Morgan’s Spring Commencement highlights growth and excellence, legacy and leadership
By Morgan State University
Morgan State University recently welcomed one of the largest graduating classes in its history. The Undergraduate Exercises held May 17 in Hughes Memorial Stadium followed the School of Graduate Studies ceremony, which was held in the Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center on Thursday, May 15.
Sanjay K. Rai, Ph.D., secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission, was among the special guests on the platform at the Undergraduate Commencement, where the golden garbed 50th anniversary class, the Class of 1975, led the procession — a place of honor for the last class to graduate from Morgan State College before the institution attained university status.
A total of 1,022 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral candidates received their degrees at the two Commencement celebrations — besting last year’s total by more than 180 candidates — among them 288 Latin Honors graduates; a history-making 16 students with perfect cumulative 4.0 grade-point averages, who shared the title of class valedictorian; and a record high of 60 doctoral candidates, a milestone in Morgan’s progress toward the prestigious R1 Carnegie classification, signifying “very high research activity.”
Notable among the undergraduate candidates were the three first-ever recipients of the Bachelor of Science in one of Morgan’s latest degree offerings, mechatronics engineering, and the first-ever recipient of Morgan’s Bachelor of Arts in musical theatre.
Six members of the Class of 2025 received commissions as first lieutenants in the U.S. Army in a separate ceremony held by the University’s ROTC Bear Battalion on Thursday, May 15. Growth, excellence, legacy and leadership were the unofficial themes of Morgan’s Spring 2025 Commencement events, which included presentation of honorary doctorates to three outstanding achievers at the Undergraduate Exercises by Morgan President David K. Wilson, Ed.D and Morgan’s Board of Regents chair, Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07).
Thasunda Brown Duckett,
spanned 48 years. Through his mentoring, Dr. Gilbert has helped produce more African American Ph.D.s in computer science than anyone else in the nation’s history.
Cultivating dreams
Duckett, who was also the keynote speaker for the Undergraduate Exercises, told the audience about the legacy she inherited from her maternal ancestors in racially segregated, rural Alabama, how it instilled in her the importance of education, how it helped her overcome the financial insecurity of her youth and how it fueled her passion for leadership.
While at the University of Houston pursuing her bachelor’s degrees in marketing and finance, Duckett received an internship through an inclusion program named INROADS that paved her way into Corporate America. “And today,” Duckett told the audience, “as you heard President Wilson say, I am one of just two Black women CEOs in the Fortune 500 and one of just four Black women to have ever led a Fortune 500 company…My ancestors cultivated a dream of education and achievement for generations, and it grew into a reality my great-grandmother could have only imagined.”
“Today, I am continuing the legacy for my own son and daughters,” she said, including her eldest daughter, a first-year student at Harvard.
Duckett called on the Class of 2025 to start its own journey to effective and impactful leadership, “the kind that shapes industries, transforms communities and leaves a lasting, positive impact on the world.” Leadership, she said, requires character developed through perseverance; vision; intellectual curiosity leading to understanding of others’ perspectives; a willingness to work; and optimism, even in the face of today’s problems that seem insurmountable.
“I assure you, friends, we live in a country that on its worst day still has innovation and renewal in its DNA,” Duckett said. “We confront our challenges, learn from them and rise again. And I believe it’s the shared ideal of a more perfect union that has anchored the best in us and fuels the progress we continue to make.”
“…This moment is not just about us. It’s about those who will come after us…”
president and chief executive officer of the Fortune 100 financial services company TIAA, was awarded a Doctor of Laws, while Juan E. Gilbert, Ph.D., pioneering computer scientist, professor and department chair at the University of Florida and developer of the Prime III secure voting system, received Doctor of Science honors.
Morgan’s own Burney J. Hollis, Ph.D., revered educator, scholar and academic leader, was honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters. Dr. Hollis’ career at Morgan, as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and in many other vital capacities,
who earned a bachelor of science in family and consumer sciences, and Catherine Scharbach, who earned a bachelor of science in interior design, both accepted the President’s Award for Exceptional Creative Achievement.
Adeoye, who hails from Kwara, Nigeria, had already compiled a long list of praiseworthy academic, extracurricular and career accomplishments when he was interviewed for Morgan Magazine during his sophomore year.
Praiseworthy achievements
Morgan’s Spring graduates included countless examples of excellence, five of whom were recognized with presidential awards. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science candidate Godsheritage Adeoye, Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Journalism candidate Morelys Los Urbano and Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering candidate Emmanuel Durojaiye received the President’s Second Mile Award for outstanding leadership and participation in student affairs. Loretta Gray,
“I just want to leave this kind of legacy behind where they’d be able to say Godsheritage not only just did good for himself but…also to open doors for other people,” he said in Fall 2023. And his achievements and legacy continued to grow over time.
Carol A. Smith, a Ph.D. in Bioenvironmental Sciences graduate in the Class of 2025, represents the excellence produced by Morgan’s graduate programs. The University of California, Berkeley, and University of Maryland, College Park alum came to Morgan in 2020, attracted by the unique scholastic and research opportunities supported by the
University’s Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory (PEARL). She completed her doctoral dissertation on the topic of “Microplastics With Co-Contaminants and Plastic Degrading Microbes Found in the Chrysora Chesapeakei of the Patuxent River, Chesapeake Bay.”
“My overall experience at Morgan has been a positive one. It has gone beyond my expectations,” Smith said in an interview last year. Adding that before she received her Ph.D., she “was able to be catapulted into a peer-reviewed journal [as] first author.”
“I would very much like to continue my career in marine studies, and I would like to improve the waterways, in order to get rid of microplastics and contaminants within,” she said, when asked about her future plans.
A collective victory
A long-held Commencement tradition, the Salute to the Graduates, yielded inspiring messages about the power of Morgan’s mission and the responsibilities that come with attaining a Morgan education.
Senior Class President
Katiana Guillaume, a Bachelor of Science in Biology graduate, addressed the audience at the Undergraduate Exercises, after the very celebratory awarding of diplomas.
“If there’s one word that defines the Class of 2025, it’s perseverance,” said Guillaume, echoing a message of the event’s keynote speaker, Thasunda Brown Duckett. “…
To Morgan, our beloved alma mater, thank you for molding us. The lessons learned here extend far beyond the classroom. We leave with knowledge, yes, but also with confidence, courage and community.”
As graduates of a historically Black institution, Gullaume reminded her peers that they “are the dream and the continuation of those who came before us.”
“We are living, breathing Black history,” she said.
“Own that.”
From the School of Graduate Studies ceremony, class leaders emphasized themes of transformation, legacy and perseverance.
“Together, on this day, we have come out not just educated but transformed,” said Master of Arts in International Studies candidate Karmel Reeves to the audience at the Graduate Exercises.
“Our presence here is a continuation of many of our ancestors’ resistance, wisdom and vision,” said Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Candidate Juana Hollingsworth, who followed Reeves to the lectern.
“I am here because of those who came before me…. This degree is not a personal victory for us. It is a collective one.”
In his closing remarks for the Undergraduate Exercises, President Wilson reminded the graduates of the challenge he issued as they entered Morgan State.
“The challenge was simply to take your studies here seriously and use all that this university has to offer you wisely, and to promise me that you would graduate in 2025,” said Wilson, who will complete his 15th year at Morgan’s helm on June 30. Wilson urged the Class of 2025 to continue Morgan’s legacy by lifting their voices to address social and economic inequality, racial injustice and intolerance.
“You must fight, Morganites, for what is right and fair,” he stated, “and you must understand that our history cannot and will not ever be erased from the history books.”
Meta (Facebook)/ Karemah Styles Buchanan Kondwani Jaeden Patterson is a Morgan State University graduate with a major in information systems and a minor in psychology.
Meta (Facebook)/ Savannah Chanel Savannah Chanel, a Morgan State University graduate with a B.S. in Computer Science, graduates with cum laude honors.
Photo courtesy of Morgan State University
Shown here, Morgan State University leadership with graduates and Presidential Award winners: Dr. Hongtao Yu, provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs (left); Morelys Los Urbano, recipient of a bachelor of science in multimedia journalism; Emmanuel Durojaiye, recipient of a bachelor of science in industrial engineering; Godsheritage Adeoye, recipient of a bachelor of science in computer science; Loretta Gray, recipient of a bachelor of science in family and consumer sciences, and Catherine Scharbach, now the proud graduate of the university’s bachelor of science in interior design program. The students were joined on stage by Morgan State University President David K. Wilson, Ed. D. (right).
Alsobrooks delivers encouraging, but tough message to Class of 2025
By Dr. Deborah Bailey Contributing Editor
Bowie State University graduates and their families enjoyed the time-honored tradition of seeing each graduate walk on stage, receive their diplomas and shake hands with the president on May 23. It was a “full circle” day for the U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks.
Born in Suitland, Md. and raised in Camp Springs, Alsobrooks returned to her home base to serve as speaker of Bowie State University’s Spring 2025 commencement.
Alsobrooks delivered a tough message about the struggle graduates will face as they leave campus and take on real world battles. Using Nelson Mandela’s fight against apartheid as her illustration, she warned graduates that the demanding work awaiting them is real.
“The truth is, no matter how talented you are, no one will hand you the success that you deserve. You’re going to have to work for it,” Alsobrooks said. “You’re going to face, at times, the absolute ignorance of those who will question your qualifications and competencies– but be clear–you belong in every room you step in.”
“Believe me when I say that your very presence will change the room,” said Alsobrooks, who is the third Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate and the first Black senator from Maryland. The senator didn’t hide truth. Instead, she warned graduates of the discomfort they must face head on.
“I’ve got news for you,” she told those in attendance. “Discomfort is a reality in this life. You can run from it. You can try to avoid it. But boldness doesn’t hide from a little hard work, and it doesn’t hide from challenges.”
“There will be moments that challenge who you are and what you believe in. In my experience, I have learned [that] in order to be great, you have to stand some discomfort. I’ve become familiar with discomfort,” Alsobrooks said.
The historic election that catapulted Alsobrooks to the U.S. Senate came at a difficult time for the State of Maryland. In the months since she has been sworn in, orders from the Trump Administration have resulted in the loss or suspension of 28,000
“You’re going to face at times the absolute ignorance of those who will question your qualifications and competencies, but be clear, you belong in every room you step in.”
federal jobs in Maryland according to the Maryland Bureau of Revenue Estimates (BRE). This doesn’t include federal contractors or other workers who rely on the federal government for their jobs.
Alsobrooks sought to reassure graduates that success will come after the struggle. It was a difficult but necessary reality to hear, according to many graduates, including Brittany Guillory. The graduate earned
her master’s in public administration alongside peers who, like her, already work in public service roles.
“Hearing Senator Alsobrooks speak so candidly about challenges we’ll face in public service was incredibly grounding,” said Guillory. “As a new MPA graduate, her words validate the sacrifices I’ve already made and prepared me for what’s ahead.”
“The work we’re stepping into isn’t always convenient, easy or glamorous, but it’s necessary,” said Guillory, who will serve as a post-graduate intern with the Congressional Black Caucus in June.
During the commencement
announcements, University President Aminta Breaux proudly reported that Bowie has risen to #11 in the US News and World Report HBCU Rankings. Bowie has also received the Carnegie Foundation’s new designation as a Research College and University, recognizing the institution’s increasing research funding from federal, state, local, and private grants and contracts.
Still, these advances also raise larger questions about where Bowie and other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) stand with the 47th president of the United States and his administration. Since January, Trump’s policies have cut
or paused eleven billion dollars in research funding going to American colleges and universities. No report on federally funded research at Bowie State University since January 2025 was available for review.
However, Morgan State University recently reported that a major contract from the U.S. Navy had been abruptly cancelled due to Trump’s executive order banning all DEI activities funded by federal agencies. The contract supported a campus visit for K-12 students to visit Morgan’s School of Engineering. Additionally, Trump’s new initiative for HBCUs does not give clear guidance, according to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.
The initiative seems to support HBCUs, but names the Department of Education as the support agency to provide funding and administrative support for the White House HBCU Initiative activities. Ironically, Trump promised to signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education in March 2025.
Brenda Guillory, Brittany’s mom, is quiet and content as she waits for Brittany’s name to be called. “I feel so honored that she’s graduating,” said Guillory, a U.S. Army veteran, who the family calls their “rock.” “The family is overjoyed Brittany will be working with the Congressional Black Caucus,” said Guillory. “Public service is our legacy. It’s in our blood.”
Photo courtesy of Bowie State University.
U.S. Senator Alsobrooks (D-Md.) delivers a candid and motivational speech at Bowie State University’s 2025 Spring commencement, urging graduates to embrace discomfort and challenge as they step into their professional lives.
Photo courtesy of Meta (Facebook) / Candice Owens
Quadre D. Veney Jr. proudly represents the Bowie State University Class of 2025. Veney earned a criminal justice degree with a concentration in forensic science from the institution.
Photo courtesy of Meta (Facebook) / Bowie State University
Shown here, 2025 graduates of Bowie State University’s Department of Nursing, well on their way to represent the institution as the next generation of medical professionals.
Photo courtesy of Meta (Facebook) / Bowie State University Gene Carson makes his way across the commencement stage, determined to let nothing stop him from accepting his degree.
To my brothers in the struggle toward doctoral excellence–keep going!
By Otis L. Eldridge Jr.
I recently completed the Urban Educational Leadership doctoral program at Morgan State University, and I’d like to offer a few words of advice in support of all of the Black men in pursuit of a doctorate.
First, always stay open to new opportunities. During my time in the program, I was fortunate to serve as a graduate assistant at Morgan, which helped cover a portion of my tuition. I completed a yearlong fellowship at James Madison University, participated in a teacher retention conference at Montclair State University and took on a fellowship with Baltimore Corps, out of the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success. Each of these experiences gave me valuable insight and perspective that extended beyond the classroom and deeply enriched my education.
Second, embrace the challenges you will face along the way. Earning your doctorate will test your resolve in ways you might not expect. There
will be moments when you’ll need to prove, as Master P said, that you’re “Bout it, Bout it.” This is a journey, and like all meaningful journeys, there will be some discomfort. But that discomfort is temporary. Take the time to rest when needed, but don’t lose sight of your goal. Stay the course.
Finally, remember this: You matter, and your research matters. As a Black man pursuing a doctorate, your voice, your perspective and your ideas carry power—especially for those who have historically been silenced. You are part of a legacy started by Edward Alexander Bouchet and carried forward by scholars and leaders such as W. E. B. DuBois, Carter G. Woodson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Use your knowledge, skills and purpose to uplift your community and create opportunities for those coming behind you.
I wish you continued strength and success as you pursue your degree. You are already on the path to greatness. Keep walking and you will reach your destination.
men pursuing doctoral degrees—urging them to embrace opportunity, persevere through challenges and recognize the power of their voice and research.
Five things new graduates should do to plan their careers
Many of today’s graduates start their job search with a belief that they should enter their company or industry of choice immediately after graduation. At least that’s what we’ve observed in our experience advising thousands of college students over the years on how to launch their careers.
Research has shown that younger millennials and older Gen Zers – that is, those born between 1990 and 1998 – are motivated by roles that are meaningful and where they can be given responsibility quickly. They tend to change jobs often and are looking for ways to move up the ladder and increase their salary at a faster pace than other generations currently in the workforce.
From what we’ve observed, they are instructed by their parents and career advisers to look for opportunities that align with their passions, and to not compromise on interests or values. We have also found that they tend to want to focus on “hot” industries like sports, luxury goods or high-end consulting that are in line with their interests. Students often pursue these dreams with a short term mindset, thinking that they need to get started in their chosen area right away in order to be successful in their career.
Based on our own corporate experience and work with students, we believe this is the wrong way to go, especially given the current market turmoil from COVID-19 and the fact that companies are cutting an unprecedented number of jobs as they struggle to survive. Instead, we recommend
a five-step process for new graduates to get on the path to their dream job.
1. Create a 7 to 10-year vision
College graduates should try and focus on the longer term, looking at their first job as a means to an end, and not the end itself. To do so, we recommend creating a sevento 10-year plan. A great vision has a clear end goal in mind, such as aiming to be a chief financial officer or chief marketing officer in 10 years for a technology company. However, the plan should also outline skill sets and experiences that
need to be developed in order to attain that “dream job.”
For example, if your vision is to be a brand manager for a key product at a big name athletic shoe company, you need to build out your skills in areas such as sales, branding, pricing, market research, product design and financial analysis. While you might yearn to start as an associate brand manager at a high-end shoe company, it can be equally as effective to start as a market research analyst for a retail chain because you will gain a lot of the same preliminary skills, such as product and pricing analysis. You will also gain a broader
industry perspective that can be useful when you move into that associate brand manager role later on.
2. Research people who do your dream job
Next, utilize LinkedIn to research the backgrounds of people who are in your dream role (or close to it). Reach out to a few of them to ask advice and find out answers to key questions, such as: What did you do along your career path to get where you are now? Are there common roles or skills that stand out? Are there some unique skills that have propelled people forward faster? What kind of training
and certifications do you need?
The answers to these questions provide clues as to the types of roles that should be evaluated as short-term options.
3. Map out a path to the dream job
Spend time to identify different roles that can lead to your desired long-term goal. Examine company hierarchies and the benefits or drawbacks of moving across industries. Also, consider the role geography may play in your chosen field, the value of international experience, and other trends discovered in the research stage. You can even pull job descriptions from
various sources and create a spreadsheet of job titles and position responsibilities with each advancing stage of your vision.
4. Modify your vision as needed
Recognize that each person’s vision and path will change over time, due to interests changing and markets evolving. You may find yourself off of your original path at some point, but the practice of consciously evaluating short-term opportunities against long-term goals will reduce the frustration along the way and lead to the ability to make better sense of each opportunity as it presents itself. It will also help you lean in to uncomfortable roles and stretch assignments with a more positive attitude, knowing that you will gain valuable skills along the way.
5. Share your vision with trusted mentors Don’t treat the vision as a private document for personal use only. As your vision and plan comes to life, mentors and friends can help to shape and mold the vision by sharing advice and experience from their own career paths. They often see skills and abilities in you that you don’t see in yourself, thus enabling them to help you get a better understanding of your strengths and areas of opportunity. As you progress forward in your career, utilize mentors and friends from different points in your career as sounding boards for future moves. They can often see the areas in which you have grown and areas that you can develop in your next role. This article was reprinted with permission from The Conversation.
Otis L. Eldridge Jr., a recent graduate of Morgan State University’s Urban Educational Leadership doctoral program, shares advice and encouragement for fellow Black
By Rebecca Cook and Eric D. Johnson
Photo courtesy of Insidejob podcast
Eric D. Johnson serves Indiana University as the associate director of professional development for graduate career services.
Photo courtesy of Indiana University
Rebecca Cook serves as the executive director of undergraduate career services at Indiana University.
Education advocates sound the alarm as student loan overhaul moves through the Senate
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com
The 47th president is pushing a major overhaul of the federal student loan and financial aid system as part of his proposed “big, beautiful bill,” which is now advancing in the Senate. A part of the package is the Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan, which would eliminate existing income-driven repayment options, restrict Pell Grants, cap loan amounts and end subsidized loans.
Proponents of the plan believe it will cut costs and reduce federal debt by tightening eligibility and streamlining repayment while holding colleges accountable for poor student outcomes and high default rates. But, education and borrower advocates warn it could burden students with higher bills and restrict access to college for those who need aid the most.
“There’s over 40 million Americans that owe a collective $1.7 trillion in student debt,” said Aissa Canchola Bañez, policy director at the Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC). “We know that the burden of student debt impacts folks across their entire lives. It makes it harder for them to save for emergencies. It makes it harder for them to become homeowners. It makes it harder for them to open small businesses.”
Bañez’s organization works to
advance policies that alleviate the burden of student loan debt on American households. She described the state of student loan and financial aid policy under the 47th president as mass uncertainty.
In the first few months of his second term, the president has tried to dismantle the Department of Education (ED), firing thousands of employees. His administration has also terminated workers at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which protects student loan borrowers.
In February, income-driven repayment plan applications were removed from ED’s website. Though the applications were returned to the site after a lawsuit, Bañez said nearly 2 million of them have yet to be processed, leaving borrowers desperate for more affordable payments. In May, the 47th president also restarted forced collections of federal student loans in default.
“Accross the board, borrowers are having to choose between putting food on the table, paying rent or staying on top of their student loans,” said Bañez. “It’s egregious, especially when you consider the fact that these federal loan borrowers have a right to an affordable monthly payment, and it’s been made impossible by this current administration.”
Now, SBPC believes the Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan could exacerbate an already growing crisis.
Nearly two-thirds of Pell Grant recipients, low- and moderate-income students who receive support to help pay for college, could have their aid cut or eliminated, according to Bañez. The end of subsidized loans would increase overall costs for borrowers by thousands of dollars.
The plan would also eradicate graduate PLUS Loans, which allow graduate and professional students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance. These provisions could have profound consequences for Black and Brown students in particular.
“We’re either going to see them completely abandon the pursuit of higher education, or we’re going to see them pushed into the private student loan market where it is significantly more risky and expensive to take on loans and there is no safety net,” said
The Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan’s consolidation of existing income-driven repayment plans would sunset former President Joe Biden’s Saving on Valuable Education (SAVE) program. It would instead offer a standard plan and an alternative income-driven repayment plan, but Bañez said both would cost borrowers thousands of additional dollars every year.
The plan would also extend the timeline for student loan forgiveness from 20 or 25 years to 30 years for borrowers enrolled in the income-driven repayment plan.
As part of the
are seeking to make significant changes
the
student loan and financial aid landscape, including restrictions to Pell Grants, the end of subsidized loans and graduate PLUS loans and extending student loan forgiveness timelines.
“Not only are you asking people to pay more every month and every year, you’re also extending the amount of time they have to be in repayment. When you think about graduates who are going into workforces where there is already a racial or gender pay gap, these types of changes are going to disproportionately burden Black and Brown folks and women who just make less than their White counterparts in today’s economy.”
The Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the 47th president’s big, beautiful bill on May 22. It is now in the Senate, with Republicans pushing to enact the package by July 4. Republicans have argued that the existing student loan and financial aid system has not adequately
addressed the crisis of high college tuition costs. They believe it could protect taxpayers by reducing defaults and holding colleges more accountable for student debt.
Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, issued a statement on May 22, encouraging the Senate to pass the legislation.
“It’s time we stopped asking taxpayers to foot the bill for our broken student loan system that has left borrowers in trillions of dollars of debt and has caused college costs to balloon,” said Walberg. “It’s time we stopped asking a factory worker in Michigan or a rancher in Texas to subsidize the student debt of a lawyer in Manhattan. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to end the status quo and get this bill to the president’s desk.”
What to know before you go: Admission experts share tips for graduates continuing their education
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com
For many graduates, earning a bachelor’s degree is just the beginning. As more students pursue master’s and doctoral degrees, the pressures of advanced education can quickly become overwhelming.
To help students navigate this complex path, the AFRO spoke with Gillian A. Hallmen, director of graduate standards and policy for Coppin State University, and Delvin Owens, assistant director of graduate admissions for Morgan State University.
AFRO: What should students consider when determining whether graduate school is right for them?
Gillian A. Hallmen: I hate to say it, but you should think about your funding first. You can love a program all you want, but if you can’t pay the institution it’s money, it’s a fail-stop right there. You also want to know how long it will take you to graduate and to decide whether you have the time to invest in it. If you’ll be working full-time or part-time, you should talk to an academic adviser or graduate about the academic rigor
Delvin Owens: Students should start by reflecting on their long-term goals, both professional and personal. Graduate school is a commitment of time, energy and finances, so it’s important to consider whether an advanced degree aligns with your career aspirations. Ask yourself: Will a graduate degree open doors in your field? Do you enjoy deep, independent learning and research? If the answer is yes, then graduate school might be the right path.
AFRO: What should incoming students do between now and the start of their program to prepare?
GA: You have to decide whether you’re going to live at home, on campus or off campus in a house or apartment. If you’re living with roommates, talk to them about cleaning. Seek out areas on campus where you can study and designate a study place at home. If you’re going to continue working, talk to your employer. Let them know that you may be coming in earlier or later because of classes. You should also
have a conversation with your program adviser to learn what their expectations are, and, if you have some time and they’re available, try to schedule a one-on-one with your professors.
DO: Use this time to get familiar with your program. Review the curriculum, read up on key topics and consider connecting with faculty or fellow students. If your field involves quantitative or technical skills, brushing up on those areas can be helpful. Also, organize your finances, plan your housing and take care of logistical tasks early so you can start the semester with peace of mind.
AFRO: What academic and financial support programs should students be aware of before they begin?
GA: At Coppin State University, we have
assistantships, but those are few and far to come by. We have just about eight or 10 positions. It’s a fight. But, the places you can get the most help are through a job that has tuition remission and through state and local government grants that provide scholarships. You can also contact the school’s institutional advancement office to find out if there are any scholarship opportunities.
At Coppin, we also have the Eagle Achievement Center to support students. You may feel intimidated to use it because you’ll see a lot of younger folks, but you have to shed yourself of that. Your graduate school should also offer programming to help you with your studies. When you’re in the classroom, you should find study partners and start study groups.
DO: At Morgan State University, students have access to a range of support resources, including graduate assistantships, fellowships, academic advising and writing support centers. Financial aid options, such as scholarships and tuition remission, are also available. It’s important to explore these early and reach out to the school of graduate studies for guidance on what you may qualify for.
AFRO: What are some habits or practices that students can use to avoid burnout and manage their time well?
GA: You have to have fun. If you’re doing your work and your time management is where it needs to be, then you need to treat yourself. Go bowling, to the movies or on a trip for a day or two. Then, you can come back with a refreshed battery. You should also establish a rapport with your professors and adviser. Reach out to them if you are struggling to turn work in or need extensions. You have to let them know early if you’re drowning.
DO: Start by setting a realistic schedule and sticking to it. Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable goals and take time to celebrate your progress. Prioritize self-care by getting enough sleep, eating well and taking regular breaks. Staying connected with peers and mentors can also offer both emotional support and academic motivation.
AFRO: What opportunities should students take advantage of outside of the classroom early on in grad school?
GA: We have a career development office and a software called, “Handshake,” where you can upload your resume and a career counselor will review it. The software will tell you anything you need to improve on in your resume, and the career counselor will tell you about things you should be doing to make yourself more attractive to the marketplace.
DO: Look into professional development workshops, student organizations, networking events and academic conferences. These opportunities can help you build your resume, form meaningful connections and explore interests beyond your coursework. Early engagement with your academic community can enrich your graduate experience and lead to new possibilities.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
47th president’s “big, beautiful bill,” Republican lawmakers
to
federal
Photo courtesy of Morgan State University
Delvin Owens serves as the assistant director of graduate admission for Morgan State University.
Photo courtesy of Coppin State University
Gillian A. Hallmen serves as the director of graduate standards and policy for Coppin State University.
With change on the horizon, clear communication, mutual growth and intentional effort become the pillars of post-grad relationships. This week,
speaks on love and life after commencement.
What’s next? How parents can thrive as empty nesters
By ReShonda Tate
When the last child moves out, many parents are left standing in a quiet house, a mixture of emotions swirling through them. And for millions of Black parents, the “empty nest” season is more than just a lifestyle change—it’s an emotional, cultural and spiritual reset.
The U.S. has more than 22 million empty nesters, and while this chapter is often framed as an opportunity to rediscover yourself, many Black parents are grappling with deeper questions: Who am I now? Can I really focus on me? Is it okay to rest?
The answers are yes, yes and yes. But the road there isn’t always easy.
Emotional whiplash: From caregiver to “just me”
“After my daughter left for college, I sat on the edge of the bed and cried,” said Darlene Johnson, a 54-year-old Houston mom. “I wasn’t crying because she left—I was crying because I didn’t know who I was without someone to care for.”
That identity shift is common. Many Black parents, especially mothers, find their sense of purpose tied to the caretaking of children, spouses, church families and sometimes aging parents.
“Grief is real in the empty nest phase,” explains Nettie Jones, a licensed therapist specializing in life transitions. “You’re mourning the version of yourself that was needed every day, every hour. And in Black communities, we’re often taught to suppress that grief and just keep pushing.”
But Jones says naming those feelings is the first step to healing. “It’s okay to miss your kids. It’s also okay to love the silence.”
Rediscovering you: Joy after sacrifice
This season isn’t just about loss—it’s about possibility. The kids are launched, and now it’s your turn.
Some Black parents, like 58-year-old James Carter, have used the moment to pick up passions they set aside decades ago. “I bought a saxophone,” he said. “My wife said, ‘Don’t come in here playing like Kenny G,’ but I needed something that was just mine.”
Whether it’s going back to school, starting a garden, joining a travel group or reconnecting with old friends, empty nesters are reclaiming time and space to focus on their own joy.
“This is your time to shine,” says Jones.
SINGLE IN THE CITY
A look at love after the tassel
By
Graduation season is here—and with it comes the joy of accomplishment, the fear of the unknown, and for many college couples, a looming question: Can we survive what comes next?
College is a unique bubble where love can grow quickly—shared schedules, late-night talks, and cafeteria dates turn into routines that feel like forever. But when the degrees are handed out and the moving trucks arrive, reality often sets in. One partner moves back home, the other lands a job in a different city, and suddenly you’re navigating not just adulthood, but distance, uncertainty, and change—all at once.
It’s a lot. But it doesn’t mean your relationship is doomed. In fact, what happens after graduation can be the real test of your connection—and an opportunity to build something deeper.
Here are five pieces of advice for couples facing the post-college crossroads:
1. Communicate with clarity
Life after graduation isn’t the time for vague feelings and unsaid expectations. Talk openly about what you want—from each other and for yourselves. Honesty may be uncomfortable, but it’s essential for making informed decisions about your future.
2. Respect the transition
You’re both growing. You’re both adjusting. Give each other room to evolve without
assuming it means you’re growing apart. Support each other’s paths while still prioritizing your bond.
3. Don’t romanticize the past—build for the future
Nostalgia is powerful, but don’t let it cloud what’s really happening now. Are you still aligned in your goals? Do you both want to keep building this relationship? Stay grounded in the present when making plans for what’s next.
4. Be intentional with your time
Whether you’re across the country or across town, time becomes more precious post-grad. Set up regular calls, plan visits, and stay engaged in each other’s lives. Consistency creates connection.
5. Know when to let go
Some college relationships last, and some don’t—and both outcomes are valid. If the relationship starts to feel more like an obligation than a partnership, it might be time to part ways with grace and gratitude. Endings can still be beautiful.
Graduation doesn’t just mark the end of your academic journey—it’s the beginning of your adult life. And if your relationship can make the leap with you, it may prove to be even more meaningful than you imagined. Whether you’re staying, separating, or still figuring it out—remember: love that’s meant to grow will find a way, even when the road ahead looks uncertain.
Congrats Class of 2025!
“I wasn’t crying because she left—I was crying because I didn’t know who I was without someone to care for.”
“You’ve given your family your all—now give some of that energy back to yourself.”
The money reboot: Invest in you
This chapter can be liberating financially. With the cost of child-rearing (and those endless school fees) in the rearview mirror, empty nesters are re-evaluating their budgets, retirement plans and even their living spaces.
According to a recent Nationwide survey, 50 percent of empty nesters have completed major home renovations in the last two years. But instead of downsizing, many are upgrading—remodeling kitchens, creating wellness rooms or building backyard oases.
“With more disposable income, we’re finally creating homes we actually enjoy living in,” said homeowner Ellen Mrukowski. “But we’re also thinking long-term—how can we age in place and make smart financial moves?”
Experts suggest now is the time to revisit insurance policies, update wills and create a financial plan that prioritizes both security and pleasure. “It’s not selfish to invest in your own future,” says Kempton of Nationwide. “It’s wise.”
Holding on, letting go: Parenting the grown-up child
Just because your child no longer lives at home doesn’t mean they don’t need you, but your role is different now.
“Boundaries are essential,” said former empty nester turned grandmother, Denise Walker. “I had to learn how to be there without always being ‘on.’ Now, my daughter actually calls me for advice—not because she has to, but because she wants to.”
Maintaining that relationship requires mutual respect, open communication and letting
As scholars strike out on their own, parents are encouraged to look inward and use the extra time for growth and self-investment. From picking up old passions to reimagining home spaces, Black empty nesters have plenty to embrace in their new season.
your child make their own mistakes. And for some, that also means navigating new dynamics if you’re simultaneously caring for an aging parent.
“We call it the ‘sandwich generation,’” Jones explains. “And for Black families, caregiving often falls squarely on our shoulders. That makes self-care even more critical.”
What’s your next chapter?
From finances to feelings, relationships to renovations, empty nesting is both a challenge and a chance. It’s an opportunity to redefine legacy—not just what you gave your children, but what you now give to yourself.
“Empty nesting isn’t the end of something—it’s the beginning,” said Johnson. “And I’m writing this chapter with joy on every page.”
Tips for thriving as a Black empty nester:
1. Name the feelings
Acknowledge grief, pride, loneliness and relief. They can co-exist.
2. Reinvest in yourself
Explore that hobby, take that trip or finally write that book.
3. Reimagine the budget
Meet with a financial planner to reset your goals post-parenting.
4. Set boundaries with love
Support your adult children without enabling or overextending.
5. Stay connected to community
Join clubs, serve at church or build new friend circles to fill the social gap.
This article was originally published in the Houston Defender.
Ericka Alston Buck Special to the AFRO
Courtesy Photo
Ericka Alston Buck
The Houston Defender
Unsplash / Peppe Occhipinti
Prepare for life after graduation by cleaning up your digital footprint
project? In particular, keep your LinkedIn profile clean, clear and updated.
Graduation marks a new beginning, offering an ideal opportunity to work on cleaning your digital footprint.
Whether you’re job hunting, building a professional network or simply aiming for a more polished online presence, taking control of your digital footprint is a proactive step towards success. Here are a few things to consider as you perform a post-college review of your social media channels and anywhere else you show up online.
Think like an employer. In case you need proof that employers are watching: 71 percent of U.S. hiring decision-makers agree that looking at candidates’ social media profiles is an effective way to screen applicants, according to The Harris Poll. And professional services agency Kavaliro found that 80 percent of employers will Google potential employees before inviting them for an interview. Google yourself and visit your social media channels, evaluating the results through the eyes of an employer. Search your name and various email addresses. Are you seeing the professional image you want to
Inventory and assess. Make a list of all the social media platforms, forums and websites where your name appears. Which ones do you use regularly? Can you delete some that you use less frequently? This not only streamlines your image but can also protect you from the risk of hackers and identity theft. Check your privacy settings and consider making all but LinkedIn private channels, so you don’t have to share every aspect of your private life with everyone.
Sweep up the dust. Scour your public channels, going back several pages. Remove or update any content that no longer aligns with your current personal or professional image. This step sets the foundation for a more intentional and curated digital footprint as you move forward. In addition to cleaning up images, comments or posts, begin creating positive content that emphasizes your work, outlook and career goals. Especially for LinkedIn and any other public channels, consider writing a statement of purpose for your profile. This could also lead to expanding
your network and increasing opportunities.
Plan for regular maintenance. Doing regular checks can help you avoid scrambling to clean up your online presence when you enter a job search. You can schedule time monthly, weekly or daily to review your digital presence. In doing so, you’ll be equipped to adapt to changes in your personal or professional life.
Your online presence is a powerful asset that can either enhance or hinder your professional opportunities. Taking the time to clean up your digital footprint not only demonstrates your commitment to professionalism, but it also gives you the opportunity to reflect on your personal brand and be intentional about shaping it in this new phase of your life.
This article was reprinted with permission and originally published as a column in The Lifelong Learner, a monthly feature written by UW–Madison’s Continuing Studies staff. Moira Kelley, an educational counselor, can be reached at moira. kelley@wisc.edu. This article first appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal.
By Moira G. Kelley
Nappy.co
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force / Patrick Buffett
From updating LinkedIn to deleting old social media accounts, taking control of your online presence can open doors and boost your professional image.
Baltimore’s Milan Brown is just getting started
By Andrea Stevens AFRO Staff Writer astevens@afro.com
With a resume that includes a retired high school jersey, 2,000 career points, a 4.1 GPA, two self-published books and 33 Division I basketball offers, Milan Brown’s final year of high school is nothing short of extraordinary.
The Mercy High School graduate recently committed to Wake Forest University, where she will play Division I basketball and major in business. While her athletic achievements have drawn headlines, her efforts as an author and youth advocate have made her a standout far beyond the hardwood.
“I was able to achieve a lot of records,” Milan said. “I broke the school scoring record, which stood for nearly 20 years, and I hit exactly 2,000 points in my last high school game. It was high intensity, high pressure, but I knocked down the final three free throws to reach that goal.”
Milan’s final shot wasn’t just the end of a game — it was the culmination of years of discipline, sacrifice and vision. Her impact was further honored in a recent ceremony where Mercy retired her jersey.
Though most teens struggle with time management, Brown has managed to juggle elite-level basketball, academics, writing and service work with grace.
“I’ve always been high
“We set her up for success, but she does all the work. She’s never needed us to check her homework — she’s always been her own biggest competition.”
Baltimore City scholars receive full scholarships to McDaniel College
By Andrea Stevens AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com
As the school year draws to a close, five special Baltimore City Public Schools students have been awarded full-tuition scholarships to McDaniel College, a four-year scholarship valued at approximately $200,000.
The scholarships will enable the students to pursue their dreams of a higher education with less anxiety about finances.
Skye Hammond, a scholarship recipient at Western High School, has members of the medical field in her family and said she plans to follow in her aunt’s footsteps once she enters college.
“I always wanted to be in the medical field. I felt that there was a need for Black nurses, especially in labor and delivery,” said Skye, a senior at Western. “I know that Black women have a higher mortality rate in childbirth and I want to be an advocate to be able to change that.”
Skye’s mother, Tennaya Foster, expressed deep gratitude for the scholarship.
“I’m a single mother, trying to figure out how to pay for college — this is a great weight off our shoulders,” she said.
Though the scholarship was a surprise, each student already had college in mind, thanks to schoolbased resources.
Ashley Wiley, post-secondary
advisor at Western High School, highlighted the school’s efforts to prepare students for life after graduation.
“Dr. Hall and I run the College and Career Department at Western High School, where we partner with CollegeBound to support more than 300 seniors in achieving their post-secondary goals,” Wiley said.
“Together, we provide resources like college tours, internships and career and workforce guidance.”
Western’s school counselor, Dr. Alita Hall, spoke to the amazing opportunity that has been given to these students, and echoed the sentiments of the cost of today’s college education.
“There’s tremendous relief,” Hall said. “School expenses add up quickly and meeting deadlines can be a heavy financial burden. Easing that pressure allows families to focus on their child’s education. I know they’re deeply grateful for the support.”
Another scholarship recipient, Zoe Saunders, is currently a senior at the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women. Zoe is an aspiring filmmaker whose creative drive stems from the lack of diversity in the shows she watched growing up.
“Although I could connect on some level, I just never got to see a Black girl or even a person of color just going through growing pains or solving the mystery,” said Saunders.
“As a filmmaker I want to explore slashers, psychological thrillers and
academic and high achieving,” Milan said. “I have lofty goals and a lot I want to accomplish. Sometimes I miss parties or can’t hang out with friends, but I’ve got bigger things in mind. It’s about priorities.”
Her work extends beyond athletics and academics. Her two books explore using virtual reality as a lens to understand historical and cultural figures. Her goal is to connect students–especially in Baltimore–to leaders they might not learn about in school.
“I wrote the book to shine a light on those people because I feel like their stories are being forgotten and not being shared enough in our community,” Milan said. “It’s a way to connect kids with the scholars and influential figures
who look like them.”
Behind the scenes, her mother, Anya Brown, serves as a steady force of support.
“She’s always been self-propelled,” Anya said.
“We set her up for success, but she does all the work.
She’s never needed us to check her homework — she’s always been her own biggest competition.”
Milan’s determination began early. At seven, she started a nonprofit. By four, she was holding mock board meetings in her bedroom. Her mother recalls being summoned with a sign-in sheet and a mission to help those experiencing homelessness.
“She told us we needed to find money to help people panhandling on the street,” Anya said. “She didn’t know
coming-of-age stories.”
Zoe’s parents have greatly influenced their daughter’s life by
providing support, guidance and strong, positive examples of what it means to work hard and succeed.
where the money would come from, but she made us all buy in.”
Milan’s recruitment process included conversations with more than 70 college coaches, which her mom called insane.
“At one point, she was talking to over 70 recruiters and received 33 Division I offers — including Harvard,” Anya said. “This little brown girl from Baltimore went to Cambridge.”
As Milan steps onto the national stage, her family hopes she continues to soar, while remembering it’s okay to stumble.
“I just hope she remembers that she can make mistakes,” Anya said. “She sets high goals and usually reaches them, but just in case she doesn’t, it’s okay to reset and start again.”
“I’m a single mother, trying to figure out how to pay for college — this is a great weight off our shoulders.”
Her father, Darren Saunders, said the role of the Black father is crucial when it comes to the success of Black youths across the city and beyond. He spoke to the beliefs and values he upholds in his household.
“By nurturing and fostering her gifts and understanding what her gifts are and aren’t, we made sure we pushed her in that direction,” said Darren Saunders. “We instill faith and self-respect in our children. We are believers in God.”
Zoe’s mother, Octavia Saunders, stands as a shining example of what can happen when parents are involved, and display perseverance and dedication while raising children.
“You are your child’s biggest supporter, so you have to advocate for them,” she said. “You have to show up — it can get hard, you may get on teachers’ or administrators’ nerves–but you have to show up for your child.”
Courtesy photo/ Amya Brown
Amya Brown, Milan Brown and Mark Brown proudly retire Milan’s jersey in an official ceremony.
Courtesy photo/ Wake Forest WBB Milan Brown, a recent Mercy High School graduate, is now committed to Wake Forest University.
Courtesy photo/ Alexis Taylor
Zoe Saunders (left), an aspiring filmmaker, celebrates her scholarship with the McDaniel College mascot and her parents, Darren and Octavia Saunders.
Courtesy photo/ Alexis Taylor
Skye Hammond (left), an aspiring labor and delivery nurse, is surprised with a full scholarship to McDaniel College. Shown here, Skye, with the McDaniel College mascot and her mother, Tennaya Foster.
Father and daughter graduate from Baltimore’s two HBCUs eight days apart
By Doni Glover
Eight days apart. That’s all that separates my daughter’s graduation from Coppin State University and mine from Morgan State University. Two generations. Two degrees. Two historically Black colleges and universities — both in the heart of Baltimore.
For me, this is more than a personal achievement. It’s legacy. It’s healing. It’s redemption. It’s God. When I first set foot on the campus of Morehouse College, I had no idea my mother would be gone just two years later. She gave everything so I could attend what I still consider the greatest HBCU in America. Morehouse didn’t just educate me — it saved my life. Just a month into my freshman year, I got the news that Darryl Motley — a neighborhood icon, someone we all looked up to — had been killed in an alley off Warwick Avenue, just a block from Coppin. It shook my community. Back home, drugs were destroying lives. Dope and coke had flooded our neighborhood. Promising athletes were being swallowed up by the streets, turning into dealers. Being a kingpin was the goal for too many.
Meanwhile, I was in Atlanta, surrounded by Black excellence, in a space that felt safe and empowering — a whole new world. Those two years at Morehouse transformed me. I met students from all over the country who looked like me, talked
like me, but dreamed bigger. I never imagined that journey would eventually lead me to complete my education at two more historic institutions: Coppin State and Morgan State.
Now, my daughter N’yinde and I are part of a beautiful, divine alignment: I walk across the stage at Morgan, and she does the same at Coppin — eight days later.
N’yinde graduating means her mother and I — and her entire village — have another victory.
It means she’s got a foundation, a sense of purpose, and hopefully a fire to keep going. I pray she knows deep in her soul that she’s not alone, that her ancestors — Donald and Lillie Glover, Mary Murray, Joaquin Calderon, Sam Glover, Flossie Rivers — are proud. This moment gives her a fighting chance. And maybe it gives her daughter the same. That’s how this works: one degree becomes a bridge for another. She majored in Early Childhood Education. Add this to her entrepreneurship since age 16, and we have a young woman who is already working on purchasing her first home.
Our story is not unique — but it is powerful. Baltimore is home to two of the most influential historically Black colleges in the nation.
Morgan State University has grown into a city within a city — the result of decades of leadership and vision, from Dr. Earl Richardson to Dr. David Wilson. Coppin, too, led by Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins, is transforming the West North Avenue corridor. The
Coppin Eagles have soared with the support of local and state leadership and the tireless work of people who believe in the potential of West Baltimore.
We’re both graduates now — from institutions that were built to uplift Black people at times when America tried to deny our humanity, our intellect, our ambition.
This isn’t just about finishing school. It’s about breaking patterns. It’s about what my daughter will pass on to her daughter. It’s about being present, as a father, as a man, as an example.
Chris Rock said it best — a father’s job is to keep his daughter off the pole. I know that’s blunt, but I understood the weight of it: so many women are hurting because of absent or wounded fathers. I told my daughter I never want to be the source of her pain. I want to be the source of her power.
And I had to model it.
I returned to school later in life, like so many of us do. I was 28 when I went back to finish my bachelor’s. I met Patricia Njenga at Coppin — she was taking care of her two younger sisters and averaging 22 credits a semester. I thought my 20-credit load was heavy until I met her. She inspired me. She made me dig deeper. We were both in the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program established by Dean T. J. Bryan. That program challenged me and made me respect Coppin and what it means to my
Mayor Lilian Seenoi Barr earns honorary doctorate from Howard University
Lilian Seenoi Barr, the Kenya-born Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, located in Northern Ireland, recognizes that her journey — full of great challenges as well as history making accomplishments — is an inspiration to many, including those just beginning their own journeys.
“That’s a weight I carry every day — to ensure that I succeed in any mission that I do; not just to prove to myself that I can do it, but also to others who may be doubting themselves that you can also do it. Because I did it,” she said.
Now, Seenoi Barr adds an honorary degree from Howard University to her long list of accomplishments.
Seenoi Barr said that she plans to continue the work of inspiring members of her community “to believe that they can occupy those places of influence, that they can also be decision makers.”
Seenoi Barr is the first Black person to be elected to public office in Northern Ireland, elected to the Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Foyleside ward in 2023, before being named mayor in April of 2024. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council is an honorary role, with the recipient chosen by other members of the council to serve for a one-year term. The mayor acts as the council chairperson and the city’s “first citizen.”
However, her path to leadership started long before her immigration to the country she now proudly calls home. In fact, her devotion to activism, advocacy, and public service began when she was a young girl in Kenya, inspired by her own family.
“I’m a Maasai woman and had an amazing upbringing, a great family,” Seenoi Barr explained. “Everything I do has always been driven by purpose and the people.”
Seenoi Barr was given the opportunity to be educated by parents who valued education as “a way to change and transform your life and also
your society.”
Experiencing the traditions within the Maasai culture — including young children, particularly young girls, not having the privilege of an education, in addition to the possibility of forced marriage and female genital mutilation — she felt a responsibility, even then, to fight for her community and girls who looked like her.
“I felt that sense of responsibility to fight for the Maasai girl child, and that is where my activism began,” she said.
That activism continued as Seenoi Barr became a prominent force in the fight for gender rights among Maasai women, eventually forced to flee with her son for their safety due to that extensive work. She then moved to Northern Ireland, proclaiming herself “an immigrant, a refugee,” finding common ground in the challenges she faced at home with those of her new community.
“Those challenges that I was facing, and other people from my community or the refugee community, really ignited the same fire I had in Kenya to continue fighting for their rights and their voice to be heard,” she said.
In addition to her current role, Seenoi Bar founded and is chief executive officer of the North West Migrants Forum, where, according to her biography on DerryStrabane.com, she advocates for the “rights and integration of migrants and minoritised minorities,” developing programming to address issues like racial discrimination, social inclusion, and community cohesion.
When asked to name an accomplishment she is most proud of, the mayor emphasized helping young people prepare themselves for leadership positions through a mentoring program she initiated, as well as her ability to build relationships to benefit her community.
“One of the things that I am so proud of is being able to forge relationships, especially international relationships, with our city and district,” she said. “Being awarded an honorary degree for the work that I have done all
community.
Education is everything. It’s freedom. It’s power. It’s survival. Our ancestors learned to read by candlelight — when it was illegal to even teach them. That spirit lives in me. No matter what I’ve faced — ugly days and darker nights — education gave me a way forward.
Finishing my master’s just shy of 60 isn’t just a milestone — it’s a whole new chapter. I’m walking with more clarity, more confidence, and more conviction. I have zero time for foolishness. I’m living my purpose unapologetically now. And while I’m looking ahead — possibly to a Ph.D. at the University of Baltimore — I know this isn’t about
titles or letters behind my name. It’s about building my business, growing my impact, and honoring the people who paved the way.
The classroom — whether at Coppin, Morgan, Morehouse, or beyond — is sacred.
If you’re reading this and you haven’t finished your degree, look into Morgan’s “Morgan Completes You” program. It was a godsend for me. Because eight days apart, my daughter and I walked across stages that represent so much more than just graduation.
We walked for our ancestors.We walked for our legacy.We walked so our babies can run.
my life, without needing any acclamations for it, it’s just a great honor.”
Seenoi Barr was presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the Howard’s 2025 Commencement ceremony.
“I am humbled; I feel so blessed to have been recognized,” she said.
In terms of her profession, the political leader finds the honor validating and proof that she’s on the right path.
“It just confirms that everything I’m doing is right; that there are people within the whole world who recognize social justice is a must. That we absolutely have to continue fighting for the rights of our people, and to come from an institution [where] social justice is embedded in every corner of its work — it’s a great honor.”
Barr was among four other distinguished professionals to receive honorary degrees from the institution during the commencement ceremony May 10, including acclaimed artist and Commencement orator LeVar Burton; Emery Neal Brown, Ph.D.; American poet Natasha Trethewey; and the Honorable Barbara Lee.
“I was so pleased to see Barbara Lee being honored,” said Seenoi Barr. “If I can do half of the things that Barbara Lee has done, I will be one of the proudest Black women in the world. She is such an inspiration.”
Resilience and a message for Howard University students
Inspirational in her own right, when it comes to facing challenges and adversity, as well as showing up as a leader others can look up to, Seenoi Barr leans into what she calls an “unwavering spirit” of resilience which carries her through times of uncertainty. “It is resilience that has been more than a trait for me, it has been that way of life,” she said of her journey from refugee to mayor of Derry. This is a message she hopes to impart on those currently forging their own path, like the graduating class of 2025.
“If you have gone to Howard University, that’s already an amazing achievement. To be able to grow, you have surrounded yourself with amazing people who have nurtured you and supported you — continue doing that, continue holding on to that, but also hold on to hope.” She also stressed the importance of believing that you belong in the spaces you occupy, and to therefore enter them bravely and with the conviction to make change happen.
“We need to be brave. We need to believe in ourselves that we can occupy those spaces, that we are good enough,” she continued. “We can do it, but also, we deserve to have positions of influence to deliver for our communities.”
This article was originally published by The Dig.
Photo courtesy of BMoreNews.com
Father and daughter, Donald Morton “Doni” Glover and N’yinde’ Amaari Glover, are both members of the graduating Class of 2025.
By Tiffani R. Alexander
Photo Courtesy of The Dig
Lilian Seenoi Barr, the Kenya-born leader and first Black mayor of a Northern Ireland city receives a Doctor of Laws degree during the 2025 Commencement.
AFRO Publisher receives honorary degree from Johns Hopkins University
By AFRO Staff
Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper is the proud recipient of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from The Johns Hopkins University. The honor was bestowed during the 2025 Commencement ceremony on May 22.
Dr. Draper received her honorary degree alongside Louis J. Forster, chair of the Johns Hopkins University Board of Trustees and philanthropist; Salman Amin “Sal” Khan, founder of Khan Academy, and Alexander Sandor Szalay, renowned astrophysicist and data science pioneer. The degrees were conferred by Johns Hopkins President Ronald J. Daniels.
Frances “Toni” Draper is now a proud recipient of an honorary doctorate from The Johns Hopkins University. She was one of four leaders to be recognized with the honor at the Spring 2025 commencement.
Against the odds: Foster youth finds success through support and strength
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
Going through foster care in the U.S. can make achieving the standard milestone a real feat–graduating is no exception.
According to the Indiana Department of Health, just 54.2 percent of foster youth graduated from high school in 2021. Among Black and Latinx foster youth, the graduation rate was nearly identical—54 percent. In contrast, 78 percent of all African-American students and 89 percent of White students graduated that year.
Damerriah Law of Bradenton, Fla., is part of the percentage who were able to persevere and get their diplomas this year. On May 20, she graduated from Southeast High School with determination and support behind her. Law, 18, said she was in the foster care system from January 2022 to June 2023 and plans to become a correctional officer.
“When I reached Miracles Outreach Community Development Center, I remember crying and being afraid, knowing I was miles away from home,” said Law. “My first couple of months there, I fell into a deep depression, but eventually I adjusted and built great relationships with the staff.”
Miracles Outreach Community Development Center is a Florida nonprofit that has provided foster care services since 2000.
Law said when she came into care, she was “angry at the world.”
“I felt like it owed me something,” she said. “But being in care helped me realize and appreciate the little joy that does come out of life.”
Tranette Engram, a staff member at Miracles Outreach Community Development Center, provides crucial support and encouragement to foster youth like Damerriah Law throughout their journeys.
One of the staff members who supported her was Tranette S. Engram.
“I knew at any point and time I could come and talk to them about anything and they would always comfort me and keep a good head on my shoulders,” said Law. “They are the reason I never gave up. I knew that if nobody else cared whether I succeeded in life, they would.”
Engram shared how proud she is of the work Law and other foster care you are doing to accomplish this milestone.
“At Miracles Outreach Community Development Center, we are beyond proud,” said Engram. “We were blessed to walk alongside her—to witness her tears, struggles, sass and ultimately, her growth and success. These moments remind us of one powerful truth: it truly takes a village.”
“These kids didn’t choose broken homes or broken systems…they are counting on someone to care. Be that someone.”
While Law was able to come out of foster care and get her high school diploma, many foster care youth struggle.
In fiscal year 2023, 343,077 children were in foster care nationwide, according to the National Council for Adoption. That year, 15,590 youth aged out of care, and 17 percent of children adopted were Black.
Black youth made up 14 percent of the total child population but 22 percent of all children in foster care in 2021, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. These realities amplify the significance of Law’s
Social justice advocate Ronald Chisom receives honorary doctorate from University of Maryland
By
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) has awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree to Ronald Chisom, co-founder of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB). The honor was bestowed during the University of Maryland’s School of Social Work (UMSSW) Convocation on May 19 at The Lyric in Baltimore.
For over 60 years, Chisom, affectionately known as “Brother Ron,” has been a tireless advocate for social justice. His journey began in New Orleans where he organized tenants in public housing, successfully sued landlords to improve inhumane living conditions and inspired communities to take collective action.
His landmark 1984 case against the Louisiana Supreme Court paved the way for the election of the state’s first Black Supreme Court Justice, securing a legacy through the “Chisom Seat,” which remains a cornerstone of legal history.
In 1980, Chisom co-founded PISAB, creating a groundbreaking anti-racism training model. The organization’s Undoing Racism Community Organizing workshop has since trained over two million individuals across the globe — from small towns in Alabama to urban centers in Tokyo and Johannesburg — providing tools to dismantle systemic racism and foster meaningful change.
“I’m very excited to receive this honor, and to be part of the social work profession moving us towards social change,” Chisom said. “In the midst of these times, to be honored for Undoing Racism speaks to the commitment of the University and the power of organizing. I’m appreciative of everyone who made this happen.”
He has served as a Kellogg Coach and received
many prestigious awards, including the Ashoka Fellowship, Bannerman Fellowship, Thomas Merton Award, Petra Foundation Award, Pax Christi Bread & Roses Award and Tenant Resource Center Achievement Award.
Having recently retired as the executive director of the organization Chisom co-founded, his life’s work exemplifies UMB’s Core Value of Equity and Justice, and influenced millions of individuals around the globe as well as UMB’s own School of Social Work. He continues to travel the country facilitating the Undoing Racism workshop.
“At 83, Ron remains a vital force in antiracist organizing, mentoring new leaders and frequently visiting the University of Maryland, Baltimore, to engage with our faculty, staff, students and Baltimore community. His work exemplifies the values we hold dear: courage, compassion and a steadfast commitment to justice,” said UMSSW Dean Judy L. Postmus, PhD, ACSW. “Bestowing this honorary degree on Brother Ron honors his extraordinary contributions and reaffirms UMB’s dedication to equity and the power of education as a tool for social change.”
Chisom’s work directly aligns with the mission of the School of Social Work. His Undoing Racism principles have inspired the SHARP (Structural oppression, Historical trauma, Analysis of Role, Reciprocity and Mutuality, Power) framework, developed by Wendy Shaia, EdD, MSW, UMSSW clinical professor and executive director of the Center for Restorative Change. The SHARP framework is now integrated into the School’s curriculum, faculty development and student learning experiences.
“Ron has changed our understanding — not just at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, but across the world — of what it means to be a leader, and what it means to work with people who’ve
experienced oppression,” said Shaia, who will hood Chisom at the UMSSW Convocation. “All of his work, Ron credits right back to the communities that he has organized with.”
Tisha S. Edwards delivers keynote address
Tisha S. Edwards, MSW ’00, JD ’01, provided the keynote address during the UMSSW Convocation.
Edwards is the newly appointed President and CEO of the Maryland Bankers Association and EVP of the Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association. She brings a wealth of executive experience in both the public and private sectors, with a strong commitment to representativeness and service.
Edwards’ ability to navigate complex systems and advocate for the greater good has defined her career, making her a driving force for economic growth and community development in Maryland. Previously, Edwards served as the appointment secretary for Gov. Wes Moore’s administration and served as Moore’s gubernatorial campaign chief of staff. From 2019 to 2021, she was the director of the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success. She has held leadership roles as president of BridgeEdU, vice president of corporate affairs for War Horse Cities, and interim CEO of the Baltimore City Public Schools System.
Edwards earned her BSW from Georgia State University, her MSW from the UMSSW, and her JD from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She has been a trustee of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Foundation since 2016 and serves on the University of Maryland School of Social Work Board of Advisors. UMSSW honored her with the 2025 Alumni of the Year Award for her service.
success.
Law offered advice for how adults can support foster youth.
“Love them like they were your own,” she said. “I know it can be a lot, but it’s also a lot for the children going through these difficult changes.”
Engram advised showing up and being consistent, partnering with or supporting local foster group homes and starting a youth mentorship initiative in their church or community.
“These kids didn’t choose broken homes or broken systems…they are counting on someone to care,” said Engram. “Be that someone.”
Law also shared what she wishes others understood about Black girls in foster care.
“Some of us don’t know how to properly express our emotions,” she said. “Our bottled-up emotions turn into anger. It’s not just us having a bad attitude all of the time.”
Law provided advice to other youth who have to navigate the foster care system.
“Make sure that there is enough time for the work to get done, then get it done,” she said. “Stay on top of the grades.”
“Don’t try to fit in, stand up and stand out,” she added. “Be that person that people can trust.”
Public
University of Maryland
Photo courtesy of University of Maryland Ronald “Brother Ron” Chisom, co-founder of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, will receive an honorary Doctor of
Service degree at the University of Maryland School of Social Work Convocation on May 19.
Photo courtesy of University of Maryland Tisha S. Edwards, MSW ’00, JD ’01, delivers the keynote address at the University of Maryland School of Social Work Convocation on May 19, highlighting the power of public service, equity, and leadership. Edwards was also honored as the 2025 Alumni of the Year.
Courtesy photo
Dr.
Courtesy photo
Damerriah Law, 18, graduates from Southeast High School in Florida after navigating the challenges of foster care. She now plans to pursue a career as a correctional officer.
Courtesy photo
Medical school graduates share their journey to residency
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, only about 5 percent of active physicians identify as African American, despite making up 13.6 percent of the U.S. population. In 1906, only 1.8 percent of U.S. physicians were Black, according to a study by Benjamin W. Chrisinger.
This graduation season, thousands of Black students are aiming to change that as they walk across the commencement stage and into their various roles in the medical industry.
Dr. John-Kevin Dolce
Dr. John-Kevin Dolce graduated from the Ross University School of Medicine on May 16 and matched into the highly competitive orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Virginia.
“In a profession like medicine, there’s no greater reward than knowing you’re making a difference in the lives of people who need you,” said Dolce.
Dolce said he always wanted to be a veterinarian or a doctor and enjoyed helping people. After pursuing other careers, he returned to his dream of becoming a doctor, facing the challenges that came with his non-traditional path into medicine.
“One of the greatest challenges I faced in applying for residency was overcoming barriers as an International Medical Graduate (IMG),” said Dolce. “It’s difficult to attain rotations in orthopedics because, as an IMG, you don’t have a home hospital. But through endless hours of studying, preparing for cases, and proving my genuine passion for orthopedics, I was able to earn interviews at every program I rotated at and even more.”
Dolce credits his mother, Dr. Marie-Ange Dorval Eugene, as a major inspiration.
“As an immigrant from Haiti, she came to the U.S. and worked multiple jobs to make ends meet while raising two boys,” he said. “For her to juggle all those responsibilities and still achieve her goal of becoming a physician again speaks volumes about her determination, passion and resilience as both a mother and a physician.”
Eugene, a board-certified family physician, applauded her son’s accomplishment.
“I am extremely proud of him,” said Eugene. “It’s 100 percent his dream, and
we are blessed that he never quit. He often credits me, but I always remind him that he put in the work. His faith in God has kept him on track and opened so many doors for him and our family.”
Dolce said he wants to inspire others.
“You’re going to hear a lot of ‘no,’ or ‘that’s impossible,’ but I believe that impossible does not exist—and you only fail when you stop trying,” he said. “The key is to work hard and approach every opportunity with humility.”
Dr. Anthony and Dr. Justice Dove
Dr. Anthony Dove, Jr., and his wife, Justice, graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia on May 20. They matched into radiology and obstetrics and gynecology, respectively.
“When we found out we matched, we were very happy that we had jobs and we would be able to feed our kid,” said Justice Dove. “We’re from North Carolina, our schools are in Georgia, we’re rotating in Jacksonville, Fla. We did try to stay on the East Coast.”
Justice matched at Reading Hospital in Pennsylvania, Anthony at Arnot Medical Center in New York—three and a half hours apart.
The couple got married before medical school and had their son, Anthony “Trey” Dove III, during their fourth year of their studies.
“There were a lot of mentors, and each played a different role, depending on the stage that we were in,” said Justice. “Dr. Robert Walker was instrumental in helping us get leadership roles and find opportunities to serve the community. Dr. Stacy Fairley and Dr. Jennifer Mitchell helped us during medical school, mapping out our application process.”
As a physician, Anthony hopes to mentor other students and help them make a positive impact on their local community. While studying as a medical student, he founded “Brothers in Medicine,” an outreach program offering health checks and education in barber shops and churches.
“We would go to different places like barber shops and churches, and we do things like checking blood pressures and sugar levels and just kind of educating the public about all the importance of going to see a physician on a regular basis,” he said.
The couple graduated in the top 10 percent of their class. Justice said she looks forward to advocating for Black mothers and building a strong future for their son.
“You’re going to hear a lot of ‘no’ or ‘that’s impossible,’ but I believe that impossible does not exist—and you only fail when you stop trying.”
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Dr. Justice Dove (left), Anthony “Trey” Dove III (center) and Dr. Anthony Dove Jr. (right) pose for a photo after commencement exercises for the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) South Georgia on May 20.
Courtesy photo
Dr. John-Kevin Dolce graduates from Ross University School of Medicine on May 16 and matches into the competitive orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Virginia.
Janet Currie President,
Former U.S. Congressman
Charles B. Rangel dies at 94
By Herb Boyd Amsterdam News
Charles Bernard Rangel, the former congressman from Harlem, and the last remaining founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, has died at age 94. Rangel passed away on May 26, Memorial Day, surrounded by family.
At his death, the Harlem native was the lone surviving member of the legendary Gang of Four, a group of successful politicians from Harlem. He took his reputation as the “Lion of Lenox Avenue” to the House of Representatives in 1971 after defeating the renowned Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. The pinnacle of his tenure in Congress was in 2007 when he became chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
“Throughout his career, Congressman Rangel fought tirelessly for affordable housing, urban revitalization, fair tax policies, and equal opportunities for all Americans,” his family said in a statement.
In his autobiography, Rangel claimed he never had a bad day since he survived an attack by the Chinese and the North Korean armies when he served in the Korean War, “but it doesn’t mean I haven’t had some heartbreaking experiences,” he wrote, particularly noting the loss of his brother. “Setbacks I’ve had; but bad days, no.”
“Charlie was a transformative leader; he used his political position to elevate the people he represented. He was accessible and always available to anyone who came to him for assistance. He demonstrated that political figures could be honorable and serve as great examples for young people to follow. From Harlem, he made his mark on the country. He will always be remembered as a warrior for justice and equality,” said former NYS State Comptroller H. Carl McCall in a statement to the AmNews.
“It is sadly appropriate that my close friend and mentor ‘The Lion Of Lenox Avenue’ the great Charles B. Rangel would transition on Memorial Day,” said Lloyd Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC). “Rangel was a true American hero, having been awarded the prestigious Purple Heart when fighting for our country during the Korean War in the 1950’s. Rangel will definitely go down in history as one of the most important and effective members of Congress. He will truly be missed internationally, nationwide throughout New York, but especially in his beloved Harlem where ‘he was the man.’”
Former Assemblymember Keith Wright told the AmNews that Rangel was a “political genius and a personal role model. The Harlem community, the state, and the nation are fortunate to have had Charlie Rangel in our lives. His legacy is cemented in perpetuity.”
During an interview with The HistoryMakers in 2018, Rangel recounted his early years coming of age on the streets of Harlem. “I came up from nothing,” he said, “I was a fatherless high school dropout with a gift of living by my wits and hiding my inadequacies behind bravado.” At the age of 22, he said, “I was pushing a hand truck in the gutters of New York’s garment district for a living…Yet somehow,
by age 30, I had acquired three degrees in six years, and was a newly minted lawyer admitted to the New York Bar.”
Rangel’s rise from poverty to leadership in Congress began on June 11, 1930, when he was born in Harlem. Raised by his mother, grandfather and his uncle Herbert, he attended P.S. 89, Junior High School 139, and later DeWitt Clinton High School, where he did well as a student. After dropping
throughout his life, he was fond of recalling his job as a night desk clerk at the Hotel Theresa, Harlem’s Waldorf-Astoria.
“At nights when I worked, it was Grand Central Station for the biggest Black stars of stage and screen, the top athletes, the highest rollers, and all the inevitable low-life hangers-on,” he wrote in his autobiography.
In 1961, Attorney General Robert Kennedy appointed Rangel assistant U.S. attorney
followed. Damn, were we scared. We sped up, turned around, and gave up all thoughts of showering –– all we wanted to do was get back to our group.”
Thanks to the influence of J. Raymond Jones, known as “The Harlem Fox” for his political sagacity, Rangel’s political career was launched, having succeeded Percy Sutton for the 11th A.D. It was also the beginning of a lifelong friendship with Sutton that later morphed into the forging of the Gang of Four, which included Basil Paterson and David Dinkins.
With Rep. Powell battling cancer and spending too much time out of the country, Rangel was among a cadre of young politicians who began to talk about unseating the invincible congressman.
out of high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean War and was seriously wounded in combat, and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
“My heart is broken by the passing of a lion of Harlem today,” the Rev. Al Shapton said in a statement. “I met Charlie Rangel as a teenager and we formed a bond that lasted over 50 years. Charlie was a true activist — we’ve marched together, been arrested together and painted crack houses together. After surviving the horrors of the Korean War, he made every day of his life count — whether it was coming home to get a law degree or becoming a fixture on the House of Representatives.”
On the rise
Upon discharge from the military, Rangel enrolled at New York University, earned his bachelor’s degree in 1957, and three years later, a law degree from St. John’s University Law School. A working man
for the Southern District of New York. Six years later, he won election to the New York State Assembly.
But only focusing on his first elected office, he misses two highlights of his life: His marriage to Alma Carter in 1964 and the 54-mile trek he made with others from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
“I cursed every step of those fifty-four miles, wondering how the hell did I start marching with these redneck national guard troops for an escort,” he wrote. “People in every house we passed along the way called us everything under the sun, and threw things at us. Every store played ‘Bye, Bye Blackbird’ from loudspeakers.”
One man, he recalled, asked him if he wanted a shower since they were sleeping in tents scattered around the fields. “We met and climbed into this broken down car on a dirt road,” Rangel continued, “and as this overcrowded car took off in the darkness, we saw that we were being
On several occasions, Rangel was in Powell’s company when he assembled residents to display his power. Once at the Rooster bar, where Powell held forth, “I’d gone alone, which was stupid,” Rangel admitted in his autobiography. Powell had all of his boosters and fans prepared to voice a chorus of “Yes, Congressman!”
“I was still brand-new as a district leader, and I was once again overly impressed with the invitation to meet Adam. But the meeting was all about ‘So…you’re the new guy on the block … you’re the smart one … You’re this and that.’ I learned a lesson from that meeting, and I remembered everyone who was there.” For the next few years, he said, the meeting haunted him.
Taking on a legend and establishing his own legacy
On Feb. 20, 1970, Rangel announced his run against Powell, and in doing so, gave up his Assembly seat. As it turned
out, Rangel narrowly defeated Powell, never needing the Republican ballot line. “I won the Democratic primary in June by 150 votes,” Rangel said. And he defeated Powell when the latter challenged the outcome in the Supreme Court. “All I had to really do,” he said about the contest, “was dominate the vote in my district…and that, you might say, was my margin of victory,” he said. Rangel hit the ground running, having soundly defeated the Republican candidate in the general election. He was hardly in his seat when he became a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in 1971. The CBC was the initial step in solidifying the gains of the Civil Rights Movement. Among the first legislative moves by Rangel was to distance himself from Powell’s shadow with concerted campaigns against drugs. But he was most proud of his three articles against President Nixon, above and beyond the Judiciary Committee, in 1974.
In 1983, Rangel became chair of the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control and was subsequently appointed a deputy whip for the House Democratic leadership, a position he maintained until 1993.
As the consensus on how to address the drug crisis shifted among progressives, Rangel evolved from a stubborn proponent of using prosecution and law enforcement to stomp out the blight to an advocate for reform. In a 1990 article on President Bush’s new drug strategy, the AmNews wrote about Rangel that “he was concerned that ‘there was nothing in the updated strategy which addresses the root cause of drug abuse.’” He went on to say, “The need to attack the root causes of drug abuse cannot be overlooked.”
A year later, under federal legislation authored by Rangel and signed into law by President Clinton, the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) was created. It was established to assist residents who had the highest concentration of poverty, according to the 1990 Census. No matter the event, the UMEZ was always mentioned among Rangel’s most significant contributions to the Harlem community. But his crowning achievement as a congressman came in 2007 when he became the first African American to chair the House Ways and Means Committee.
Among his last acts in Congress before retiring after the 114th Congress was as a ranking member of the Subcommittees on Trade.
His long tenure in Congress
may have come to an end but the “Lion of Lenox Avenue” was not without his prestige in Harlem, particularly at the City College of New York where he helmed the Charles B. Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative, fully prepared to usher in the next generation of skilled professionals to meet the demands of a changing industry. Having served in New York’s 15th Congressional District for nearly half a century, his new office at City College has become an incubator, bridging education and opportunity. It was just another way of perpetuating his leadership, carrying on what he had done previously in Congress on the various committees and subcommittees, with UMEZ, and his determination to upend apartheid in South Africa.
“Rangel will definitely go down in history as one of the most important and effective members of Congress.”
Even as he basked in the sun on the beach at Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, spending precious time with his wife, Alma – who died in 2024 – and reflecting on his two children and grandchildren, Rangel was ruminating on his legacy and other issues still to be resolved.
At the close of his autobiography, he said, “I’ve spent all of my life preparing this case (his meeting with St. Peter at the gates of Heaven). It will include the Caribbean Basin Initiative, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the Empowerment Zones, and the Rangel Low-Income Housing Credits, among many other things, in the Congressional Record. And if St. Peter’s not overly impressed with my legislative record, then I’ll just have to tell him that I did the best I could. And if I succeed in getting a room with a view, then I can truly say that I haven’t had a bad time.”
This story was originally published by New York Am-
sterdam News.
Former U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel, founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, represented Harlem for almost 50 years in Congress.
U.S. Congress/Public Domain photo
Shown here in this Feb. 20, 1970 file photo, Charles Rangel with his wife, Alma, and 20-month-old son, Steven.
AP Photo/Spencer Jones
An April 1972 AFRO introduces members of the Congressional Black Caucus, formed in 1971. Shown here, a short blurb about one of the founding members, Rep. Charles B. Rangel of New York.
Photo courtesy of the AFRO Archives
BALTIMORE-AREA
State of the Market highlights Greater Baltimore’s push for growth and revitalization
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com
Economic development experts, real estate developers and city officials gathered at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor on May 15 for the Greater Baltimore State of the Market. The event, produced by Bisnow, was designed to explore investment opportunities and challenges and community revitalization efforts in Baltimore City and its surrounding counties.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott opened the program, touting the city’s growing appeal as a destination for innovation and corporate growth.
“This is the place to be for companies looking to make bold moves. You can just look around. You have folks, like CFG [Bank], Under Armor, T. Rowe Price, having new headquarters right here in Baltimore City,” said Scott. “We know that companies are taking advantage of our location and our resources as a logistics hub and one of the largest and most important ports in the world— not to mention our stake in medicine and hospitals. We know that we have the best in the world.”
A major development on the horizon that Scott pointed out is the multimillion transformation of Harborplace. It will bring new commercial and residential spaces and public
amenities, like floating wetlands and an amphitheater, to the Inner Harbor.
He also highlighted upgrades to the homes of the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles at M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards, which will help to drive foot traffic to local businesses.
Altogether, Scott said nearly $7 billion in public-private development is forecasted for downtown Baltimore alone through 2028. He encouraged developers to explore avenues for investment in his $3 billion plan to end the city’s vacancy crisis.
“There’s opportunity everywhere you look right now in Baltimore,” said Scott. “Our momentum is the strongest it has been in years, as we have the lowest amounts of violent crime that we’ve seen in 50 years.”
Jennifer Jones, CEO of Howard County Development Authority, discussed the ways in which residents have been able to give input in local community development. Howard County is gearing up to break ground on a number of projects, including Gateway— which will transform the area around Columbia Gateway Drive into a new innovation district.
Jones explained that the county’s general plan, updated approximately every 10 years,
Afro Charities set to host ‘Wildest Dreams’ fundraiser
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com
Afro Charities, the nonprofit partner to the AFRO, will host its annual fundraiser at Cinghiale in Baltimore on June 7. The event will raise money for the organization’s operating costs as it continues to curate and care for the AFRO’s historic archival collection, which documents more than 130 years of Black life and history. The theme of the fundraiser is, “Wildest Dreams,” a nod to a powerful mantra in the Black community.
“It comes from the quote, ‘We are our ancestors’ wildest dreams,’ and that’s what we’re doing with our project at the Upton Mansion,” said Savannah Wood, executive director of Afro Charities. “We are manifesting our ancestors’ wildest dreams of having our collections under one roof, continuing our legacy in making the collections accessible to the public and investing in our communities.” Wood is the great-great granddaughter of John H. Murphy Sr., the formerly enslaved man who founded the
Thousands turn out for Artscape’s Memorial Day makeover
By Alexis Taylor AFRO Managing Editor
Artscape returned to Baltimore at a different time of year and in a new location over the 2025 Memorial Day weekend.
Photo courtesy of Afro Charities Afro Charities, led by Executive Director Savannah Wood, will hold its annual fundraiser under the theme, “Wildest Dreams,” at Cinghiale in Baltimore on June 7. The event will support the organization’s operating costs as it continues to curate and care for the AFRO archives.
AFRO. She became executive director of Afro Charities in 2019, the same year that the
Thousands packed the downtown Baltimore area to hear the likes of LeToya Luckett, Tweet, Fantasia, Robin Thicke and more on May 24 and 25. The dates for the country’s largest free arts festival worked in the City’s favor as planned. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott joked with the crowd at one point about having an Artscape that was not “155 degrees” and “raining.”
Many attendees said they preferred
the cooler, dryer temperatures experienced this year over the hot, washedout weather that often accompanies the festival known for taking place in the heat of July.
Each year festival attendees are accustomed to pouring into the Mount Vernon, Mount Royal and Station North neighborhoods for the massive celebration of art in its many forms.
This year, Artscape took place at War Memorial Plaza and in the surrounding areas, stretching to Center Stage in the Mount Vernon neighborhood.
Robyn Murphy, interim chief executive officer of the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, said moving
AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor Kionna Moore (center) awaits the next main stage act on May 24 with her children, Kaden Carter (left) and Kamayah Carter.
AFRO Photo / James Fields
LeToya Luckett makes an appearance on the Artscape 2025 Main Stage.
AFRO Photo / James Fields
Market
Continued from B2
years, identifies growth areas and development plans. Its most recent blueprint, which includes Gateway, was adopted in 2023.
“To get that plan approved, we have a lot of engagement with the public, and it has to get voted on by the county council,” said Jones. “Howard County is a very engaged community. If you have a county council meeting, it’s not just one or two people in the room. For all of the development sessions going forward, we’ve already gone to the community.”
Chris Mfume, managing partner of The Civic Group, highlighted his work in Baltimore. His firm is co-leading a project to relocate the Mayor’s Office of Cable and Communications headquarters to a vacant site in West Baltimore.
The grounds will also be overhauled to provide a new hub for Baltimore artists and creatives.
He emphasized that Baltimore already has the assets required to flourish, but the city needs to better capitalize on them.
“I’m hoping that in five years we have a thriving downtown that has repositioned itself as more of a residential neighborhood because that’s what it’s going to have to be,” said Mfume. “I’m [also] hoping that we continue with our public safety gains and that we continue to hear from leadership that we’re ready to grow, so we can attract capital.”
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at Greater Baltimore
examine economic growth and community development opportunities and challenges in Baltimore City and its surrounding
May
moving the festival to a different area was in line with the mayor’s initiatives to beautify “every part of Baltimore.”
The festival has been a staple of the regional arts and music scene since 1982. According to the City, the festival’s previous location was tied directly to the opening of the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and efforts to drum up attention and support for the surrounding community as an arts hub.
Organizers of Artscape 2025 stated ahead of the festival that plans included “reimagining how a weekend festival can fuel long-term impact through creative placemaking and sustainable community investment.” This year’s event was sponsored in part by Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, The Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment, Visit Baltimore and many more.
The festival came with many unique offerings. On Friday, May 23, the inaugural Scout Art Fair opened inside of the War Memorial Building. Curated by Derrick Adams and Teri Henderson, the event was billed as “an affordable art fair,” offering works for sale between $150 and $5,000 from 40 different artists. The Scout Art Fair was an effort of BOPA, the City of Baltimore and Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s Downtown RISE Initiative.
Kidscape offered fun for the whole family, while the Flavor Lab offered the best of Baltimore’s culinary offerings. Film lovers were also welcomed with Beyond the Reel, programming aimed at highlighting the work of Baltimore’s television and film community. Artscape after Dark offered something for local music heads and poets.
True to form, the entertainment schedule included a mix of international acts and local artists. This year’s main stage was located in front of Baltimore City Hall. Charm City’s own Gabby Samone made an appearance fresh off of her run to the Top 7 on American Idol.
“It feels amazing,” Samone told the AFRO, when asked how it feels to perform in her hometown after representing the city on the national stage. “I feel the love. It’s been super overwhelming. This is my grounding, when I come here I’m super comfortable. I’m just happy to be home.”
Kera Spencer carefully watched the 23rd season of the show, and was very impressed by Samone’s Artscape appearance.
“She was amazing– I love her,” she said. “I caught a couple of episodes and I feel like she was robbed.” Spencer responded well to the new Artscape
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organization took over the management of the AFRO Archives. The collection includes more than 3 million photographs, thousands of newspapers from the paper’s previous 13 separate editions, thousands of letters and rare audio recordings.
In March, Afro Charities broke ground on the redevelopment of the historic Upton Mansion in West Baltimore, which is slated to become the permanent home of the AFRO archives in 2026. The space will also house offices for the Afro Charities and the AFRO News team members, while serving as a resource for the neighborhood.
Amid escalating attacks by the 47th president and other elected officials on Black history, Afro Charities’ independent maintenance of the archives has become even more critical.
“This is world history from the Black lens. Oftentimes, our voices were not heard and our perspectives were not seen, but this archival collection does that,” said Deyane Moses, director of programs and partnerships for Afro Charities. “It’s important that we preserve these materials because it’s something you won’t find anywhere else—not only about notable figures, but everyday people as well.”
“We’ve been displaced for so many centuries and our history has been disjointed. The resurgence of archives helps people piece their histories back together,” she continued.
During the Wildest Dreams fundraiser, Afro Charities will honor Joyce J. Scott, or “Mama Joyce.” The visual and performing artist, who hails from West Baltimore, is most known for her jewelry, glass and beadwork.
Her art confronts stereotypes and complex issues, like racism, sexism and violence. Scott said she was overwhelmed by the organization’s recognition.
“After all of my years of work, it’s very fulfilling to know that I am being celebrated as a person who represents excellence within the African-American community,” Scott told the AFRO.
Scott is the daughter of sharecroppers who picked cotton and tobacco in the Carolinas. Her mother was a distinguished quiltmaker. The artist said her parents believed their dreams could live on through her.
Scott referred to her art as her own form of a bully pulpit, allowing her to speak out about political and social injustices. She praised the work of Afro Charities to protect and amplify the legacies of Black people across generations.
“We forget about how prominent we’ve been in the shaping of this country, its culture and the entire world,” said Scott. “It’s very important to have a reservoir of knowledge and that it’s from the voices of Black people, who see things in a different way.”
location.
“I like the fact that they moved it,” she said. “The environment is welcoming.”
LaBreya Smith, seated at War Memorial Plaza with her family on May 24, said the draw to this year’s Artscape was “mostly the artists.”
“I’m definitely here to see Fantasia– she was my ‘American Idol.’”
Smith responded positively to the many changes featured as part of this year’s festival.
Though Spencer and Smith were in favor of the festival’s new look, others were not impressed.
One festival attendee complained of longer lines for the food vendors and the “gloominess” of having art vendors located in the underpass of I-83. Others voiced confusion about the new festival map.
Still, the festival was a win for the city in a weekend packed full of events in the downtown Baltimore area. In addition to Artscape, the Maryland Deathfest brought heavy metal enthusiasts to the Market Place and Power Plant Live area on one end of the harbor, while tens of thousands converged at the Baltimore Convention Center for the Islamic Circle of North America’s Convention at One West Pratt Street. On the other side of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the Sowebo Arts and Music Festival attracted hundreds more to the Southwest Baltimore area on May 25, proof that Baltimore’s arts and culture scene is more alive than ever.
Photo courtesy of the Baltimore City Office of the Mayor / James “J.J.” McQueen Mayor Brandon M. Scott gives remarks
State of the Market, an event produced by Bisnow to
counties. The event took place on
15 at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor.
AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor LaBreya Smith enjoys Artscape with her one year old son, Javari Ward.
AFRO Photo / James Fields
Gabby Samone, fresh off her American Idol run, returns to her hometown of Charm City.
AFRO Photo / James Fields Fantasia performs for the Artscape 2025 crowd.
Baltimore leaders, community members address juvenile crime at annual town hall
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates (D) held his second annual Solutions Pact Town Hall on May 20 in Northeast Baltimore.
“Juvenile crime remains one of the most pressing issues in our city,” said Bates during the event at Huber Memorial Church. “People say juvenile crime is down, but for me and our office, it’s not.”
According to Bates, 303 individuals were arrested and charged with juvenile offenses in Baltimore City in 2022. That total more than doubled in 2023, rising to 637, and continued to increase in 2024, reaching 1,126 young people charged with juvenile offenses.
Maryland has seen a 26 percent decrease in juvenile homicide arrests and a 46 percent reduction in non-fatal shootings of youth, said Carter Elliott, the governor’s senior press secretary, in a 2024 statement to the AFRO.
Bates laid out some of his solutions for the youth crime issue, including ensuring faith institutions are involved, supporting grassroots organizations that are already doing the work and improving the juvenile system.
Baltimore is a majority Black city, 61.3 percent, of whom make up a significant portion of those in the criminal system.
The event drew in a large crowd, allowing younger and older residents to ask a panel of city officials and community leaders questions around how the city is handling juvenile crime and how parents and children can access city resources. Leaders and attendees also offered several solutions to juvenile crime at the town hall.
Kamyra Gaters, 16, questioned leaders about the effectiveness of jailing youth and a lack of certain resources in schools.
“What makes you all think that locking us up, at a time when a child starts to become rebellious, helps us in anything?” asked Kamyra. “Someone said our cities get paid the most resources and funding… that can’t be possible. For one, we have terrible school lunches and the teachers don’t
get paid enough.”
“You all are here holding this meeting, but you guys aren’t coming to us, asking us what the problem is,” said Kamyra.
Lisa Reynolds, chief of Youth and Community Partnerships at the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), highlighted that laws have to be adhered to and the police can’t ignore that.
“If certain crimes are committed, BPD is required to bring you to the Juvenile Justice Center for processing,” said Reynolds. “I think what is necessary is services.”
“We can’t just treat the person,” added Reynolds. “We have to treat the family, and the community has to be present for all.”
Rashad Staton, executive director of Community Law in Action (CLIA), responded, encouraging Kamyra and other young people to join youth advisory boards to ensure their voices are heard. CLIA is a nonprofit organization that empowers youth to become leaders in their communities.
“Juvenile crime remains one of the most pressing issues in our city.”
“You have the Police Youth Advisory Board, the Baltimore City Youth Commission…all of these are city-wide youth councils, where you become a part of the decision-making table, and you’re protected legally through policy to tell your truth,” said Staton. “They are obligated to listen to you and come up with solutions.”
Jeneen McFarlane, 42, asked city
leaders about what the city is doing about successfully reintegrating youth through job placements or vocational training to ensure youth become thriving adults.
“I hear a lot about prevention, but what happens after a juvenile gets into the system and comes out?” said McFarlene. “After someone gets a stain on their record, they’re deemed unworthy. After you get that stain on your record, how do you get a job?”
Jeffrey Shorter, City Schools’ chief of police, responded, highlighting programs in place for youth in schools.
“We have a program called the Re-Engagement Center within the Baltimore City Public Schools,” said Shorter. “When they come home, a stain is not a stain, it’s just a dot. It can be erased with good behavior.”
Shorter said youth should focus on becoming a good student first, before being concerned about work opportunities in the future.
“Reintegration starts at home first,” said Shorter. “Secondly, when we get your young people, we do the things that are necessary with the re-education, which a lot of them don’t have.”
Melody Mitchell, Kamyra’s mother, disagreed with the idea that the solution lies at home first.
“It’s always criminalizing the parents, but never seeing where the trauma starts,” said Mitchell, 33, to the AFRO. “You have to start from the top and work your way down to the bottom.”
As someone who was previously arrested as a juvenile herself, Mitchell pressed that the children committing these crimes aren’t bad.
“They want to feel like they’re loved,” said Mitchell. “They don’t feel safe to come in and talk to any adult in their life. They don’t feel safe to go to the authorities or their teachers.”
Bates acknowledged the need for juveniles committing crimes to receive the proper support to change their ways, but pressed the need to also support the victims.
This isn’t about locking up young people, but sometimes young people have to have that time out to understand their actions,” said Bates. “We have to give them the services that they need, but sometimes they won’t sit still long enough to get the services.”
To this, Mitchell shared her experience of being arrested and how it impacted her.
“When you get arrested, people forget about you,” said Mitchell. “I have severe PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) that I know for
has trickled down to my daughter. Some nights I can’t even sleep by myself. ” Mitchell suggests that city officials meet kids where they are and experience what the youth have to go through, in order to truly solve the
AFRO Photo/Tashi McQueen
Jeneen McFarlane, 42, is one East Baltimore resident concerned about juvenile crime.
a fact
juvenile crime issues in the city.
AFRO Photo/Tashi McQueen
Baltimore community members fill the sanctuary at Huber Memorial Church during State’s Attorney Ivan Bates’ town hall on juvenile crime, engaging in a candid discussion with city leaders and youth.
AFRO Photo/Tashi McQueen Kamyra Gaters, 16, a student at the Academy for College and Career Exploration, attends the town hall on juvenile crime, held May 20 at Huber Memorial Church.
WASHINGTON-AREA
Facing $1B gap, Bowser bets on business over federal jobs
By Ashraf Khalil
With the nation’s capital facing a pair of overlapping budget crises, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has unveiled a budget proposal that bets heavily on business-friendly policies designed to boost investment and move the city away from dependence on a dwindling number of federal jobs.
“We have a shifting economy and if we don’t shift with it, we’ll have a city that people flee,” Bowser said on May 27 as she presented her proposals to the public — and to the D.C. Council, which will now begin debating the plan. “If you don’t have enough money, something has to go or you have to make more money.”
In the short term, Bowser has been scrambling to fill an immediate budget shortfall that was essentially created by the U.S. Congress. She announced on May 27 that her team had managed to navigate that sudden deficit without the mass layoffs that had been originally feared.
In the longer term, her government faces an estimated $1 billion shortfall over the next three years created by President Donald Trump’s ongoing campaign to radically shrink the federal workforce. The city’s Chief Financial Officer has estimated that 40,000 jobs for District of Columbia residents will ultimately be lost.
The more immediate budget crisis started in March when the House of Representatives approved a federal
“We have a shifting economy and if we don’t shift with it, we’ll have a city that people flee.”
government funding bill with an obscure change that forces the District government to revert to its 2024 budget parameters — effectively cutting $1.1 billion from its previously balanced budget midway through the financial year. The Senate approved that bill, but also immediately approved a simple fix that would make the D.C. budget whole again. That fix has languished in the House for two months without a vote, despite President Donald Trump publicly pushing for its immediate approval.
Bowser said she still hoped the House would address the issue, but added that she couldn’t wait any longer for that fix. Her government has already invoked a 2009 law allowing the city to increase spending by 6 percent, shrinking the 2025 shortfall to around $410 million. Now she has proposed a supplementary 2025 budget plan that — through a combination of creative bookkeeping and temporary hiring freezes — papers over the shortfall without any layoffs, furloughs or significant service cuts.
“We have had some unprecedented things to work through,” she said on May 27 during a public event to present both her 2025 emergency
changes and her 2026 budget proposal. “We think we have a sound budget here.”
Both proposals will now come before the D.C. Council for debate and potential modification. Council members are expected to be sympathetic to Bowser’s maneuvers on the 2025 budget emergency, but her proposal for next year’s budget could spark some fierce resistance and debate.
One of the most controversial aspects of Bowser’s longterm budget proposal would be a tightening of the admissions requirements for Medicaid, which could result in an estimated 25,000 residents being removed. At the same time, Bowser is proposing a package of business-friendly policies designed to spark more real estate development and construction, including tax incentives, streamlined zoning procedures and a pause on some environmental restrictions and requirements.
The 13-member council is currently down one member; Ward 8 representative Trayon White, who faces federal bribery charges, was expelled by his peers in February. His seat will be filled in a July special election. Most of the remaining 12 D.C. Council members were in attendance at May
27’s budget unveiling, with some asking pointed questions about Mayor Bowser’s priorities.
“A first read of this proposed budget shows D.C. is walking away from our commitments to lower utility bills and reduce our largest sources of carbon output and pollution
McCraney’s ‘We Are Gathered’ shines at Arena Stage
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO
In a contemporary slant on Shakespeare’s wedding plays, Academy Award winner and playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, the screenwriter of “Moonlight,” is now showing a new play, “We Are Gathered,” in the nation’s capital. The work is a personal reflection on same-sex marriage and gay rights, which have come under fire with the return of Donald Trump to the White House.
“We Are Gathered,” directed by Kent Gash, is currently open to patrons at Arena Stage’s in-the-round Fichandler Stage in Washington, D.C., through June 15.
“The celebration and honoring of love, sexual expression, freedom, and Black excellence in “We Are Gat\hered’ is a wedding invitation and another collaboration with this genius that I am thrilled to accept,” Gash said. “Do Free and W. Tre, our protagonists, make it to the altar? For the answer, you’ll have to see Tarell’s play.”
Arena Stage Artistic Director Hana Sharif describes McCraney’s work as “magical.”
“Tarell has crafted a magical and deeply human story that invites us to reflect on what it means to love bravely,” Sharif said. “He dissects the beauty and vulnerability of commitment. It asks us to be seen fully, to give fully, and to trust that love, in all its forms, is worth the leap.”
McCraney, 44, wanted to write a play that allowed queer love to shine while also celebrating
“For the gay community to remain strong – to survive – we must have safe places to gather where we can remember the past, talk about the present and imagine and dream about the future.”
WorldPride 2025, a gathering of the LGBTQ+ worldwide community. The play kicked off in D.C. on May 17 and coincides with the 50th anniversary of Pride events in the nation’s capital.
“About a year ago I pitched the idea to the artistic director of Arena Stage, Hana Sharif, because I believed it would be a great way to celebrate pride, specifically Black pride,” McCraney said. “She was on board immediately. I focused on writing something that would allow people to celebrate love in a specific way – a Black queer way.”
McCraney said he felt compelled to stand in solidarity with the gay community of which he is a proud member.
“When I write, it’s always personal because the personal can be universal,” he said. “Given my thoughts on same-sex marriage and Black people, I hope this play engages the entire community. I wanted to explore what same-sex marriage means today and to propose ways in which we could more
effectively and easily engage in or consider gay marriage in today’s world.”
McCraney said he “survived” life in Miami’s historically Black and impoverished community of Liberty City “by pulling pieces of our ancestors” with him along the journey.
“For the gay community to remain strong – to survive – we must have safe places to gather where we can remember the past, talk about the present and imagine and dream about the future,” he said.
McCraney said he remains indebted to the elders of the creative community, from the noted playwright August Wilson, who was his teacher and mentor during his final year of studies at Yale University, to director and actor Kenny Leon.
“I am who I am because of the ancestors,” McCraney said. “They poured the strength of God, which sustained them, in me, as well as their resilience and ability to be present with our people – keys to how we learn to truly love another and how to survive.”
from our buildings,” Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen said in a statement. Bowser responded that a business-friendly environment was precisely her goal as she seeks to diversify the local economy away from federal jobs while preventing a talent exodus and without raising taxes.
“We’re proud of the work we’ve done and the decisions we’ve made,” she said. “We have to have a city that grows. We have to have more jobs, more businesses and more people.”
This article was originally published by The Associated Press.
Photo by Tony Powell
Tarell Alvin McCraney is the Academy Award-winning playwright source behind the play, “We Are Gathered.” The work is a personal reflection about the hopes and dreams of those within the LGBTQ+ community who long to legally marry the person they love.
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser is betting on the private sector over federal jobs to help keep D.C. growing.
‘Don’t Call the Police’ initiative provides safer emergency options for D.C.
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
In Washington D.C., a call for emergency alternatives is taking the spotlight as local organizations and leaders work to provide alternatives to calling 911 for emergency assistance.
The “Don’t Call the Police” online initiative, started by Mallory Sepler-King, assists those needs not just in D.C., but throughout the country.
“The goal of the site is to ensure that everyone has access to options, and is able to choose to reach out to the resource that feels most safe and accessible to them,” said Sepler-King. “It is intended to help to reframe people’s ideas about what emergency and crisis response can look like.”
The website and social media pages provide contact information for community-based crisis resources for major cities including Washington D.C. and Baltimore. For D.C. residents, “Don’t Call The Police” offers a directory of resources for housing, mental health, domestic violence and more.
“In building ‘Don’t Call the Police’ I tried to focus the resources on the site on programs that are most effective, which often includes very localized, community-operated and focused organizations,” said Sepler-King. “This focus was very much shaped by lessons learned through community feedback about what is most effective, and most difficult, when it comes to accessing crisis resources.”
Since launching in June 2020, Sepler-King said she and her team regularly receive updates from community members and organizations regarding changes to posted information and strive to keep the site current. They have also removed resources based on feedback.
Throughout the U.S., in various cases where law enforcement was called for a mental health crisis, it ended fatally,
According to a 2024 police violence report by Mapping Police Violence, 119 people were killed after police responded to mental health crisis calls.
Recently, on May 18, two Baltimore County Police Department officers responded to a 911
How
By
Courtesy photo
Nee Nee Taylor, executive director of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, advocates for community-based crisis response teams to safely support Black Washingtonians without involving police.
call reporting a man experiencing a mental health crisis on North Boundary Rd.
“Upon arrival, one of the officers contacted the 911 caller and proceeded to the alley behind the residence while the other officer remained at the front door,” said Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown in a May 19 press release. “The officer in the alley encountered a man matching the description provided and the man fired upon the officer. During the encounter, the man and the officer in the alley exchanged gunfire, at which time the man was wounded.”
Officers reportedly applied medical aid until emergency services arrived. The man was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The incident remains under investigation.
A 2024 Johns Hopkins study found 67 percent (1,611) of all police shootings involving someone in a mental or behavioral health crisis were fatal.
The city’s highest executive also shed light on the negative impacts of calling 911 for all emergencies or crisis. On Nov. 19, 2024, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the “Make the Right Call” campaign. It outlines when to
“Don’t
Call the Police,” is a resource that links residents to services to help them in emergency situations. The initiative is meant to be an alternative to calling the police and offers information on how to secure help from local agencies during mental health crises, domestic violence situations and more.
“Police are often called to handle situations involving mental health crises, homelessness, substance use, or family disputes–situations that are safer and better addressed by trained mental health professionals.”
use alternative services and encourages people to use 311 for non-emergencies.
The D.C. Office of Unified Communications said nearly a quarter of the 1.2 million 911 calls in fiscal year 2024 were non-emergencies.
Year after year, Black people are more likely to be killed by police than their White counterparts. To help change that reality, organizations such as Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, are stepping up. Harriet’s Wildest Dreams is a community defense hub focused on the safety of Black Washingtonians.
“Police are often called to handle situations involving mental health crises, homelessness, substance use, or family disputes–situations that are safer and better addressed by trained mental health professionals,” said Nee Nee Taylor, executive director of Harriet’s Wildest
Dreams. “Police typically lack specialized training in mental health, trauma-informed care and de-escalation techniques needed to support our most vulnerable populations.”
Taylor said marginalized communities often avoid seeking help from emergency services due to a lack of trust.
“That’s why we need alternatives like the D.C. Safety Squad–community-based safety teams that are staffed by mental health professionals, social workers and community members trained in de-escalation and trauma-informed care,” said Taylor. “These teams respond to crises without resorting to violence or criminalization.”
Even so, Taylor said these resources are meant to complement, not replace, existing emergency services.
has your neighborhood changed over the years?
When I was in elementary school, the cafeteria doubled as a recreation center after classes ended. Dozens of kids would fill the space, playing board games and cards indoors, or shooting hoops and jumping double-dutch on the school’s outdoor basketball court. Children spilled out into the neighborhood, covering every inch of it on bikes or foot, playing tag or hide and seek.
In the summers, we’d have block parties where each household would bring a dish; parents would gossip with their fellow neighbors and kids would get drenched by open fire hydrants. Parents, especially those who had to work late and weekend shifts, felt their kids were safe within the confines of the community — at least while the street lights were on. At the time, in the ‘90s and early 2000s, D.C. was dubbed “Chocolate City.” And my neighborhood, River Terrace, felt like a bubble of Blackness. Growing up around people who look like me cultivated how I experienced the world and saw my people within it. Though the media often portrayed Black folks in a negative light, I knew firsthand that violence, drug use, and corruption were not the defining traits of our community. In River Terrace, there was a sense of safety, security and comfort that can only be experienced when you’re living among people with cultural kinship and understanding.
So, the first time I saw a White person waiting for a train at Minnesota Avenue Metro Station, I felt culture shock. I was confused, panicked, irritated. It was like the dynamics of my neighborhood shifted without warning. I felt like
in my early 20s who covered topics like gentrification. I’d read articles and interviewed historians about the displacement of Black people and entire communities of color. Then, I began to notice things like Capital Bikeshare docks popping up in the neighborhood; but there was no formal introduction to residents on how to use them. I had a sense that they weren’t for us.
I also noticed more neighbors walking and biking the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, where my older brothers and I traversed from River Terrace Park to the Anacostia Park roller skating rink as kids. It was more dangerous back then, due to lack of upkeep and the folks you could run into along the way. But by this time, it was fully paved with a new pedestrian bridge, to boot.
a war was coming, and I left home unarmed.
As dramatic as this sounds, it’s how I felt. Just as much as being the only Black person in a predominantly White space can feel isolating, seeing just one White person in a Black community can be disorienting. If you see one, it’s likely more are coming. And historically, White people infiltrating Black spaces has not worked well for us.
This memory from the Metro station is the first image that comes to mind when I think about how my neighborhood has changed. At the time, I was a young journalist
As time progressed, there seemed to be fewer curious kids on adventures throughout the community. In 2012, the elementary school that educated my brothers and me — and even my mother 20+ years earlier — shuttered. A few years later, it reopened as a special education campus for D.C. public schools. This meant that instead of walking their kids up the street on weekday mornings, most parents now had to drive or take public transit to the next closest public elementary school, which was separated from the neighborhood by a highway — or further, to a charter or private school.
Today, the neighborhood is still majority Black, but it’s more racially and ethnically diverse than it’s been in all of my life. My parents, who still live in my childhood home, now live next door to a sweet older White woman who shares the same first name as my grandmother. More Hispanic families have moved in, too. And in theory, that’s the D.C. we all
Once
“Chocolate City,” D.C.
have noticed many changes to the communities that make up the
want to see — one made of communities with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, blending histories and traditions for more communal understanding. Plus, I’m happy to report I haven’t heard of any race wars! Yet.
The arrival of new residents doesn’t mean that neighbors aren’t still connected. River
has
one of the most active and civically engaged community organizations in Ward 7. But I can’t help but grieve over childhood experiences that, in my view, have been eroded.
The neighborhood still has its heart. I just wonder if, at some point over the years, it lost its soul.
This article was originally published by the 51st.
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File
Terrace
Christina Sturdivant Sani
The 51st
Courtesy photo
From neighborhoods to nightlife, D.C. has undergone major transformations over the years. This week, Christina Sturdivant Sani reflects on how the city has changed over time.
ASK A D.C. NATIVE:
Meta (Facebook) / Anacostia Park
dubbed
natives
District of Columbia.
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PROBATE DIVISION
ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000485
RENEE E. FLETCHER AKA
RENEE FLETCHER Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
PIERRE FLETCHER, whose address is, 7916 CRYDEN WAY FORESTVILLE, MD 20747 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of RENEE E. FLETCHER AKA RENEE FLETCHER who died on JANUARY 03, 2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown
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 30, 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 30, 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 30, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers PIERRE FLETCHER
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000483
WILBERT H. GRANDY, SR. AKA WILBERT GRANDY AKA
WILBERT H. GRANDY Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs TIMOTHY QUINTIN GRANDY, whose address is, 115 WEBSTER STREET, NW; WASHINGTON, DC 20011 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILBERT H. GRANDY SR. AKA WILBERT GRANDY AKA WILBERT H. GRANDY who died on AUGUST 15, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before NOVEMBER 30, 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 30, 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 30, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
TIMOTHY QUINTIN GRANDY Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/30, 06/06, 06/13/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2018ADM001141
SAMUEL LEON JEFFERSON, SR Name of Decedent IZU I AHAGHTU, ESQUIRE 3724 12TH STREET NE WASHINGTON DC, 20017 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs KEMIT MAWAKANA whose address are 225 UNION AVENUE #244 CAMPBELL, CA 95030 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of SAMUEL LEON JEFFERSON, SR who died on NOVEMBER 09, 2017 without a Will and will serve without
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
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000468
NANCY ELLEN BURLESS Name of Decedent
HORACE LEE BRADSHAW JR 1644 6TH STREET NW WASHINGTON DC, 20001 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
ERIC BURLESS whose address are 10304 RICHMANOR PL, UPPER MARLBORO MD, 20772 was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of NANCY ELLEN BURLESS who died on FEBRUARY 22, 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 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
ERIC BURLESS Personal Representative
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, 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
GLORIA F. HILL Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/23, 05/30, 06/06/25
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
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 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
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD FOR DCHA’S PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2026 MOVING TO WORK (MTW) PLAN
The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is providing notice of a Public Hearing and Comment Period to solicit comments on its proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Moving to Work (MTW) Annual Plan.
Visit DCHA’s MTW Webpage at https://www.dchousing.org/wordpress/about-us/dcha-moving-towork-mtw/ to:
* Download a copy of the proposed FY26 MTW Annual Plan
* Download a summary of the proposed FY26 MTW Annual Plan
You can also request a copy by emailing mtw@dchousing.org or calling 771-240-4377.
The Virtual Public Hearing for the proposed FY26 MTW Annual Plan will take place online at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 12
To speak during the Virtual Public Hearing, register online at https://bit.ly/RegisterMTWPublicHearing
To join the live event, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, please visit https://bit.ly/MTWPublicHearing This event will also be live streamed on the DCHA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dchousing/.
Comments Written comments regarding the proposed FY2026 MTW Annual Plan will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, June 28. Email your comments to mtw@dchousing.org
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PROBATE DIVISION
ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM00449
SUSIE M EBIRINGA AKA
SUSIE BROWN AKA
SUSIE HAYWOOD Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
LUCRETIA S BROWN, whose address is , 214 DIVISION AVE NE, WASHINGTON, DC 20019 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of SUSIE M EBIRINGA AKA SUSIE BROWN AKA SUSIE
HAYWOOD who died on MARCH 23, 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 16, 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 16, 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 16, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
LUCRETIA S BROWN Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/16, 05/20,
Alternatively, you can mail comments to: District of Columbia Housing Authority Office of the Executive Director Attn: MTW Policy Director 300 7th Street, SW 11th Floor Washington, DC 20024
Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation
DCHA strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. It is the policy of DCHA that all agency-sponsored public meetings and events are accessible to people with disabilities. DCHA is committed to providing equal access to events for all participants & residents with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, or assistance in participating in a meeting or event due to a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact our ADA/504 Program Office at 202-535-1000 or at ADA504@dchousing.org with your complete request. Every reasonable effort will be made to meet your request
If you need a sign language interpreter or foreign language interpretation or translation, please contact our Office of Customer Engagement at 202535-1000 or go to www.dchousing.org/language. Please allow at least 3 business days to make the necessary arrangements.
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
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 30, 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 30, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
LEONNA D. BAYNE Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/30, 06/06, 06/13/25
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
WILLS 05/23, 05/30, 06/06/25
BALTIMORE CITY ORDINANCE OF ESTIMATES FY 2026
