore City police and falsely charged, these incidents force entire families into states of hypervigilance and fear,” said Davis. “The mental health toll manifests into anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms that can ripple through families and communities without adequate support or resources for healing.”
“We see housing instability occur as victims face legal battles and lost income for hospital stays and medical bills that can financially ruin them. This can lead to evictions, which contributes to neighborhood decline and business disinvestment— especially in over-policed neighborhoods,” said Davis. “The schools suffer because of untreated trauma that manifests in lower academic scores and performance and higher dropout rates. The fallout from these police killings and excessive force by and large is trauma, and that trauma is just passed from one generation to the next.”
The bills that come with trauma
According to the National Police Funding Database, New
When asked, many adults say they want more rights when it comes to holding individual officers responsible for their actions. Results from a Pew Research Center study, done just one month after the death of George Floyd, showed that Americans were in favor of suing individual officers for police misconduct.
In Baltimore, a much smaller municipality, the city spent $12 million on police misconduct cases between 2010 and 2014. From 2015 to 2019, its taxpayers paid $24.5 million for police misconduct settlements.
One of Baltimore’s prominent payouts was to the family of Freddie Gray, a 25-yearold Black man who died in April 2015 from a severe spinal injury while in police custody. The city agreed to pay $6.4 million to Gray’s family in September 2015.
Some states, including New York, are considering legislation that would require police officers to carry personal liability insurance. The
William H. “Billy” Murphy Jr., the Baltimore attorney who represented Gray’s family, pointed to another, more common solution. Rather than mandating individual officers to obtain personal coverage, he suggested that municipalities themselves secure liability insurance to cover the costs of police misconduct. This strategy could mitigate reliance on public funds for misconduct settlements and help cities better manage financial risk.
Murphy explained that insurance companies have a strong incentive to reduce police misconduct because it exposes them to significant financial losses. Insurance companies’ risk management services help cities identify and remove problematic officers while promoting policies and practices that prevent police misconduct.
“The benefit of getting insurance is that the insurance companies hate police brutality as much as we do because that’s a liability that can cause them big damages,” said Murphy. “What you get with insurance for the city is risk management.”
Photo courtesy of Murphy, Falcon and Murphy
William H. “Billy” Murphy is the senior and founding partner of Murphy, Falcon and Murphy, a Baltimorebased law firm. He represented the family of Freddie Gray, who received $6.4 million from the city of Baltimore following Gray’s 2015 death in police custody.
Photo courtesy of Kelly Davis
Kelly Davis (left) is the managing director of advocacy and organizing at Campaign Zero, a research-based platform that tracks police violence nationwide and creates solutions to mitigate harm caused by law enforcement. Her husband, Keith Davis Jr. (right), was a victim of police violence in Baltimore in 2015.
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD
C onfronting i njusti C e , D eman D ing C hange
Classrooms are safe havens— but not always inclusive
By Andrea Stevens AFRO Staff Writer astevens@afro.com
Since the May 2020 death of George Floyd educators across the United States have seen growing calls to incorporate conversations about race, equity and justice into the classroom. While school district responses have varied, Floyd’s death continues to influence how schools address social justice and current events—though many say there is still significant room for progress.
Candis Saffore, a second-grade teacher, says she made a conscious decision to teach beyond what the standard curriculum provides, particularly given the challenges her students face in their community.
“I don’t sugarcoat things for the kids because the world isn’t going to sugarcoat it,” said Saffore. “I try to give it to them the way it’s going to be given in real life so they know actions have consequences.”
Saffore said since the death of Floyd, she makes an effort to help her students understand “how to deal with anger and frustration differently.”
Saffore said the needs of her students require a deeper level of connection and honesty. Many of her students have relatives in the criminal justice system, and some have experienced domestic instability or witnessed violence near their homes.
While Saffore builds social-emotional skills into her daily instruction, she’s disappointed that broader conversations about race and justice remain absent in official lesson plans.
“Since the George Floyd situation, I haven’t seen any real changes,” Saffore said. “The books we read don’t include racial equity or inclusion—they’re not tailored to the Black children in our classrooms.”
“These schools don’t talk about Black history. They’re scared. They don’t even know how to approach it.”
Five years after Floyd’s death, as the 47th president and his administration wage an all-out attack on all things related to inclusion, diversity and equity, educators say more needs to be done to support students while taking their cultural needs into account.
Rebekah Bingham, a first-grade teacher with experience in both kindergarten and first grade said while
Healing requires transparency: Why students need police accountability
to hold officers accountable and rebuild trust between law enforcement and communities of color.
her school is strong on basic emotional support—like helping students identify when they feel sad or angry —it lacks space for conversations about identity, history and injustice.
“We’re very present in helping kids understand their feelings,” Bingham said. “But we’re not diving deep into the root causes or having culturally responsive conversations. My school’s not there yet.”
The discomfort around race, she said, often leads to avoidance—particularly around Black history and figures like Floyd.
“Schools don’t talk about Black
history,” Bingham said. “They’re scared. They don’t even know how to approach it.”
Both educators said their students are eager to learn, but the burden of creating meaningful and inclusive lessons too often falls solely on individual teachers. Despite the challenges, they continue to carve out space for honesty, healing and empowerment.
“The classroom is a second home. It should be a place where students feel safe, seen and able to ask hard questions,” Bingham said. “Even if the system’s not built for it–we have to make room.”
On a chilly day in February, Inara Perryman stood outside Northern Illinois University’s Holmes Student Center, scrolling through her phone when she saw the news: the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database — a federal tool designed to track police misconduct — had been dismantled.
“This feels like losing something we fought for,” says Perryman, a 22-year-old political science major and vice president of NIU’s Black Student Union. “How do we heal when the systems meant to protect us keep disappearing?”
The database, known as NLEAD, was created by President Joe Biden in May 2022 as part of a sweeping executive order on policing reform. It compiled records of officer misconduct — disciplinary actions, resignations during investigations, civil judgments — aiming to prevent problematic officers from quietly moving between departments. But on Jan. 20, 2025 President Donald Trump revoked it as part of his administration’s rapid undoing of recent reforms.
For Black students at NIU, the move feels like a step backward in the long struggle for student safety and police transparency — one that gained urgency after the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
A tool for accountability, now gone
Perryman remembers the marches, the protests, and discussions about racial justice in the wake of Floyd’s murder. The NLEAD was supposed to be part of the solution — a way
Now, she worries about what its absence means.
“After 2020, we marched and educated people about these officers,” Perryman says.
“Now [the database] is gone. It tells us our safety isn’t a priority.”
She ties racial healing directly to transparency. “How can Black students feel safe calling the police if we don’t even know who’s showing up?”
Elijah Thomas, a 23-year-old senior studying criminal justice, spent months analyzing the NLEAD’s structure. He saw flaws — some departments were slow to report, and not all records were complete — but he also saw its potential.
“It wasn’t perfect, but it flagged patterns — repeat complaints, unresolved cases, officers who bounced from one department to another,” says Thomas, who plans to become a civil rights attorney.
The issue is personal for him. In 2019, his cousin was fatally shot by Chicago police.
“When officers with violent pasts stay hidden, it retraumatizes communities,” he says.
“Healing requires breaking that cycle.”
The problem of “wandering officers”
Researchers have long warned about the dangers of so-called “wandering officers” — law enforcement personnel who leave one department after misconduct allegations only to be hired elsewhere, often with their records scrubbed clean.
A 2021 study by Duke University law
The recent dismantling of a national police misconduct database has sparked renewed concerns about accountability, transparency, and safety among student activists.
professor Ben Grunwald and University of Chicago law professor John Rappaport found that these officers are significantly more likely to face new misconduct allegations. And the consequences fall disproportionately on communities of color.
Black Americans, who make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population, account for 26 percent of police shooting victims and 36 percent of unarmed individuals killed by law enforcement, according to data from the National Institutes of Health and The Washington Post. Only 49 percent of Black Americans say they trust police, compared to 72 percent of White Americans.
For Amina Carter, a 20-year-old sophomore psychology major, the dismantling of the NLEAD isn’t just about policy — it’s about whose pain is taken seriously. She helped draft a student petition urging its
reinstatement after attending a campus protest last month near a mural honoring George Floyd.
“This isn’t just about data,” Carter says. “It’s about whose pain matters. Every rollback says, ‘Get over it.’ But you can’t heal wounds you keep reopening.”
Looking for local solutions
With federal action stalled, students like Thomas and Carter are turning their attention to local measures. They’re pushing for Illinois to require police departments to publicly share misconduct records — something a handful of states, like California and New York, already do.
“Policy isn’t just politics—it’s survival,” Carter said. “We’ll keep demanding a seat at the table.”
This article was originally published by Word in Black.
Courtesy photo/ Candis Saffore Candis Saffore is a second-grade teacher who says the death of George Floyd is just one of many tough topics faced by educators in the classroom.
Courtesy photo/ Rebekah Bingham
While school district responses have varied, Floyd’s passing continues to influence how schools address social justice and current events.
By Quentin Brown Word in Black Unsplash / EV
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD
C onfronting i njusti C e , D eman D ing C hange
Target CEO rakes in $20.4M as boycott deepens and Black leaders demand accountability
By Stacy M. Brown
As Target Corp. grapples with a sweeping boycott led by grassroots activists and civil rights groups, sources say the company’s chair and CEO Brian Cornell walked away with a pay package worth $20.4 million last year. That total marked a 6.3 percent increase over the previous year, primarily driven by $16.1 million in stock awards, alongside a $1.4 million salary and $2.3 million in bonuses and incentives.
The company has faced mounting pressure following its decision to walk back significant diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) commitments, especially its highly publicized $2 billion pledge in 2021 to support Black-owned businesses, improve the Black consumer experience, and invest in its Black workforce. The backlash has only intensified since Feb. 1, when the Rev. Jamal Bryant and a coalition of grassroots organizations announced a national boycott against the retail giant. That same day marked the beginning of Black History Month and the launch of a public education and selective buying campaign spearheaded by the Black Press of America.
The movement has gained momentum nationwide, especially in the Twin Cities, just miles from where George Floyd was murdered in 2020.
“This movement started here, in the Twin Cities,” said civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong during an appearance on the Black Press of America’s “Let It Be Known” news show. “We launched the boycott after Target rolled back its DEI programs, just days after Donald Trump returned to power and began his renewed assault on diversity.”
Levy Armstrong said Target’s decision to bypass local activists in favor of meeting with
Target has faced mounting pressure following its decision to walk back significant diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments, especially its highly publicized $2 billion pledge in 2021 to support Black-owned businesses.
Rev. Al Sharpton, who has openly acknowledged that he wasn’t involved in the boycott, further insulted them.
“They said it with their chest, and now they want to quietly walk it back? Not on our watch,” Armstrong declared. “Instead of engaging with the organizers who live and work 3 miles from George Floyd Square, Target reached out to someone who admitted he wasn’t even participating.”
Target’s executive vice president and chief community and stakeholder engagement
Art, curation and racial healing at Spelman College
tour at Williams’ studio.
In the summer of 2020, when social media users and some corporations posted black squares to protest George Floyd’s murder, Amanda Williams, a Chicago-based visual artist, decided to make a different statement.
Inspired by the squares, she created a series of paintings that challenge perceptions of race and identity.
Five years later, Spelman College in Atlanta has used Williams’s art, among others, for a different discussion surrounding ideas of Black identity. In February the college’s Museum of Fine Art unveiled “We Say What Black This Is,” which not only showcased the paintings but uses them to inspire conversations about racial healing.
‘Blackout Tuesday’ inspiration
Through a special topics course, students not only studied the work of Black artists, but also studied techniques of art curation and engaged in experiential learning through a
Dr. Cheryl Finley, an art historian and director of Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective, and Karen Lowe, Spelman’s curator in residence, co-taught the course, “Special Topics: Amanda Williams.”
By centering Black artists, the course matters for Spelman students “in terms of how they see themselves and understand the multiple roles that are available to them in the larger art ecosystem,” says Finley.
“It enabled us to work closely with students, to teach them about the artist’s practice,” she says. “Also to visit with Amanda Williams in Chicago, where she’s based, to go to her studio, to also go to some of her public artworks. To see those and to understand the impetus behind them.”
“Art can be a moment to pause and reflect in times when we are highly motivated in our capitalistic society to be continuously working without taking a pause.”
The event that inspired Williams’ series of paintings happened on June 2, 2020, as protests over the murders of Floyd, Taylor and Ahmaud Arbury rocketed around the world. Dubbed “Blackout Tuesday,” some businesses,
officer, Kiera Fernandez, reportedly took part in meetings about the boycott, but multiple requests for comment and engagement from the Black Press of America and community leaders have gone unanswered.
“They made a Hail Mary pass,” said Monique Cullars-Doty, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota. “They were hoping Sharpton would catch it and run it into the end zone for them. But we’re the ones who’ve been doing the work, and they know it. That’s why this boycott was always meant
“They’re still playing politics while losing Black consumers every day.”
to be indefinite—not 40 days, not a fast, but until Target makes good on its promises and accounts for its role in fueling systemic harm.” Meanwhile, Target’s financial woes have worsened. Wall Street analysts have noted that the company’s stock price has dropped 22.2 percent in the past month, hitting a 52-week low. Despite those challenges, Target has remained quiet on its political contributions, including a $1 million donation to Donald Trump’s Presidential Inaugural Committee last year—the first time the company had ever given to a presidential candidate.
This week, Cornell reportedly warned Trump that his tariff and trade policies could disrupt supply chains, raise prices, and create shortages across store shelves. Yet, Cornell also praised his company’s performance in Target’s most recent annual report.
“We entered 2024 with a commitment to stay nimble and generate profitable growth, and even in a challenging retail environment, our team delivered by controlling what we can control, listening closely to consumers, and staying focused on what differentiates Target,” Cornell told employees.
Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-Minnesota, said the company’s response proves otherwise.
“We’ve been ignored,” Hussein said. “They’re still playing politics while losing Black consumers every day.”
This article was originally published by Black Press USA.
including music streaming services, joined social media users in placing black squares over their Instagram feeds, or used them instead of profile photos. But Blackout Tuesday was more of a fad than a protest, and quickly faded.
“Amanda was pushing back against that — that social-media moment,” Finley says. The protest supposedly was against police brutality, she says, “so she started to make these abstract paintings.” Blackout Tuesday “actually exposed them, these institutions, for their lack of awareness and their lack of understanding” of what Blackness is, Finley says. The paintings, she says, demonstrate how those institutions “actually have not done their part in thinking about, ‘What kind of conversation
might our institution have?’ or
‘What kind of exhibition might our institution have if we were to have a curatorial staff that looks like the city in which the institution is based?’”
“Pause and reflect”
In the course, students were allowed to choose a work of art that spoke to them and write a didactic text, which not only allowed them to learn the importance of art interpretation but fostered a personal connection to the work.
Robyn Simpson, a Spelman senior and art history major, says the course offered a measure of reflection and healing.
“Art can be a moment to pause and reflect in times when we are highly motivated in our capitalistic
society to be continuously working without taking a pause,” she says. “Resistance is taking that time to pause and reflect, art is a huge part of it…that’s where my mind has been residing lately when it comes to art and Black art.”
In the present moment, U.S. politics “are regressing, by decades and decades,” Simpson says, adding that art encourages others to “push more boundaries and push norms” in efforts to counteract the rollback of rights and protections seen this year. “I’m not saying it’s going to solve any problem by any means, but pushing against it instead of just being washed away in the wave of regression is super important.”
This article was originally published by
Photo courtesy of NNPA
Word In Black.
By Denim Fisher Word In Black
Courtesy of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Amanda Williams, a Chicago-based artist and MacArthur Fellow, is closing out her Spelman College art exhibit, “We Say What Black This Is,” on May 24. The exhibition was designed to promote racial healing while also introducing students to the world of fine art curation.
COMMENTARY
Thriving, not surviving: The new Black agenda
By Andre Perry
In 2020, people around the globe rallied behind the slogan Black Lives Matter, making it the largest and possibly most diverse set of protests in history. While the goals varied, the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis energized demands for everything from police accountability to support for Black-owned businesses to addressing the Black-White wage gap. Each activation was worthy on its own merits. By design, the demonstrations did not put any single group or leader at the forefront, in part to avoid creating an individual target for the opposition. The tradeoff, however, is that the energy after each respective rally became less sustainable, particularly after the protests ended and news cameras departed than if it had been held together by a durable set of policies. Eventually, people went back to work, parents sent their children to school and life returned to normal.
We as Black people need a long-term movement that is part of people’s daily lives.
Acts of civil disobedience, when targeted, are effective, but they eventually dissipate and interest in that cause always wanes particularly if it is not held together by a durable set of policies.
Protests must be connected with demands for substantive, measurable, sustainable, longterm change.
While the summer of 2020 held the promise of such a change, yielding more than an estimated $340 billion in investments in racial equity, it lasted just a few years. By 2025, corporate leaders and college presidents, under pressure from the Trump administration’s anti-DEI crusade, clawed back much of those commitments. Now, the silence of today is louder than the protest chants of 2020. Five years after Floyd died beneath a White officer’s
knee, begging for his mother and igniting worldwide protests, police still kill Black people today as often as they did in 2020.
As we acknowledge the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s killing, we must mobilize in a systematic, organized manner. Back then, we witnessed the power of taking to the streets. Now we are witnessing its limitations. As we acknowledge the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s killing, we must mobilize in a systematic, organized manner.
To make real, lasting change, Black people need a movement that is resilient,
Mass protests in Black and White – are we showing up?
By
From the podium at Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, Kadida Kenner, executive director of the New Pennsylvania Project, scanned the vast human landscape at the April 5 “Hands Off!” protest. Among the estimated 30,000 assembled, she made a stark observation: Black protesters were missing.
National organizers claim approximately 1,400 rallies drew some 4 million, reportedly the largest mass protest in the nation’s history. In big cities, small towns, and overseas, protesters demonstrated their outrage against the Donald Trump/Elon Musk policies.
From anecdotal and visual assessments, the constituency that represented the largest opposition to the Trump presidency did not show up — especially the ranks of Black women who gave 92% of their votes to Kamala Harris.
Making a collective statement by their absence, social media memes depicted Black folks stepping to line dances and waving hand fans as an answer to multiracial protests, or what Kenner, a speaker at the Philly rally, describes as “taking a break and leaning into our joy.”
Salandra Benton, executive director of the Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation, stayed home. “We’ve been working [the] first, second, and third shift. It’s time for someone else to pick up the slack. We’re weary, and a piece of our spirit was robbed from us in the last election. For Black women, this is a season of reflection
comprehensive and welcoming to all who wish to join. More importantly, the movement must carry legislation and substantial policy change from the present into the future. To achieve this, the focus of our demands must become something different.
When we unite around issues that foster thriving rather than emphasize suffering, we empower more individuals to engage. Civil unrest must be transformed into civic action, driving meaningful change, demanding justice and promoting substantial legislation that emphasizes thriving, not merely survival.
Putting the slogan Black Lives Matter in research terms, we must ask what the most important factors are that influence Black life expectancy. The answers are the foundation of an agenda that people can rally behind.
My colleague, Jonathan Rothwell, and I processed hundreds of variables from a wide variety of data sources, such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Reserve, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Facebook, and the real estate agency Redfin. We ran these variables through Lasso, a machine-learning algorithm, to select variables and rank their importance.
The result is the 13 most
influential factors affecting life expectancy and pinpointed the locations where people are living the longest. My book, “Black Power Scorecard: Measuring the Racial Gap and What We Can Do to Close It,” identifies areas where Black people have longevity and examines the socioeconomic conditions that enhance it. The analysis spotlights the necessary systemic changes Black communities need for similar outcomes.
Consider: in Manassas Park, Virginia, and Weld County, Colorado, the mean life expectancy for Black residents is 96 years — a national high. In Jefferson County, Ohio, however, the average Black person lives 33 fewer years. In academic terms, that lifespan gap translates to roughly 100 years of progress in living standards, medical science and public health.
The economic, educational, social and political conditions that help Manassa Park residents thrive should be the scaffolding of our movement.
The most influential factors include home and business ownership, income, education, gun violence, family structure and healthy and clean environments. Most, if not all, of these factors are kitchen-table issues that usually aren’t among the acronyms and obtuse academic jargon that academic elites
and social media influencers like to use when discussing the “Black agenda.” Yet they must be part of any conversation or political protest aimed at protecting or improving Black people’s lives. We need to rally for more than our suffering.
Civic action must be driven not only by the injustices of the past and present but also by our aspirations, hopes and visions for a brighter future. We can draw invaluable lessons from the civic actions that have successfully fostered better outcomes at the local level. Although less dramatic, cooperative real estate practices in Baltimore, STEM programs in New Orleans, unionization efforts in Michigan and other mundane actions positively affect people’s lives. The life-affirming initiatives that address quality of life issues relatable to all must become the cornerstone of a robust Black agenda. Together, we can harness this momentum to create lasting change and uplift our communities.
The daily news, as well as our reactions to it, both contribute to a dominant narrative of racial disparity, suffering and pain. Black people know what we are fighting against. It’s past time that we know what we are fighting for. This article was originally published by Word In Black.
and self-care.”
Benton, mindful of the metaphor that states “when America gets a cold, Black people get pneumonia,” insists that everyone– except for billionaires–are being harmed by the Trump administration’s policies. “Maybe the organizers of these mass rallies should focus on working-class Whites who supported Trump,” says Benton, who is also convener of the Florida Black Women’s Roundtable. Benton and others interviewed on this subject underscored that Black organizing remains pivotal. However, multiracial public demonstrations are a low priority compared
to beating back the threats to 60 years of racial progress. Collaboration – coupled with reciprocity for the Black community– is key.
“We have to forge partnerships with people who embrace our issues as much as they expect us to embrace theirs,” says Helen Butler, executive director of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda. “Strong multiracial protests emerged around the murder of George Floyd, but today, we get little support outside of our community fighting ongoing police abuse.”
This commentary was originally published by Word in Black.
Photo courtesy of The National Book Foundation
Andre M. Perry is the author of “Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities.” This week, he shares his opinion on the new Black agenda.
Gwen McKinney
Photo courtesy of LinkedIn
Gwen McKinney is campaign director and creator of Unerased | Black Women Speak. This week, she discusses the absence of Black protestors after the election of the 47th president of the United States.
WHAT’S TRENDING ON AFRO.COM
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore vetoes slavery reparations study, citing need for ‘the work itself’
By Brian Witte
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced May 16 he will veto a measure to create a commission to study potential slavery reparations in the state, saying that while it was a difficult decision, the issue already has been studied and now is the time “to focus on the work itself.”
Moore, a Democrat who is the state’s first Black governor and the only Black governor currently serving, wrote in his veto letter that he applauded the legislature’s work on the bill.
“But in light of the many important studies that have taken place on this issue over nearly three decades, now is the time to focus on the work itself: Narrowing the racial wealth gap, expanding homeownership, uplifting entrepreneurs of color, and closing the foundational disparities that lead to inequality — from food insecurity to education,” Moore wrote.
The governor also noted in his veto letter that Black politicians have risen to the highest levels of government in the state in recent years. For example, U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks is the state’s first Black U.S. senator. Maryland also has a Black attorney general, a Black state House speaker and a Black treasurer.
“We have moved in partnership with leaders across the state to uplift Black families and address racial disparities in our communities,” Moore wrote. “That is the context in which I’ve made this difficult decision. Because while I appreciate the work that went into this legislation, I strongly believe now is not the time for another study. Now is the time for continued action that delivers results for the people we serve.”
Reparations were a legislative priority
The bill was introduced in this year’s legislative session as a top priority of the Legislative Black Caucus, which, with 66 members,
is the largest Black caucus in the nation’s state legislatures.
The caucus released a statement later on May 16 expressing deep disappointment in the governor’s veto.
“At a time when the White House and Congress are actively targeting Black communities, dismantling diversity initiatives, and using harmful coded language, Governor Moore had a chance to show the country and the world that here in Maryland we boldly and courageously recognize our painful history and the urgent need to address it,” the caucus said in the statement. “Instead, the State’s first Black governor chose to block this historic legislation that would have moved the state toward directly repairing the harm of enslavement.”
The measure passed with strong support in the General Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats.
The House voted 101-36 for the bill, and the Senate approved it 32-13. Both chambers approved the measure with margins large enough to override a veto, if all members who voted for the bill decided to vote to override the governor’s veto.
The legislature ended its regular 90-day session last month, and it would not take up veto overrides until lawmakers gather again, whether next year’s regularly scheduled 90-day session in January, or a special session this year, if one were to be called.
The governor’s veto was one among 23 announced by the governor late May 16.
“The Senate will closely evaluate each veto from the Governor’s Office and have more details on possible action in the near future,” said David Schuhlein, a spokesman for Senate President Bill Ferguson.
House Speaker Adrienne Jones issued a statement specifically on the governor’s veto of creating the commission, saying “I am
proud of all our work during the 2025 session and grateful to lead a state that has always put these issues at the forefront of our policy discussions.”
“The work is not done, and I remain committed to working alongside all our partners to continue righting historical inequities,” the speaker, a Democrat, added.
Reparations remain an ongoing issue
Potential reparations outlined in the bill included official statements of apology, monetary compensation, property tax rebates, social service assistance, as well as licensing and permit fee waivers and reimbursement. Reparations also could include assistance with making a down payment on a home, business incentives, childcare, debt forgiveness and tuition payment waivers for higher education.
The governor wrote in his veto letter that over the last 25 years, Maryland has launched several commissions and study groups to examine the legacy of slavery in the state, from the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission to the State
“...while I appreciate the work that went into this legislation, I strongly believe now is not the time for another study. Now is the time for continued action that delivers results for the people we serve.”
Commission to Coordinate the Study, Commemoration, and Impact of the History and Legacy of Slavery in Maryland.
“The scholarship on this topic is both vast in scope and robust in scale,” Moore wrote. “And we are grateful for the Marylanders who have contributed their expertise to the vital project of understanding how the legacy of slavery continues to impact Black communities in our state today.”
Last year, California lawmakers passed some of the nation’s most ambitious legislation aimed at atoning for a legacy of racist
policies that drove racial disparities for Black people. None of the bills provided widespread direct payments to Black Americans. Instead, California lawmakers approved the return of land or compensation to families whose property was unjustly seized by the government, and issuing a formal apology.
New York City lawmakers approved legislation last year to study the city’s significant role in slavery and consider reparations to descendants of enslaved people.
This article was originally published by The Associated Press.
Biden’s diagnosis renews focus on prostate cancer risks
By Stacy Brown
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, according to a statement released by his office on May 18. The statement said Biden’s diagnosis was characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), indicating a high-grade cancer with bone metastasis.
Physicians noted that while the disease is advanced, it is hormone-sensitive, which allows for treatment options that can help manage the cancer. Biden, 82, had undergone further medical evaluation after a small nodule was discovered on his prostate. His office said he and his family are currently reviewing treatment plans with his doctors. Prostate cancer remains one of the most common forms of cancer among men, second only to skin cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 13 out of every 100 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, with age being the primary risk factor.
Cancer specialists say that despite the seriousness of Biden’s diagnosis, advancements in prostate cancer
treatment have led to improved outcomes, even for those with advanced diseases.
“There are a number of highly effective treatments available,” said Dr. Tanya Dorff, an oncologist at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles. “Even with aggressive or late-stage prostate cancer, patients can often live many years with good quality of life.”
Biden’s diagnosis comes at a time when attention is increasingly focused on racial disparities in prostate cancer outcomes. According to ZERO Prostate Cancer, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting patients and families, Black men in the United States are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than twice as likely to die from it compared to white men. One in six Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime—compared to one in eight men overall. They are also more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease.
While no single explanation exists for these disparities, research has shown that systemic inequities contribute to poorer outcomes. Black men are less likely to be offered PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests during routine screenings and, when
diagnosed, less likely to receive timely or effective treatment.
A recent study reported by ZERO Prostate Cancer revealed that Black men with early-stage prostate cancer are significantly less likely to receive any form of treatment compared to white men. Socioeconomic factors also play a role. Racial inequality in the United States continues to affect access to care, insurance coverage, and overall health outcomes, particularly for Black and African American communities.
Biden, who concluded his term in January, was the oldest person to serve as president. His successor, Donald Trump, assumed office at age 78. While the former president and his doctors continue to explore treatment options, Biden’s diagnosis has cast a new spotlight on addressing both men’s health and the racial disparities that remain embedded in cancer care.
“Too many Black men are dying from a disease that can be detected early and treated,” ZERO Prostate Cancer officials posted on its website. “We must ensure that awareness, access, and action reach every community.”
This article was originally published by NNPA Newswire.
AP Photo / Brian Witte
Both praise and sharp criticism are pouring in for Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), who recently decided to veto a bill calling for the creation of a reparations study commission in Maryland.
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Prostate cancer remains one of the most common forms of cancer among men, second only to skin cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The condition is back in the spotlight after the announcement that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
BALTIMORE-AREA
Baltimore residents demand fair budget, aid for immigrants at taxpayers’ night
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
The Baltimore City Council held its fiscal year (FY) 2026 Taxpayers’ Night on May 15.
Taxpayer’s Night is an annual opportunity for the community to voice their thoughts and concerns about Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s (D) proposed budget before the council decides whether to accept the mayor’s budget as is or make their own version and finalize it before the June 26th deadline.
At the hearing, Blaise Ngombin, alongside several other Central American Solidarity Association (CASA) members, advocated for funding for immigrants in the FY 2026 budget. CASA is a national organization that aims to improve the quality of life for immigrants in the U.S.
“It is challenging to find a job due to a language barrier,” said Ngombin, a Baltimore resident who immigrated from Cameroon. “Thanks to organizations like CASA, I have been able to access a variety of social services and receive assistance in my native language.”
“I urge the city to include funding in the budget to support immigrant community members like me,” said
Ngombin. “We need programs and services that support those of us who pay taxes and simply want to continue growing and helping the city grow with us. I need your support.”
Andre Johnson, 49, brought attention to the current climate of the city’s healthcare services.
“Maryland has the largest emergency department wait times in the country because of short staffing,” said Johnson, a city resident and member of 1199SEIU, a union for healthcare workers. “Short staffing is not only hurting the quality of care, it’s affecting the city budget and slowing down emergency response times.”
Johnson said he is particularly concerned about how addressing the $85 million budget shortfall will impact public service.
“Working people are already bearing the brunt of the shortfalls through high property taxes and underfunded services,” said Johnson. “The City cannot ‘fine and fee’ its way out of this. Every day people do not have that kind of money. It is time for the wealthy, tax-exempt hospitals and universities to pay their fair share for the city services.”
West Baltimore neighborhoods show progress in housing and redevelopment
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
Baltimore Together, the city’s economic development strategy, held a neighborhood bus tour on May 13 to mark the first anniversary of its West Baltimore impact area tours.
Alice Kennedy, housing commissioner of the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, led the tour through the neighborhoods of Penn-North, Druid Heights and Upton.
Kennedy highlighted the work being done to revitalize the Parkview Recreation Center and how it is expected to
benefit the community.
“That recreation center is acting as and will act as a cornerstone for the community,” said Kennedy. “That rec center is 100 percent funded by DHCD–the Department of Housing and Community Development. It’s a $10 million rec center project, and we are funding that with community development block grant money that we were able to put together over a couple of different years to be able to make that project possible.”
The tour highlighted the city’s efforts to address vacancy and expand access to affordable housing. Participants visited several key sites, including the Harriet Beecher Stowe School and the Upton Gateway, which was unveiled in 2024.
Tisha Edwards takes on new role as CEO of Maryland Bankers Association
By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Tisha Edwards, former Maryland secretary of appointments, now serves as president and CEO of the Maryland Bankers Association (MBA).
The MBA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for Maryland banks, welcomed Edwards as president and CEO in April. Mollie Byron, previously the administration’s intergovernmental affairs and senior advisor, officially replaced Edwards as secretary of appointments on April 4.
In an interview with the AFRO, Edwards spoke about the values that drive her work.
“I have been committed to and working in communities all of my professional career,” said Edwards, 54. “I was born in the South and came to Maryland to get my master’s degree and my law degree. While I was here in Baltimore, I just found so many opportunities to contribute to the community.”
Edwards earned a bachelor’s from Georgia State University’s School of Social Work in 1998, a master’s from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in 2000 and a juris doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 2001.
Born and raised in Meridian, Miss., Edwards believes public service and the fight for equity and justice are deeply rooted in her upbringing.
“The
governor has committed to increasing Maryland’s competitiveness, and the banking community is an important part of that puzzle.”
Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success. She also worked as a transition executive and chief of staff during Catherine E. Pugh’s first year as mayor.
Edwards reflected on her time working under Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D).
“I have enjoyed working for Gov. Moore,” said Edwards. “We have a long professional relationship and we’ve done a lot of great things together.”
Edwards led Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s gubernatorial campaign as chief of staff, served in his cabinet and chaired the Task Force on the Modernization of the State Personnel Management System. From 2017 to 2019, she also served as president of BridgeEdU, an education company founded by Moore.
OPINION
The bus rode through blocks of long-vacant homes slated for full-block renovations, many of which the city is working to acquire.
Kelly Little, a development consultant for the Upton Planning Committee, praised the transformation of one block.
“I can remember coming to this spot 20 years ago and working with a development corporation and this block was a complete disaster,” said Little. “Probably 95 percent of the properties weren’t just vacant, there were no roofs, no back walls and trees in houses. To see what has happened as a result, and to see that, physically, it’s beautiful, is just outstanding.”
The case for reparations in Maryland: What happens now?
By Ryan Coleman
I have always been about big solutions to end problems-to make this a better world. I am tired of anti- Blackness. I am tired of waiting for equality. I am tired of the American Dream out of reach for most Black Marylanders. I believe that to stop systematic racism and ensure Black people are treated fairly the following must be done:
• Reparations
• Public Education must educate Black children
• Increase homeownership
• Free tuition for college and trade schools
• Personal responsibility for excellence
“I come from a family of women who believe deeply in education and felt like we all have a responsibility to make the community better,” said Edwards.
Since 1998, she has held numerous roles championing families, supporting children and promoting education.
From 2019 to 2021, Edwards served under then-Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young as director of the
“Since day one, Tisha Edwards has been the force behind our efforts to build an administration that moves with excellence and reflects the communities we represent,” said Moore in a statement. “The magnitude of her contributions to Maryland cannot be overstated.”
According to the Moore-Miller administration, under Edwards’
These are my top five major solutions to ensure Black Marylanders are treated fairly and can live the American Dream. I will only be focusing on reparations in this commentary I want to speak to individuals who do not believe in reparations.
German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller in 1946 wrote a post-war confessional prose piece: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me, --and there was no one left to speak for me.”
This prose highlights we are all in this fight together. Just because it does not directly benefit you doesn’t mean it is not the right and just thing to do.
Photo courtesy of Gina Richmond
Kelly Little, a development consultant for the Upton Planning Committee, reflects on Upton’s transformation during a recent bus tour of West Baltimore. He credits the energy of new homeowners and longtime residents for driving the neighborhood’s ongoing revitalization.
Courtesy photo Ryan Coleman is former president of the Randallstown NAACP. This week, he addresses the best ways to ensure a prosperous future of Black Marylanders.
Courtesy photo
Tisha Edwards, president and CEO of the Maryland Bankers Association, brings decades of public service experience to her new role leading the state’s banking industry.
Bus tours
Little emphasized how the passion of the community members helps drive this renaissance.
“The energy that the homeowners on this block have brought to the community is also very valuable–whether it’s planning events or coming to the community meetings,” said Little.
Little said that new faces working with longtime advocates is crucial to renewing the energy of the neighborhood.
Jamesetta Howard, a Upton resident, expressed pride in the community’s growth.
“I could have retired anywhere, but this is home,” said Howard, born and raised in Baltimore. “This neighborhood is an example of the resiliency of Baltimoreans. We love our city.”
Howard said she is excited about the rich history of the neighborhood and is glad to know that developers are looking to maintain it.
“I can look past all the boarded-up houses,
and I can see the rich history,” said Howard. “That’s exactly why I’m here.”
The bus tour included the Upton Mansion, which has been acquired by Afro Charities and will be the new home of the AFRO Archives and AFRO News by late 2026.
“This has been a key strategy here for this block, which is helping to move this property into a productive use,” said Kennedy.
It also showcased redevelopment sites like the P.S. 103 building, now the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center.
“The P.S. 103 building was a formerly vacant city-owned building, and this building has now been lovingly transformed into the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center,” said Kennedy. “Dr. Al Hathaway has been the champion and the steward of this project for nearly a decade now to make this a reality.”
Kennedy said the center anchors Division Street, which is undergoing full revitalization, from sidewalks to structures.
in lieu of taxes (PILOT) plan that is more transparent and ensures the labor force and community members have a say in the process.
According to National Nurses United, in 2016, tax-exempt properties made up nearly one-third, 30.9 percent, of Baltimore’s total property base. Institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and Hospital own a significant share of the tax-exempt property in the state.
Johnson advocated for the passage of Council Bill 25-0036, which aims to create a task force that would recommend a payment
Reparations
We will never achieve racial justice in America if this country does not examine the impact of slavery and its legacy – and make strides toward achieving reparatory justice. No amount of material resources or monetary compensation can ever be sufficient restitution for the spiritual, mental, cultural and physical damage inflicted on Black Americans ripped from their families and forced labor for the enrichment of Maryland.
After the “abolition” of slavery, those emancipated suffered violent repression, oppression, exploitation and deprivation under Jim Crow laws and Black codes in the South, as well as de facto segregation in every region of this nation. Maryland’s southern counties housed nearly the same number of Whites as they did enslaved Blacks. Free Blacks represented less than 10 percent of the population of southern counties. It must be made clear that slave owners not only made money off the chattel enslavement of Black Americans, but they then made money multiple times over off the land that the enslaved worked. Though the 2007 apology by the Maryland General Assembly is notable, it is not enough. Black Marylanders have not been compensated for their trials and tribulations.
“The pilot task force is an opportunity to do better for Baltimoreans, close the budget gap and build a city that’s with us and for us,” said Johnson.
Cristina Duncan Evans, chapter chair of the Baltimore Teachers Union, also drew attention to tax-exempt institutions and the task force bill.
“The diverse needs represented tonight indicate the need for more revenue, because we don’t
Enslaved Blacks helped produce tobacco, cotton, wheat, coal and iron. They built the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) and The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). They took care of the children of White slave owners, while their children enslaved in the fields. Obviously, elected officials were some of the biggest culprits. Former Maryland Governor Charles Caman Ridgely owned about 350 slaves at the time of his death.
Reparations are not a new concept, only when it comes to Black Marylanders. In Washington, D.C., slave owners were paid reparations for lost property once slaves were freed. This practice was also common in nearby states. Native Americans have received land and billions of dollars for various benefits and programs for being forcibly exiled from their native lands. At some point, the Germans who resisted fascism contributed with their taxpayer money to German reparation payments for the victims of the Holocaust (and to the cash stimulus that played an important role in establishing Israel). Japan was also made to pay reparations for war crimes committed in World War II, even those who found those crimes morally repugnant and did not commit any themselves. The U.S., in turn, paid reparations to the families of Japanese people incarcerated in internment
want these needs to be competing against each other,” said Evans. “We want them all to contribute to a thriving and interconnected city. When we hear about environmental justice, when we hear about the need for more education funding, all of these things contribute to a thriving city.”
Evans said if Baltimore’s tax-exempt institutions would be paying $47 million for their services if they were not absolved of those costs.
“That’s just what they would be paying for services,” said Evans. “The amount that they would be paying in property taxes is
camps, even though many protested the existence of these concentration camps.
The Maryland Reparations Bill proposed the establishment of a commission to study the state’s involvement in slavery and systemic discrimination, and to assess ongoing disparities in housing, healthcare, education and criminal justice. The commission would be tasked with developing recommendations for reparative actions and equity-centered investments.
On May 16, Gov. Wes Moore announced his veto of this bill stating the following:
“In light of the many important studies that have taken place on this issue over nearly three decades, now is the time to focus on the work itself: Narrowing the racial wealth gap, expanding homeownership, uplifting entrepreneurs of color, and closing the foundational disparities that lead to inequality — from food insecurity to education.”
I am hopeful that the governor and Legislature will get on the same page and produce legislation that could repay the Black Marylanders who were victimized by state sponsored slavery and racism.
I believe the following should happen:
1. Individual payments for descendants of enslaved Black Marylanders
2. College tuition to four-year or two-year colleges and
much higher–that’s $107 million. We’re starting at a position of fairness.”
“We think they should pay for what they use,” said Evans. “We understand that their tax exempt status means that they don’t pay property taxes–and we’re not asking them to pay property taxes—but as a homeowner in Baltimore City, I shouldn’t be subsidizing a university or a hospital that has funds to do massive renovations when I’d love to renovate my house in that way.”
City Council hearings on the budget are expected to take place from May 28 to June 4.
universities for descendants of enslaved Black Marylanders
3. Down payment grants and housing revitalization grants for descendants of enslaved Black Marylanders
4. Business grants for
leadership, 3,371 individuals were appointed to Maryland’s boards and commissions–50.5 percent of whom are women, 50 percent of whom are people of color, and 29 percent of whom are women of color.
Edwards said her transition to the MBA was inspired by the work needed to strengthen the state’s banking industry.
“The governor has committed to increasing Maryland’s competitiveness, and the banking community is an important part of that puzzle,” said Edwards. “I felt like it was a great time to represent an industry that’s important to the future of Maryland.” Edwards highlighted how essential banks can be to Maryland’s communities.
“It’s where you go to get your home loans,” said Edwards. “It’s where you go to get access to capital as a small business owner. It’s where you save money for your children to go to college.”
Her goals for the MBA include strengthening ties with banks of all sizes, representing the interests of the banking industry in Annapolis, promoting women of color in leadership and boosting community engagement.
As she enters this new chapter, Edwards remains committed to her longstanding work in equity and public service, focused on improving the lives of all Marylanders.
start-ups, business expansion to hire more employees, or purchasing property for descendants of enslaved Black Marylanders I implore Governor Moore and the legislature to move with urgency. Each point in the package and other solutions can be moved in the next legislative session. Let’s see if their audio matches up to their video.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.
AFRO Photo/Tashi McQueen
Blaise Ngombin, 52, is a Baltimore resident who immigrated from Cameroon and has been a member of Central American Solidarity Association (CASA) for two years.
AFRO Photo/Tashi McQueen
Cristina Duncan Evans, 40, is a city resident and chapter chair of the Baltimore Teachers Union.
AFRO Photo/Tashi McQueen
Andre Johnson, 49, is a city resident and member of 1199SEIU, a union for healthcare workers.
Courtesy photo
Construction is underway at the Upton Mansion, which will be the future home of the AFRO American Newspapers and AFRO Charities, the company that curates and cares for the AFRO Archives. The Upton Mansion, located in West Baltimore was part of the recent bus tour.
More than 60K attend last Preakness Stakes before Pimlico renovations
By
People throughout Maryland and beyond flocked to Baltimore to witness the historic 150th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 17.
The middle jewel of the Triple Crown in thoroughbred racing, Pimlico typically draws crowds that come to experience the trill, tradition, fashion and culture that makes Preakness unique.
“This was my first time at Preakness and it was really cool,” said Rare Reign, a doula from Columbia, Md. “I like historic events and seeing how things will continue to change and evolve throughout time, that’s what I am about. I just wanted to experience what Preakness had to offer after hearing about it all these years.”
Preakness Stakes was preceded by the inaugural weeklong Preakness Festival, under the leadership of Maryland first lady Dawn Moore. Highlights included the George “Spider” Anderson Music and Arts Festival, with performances by record producer Douglass “Doug E. Fresh” Davis and rapper Lana “MC Lyte” Moorer.
Although most Preakness attendees left with a positive experience, some left hoping that the logistics and organization of the events during Preakness events would improve alongside the physical improvements in store at Pimlico.
“This was my second time coming
to Preakness and initially it was great, but I experienced a lot of disorganization. I purchased tickets for multiple events trying to support it, but when you leave one, they prevent you from returning to the area that you left,” said Yusef Moore, CEO of mixed martial arts company, Best of the Best. “Who pays thousands of dollars to stand outside?”
Moore first attended Preakness Stakes roughly a decade ago and had zero complaints about his experience the first time around. Moore shared with the AFRO that the racing was great, but he likely won’t be returning due to the level of disorganization being too high for “a paying client.”
Pimlico is set to be demolished and rebuilt, with construction beginning over the summer. The event will move to Laurel Park in 2026.
The $400 million project will take about two years to complete, and Preakness Stakes is set to return to Pimlico in Baltimore in 2027. The new venue will include a 5,000seat grandstand, a hotel and other innovative improvements allowing Pimlico to host other events such as concerts and festivals.
On the race track, Journalism and jockey Umberto Rispoli crossed the line victorious.
Journalism got its name from co-owner Aron Wellman, who was once a sports editor in high school.
Journalism ran a time of 1:55.47 across the oval that is a little over a mile long. The victory serves as the second Preakness victory for trainer Michael McCarthy.
Mekhi Abbott Special to the AFRO mabbott@afro.com
Terry Speigner (left), president and CEO of NGEN, enjoys Black Eyed Susan Day with his sister, Belinda Lyons, of Birmingham, Ala.
Shown here in their finest threads, Monica White-Mark (left) with Amanda and Jessica Coleman; Nadine Finigan-Carr; Deanna McRay-James, Khusana Jackson and Natadha Parker.
Journalism wins the 150th Preakness Stakes with jockey Umberto Rispoli on May 17.
The winner of the 2025 Black Eye Susan Day race, Margie’s Intention, gallops across the finish line with jockey Flavien Prat on May 16.
Del. Denise G. Roberts (left) (D-PG-25) and Del. Karen R. Toles (D-PG-25), of the Maryland House of Delegates, share a moment together at Preakness 150.
All AFRO Photos/ James Fields
Supporting dental students can lead to improved health and stronger communities
By AFRO Staff
D.C. natives, longtime residents and newcomers alike came together May 19 at Eaton House for a celebration of local knowledge, identity and pride. “Ask a D.C. Native, Live!” gave life to the popular question and answer column, created by Christina Sturdivant Sani, a journalist for The 51st.
The high-energy, teambased trivia event came just in time for D.C. Natives Day, which is celebrated annually on May 20.
AFRO News, AVAD, LLC and The 51st were among the supporting partners of the event, which featured Dwayne Lawson-Brown as
host and Rhonda Henderson and Crystal Mayanja as team captains for the trivia portion of the event.
Henderson is a longtime Washingtonian and community leader with more than 30 years of experience living across all four quadrants of the city. She grew up in Manor Park and now lives in the Southwest part of the city on the waterfront.
“Being a native to D.C. is like being in a long-term relationship with friends or lovers,” said Henderson. “You love the city during the good and the bad, and I think natives have that appreciation. You’re always seeking the good, and to contribute to it.”
Henderson described her home as a “layered and complex city of rich local culture, with our creative language that explores the human experience, politics, economics.”
More than just a game night, “Ask a D.C. Native, Live!” offered a chance to honor the people who have shaped the city, and for everyone—native and new—to celebrate the stories and spirit of the District.
Categories for the trivia night included “ That Joint Crank,” where attendees were asked to provide the title and D.C.- based artist that created the song snippet provided. Other categories called for participants to
identify local communities and landmarks, such as Barry Farm, an area originally created for African Americans after the Civil War, and “The Big Chair,” a sculpture first installed in 1959 to promote the D.C. business, Curtis Brothers Furniture.
Lauren Forbes, a 38-yearold District resident and nonprofit manager, said her favorite round of questions came from the “ That Joint Crank” portion of the evening.
“Music is connected to the history of D.C. It is ingrained in our culture and we have a unique sound here: GoGo music,” she
By Dr. Roosevelt Allen
Supporting dental students — and all students — in reaching their full potential has many benefits. Studies have shown that those earning a bachelor’s degree or higher have greater earning possibilities, are more civically minded and inspire youth — all things that contribute to economic growth and stronger communities. And what dental students are learning, in particular, will impact more than just a person’s smile; it will improve the oral and overall health of the patients and communities they serve.
According to the Health Resources and Services
Administration, more than 7,100 areas in the United States are facing a shortage of dental professionals, impacting nearly 60 million Americans. That’s not encouraging news considering that oral health can greatly affect overall health. Research has helped us gain a better understanding of the crucial role dental wellness can play in improving well-being. Studies have found that many systemic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, can be detected through oral health conditions. And harmful bacteria from certain oral diseases, like gum disease,
U.S. Immigration authorities arrest nearly 200 in D.C. raids
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on May 13 that during its enforcement operation in and around Washington, D.C., from May 6-9, officers arrested 189 immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally and served notices of inspection to 187 local businesses.
ICE Washington, D.C. authorities said the notices were given to ensure that D.C. businesses are in compliance with U.S. immigration and employment policies.
“The District of Columbia is exponentially safer today because of countless hours of investigative work and dedication to duty displayed by ICE Washington, D.C. and our law enforcement partners,” said Russell Hott, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. field office director. “I commend
the efforts of everyone involved, as all were truly committed to the success of this operation.
ICE Washington, D.C. remains dedicated to our mission of prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing criminal offenders from our nation’s capital and surrounding communities.”
During the operation, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations and partners sought out immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally with a criminal background, including members of
transnational criminal organizations such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua and 18th Street gangs, which are known to operate in that area. Christopher Heck, acting special agent in charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations, Washington, D.C., claimed that many of the people arrested have egregious criminal histories, including violent crimes against District residents.
AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor
Dwayne Lawson-Brown, a poet, author and artist known as the “Crochet Kingpin,” serves as host of the inaugural “Ask a D.C. Native, Live!” event, held in honor of D.C. Natives Day. Shown here, Lawson-Brown (standing) as he introduces a trivia category to test audience knowledge of slang used by D.C. natives.
Photo courtesy of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Dr. Roosevelt Allen, DDS, MAGD, ABGD, is chief dental officer at United Concordia Dental. He leads the company’s oral and overall health efforts and oversees its professional affairs, dental directors and clinical and dental policy. This week, he calls for increased support for dental students.
said. “What other city can say this is our sound?”
Forbes enjoyed the event because she was able to learn something.
“You laugh and you get to meet creative people,” she said.
Nayion Perkins, a 30-yearold D.C. native, said he decided to attend because he was “curious about the program” and wanted to support friends.
“I thought the questions were a good balance of well known things and the bits that might not be so well known,” he said.
Perkins, like Forbes, also really enjoyed the way music was integrated into the event.
“Certain songs you’re familiar with, but you may not know the names of them,” he said, adding that enjoyed learning new things about his city.
“D.C. has a lot of historical facts about how the city was put together,” said Perkins. “I always learn something when I come to things like this.”
One team captain, D.C. native Crystal Mayanja, has seen the District of Columbia change over time.
“I grew up in D.C. when it was Chocolate City,” she said. “We lived in a close knit community and our teachers taught us all about our Black history– from Africa to slavery to civil rights and beyond–and that is not the norm when you speak to other Black people from across the country.”
This D.C. Natives Day, she said she is proud of the District that raised her, even though she now lives in Maryland.
“I have always felt blessed to have grown up here and seen Black excellence from the beginning. It taught me, along with my family, that I can do anything and instilled in me a strong sense of Black pride.” said Mayanja.
Dwayne Lawson-Brown, a poet, author and artist known as the “Crochet Kingpin,” served as host of the inaugural “Ask a D.C. Native, Live!” event. He spoke to what he loves most about the District.
“D.C. is a microcosm of the U.S.,” said Lawson-Brown, who also serves as a community engagement specialist at the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “We are a city that is disenfranchised in many ways–even from the formation– [but] the people have shown resilience in the face of taxation without proper representation. And as D.C. goes, you can see the trends of most major cities.”
A product of Southeast D.C., Lawson-Brown said his city is “uniquely Mid-Atlantic.”
“Depending on where in the city, it can feel southern, or northern,” he said. “Whatever community you are looking for, you can find if you’re willing to search.”
Lawson-Brown hopes people will get out of their “bubbles” and explore the variety of vibrant communities offered in the District.
“We are a historic city beyond the national mall,” he said. “The people and culture have impacted every major cultural medium: Style, music, movies, fine art, theater, politics, business...D.C. folks are in and through it all.”
event that tested knowledge
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Arrests
Continued from B5
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and this administration’s focus on law and order, these arrests represent a major step forward in making Washington, D.C., safer for legal citizens and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. “These arrests make clear that violating our nation’s immigration laws will not be ignored.”
ICE said many of the arrests were made after local jurisdictions declined to adhere to immigration detainers and instead released the individuals back into their communities.
Dental Students
Continued from B5
can travel throughout the body and weaken its immune response.
What’s more, untreated dental disease can result in pain and infections that may lead to issues in other areas of a person’s life, including eating, speaking and employment. It can cause missed time from work and school, as well as costly emergency room visits that are better suited for treatment in a dental setting.
But access to preventive dental care and resources isn’t the same for everyone. Some racial and ethnic groups experience higher rates of poor oral health and disease due to social, economic and environmental barriers, including things like food insecurity, lack of dental insurance and transportation issues. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that untreated cavities were twice as high for Black American adults (40 percent) as white adults (21 percent).
Similarly, not all students have the same support, opportunities or finances to be able to pursue their dreams. And that’s where businesses, industries and communities can make achieving one’s educational goals a little easier for students in need through scholarship funds. In 2021, United Concordia Dental awarded Howard University College of Dentistry a five-year, $500,000 scholarship grant with the goal of expanding access to critical dental services. The college is dedicated to providing patient-centered care, with a focus on reducing health disparities within disadvantaged populations and improving the quality of oral health.
As chief dental officer at United Concordia, I recently had an opportunity to visit some of the aspiring dentists at Howard University who have
“The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is a key partner in the United States’ work to reduce illegal immigration and root out those who endeavor to exploit the U.S. travel system,” said David Richeson, special agent in charge of the DSS Washington, D.C., field office. “DSS proudly coordinates with our U.S. and international law enforcement partners to investigate transnational crimes and apprehend fugitives who violate U.S. law.”
The AFRO reached out to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) for a comment on this matter, but she declined.
received funds from our grant to better understand its impact. During my visit, I heard so many incredible stories about what inspired them to pursue dentistry, how receiving our financial support impacted them and what their career aspirations are after graduation.
We talked about struggles and triumphs, as well as personal interests and career paths. One student’s desire to better understand a diabetes diagnosis turned into a passion for dentistry. Another was taking care of several siblings while in school, with the goal of one day being able to offer health care to communities in financial need. Several felt that receiving the scholarship served as motivation to keep pushing forward and striving for excellence, as well as instilled a desire to give back.
It reminded me of my own days in dental college many years ago — the heart, the sacrifice, the discipline and the challenges. What led me to dentistry was how it combined three things I loved — the arts, sciences and service. I was fortunate because I had the support of my parents, who made learning a priority and believed that the knowledge you gained would always stay with you, no matter what life sent your way. I’ve carried that throughout my education — from pursuing a bachelor of arts and a doctor of dental surgery to a master’s degree obtained later in life. And now I’m at a point in my career where I can pay it forward to the next generation.
If more money was invested in scholarship grants to support dental students —especially those attending schools like Howard University — it would enable a greater number of future dentists to reach their dreams while increasing access to care. I hope more organizations will join United Concordia in investing in the future of dentistry. Doing so will create healthier futures for all.
AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor
Christina Sturdivant Sani is the force behind the “Ask a D.C. Native” column, where questions about living in the District are met with advice from those born and raised in the nation’s capital. The column came to life on May 19, in a trivia
of D.C. culture and history.
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2022ADM703 ERNESTINE HICKMON AKA
Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs ANTHONY B BROXSON whose address is 3835 CALVERT STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, DC 20007 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of ELMER R BROXSON who died on JANUARY 18, 2025 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before NOVEMBER 09, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of
of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: MAY 09, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
ANTHONY B BROXSON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/09, 05/16, 05/23/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION 2024FEP000129 MAY 09, 2023 Date of Death IRIS B. GOODE Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
MICHAEL A. WASHINGTON whose address is 6220 BRISTOL PARKWAY APT#321 CULVER CITY, CA 90230 was appointed representative of the estate of IRIS B. GOODE deceased, by the SUPERIOR Court for LOS ANGELES County, State of CALIFORNIA, on JULY 12, 2024. Service of process may be made upon VICKEY A. WRIGHT-SMITH 1629 K STREET, NW #300, WASHINGTON, DC 20003 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 1730 16TH STREET, NW, APT #16, WASHINGTON, DC 20009. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills for the District of Columbia, Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.
Date of first publication: MAY 16, 2025 Name of newspaper, and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO-American
MICHAEL A. WASHINGTON Personal Reperesenative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/16, 05/23, 05/30/25
SUPERIOR
COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION
NO. 2025ADM000431 LUCKY TIMOTHY PIANWI Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
ZORBARI VICTORIA PIANWI whose address is 5213 CLAY STREET, N.E, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20019 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LUCKY TIMOTHY PIANWI who died on APRIL 02, 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 NOVEMBER 09, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before NOVEMBER 09, 2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: MAY 09, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
ZORBARI VICTORIA PIANWI Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/09, 05/16, 05/23/25
ERNESTINE HICKMAN Name of Decedent
MARILYN CAIN GORDON 7603 GEORGIA AVENUE, NW #304 WASHINGTON, DC 20012 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
DWAYNE JONES whose address is 2919 KNIGHT CT, BRYANS ROAD, MD 20616 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of ERNESTINE HICKMON AKA ERNESTINE HICKMAN who died on JANURY 19, 2011 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 NOVEMBER 09, 2025. Claims against the decedent
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION
ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000416 JAMES HENRY SAUNDERS Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
IRIS L. SAUNDERS- SHANNON MCKENZIE whose addresses are 12321 QUINTETTE LANE BOWIE MD, 20720-1205 MARCY AVE OXONHILL, MD 20145 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of JAMES HENRY SAUNDERS who died on FEBRUARY 14, 2025 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before NOVEMBER 09, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before NOVEMBER 09, 2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: MAY 09, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
IRIS L. SAUNDERS SHANNON MCKENZIE Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
REGISTER OF WILLS 05/09, 05/16, 05/23/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000403 MICHAEL ANTHONY SESSION Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
WALTER WHITLEY whose address is 814 10TH STREET, NE. WASHINGTON, DC 20002 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of MICHAEL ANTHONY SESSION who died on JANUARY 30, 2025 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before NOVEMBER 09, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000457 JOHN E. SCHEUERMANN AKA JOHN EDWARD SCHEUERMANN Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JACQUELYN VIOREY HELM whose address is 700 E STREET, SE, WASHINGTON, DC 20003 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of JOHN E. SCHEUERMANN AKA JOHN EDWARD SCHEUERMANN who died on NOVEMBER 03, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BALTIMORE CITY INVITATION FOR BIDS
SUPPLY HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES FOR GILMOR HOMES ENTRY DOORS
IFB NUMBER: B-2042-25
The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (“HABC”) will issue an Invitation for Bids (“IFB”) for interested and qualified contractors to completely remove and replace the doors and frames with hollow metal doors and frames at Gilmor Homes.
BIDS WILL BE DUE no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, June 20, 2025
A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., which will be scheduled as a virtual meeting. The IFB and all supporting documents may be obtained on or after Monday, May 26 2025, at the following location:
Housing Authority of Baltimore City Division of Fiscal Operations, Procurement Department
IFB should be directed in writing to the address and individual indicated above and must include the reference: HABC IFB Number B-2040-25.
Career Corner
Attention: Mary Kate Gagliardi, Senior Buyer Tel: (410) 396-3105 mary.gagliardi@habc.org
Questions regarding the IFB should be directed in writing to the address and individual indicated above and must include the reference: HABC IFB Number B-2042-25.
Petitions
alcoholic beverages at the premises set
their respective names. The real property for these applications will be posted on or about May 19, 2025. Written protests concerning any application will be accepted until and including the time of the hearing. Public hearings may be scheduled on or after May 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM in the Liquor Board Hearing Room, located at 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2300, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Please visit llb.baltimorecity.gov under the link for & Hearing Schedules & for confirmation of the date, time, and place for all matters being heard by the Board.
1. CLASS “A” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE
Applicant: Manya, LLC T/a Eddie’s of Mt. Vernon - Kabita Mahat
Petition: Transfer of ownership (Amended)
Premises: 7 W. Eager Street 21201
(City Council District: 11th; State Legislative District: 40th)
Applicant: Rothenhoefer Brothers, Inc. T/a Three Brothers - Paramjit Singh and Narinder Singh
Petition: Transfer of ownership requesting off-premises catering and delivery of alcoholic beverages
Premises: 3061 Frederick Avenue 21223
(City Council District: 9th; State Legislative District: 40th)
2. CLASS “B” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE
Applicant: Blancos, LLC T/a Trade Name Pending - Dana Smith, Sr.
Petition: New restaurant license requesting live entertainment, outdoor table service, and off-premises catering
Premises: 413 N. Charles Street 21201
(City Council District: 11th; State Legislative District: 46th)
Applicant: Progress Hospitality North, LLC T/a Mo’s Place – Stephen
James Jones and Timothy Ma
Petition: New restaurant license requesting outdoor table service and off-premises catering
Premises: 3290 N. Charles Street 21218
(City Council District: 14th; State Legislative District: 43A)
Applicant: Bao Di Restaurant Group, LLC T/a Bao Di - Hanqi Wang and Eric Gregory Repas
Petition: New restaurant license
Premises: 3215 Eastern Avenue 21224
(City Council District: 1st; State Legislative District: 46th)
Applicant: Dear Leon Howard, LLC T/a La Maison - Cheolsoo Lee
Petition: New restaurant license requesting outdoor table service
Premises: 2600 N. Howard Street 21218
(City Council District: 12th; State Legislative District: 43A)
Applicant: Josefina Baltimore, LLC T/a Joesefina - David Zamudio
Petition: New restaurant license
Premises: 1409 Point Street 21231
(City Council District: 12th; State Legislative District: 46th)
Applicant: S & S Restaurant Enterprises, Inc. T/a The 1920 - Shawnta
A.L. Taylor
Petition: New restaurant license requesting live entertainment and off-premises catering
Premises: 110 Water Street 21202
(City Council District: 11th; State Legislative District: 46th)
3. CLASS “B”, BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE (ARENA)
Applicant: 34 Market Place Concessionaire, LLC T/a Power Plant Live! - Jill R. Rosenberg
Petition: Transfer of ownership with continuation of live entertainment and outdoor table service
Premises: 34 Market Place 21202
(City Council District: 11th; State Legislative District: 46th)
4. CLASS “B”, BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE (RACETRACK)
Applicant: Maryland Turf Caterers, Inc. T/a Pimlico Race Course - Michael Latham, Rebecca J. Williams, and Timothy P. Luzius
Petition: Transfer of ownership with continuation of live entertainment, outdoor table service and off-premises catering
Premises: 5201 Park Heights and Belvedere 21215
(City Council District: 5th; State Legislative District: 41st)
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BALTIMORE CITY INVITATION FOR BIDS WATER, SEWAGE, DRAINAGE UTILITY EMERGENCY, AND REPAIR SERVICES IFB NUMBER: B-2041-25
The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (“HABC”) will issue an Invitation for Bids (“IFB”) fointerested and qualified contractors to provide routine and emergency services such as repairing, installing, and restoring water, sewage, and drainage lines for various units for HABC.
BIDS WILL BE DUE no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, June 13, 2025
A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on Wednesday, May 28 th , 2025, at 10:00 a.m., which will be scheduled as a virtual meeting. The entire IFB can be viewed and downloaded by visiting https://habc. bonfirehub.com/projects on or after Monday, May 19, 2025. Questions regarding the IFB should be directed in writing to the address and individual indicated below and must include the reference: HABC IFB Number B-2041-25.
Housing Authority of Baltimore City Division of Fiscal Operations, Procurement Department 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 414 Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Attention: Mary Kate Gagliardi, Senior Buyer Tel: 410-396-3105 mary.gagliardi@habc.org
CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NOTICE OF LETTING
Sealed Bids or Proposal for the TR25012, ADA CURB RAMP CONSTRUCTION CITYWIDE URGENT NEED (JOC) will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until JUNE 18, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. Board of Estimates employees will be stationed at the Security Unit Counter just inside the Holliday Street entrance to City Hall from 10:45 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
at brenda.simmons@baltimorecity.gov or (443) 865-4423 to arrange for a copy of the bid book labeled “NOT FOR BIDDING PURPOSES” to be emailed to you. Anyone who desires to purchase a bid book to be used for bidding purposes must do so in person and by contacting Brenda Simmons at the email address or phone number above. The non-refundable cost is SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($75.00) to be paid at the Department of Transportation 417 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 made payable to the Director of Finance. Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors’ Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call (410) 396-6883 or contact the Committee at 4 S. Frederick Street, 4 th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (“JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Categories required for bidding on this project are D02620 CURBS, GUTTERS, SIDEWALKS). Cost Qualification Range for this project will be from $1,000,000.01 to $2,000,000.00
with a copy to the undersigned, on or before NOVEMBER 23, 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
publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: MAY 23, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
KEMIT MAWAKANA Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/23, 05/30, 06/06/25
Notice
*admit to probate the will dated MARCH 28, 2000 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of the witnesses or otherwise
Date of first publication: MAY 16, 2025 Names of newspapers: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
CAMERON UNDERWOOD 4967 8TH STREET, NE
WASHINGTON, DC 20017
Signature of Petitioner/Attorney Register of Wills Clerk of the Probate Division 05/16, 05/23/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000259 TYRONE HOPKINS JR. Name of Decedent TONY GRAHAM, SR., ESQ 14502 GREENVIEW DRIVE, SUITE 400 LAURAL, MD 20708 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs LATONYA GRAHAM whose address is 108 MICHIGAN AVENUE, NE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20017 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of TYRONE HOPKINS, JR. who died on MAY 01, 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 NOVEMBER 09, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before NOVEMBER 09, 2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.
Date of first publication: MAY 09, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
LATONYA GRAHAM Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/09, 05/16, 05/23/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM455 STANLEY DEWITT COLN Name of Decedent
WILLIAM A. BLAND, ESQUIRE 80 M STREET SE #330 WASHINGTON, DC 20003
Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
GLORIA F. HILL whose address is 631 LAMONT
STREET NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20010 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of STANLEY DEWITT COLN who died on NOVEMBER 15, 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 NOVEMBER 23,
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000345 VIVIAN THOMPKINS-TWISDALE Name of Decedent HORACE BRADSHAW 1644 6TH STREET NW WASHINGTON DC, 20001 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs GEORGE THOMAS THOMPKINS whose address are 3016 SHERMAN AVE. NW, WASHINGTON DC, 20001 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of VIVIAN THOMPKINS-TWISDALE who died on JULY 20, 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 NOVEMBER 09, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before NOVEMBER 09, 2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.
Date of first publication: MAY 09, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
GEORGE THOMAS THOMPKINS Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/09, 05/16, 05/23/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000465 YOLANDE RICHARDSON Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs VIOLET RICHARDSON whose address is 115 TRENTON PLACE SE, WASHINGTON DC 20032 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of YOLANDE RICHARDSON who died on JANUARY 24, 2025 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 NOVEMBER 23, 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 NOVEMBER 23, 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: MAY 23, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
VIOLET RICHARDSON Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/23, 05/30, 06/06/25 Scan for information on AFRO events
Thanks to the support of our players, the Maryland Lottery contributed $699.6 million to Maryland’s schools, public health and safety initiatives and other state programs in Fiscal Year 2024. We also paid more than $1.71 billion in prizes to players. Not bad. We’d like to think we generated a few million smiles as well. When you play, everybody wins.
