Afro E-Edition 8-8-2026

Volume 135 No. 1

THE BLACK MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM

$2.00

$2.00

afro.com

AUGUST 8, 2026 - AUGUST 14, 2026

Copyright © 2026 by the Afro-American Company

A2 The Afro-American August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026

AFRO News to host 6th annual Black Business Matters Expo

By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com The AFRO is set to host its 6th Annual Black Business Matters Expo on Aug. 13 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture in Baltimore, bringing together business and community leaders to celebrate entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

This year’s theme is “Powering Prosperity in the Age of AI,” highlighting how artificial intelligence can be leveraged responsibly to streamline and advance operations.

“We are talking about how the power of AI merges with our current businesses to take them to the next level. I don’t care what business you’re in, we can’t avoid AI and data centers,” said Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, CEO and publisher of the AFRO. “People thought they were going to avoid regular phones, airplanes and automobiles and everything else a long time

AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor

Each year, entrepreneurs and leaders from the business community come together for AFRO News’ Black Business Matters Expo (BBM Expo). Shown here, attendees listening closely May 30, 2024, during the fourth annual installment of the event, held at the Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. ago. It’s just a part of what happens in a technology-driven world, and we’ve always

Your History • Your Community • Your News

The Afro-American Newspapers Baltimore Office • Corporate Headquarters 233 E. Redwood Street 6th Floor, Suite 600G Baltimore, Maryland 21202 410-554-8200 Customer Service, Home Delivery and Subscriptions: 410-554-8200 customerservice@afro.com Founded by John Henry Murphy Sr., August 13, 1892 Chairman of the Board/Publisher - Frances Murphy Draper (Publisher Emeritus - John J. Oliver Jr.) President - Benjamin Murphy Phillips IV VP of Marketing and Technology - Kevin E. Peck Director Digital Solutions - Dana Peck Receptionist - Wanda Pearson - 410-554-8200, ext. 246 Director of Operations

Andrè Draper - 410-554-8200

Director of Finance

Bonnie Deanes - 410-554-8242

Director of Sales Robert Walker-Smith - 410-554-8200 rwalker-smith@afro.com Editorial Managing Editor - Alexis Taylor - 410-554-8257 Editorial Assistant - Ama Brown-Parson Evening / Weekend Editor - Zenitha Prince Archivist - Savannah Wood- 410-554-8277 Baltimore Circulation/Distribution Manager Andrè Draper - 410-554-8200 Creative Design and Content Matthew McDonald

Washington Office 1140 3rd Street, N.E., 2nd Floor Washington, D.C. 20002-6723 202-332-0080 • Fax: 410-554-8213 (Washington Publisher Emerita - Frances L. Murphy II) Director of Operations - Andrè Draper - 410-554-8200

,GHQWLÀFDWLRQ 6WDWHPHQW

THE AFRO AMERICAN – (USPS 040-800) is published weekly by The Afro American Company, 233 E. Redwood Street, 6th Fl., Ste. 600G, Baltimore, MD 21202.

6XEVFULSWLRQ 5DWH 1 Year - $100.00 Print & Digital ($40 Digital Only) (Price includes tax). Checks for subscriptions should be made payable to: The Afro American Company, 233 E. Redwood Street, 6th Fl., Ste. 600G, Baltimore, MD 21202.

3HULRGLFDOV SRVWDJH SDLG DW %DOWLPRUH 0' DQG DGGLWLRQDO PDLOLQJ RIÀFHV POSTMASTER: 6HQG DGGUHVVHV FKDQJHV WR THE AFRO AMERICAN, 233 E. Redwood Street, 6th Fl., Ste. 600G, Baltimore, MD 21202.

been in a technology-driven world.”

The gathering will feature the live Power Pitch Competition, in which hopeful entrepreneurs will present a brief pitch to a panel of judges for the chance to win cash prizes and digital advertising space.

It will also include the “Sip and Say” tasting and networking experience led by Legacy Partners Distribution (LegacyPD), a family- and minority-owned beverage and spirits distributor. The company will be bringing four Black-owned spirit brands for attendees to experience at the expo.

“They are in various stages of development, but they are all high-quality products and they are all brands that are looking to expand into the D.C. marketplace,” said Katina Robinson-Wright, executive vice president of operations for LegacyPD. “Our role is to make sure that they get out there to allow guests to sample these premium spirits in a variety of ways and to be able to purchase.”

Robinson-Wright noted that participating in events such as the Black Business Matters Expo aligns with the core values of LegacyPD. “A big part of our corporate philosophy is ensuring that we are part of building the generation behind us of entrepreneurs, of people that are interested, and just sharing the knowledge that we have,” said Robinson-Wright.

In line with the expo’s theme, a panel of entrepreneurs and business leaders will discuss how they are incorporating AI into their businesses, the opportunities it presents and the challenges that come with adopting emerging technologies.

“Let’s find out more about technology and how we marry AI with our business,” said Draper. “But, more importantly, let’s hear some of the success stories.”

By bringing together entrepreneurs, industry experts and community leaders, the AFRO team hopes the event will spark new collaborations and equip attendees with strategies and resources for succeeding in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

AFRO Photo / James Fields

Tence Breckenridge (left), Myesha Brooks, Siraaj Woods, Niara Peay, Shevonne Streety and Austin Breckenridge III gather at the third annual Black Business Matters Expo in 2023.

AFRO Photo / James Fields

Attendees gather at the Redwood Exchange during the third annual Black Business Matters Expo in 2023. Shown here, AFRO Reporter Megan Sayles, asking a question of entrepreneurs in attendance.

August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026 The Afro-American A3

Our next chapter: The AFRO at 134

By Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper AFRO CEO and Publisher Every generation has a responsibility. Not simply to remember history, but to build on it.

As we celebrate the AFRO’s 134th anniversary, we do so with gratitude for those who came before us and confidence in those who will follow. The AFRO’s founders, John H. Murphy Sr. and Martha Elizabeth Murphy, my great-grandparents, understood a timeless truth: when a community tells its own stories, it helps shape its own future.

That belief continues to guide the AFRO. We began as a newspaper. Today, we are an independent, multiplatform, Black-owned media company. How we tell the story has changed– why we tell it has not.

This edition reflects that spirit.

As we recognize National Black Business Month, we celebrate entrepreneurs, artists, innovators and new ventures that remind us our communities continue to create, build and lead. Different stories. Shared purpose.

Over the years, I have come to understand that the AFRO exists to serve the communities that have sustained it for generations. Five generations of our family have now shared in its stewardship, alongside

dedicated colleagues, journalists, board members and community partners. Its purpose has always been much larger than any one family, and its future depends on everyone who believes that truth, accountability and an informed public matter.

The Black Press may be more important today than at any point in my lifetime.

Misinformation spreads in seconds. Local newsrooms continue to shrink. Too often our communities are overlooked, misunderstood or reduced to stereotypes. That is why Blackowned media remains essential.

The AFRO has never apologized for viewing the world through an unashamedly Black perspective. Our responsibility is to report with accuracy, context, integrity and courage while holding accountable those whose words or actions diminish our communities.

Next year, many across the country will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Black Press in America. It is especially fitting that this milestone will coincide with the public opening of the Martha Elizabeth Murphy Research Institute at Baltimore’s historic Upton Mansion, an initiative of Afro Charities. As the AFRO begins its next chapter on the Upton campus, these milestones will unite our history, our journalism and our future in one place while preserving the AFRO

AFRO File Photos / Afro Charities

Shown here, John Henry Murphy Sr., the former slave, Civil War soldier and media mogul who started AFRO News with $200 from his wife, Martha Elizabeth Howard Murphy. What the two began in 1892 has thrived for 134 years.

A publication with a mission Two years before his death, John Henry Murphy Sr., in a letter to his sons detailed the mission and purpose of the AFRO : “A newspaper succeeds because its management believes in itself, in God and in the present generation. It must always ask itself – Whether it has kept faith with the common people; Whether it has no other goal except to see that their liberties are preserved and their future assured; Whether it is fighting to get rid of slums to provide jobs for everybody; Whether it stays out of politics except to expose corruption and condemn injustice, race prejudice and the cowardice of compromise.

The Afro-American must become a semi-weekly, then a tri-weekly and eventually when advertising warrants, a daily.

It has always had a loyal constituency which believes it to be honest, decent, and progressive. It is that kind of newspaper now, and I hope that it never changes.

It is to these high hopes and goals of achievement that the people who make your AFRO have dedicated themselves.

God willing, they shall not fail.”

-John H. Murphy Sr.

Photo courtesy of Johns Hopkins University / Will Kirk

Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper serves as publisher and CEO of AFRO News. This week, she speaks on how the paper has thrived for 134 years with the same mission of service to the community.

Archives for generations to come.

To our readers, advertisers, educators, faith leaders, civic organizations, elected officials, community partners and friends, thank you. Your confidence has sustained this institution through changing times and challenged us to keep growing while remaining true to our mission.

Finally, I give thanks to God, whose faithfulness has sustained the AFRO through every season of its history. The philosophy of our founder, John H. Murphy Sr., continues to guide us today. He often said, “A newspaper succeeds because it believes first in God, itself and the present generation.” Those words continue to challenge and inspire us.

Our founders began the work.

Each generation has strengthened it. Now it is our turn to leave it even stronger for those who follow.

BRAND NEW 1 & 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS OPENING WINTER 2026!

TELESTAR COURT Join Our Interest List!

2990 Telestar Ct. Falls Church, VA 22042 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

A4 The Afro-American August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026

As AFRO News marks 134 years, the Upton Mansion ushers in its next era

By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com For more than a century, AFRO News has been the eyes and ears of the Black community—amplifying the voices, stories, achievements and struggles of African Americans that have historically been overlooked or ignored by mainstream media. Its origins date back to Aug. 13, 1892, when John Henry Murphy Sr., a formerly enslaved man, founded the paper after borrowing $200 from his wife, Martha Elizabeth Howard Murphy, to purchase a printing press and rights to the newspaper’s name.

Now, 134 years later, the family-owned newspaper-turned-media company is preparing to revive its roots in West Baltimore with a move to the Upton Mansion, located at 811 W. Lanvale St..

The historic property will soon house the AFRO, its nonprofit partner Afro Charities and the news organization’s extensive archival collection—encompassing more than 3 million photographs; thousands of letters and physical newspapers; and rare audio recordings.

“The move to the Upton Mansion is much more than a change of address; it represents the next chapter of the AFRO’s story,” said Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, great-granddaughter of John H. Murphy Sr. “The AFRO newsroom, Afro Charities and our extraordinary archives will come together in one place—creating new opportunities for journalism, education, historical

Timeline of Upton Mansion renovation 2019 Afro Charities submits response to City RFP 2020 Baltimore City leaders grant right to redevelop the site to Afro Charities in February

Courtesy photo

Benjamin M. Phillips IV, greatgrandson of John H. Murphy Sr., serves as president of the AFROAmerican Newspaper Company. preservation and community engagement,” said Draper, who serves as AFRO CEO and publisher.

The journey to the Upton Mansion began back in 2020, when Afro Charities won the right to redevelop the building. The nonprofit purchased the property the following year, and in February 2025, broke ground on the $16-million project alongside development partners Cross Street Partners and Ziger/ Snead Architects.

Beyond serving as the permanent home of the AFRO’s archives, the transformed Upton Mansion will include gallery space, a recording studio, research and digitization labs, flexible community event space and a green roof. Both the AFRO and Afro Charities are expected to move into the property before the end of the year, with an opening to the public planned for March of 2027.

Savannah Wood, executive

director of Afro Charities, called the relocation “a new era” for the organizations.

“With Afro Charities having more of a presence stewarding the archives, I’m excited to see what kinds of collaborations might come out of that between Afro Charities, the AFRO and other partners,” said Wood. “I’m also really looking forward to seeing how people use the collections. We still get a lot of requests from out of state, but I’m excited to see how people who are closer to home will use the collections.”

The AFRO’s next chapter is not just a move—it’s a homecoming. For nearly 80 years, the news outlet operated at 628 N. Eutaw Street, just a mile away from the Upton Mansion.

“As a media company, the one thing I think that’s great is the fact that we’re going home. We’re going back to our roots and into the community,” said Benjamin Phillips IV, president of the AFRO and great-grandson of John H. Murphy Sr. “We never left, but our physical presence is coming back.”

Phillips said bringing the AFRO’s journalism and archives under one roof will create a space where history is preserved and new stories are told.

At a time when Black history is increasingly diluted and erased in classrooms and public institutions, he emphasized that the AFRO’s archives offer an opportunity to safeguard and share a more complete record of American history.

“When people visit the archives, they can find things about their families and historical events,” said Phillips. “That’s really important because once you start looking at the history, it gives you the total picture. Through that, we can better understand ourselves and each other.”

For Draper, preserving that history goes hand in hand with preparing the AFRO for the next generation. She

SHAN Wallace / Afro Charities

Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper (left) serves as the CEO, publisher and chairwoman of AFRO News, while Savannah Woods (right) serves as executive director of Afro Charities. Both are descendants of AFRO founder, John H. Murphy Sr., who established the newspaper Aug. 13, 1892. said the organization will continue investing in multimedia storytelling, digital subscriptions and emerging technology while maintaining its editorial standards.

“Innovation isn’t optional, but neither is integrity,” said Draper.

“Our challenge is to embrace the future while remaining worthy of the trust our readers have placed in us for generations.”

Draper emphasized that sustaining institutions like the AFRO requires more than appreciation for their history. She encouraged readers, advertisers, philanthropists and community members to view their support as an investment in independent Black journalism, community

empowerment and historical preservation rather than as charity.

For her, carrying the AFRO’s legacy forward is a charge that depends not only on the work of the Murphy family, reporters or staff, but also on the continued support of the community.

“If we’ve learned anything over the past 134 years, it’s that the AFRO has never been sustained by one family or one generation alone,” said Draper. “It has been sustained by a community that believed its voice mattered. My hope is that, together, we’ll ensure that voice continues to be heard for the next 134 years.”

2024 Afro Charities purchase building from Baltimore City in January 2024 Financial closing achieved in December 2025 Groundbreaking takes place in February 2026 Afro Charities and AFRO News slated to move into renovated property November 2026 2027 Public opening of the Martha E. Murphy Research Institute in to take place mid-March

AFRO Photo / James Fields

Shown here, the evolution of the front facade of the historic Upton Mansion from February 2023 to July 2026 throughout Afro Charities’ redevelopment efforts. Before the end of the year, Afro Charities, AFRO News and its extensive archival collection will make the transformed property their headquarters.

AFRO Photos / James Fields

Shown here, a progression of the side view of the Upton Mansion’s expansion from November 2025 to July 2026.

August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026 The Afro-American A5

The state of Black business: Growth and an uncertain future

By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com The U.S. Census Bureau reports that of the 5.9 million U.S. employer firms in 2023, 201,000, or 3.4 percent, were Black-owned—with $249 billion in receipts. Among nonemployer firms, Black-owned businesses accounted for 4.4 million, or 14.4 percent, generating $128.7 billion in receipts.

Despite Black-owned businesses continuing to create jobs and contribute billions to the U.S. economy, business leaders say they are navigating a new set of economic and policy challenges.

“We’re in a state of flux,” said Carl Brown, executive director of the D.C. Small Business Development Center (DCSBDC). “We have a large federal workforce, primarily of African Americans, that were let go, and they’re not spending their money.”

Brown says these cautious spending habits are not limited to furloughed workers though.

“Anyone who has any logic will say, ‘With a war going and the price of gas, groceries and everything going up, do I really need to buy this?’” said Brown. “People are not spending their money; they’re holding onto their money.”

Another challenge that Brown highlighted was a recent revision to the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program, which was originally designed to help socially- and economically-disadvantaged small businesses compete for federal contracts.

In line with his administration’s executive actions to dismantle equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives across the federal government, the 47th president has moved to make the program race-neutral. Instead, it would require business owners to individually demonstrate social disadvantage rather than allowing certain minority groups to qualify through a previous presumption

Photo by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash

According to the most recent data available from the U.S. Census Bureau, 201,000, or 3.4 percent, of employer firms are Black-owned, while 4.4 million, or 14.4 percent, of non-employer firms are Black-owned. based on historical experiences with discrimination.

“That’s the way you politely say, ‘We’re destroying the program or determining that it’s no longer effective, and we’re not going to use it anymore,” said Brown.

While federal policies shape the contracting landscape, Wendell Stemley, president of the National Association of Minority Contractors, said states can play a critical role in determining how minority-owned businesses access opportunities moving forward.

He noted that the federal government’s role is to establish budgets and frameworks for programs, but states ultimately decide how they engage small businesses and whether minority-owned firms have opportunities to compete for contracts.

Photo courtesy of Meta (Facebook)

Carl Brown serves as the executive director of the D.C. Small Business Development Center.

Amid the national debate over diversity initiatives, Stemley said some states have responded by limiting their own efforts to support disadvantaged businesses instead of identifying ways to maintain support.

“States have to take ownership and ask, ‘What can we do?’ versus worrying about all of the things they can’t do,” said Stemley. “They have to ask, ‘What can we do to try to help those in our community who are at the bottom of the totem pole?’”

Beyond policy changes, Stemley said another challenge facing minority-owned businesses is capacity. He said he often hears from contractors that they do not have the workforce to take on available contracts. However, he argued that Black communities represent an untapped pool of talent that could be trained for skilled positions, particularly as African Americans have the highest unemployment rate in the country.

“If we’re not getting opportunities down to the lowest level in all of our communities, then we’re hurting ourselves,” said Stemley.

Even before the latest changes on the federal level, Brown said Black entrepreneurs have long been navigating structural barriers that continue to limit their businesses’ growth. He pointed to historical challenges, including the lack of access to capital, cash-flow constraints and weaker relationships with financial institutions.

Through his work at the DCSBDC, Brown helps entrepreneurs become “capital-ready” by reviewing business plans, strengthening loan applications and preparing owners to seek financing.

“If you come into the bank with a business that is credit-worthy, you’re going to walk out of there with some money,” said Brown. “That’s what we’re working with them on.”

If business owners are struggling to win federal contracts, Brown advised that they shift their focus to state and local contracting opportunities. He also encouraged entrepreneurs to cultivate strong relationships with banks, particularly Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), which are dedicated to expanding access to capital for underserved businesses and communities.

“Procurement opportunities may be limited, and economic uncertainty is worldwide at this point,” said Brown. “Building relationships, trust and marketing are musts.”

Photo courtesy of St. Louis American

Wendell Stemley serves as president of the National Association of Minority Contractors.

INVESTING IN TOMORROW,

EMPOWERING SUCCESS TODAY SECU is Maryland’s largest not-for-profit credit union — a safer, smarter banking alternative with better benefits — and proud to support our local communities.

Visit sECUMD.org to join!

A6 The Afro-American August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026

From franchisee to franchise owner: How entrepreneurs are building their legacies

By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com There is no single path into franchising. Some entrepreneurs spend years building a successful business before expanding it into a franchise system, while others invest in an established brand as a gateway to business ownership.

Though their journeys begin in

Photo courtesy of Alesha Magby

Husband and wife Alesha and David Magby are multi-brand, multi-unit franchisees. The pair own multiple Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations, one Phoenix Salon Suites and will soon open a Jersey Mike’s.

different places, both routes can lead to economic mobility and opportunity. According to the International Franchise Association (IFA), 26 percent of franchises are owned by people of color, and Black-owned franchises generate 2.3 times as much in sales as Black-owned non-franchised businesses.

Carolyn Thurston, CEO of Wisdom Senior Care, took the first path. After running her North Carolina-based in-home care agency for nearly a decade, she found herself burned out and questioning how much further she could grow. But in 2016, a business consultant suggested she read, “The E-Myth Revisited,” a recommendation she credits with opening her eyes to franchising as an option.

“It gives you two ways you can scale your business. One of the ways was I could open up a lot of different offices and hire managers in it. Or, I could go the route of franchising where I could help support people and walk alongside the journey with them for a longer period of time,” said Thurston.

“When I saw that, I was like, ‘This is it. This is what we need to do.’”

Thurston said she knew she had a proven model, but her motivation extended beyond expansion. By franchising Wisdom Senior Care, she hoped to help more older adults age in place with respect and dignity.

Thurston and her team turned to the IFA for education, attending conferences and connecting with experienced franchisors before launching their own

franchise system in 2017.

Today, Wisdom Senior Care has expanded throughout North Carolina and into South Carolina and Florida. Eventually, Thurston wants the business to have a footprint nationwide.

“It has helped me be able to reach more seniors, help their families and offer more career opportunities than I would have if it was just me by myself,” said Thurston. “I also have business owners who are finding their passion.”

Over the years, some of the most valuable lessons she’s learned have been the importance of understanding people, building a strong team, investing in education and understanding the financial and time commitments required to build a sustainable franchise.

For Thurston, franchising is ultimately about sharing the knowledge and experience gained from building a business with other entrepreneurs.

“To me, the most powerful part of franchising is the franchisee,” said Thurston. “They can grab this playbook and follow the process. Where it might have taken that founder 10 plus years to reach a certain point, they’re able to reach it in significantly less time than it took the owner.”

Unlike Thurston, Alesha Magby, a government IT consultant, entered the franchising space as a franchisee.

The Prince George’s County, Md., native and her husband, David Magby, reached a point in their careers where they wanted to build something of their own.

The couple, who first met as students at Morgan State University and later reconnected at a homecoming, found an opportunity in a brand they already knew well.

“We would go to Tropical Smoothies in the mornings and evenings, and we really loved the brand,” said Alesha Magby. “On the back of the cup back then, it said: ‘Interested in franchising?

Call this number.’”

In 2018, the Magbys opened their first Tropical Smoothie location in Temple Hills, Md., and they’ve continued growing their portfolio ever since. Today, they own three locations, including one situated just steps from their alma mater in the Northwood Commons shopping center. They’ve also expanded into other brands. They have a Phoenix Salon Suites location already open. Later this year, they plan to open up a new location of the popular sub shop, Jersey Mike’s.

“We are looking to do all that we can to max this thing out,” said Alesha Magby.

For aspiring franchisees, she said it’s important for them to be prepared to immerse themselves in the business and to foster relationships with other franchise owners who can offer guidance along the way. Much like Thurston, she has looked to the IFA to deepen her industry knowledge and forge connections.

Her ultimate goal is to build a franchise operation that creates long-term career opportunities for the people who have helped her grow each business.

Photo courtesy of Carolyn Thurston

Carolyn Thurston is the CEO and founder of Wisdom Senior Care, an in-home care agency and franchise network that helps older adults age safely in their homes. Thurston started her franchise system in 2017 after running the business since 2006.

She noted that some of her employees have been with her since high school, growing alongside the business as they pursued higher education. Now, she wants to honor that dedication by creating pathways beyond customer-facing roles.

“I would love to have a corporate structure where I have my human resources, IT, administrative and social media departments and I have these same people who have been with me and dedicated their lives to me in an office instead of a cafe,” said Alesha Magby. “That’s my dream.”

August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026 The Afro-American A7

Entrepreneurs share strategies for building a business with little capital

By Victoria Mejicanos AFRO Staff Writer vmejicanos@afro.com For many aspiring entrepreneurs, limited startup capital can feel like the biggest obstacle to starting a business or launching a product. However, business owners and experts who spoke with the AFRO shared there are multiple ways to build a company with limited resources, from leveraging community support and grants to growing a side hustle while maintaining a full-time job.

When Natasha Brown-Wainwright wanted to open Bmore Made with Pride, her cafe and commercial kitchen, she did not have money saved or borrowed waiting for her.

“I had no idea where the money was coming from,” she said.

What helped her get her start was community.

A former daycare owner, Brown-Wainwright said one of her former clients gave her the initial deposit for the building in which her business is located. Friends and family also gave donations of their time and money, and Brown-Wainwright earned over $500,000 from grants and pitch competitions for

business matched that certain amount, I was able to let that full-time job go, and I was able to put more time into my business,” she said.

“It’s definitely a lot of work in the beginning, but it’ll all pay off, especially when you know the goal is for you to grow your business to a point where you don’t have to go to work.”

Turner also noted the importance of always having a plan for resources once they start streaming in.

“You definitely have to have a budget set,” she said.

“You also have to forecast, and sometimes, you may not forecast for those unforeseen times, but you do need to have some type of a cash reserve just so you can survive those times because that is one of the reasons why many businesses fail.”

She also shared it’s important to be prepared to put in “sweat equity” when you cannot afford employees. She said that there were many times she had to work alone or rely on friends and family to volunteer their time.

While every entrepreneur’s journey is different, people with limited capital should focus on starting small and testing their ideas before making major investments,

“It’s definitely a lot of work in the beginning, but it’ll all pay off, especially when you know the goal is for you to grow your business to a point where you don’t have to go to work.”

– Shandra Turner, Owner of Bougie Grazer her business.

Shandra Turner is the owner of Bougie Grazer, a DIY accessories and charcuterie bar in Atlanta. Rather than seeking out a business loan, she launched her business while working her corporate job.

“I had an income coming in and I was making a certain amount, and then once my

said Dr. Johnny Graham, an assistant professor of marketing at the Howard University School of Business and the national executive director of the Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship.

Graham said service-based businesses such as consulting or freelance work often require less startup capital

Courtesy photo

Shandra Turner is the owner of The Bougie Grazer in Atlanta, Ga., a DIY accessories and charcuterie business. because entrepreneurs can rely on their existing skills and expertise. For those interested in selling products, he recommends creating a prototype and gathering feedback from potential customers before spending significant money on inventory.

He also encouraged taking advantage of free or lowcost resources, including Small Business Development Centers, university entrepreneurship programs and online tools that can help entrepreneurs research and refine their ideas.

“I’ve seen entrepreneurs that we’ve worked with through our center,” said Graham. “We may give them, you know, $58,000, $10,000 [in] a pitch competition, but then they’ll go on and win other pitch competitions and apply for grants and other universities to do other programs and raise $75,000, $100,000 in capital through these non-dilutive opportunities.”

For entrepreneurs and experts alike, the key is starting small and putting in consistent effort.

“You don’t have to start big,” Graham said. “It’s always gradual steps in entrepreneurship.”

10,000 small businesses

You Built Your Business.

We'll Help You Grow It. Goldman Sachs 70,000 Small Businesses is a free, 12-week business education program that provides small business owners with the tools to grow.

Apply now for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses in Baltimore. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2026 and classes start in January 2027.

Visit 10KSBApply.com to learn more and apply:

Courtesy photo

Natasha Brown-Wainwright is the owner of Bmore Made with Pride, a cafe and commercial kitchen in Baltimore that helps other business owners realize their dreams.

Please contact Lillie at lillie.wilson@morgan.edu with any questions

A8 The Afro-American August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026

COMMENTARY

Leadership lessons behind 50 years of business success

By Joy Rohadfox People often ask what it takes for a company to reach its 50th year. They expect the answer to involve strategy, growth plans or major milestones.

Those things matter, but longevity is built long before anniversaries are celebrated. It is built in the everyday moments—through difficult decisions, unwavering values and the commitment to earn trust one day at a time.

When I became president of Rohadfox Corp. at 27 years old, I inherited far more than a business. I inherited a reputation that had been built through decades of hard work, integrity and promises kept. It was both an incredible privilege and an enormous responsibility. I knew I didn’t have all the answers, but I understood that my job was not to change the company’s values. My job was to protect them while preparing the organization for the future.

My father founded Rohadfox in 1976, and one of the greatest lessons he left behind was simple: trust is a company’s most valuable asset. Fifty years later, I believe that lesson is more relevant than ever.

Leadership has taught me that success is not measured by the contracts you win. It is measured by the confidence people have that you will deliver on your word. Clients return because they know what to expect.

Employees stay because they believe

in the culture. Partners continue investing in relationships because consistency builds confidence over time.

Trust is never created overnight.

It is earned project by project, conversation by conversation, and decision by decision.

Another lesson I have learned is that leadership is stewardship.

Too often, leaders focus on building their own legacy. I have always viewed my responsibility differently.

I was entrusted with protecting a foundation that someone else worked tirelessly to create. Every major decision I make is guided by one question: Will this strengthen the organization long after I am gone?

That perspective changes the way you lead. It encourages patience over shortcuts, long-term investment over short-term gains, and collaboration over ego. Leadership is not about individual recognition. It is about building an organization that creates opportunities for others to succeed.

People—not projects—are ultimately the reason businesses endure.

Our work in infrastructure is measured by schedules, budgets and completed facilities, but those metrics tell only part of the story. Every successful project represents dedicated professionals solving problems, serving clients, and improving communities. The bridges, airports, transit systems and water infrastructure we help deliver matter because

they improve people’s lives.

One of the greatest privileges of my career has been watching employees grow into leaders, mentoring young professionals entering our industry, and creating opportunities for people to realize their own potential. Organizations cannot expect loyalty unless they are willing to invest in the people who make their success possible.

Leadership also requires resilience.

Every business experiences uncertainty. Markets shift. Economies change. Unexpected challenges test even the strongest organizations.

During those moments, employees are not looking for perfection from their leaders. They are looking for consistency. They want someone who communicates honestly, remains focused on solutions and inspires confidence without ignoring reality.

Some of the most difficult decisions I have made ultimately became the most important because they reinforced the values that define our company. Leadership is often tested not during moments of success but during moments of uncertainty.

Celebrating success matters, too.

Our 50th anniversary was never simply about recognizing how long Rohadfox has been in business. It was an opportunity to thank the employees, clients, partners, mentors, family members and communities who have been part of our journey. No company reaches five decades alone.

Courtesy photo

Joy Rohadfox is president and CEO of Rohadfox Corp., one of the nation’s longest-standing minority-owned engineering, program management and construction management firms.

The celebration also reminded me that success carries responsibility.

It creates opportunities to mentor future leaders, strengthen communities, open doors for others, and leave an industry better than you found it. That has become one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

Fifty years is an extraordinary milestone but it is not the finish line.

It is proof that when integrity, relationships and purpose remain at the center of an organization, longevity becomes possible.

BANKING THAT MEANS BUSINESS From your first transaction to your next big expansion, your vision deserves the right partner.

Business Banking Business Loans | Business Checking | Remote Deposit Capture Treasury Management | Credit Cards

BankWithUnited.com | Member FDIC

If 50 years has taught me anything, it is this: companies do not endure because they avoid challenges.

They endure because leaders choose integrity over convenience, people over ego, and purpose over shortterm success. Those are the lessons that built Rohadfox over the past five decades, and they are the principles that will continue to guide us for generations to come.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.

August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026 The Afro-American A9

Meet 4 of the 16 Black business owners inside the historic Hooper House

By Alanah Nichole Davis Special to the AFRO Dark red bricks and steeply pitched gables define a historic home in Baltimore’s Old Goucher neighborhood that now houses more than 15 Black-owned businesses.

From a perfumery and hairstylist to an esthetician and vintage clothing shop, the James E. Hooper House has become a hub for Black entrepreneurship and culture.

Hooper House, as it is known, is named after James E. Hooper, a man known for operating cotton mills in the area. The building is located at 100 East 23rd St. in Baltimore.

This week, AFRO News spoke with Oyindasola “Sola” Ekunseitan, the community director at Hooper House and owner of two businesses in the space, AYE Gallery/Altar Studio and OUTER SPACE Greenhouse, which is set to fully open in October.

She hopes to continue encouraging artists like Murjoni Merriweather and Megan Lewis to develop a more courageous relationship with their work through experimentation.

Ekunseitan collaborates with Hooper House’s anchor business, Mama Koko’s, as well as the building’s 17 tenants and business owners, 16 of whom are Black-owned.

She said the collective space reflects shared beauty and serves as a form of reclamation at 23rd and St. Paul.

“How we commune together is important. In a way [it] feels like one big family house. So you got your cousins, you got your uncles, you got your aunties,” said Ekunseitan.

Visitors often assume the upstairs of Hooper House is a set of apartments. That assumption is not far off.

Business tenants like Brittney London operate out of spaces the Hooper community believes were once servants’ quarters. London’s business, Abundant Healing Wellness, located in apartment 2.5G, was inspired by personal experiences and focuses on bodywork and energy healing.

In a phone interview, London

spoke about how she came to be a contributor to the good vibes and creative offerings of Hooper House.

“I had actually been in search of a space that aligned with my business, a space that I can go outside of my home that felt welcoming, felt warm, and was very much in community.

And I went, I explored upstairs, met other people in the building, and I realized, ‘Oh, there’s a space here, and the space looks like it’s for me,’ and it was.”

The building has also become a home for Black entrepreneurs like 31-year-old Rashad Johnson, a tailor who discovered the space while spending time at Hooper House’s anchor cafe and restaurant, Mama Koko’s. The owner of TACT Bespoke in apartment 3F creates custom suiting and artisanal clothing on the building’s third floor.

“I’m blessed to be able to kind of keep this old craft around because it’s kind of sort of a dying craft in America,” said Johnson. “Not many young people take it on as a profession, so I’m happy to kind of keep that going.

There’s actually a very rich history of Black tailors in America.”

“We have our own kind of heritage in this beyond eurocentric things that [are] usually pushed ... .

Representation is important,” Johnson added.

For businesses like 1KG, founded by 30-year-old Akile Butler, the intersection of art and business is central to the brand’s identity. Butler, located in apartment 3B and one of Hooper House’s original tenants, has built a lane with what he calls “preppy streetwear,” creating everyday clothing rooted in creativity and self-expression. Like Johnson, Butler thinks deeply about representation, but also focuses on legacy.

“Resiliency [is what] I want my children to witness ... . I’ve been following my heart,” said Butler.

“I’m doing something that I wanted to do since I was younger and I’m still at it, which is just presenting art and creativity to the world.”

Photo courtesy of Max Frost

Akile Butler is owner of 1KG, a business that offers “preppy streetwear” to all from apartment 3B of Hooper House, located at 100 East 23rd St. in Baltimore

Photo courtesy of by Jati Photo

Rashad Johnson, 31, is a tailor with his business, TACT Bespoke, located on the third floor of Hooper House in Baltimore.

Photo courtesy of Wavey

Brittany London says her business, Abundant Healing Wellness, is inspired by personal experiences and the importance of bodywork and energy healing.

Photo courtesy of Niajea R.

Oyindasola “Sola” Ekunseitan serves as community director of Hooper House. She also owns two businesses in the space, AYE Gallery/Altar Studio and OUTER SPACE Greenhouse, which is slated to fully open later this year.

A10 The Afro-American August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026

Culture and community: A look at the chefs behind local West African cuisine

By Goundo Gueye AFRO Intern National Black Business Month is observed each August and serves as a time to support Black-owned establishments throughout the country.

For some restaurant owners in Baltimore, the month is more than an opportunity to increase business—it’s a chance to introduce customers to authentic West African cuisine while sharing the traditions and stories behind every meal.

AJ’s Restaurant and Carryout, located at 4405 Belair Road in Baltimore, is owned

by Euloge Bathily. Known to customers as “AJ,” his business is in operation Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For him, the journey to success has been anything but easy.

Fifteen years ago, Bathily operated another carryout.

During the restaurant’s early years, there were days when sales totaled less than $300 dollars. Rather than giving up, he continued investing in the business by serving traditional dishes made with ingredients imported directly from Africa.

Though it fell on hard times and eventually had to close, Bathily’s passion remained. He reopened the business under the same name with the goal of bringing authentic Senegalese food to Baltimore.

“Hard work and dedication is key. There were so many times I wanted to give up,” he said.

Bathily believes customers return because they know they will receive fresh food, generous portions and a clean dining environment. He spoke passionately about the importance of quality and community.

“We are in business to make money, but first you have to do things with love,” Bathily told the AFRO. “People work hard for their money, so you have to give them quality.”

AJ’s Restaurant consistently serves up flavorful thiebou yapp, a Senegalese jollof rice served with tender lamb, making it a standout among Senegalese restaurants in Baltimore. The generous portions and affordable prices have helped make the restaurant a

All AFRO Photos / Goundo Gueye

Kalabar Kitchen owner, Jane Enigwe boxes a fresh order of jollof rice with meat. She says every meal is prepared with fresh ingredients and made with care. favorite for customers looking for authentic Senegalese cuisine.

Today, he employs five people and says quality comes before everything else. He believes Black-owned businesses should focus on serving customers well and making a positive impact in their communities, rather than relying on the “Black-owned” label alone.

He also hires local students when possible and says giving young people opportunities is one way he invests back into the neighborhood.

Kalabar Kitchen food truck, located at 3217 Eastern Blvd. in Middle River is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from from 12:30 - 8:30 p.m. On Tuesday and Thursday the truck operates from 3:30 - 8:30 p.m.

manager following the birth of her fourth child. With savings, money from refinancing her home and a payment plan for her food truck, she has turned a lifelong passion for cooking into a business.

Since childhood, Enigwe’s life has always involved the culture that comes with cooking. By the age of 12, she was already helping prepare meals for large family gatherings and learning how to butcher and cook meat, experiences that later inspired her to open her own restaurant. She said there were times she questioned whether the business would succeed.

“The first year I opened this business was the hardest.

I used to go home and cry every day,” Enigwe said.

“You have to do things with love. You don’t just make food for money.

You have to give people quality.

“We sell out every single day,” Enigwe said. “I don’t do frozen food. Most of my food is cooked that day, and people notice it.”

Enigwe warmly welcomes guests and shares the story behind her business while introducing them to authentic West African cuisine. Her version of jollof rice stands out for its bold spices, fresh ingredients, and rich flavor, leaving a lasting impression.

Enigwe said nearly 90 percent of her customers come from outside the Nigerian community, showing how West African cuisine continues reaching new audiences in Baltimore. She also said referrals have played a major role in the food truck’s growth, with many first-time customers arriving after recommendations from friends, coworkers and family members.

As National Black Business Month continues, residents and guests in the area have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to West African cuisine.

Take a look at more West African dining options, also personally experienced and reviewed

by AFRO News, below.

Mary’s Catering and African Restaurant

Location: 5138 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21206 Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Located on Belair Road, Mary’s Catering and African Restaurant has been a favorite for families looking for authentic Nigerian cuisine in Baltimore. From the outside, the restaurant blends into the neighborhood, looking more like a house than a restaurant.

However, inside, the cozy and welcoming atmosphere makes customers feel at home. Popular menu items include the fufu with egusi and fish, along with sweet plantains, and puff puff (deep fried dough). The fufu is soft, the egusi is rich and flavorful without being overly spicy, and the portions are generous for the price.

Nailah’s Kitchen

Location: 5722 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212 Hours of operation: Wednesday, Thursday 1 p.m.

to 10 p.m.; Friday 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For those looking for a more fancy dining experience, Nailah’s Kitchen is more of a modern take on traditional Senegalese cuisine. Located on York Road, the restaurant has been completely renovated from its former iteration as “Tam Tam” into an elegant dining space with neatly set tables and a warm atmosphere. Popular menu items include the dibi (seasoned lamb) served with vermicelli and plantains, while the shrimp nem and refreshing bouye (Senegalese baobab fruit juice) are also amazing.

The owner welcomes guests from the moment they arrive and creates an inviting atmosphere for customers from all backgrounds, even speaking French with French speaking guests to make them feel at home. The attention to both hospitality, beautifully presented dishes, and authentic Senegalese flavors makes Nailah’s Kitchen one of Baltimore’s top destinations for Senegalese food.

— Euloge Bathily, Owner of AJ’s Restaurant Kalabar Kitchen offers authentic Nigerian dishes, prepared fresh inside a colorful food truck.

Jane Anikwe, also known as “Janny,” is the owner of Kalabar Kitchen. She opened her business in 2024 after leaving her job as a case

Despite the challenges, she continued building both her grocery store and food truck and now serves customers from across the region. Today, she prepares authentic Nigerian dishes fresh on a daily basis and her passion is reflected in every meal she serves.

Shown here, offerings of AJ’s Restaurant, where fresh plates of authentic thiebou yapp, a Senegalese jollof rice and lamb dish, and bissap, a Senegalese hibiscus drink are available.

Euloge Bathily offers authentic Senegalese dishes and drinks at his business, AJ’s Restaurant, located at 4405 Belair Road in Baltimore, Md. The restaurant has become a neighborhood staple by focusing on quality, community and traditional recipes.

August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026 The Afro-American A11

Black-owned media studio opens in downtown Baltimore

By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com East Baltimore native James “Byrd” Mitchell has brought a new creative production hub to downtown Baltimore. On July 29, Byrd’s Eye View Studio celebrated its grand opening at 100 N. Charles St. The new space houses a fully-equipped production studio with a podcast space, editing suite and classroom area.

Its opening marked the final storefront launch of the third cohort of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s Black-Owned and Operated Storefront Tenancy (BOOST) program.

“Getting a chance to move downtown in the heart of Baltimore is just crazy,” said Mitchell. “I have a bus line right our front, so the kids can come as soon as they get out of school.”

Mitchell depicted his journey into the production field as a camera falling into his lap. A friend of his was working on a film in the city, and the experience introduced him to the power of visual storytelling.

He started his own business, Byrd’s Eye View Media in 2017.

His career has included supporting the making of HBO’s “We Own This City,” a miniseries that followed the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force.

Now, Mitchell’s new studio

occupies the same building where scenes from the series were filmed—creating a full-circle moment for him.

Ensuring city youth have opportunities at the new studio is top of mind for Mitchell. Through a workforce development program, he provides young people with hands-on production experience and opportunities to run the studio themselves.

His commitment to the next generation stems from his belief that exposing young people to a wider range of career paths can expand their sense of what’s possible.

“What you see is what you’ll be,” said Mitchell. “We can give them an opportunity to see that there’s more to Baltimore and more to film. They can hold a camera. They can be creative directors, producers or editors.

There’s so many different levels to it and they don’t even know.”

He is especially excited about the storefront’s proximity to some of Baltimore’s major entertainment and creative destinations, including CFG Bank Arena, Create Baltimore and the Ravens and Orioles stadiums.

For the broader Baltimore community, Mitchell said the studio will host free headshot days and provide small businesses and residents with opportunities to share their stories through photography and film.

Mitchell said the BOOST program represents more than just a storefront opportunity—it’s part of

a broader effort to bring activity back to downtown Baltimore.

“It’s vital to bring storefronts downtown because that’s where a lot of the visitors come,” said Mitchell. “There were so many vacant stores and houses. It was terrible at one point. Now, thanks to the BOOST program and others, they are bringing life down here.”

Started in 2021, the BOOST program was designed to advance Black businesses while addressing vacancies in the city’s core.

Entrepreneurs receive grants ranging from $20,000 to $100,000, as well as technical assistance. The program utilizes a cohort model, allowing businesses to collaborate and grow together.

Shelonda Stokes, president of DPOB, noted that each business in the third cohort is situated on a corridor targeted for investment through the Downtown RISE initiative. The cohort includes Diva by Cindy, Tribe Social Cafe, Making Art Matter and Kaizen Beauty and Byrd’s Eye View Studio, while the key corridors include Charles, Redwood, Eutaw and Pratt Streets.

“Those pillars allow increased retail efforts, focused cleaning and enhancements and all of the things that help us in ensuring the survivability of those businesses,” said Stokes. “Surviving for any type of business these days is harder. We’re really starting to build and layer initiatives to help increase their

Photo courtesy of James “Byrd” Mitchell

James “Byrd” Mitchell is the founder of Byrd’s Eye View Media, a Baltimore-based production company specializing in photography, commercial media, documentaries and branded content. On July 29, Mitchell celebrated the grand opening of Byrd’s Eye View Studio in downtown Baltimore. chances of success.”

With Byrd’s Eye View Studio in particular, Stokes said she is excited about the role it will play in deepening the cultural vibrancy and creative opportunities that define downtown Baltimore.

“Having another place where you

Celebrating the Communities We Serve BGE is proud to celebrate the diverse communities that shape our region because we see our friends and neighbors in the communities we serve, and we put them first — now and for the future.

By supporting organizations, businesses, and leaders who reflect Maryland’s many cultures and identities, we’re helping build stronger communities, a more resilient economy, and brighter futures for all.

That’s the Exelon Promise.

can have those types of expressions and bring people down in community is exactly what we want downtown to be,” said Stokes. “This business is not only filling a vacant space, it’s activating that space in a way that we know people will want to engage in.”

A12 The Afro-American August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026

Fashion with a purpose: How Reversed Thrift Store gives back to Baltimore

By Shawn Ware AFRO intern sware@afro.com In May of 2025, Reversed, a local shop located at 1916 Fleet St. in Fells Point, hit the thrift scene in Baltimore.

Initially, the store had trouble attracting customers.

Then Kendall McGill, the niece of store owners Ameena and Shawn Brown, took to Tik Tok and posted a video about the shop. It went viral.

Customers from Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia started flocking to Baltimore’s latest flourishing “mom and pop” shop.

Now, more than a year later, the Browns have expanded their business and opened another Reversed Thrift Store at 3220 Eastern Ave. “Social media has been a major impact of Reversed Thrift’s growth,” said Shawn Brown. “Without Kendall [and] without social media, we probably wouldn’t be building as fast as we are.”

The vision for Reversed was not only created out of Shawn and Ameena Brown’s love for clothes, but also love for helping those in need due to a constantly changing economy.

“Me and my wife first started this as two people sitting together. We talked about how we grew up thrifting,” Shawn Brown said. “We were just sitting home one day, discussing things about the economy, what we’re going through, and we’re just like, ‘We need to do something to help people. We can do something to give back.’”

Courtesy of Reversed Thrift Store

Reversed Thrift Store owners, Ameena and Shawn Brown, spread their love for clothing and helping others through their business.

Originally, the couple looked at established flea markets.

“We looked around [and said] ‘This isn’t for us.’ We looked for a shop in front, just decided, ‘Hey, I want to bring thrifting back, to give back to the communities.’”

Eventually, the couple decided to open a full thrift store, instead of finding space in a flea market.

“We didn’t plan on being in Fells Point. It was something we saw [and said] ‘Hey, let’s just go check it out. Let’s see what we can do.’ It just all worked out in that matter.”

Inside the store, customers can find luxury brands on sale, including bags by Marc

Jacobs, shoes by Versace, Gucci belts and more.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), apparel costs increased by 1.9 percent in 2024. In that same year, 20 percent of consumers from each generation turned to monthly thrifting.

“Upcycling (the repurposing of old or discarded items or materials) has also become a popular trend with Generation Z on social media,” reports BLS. “Although secondhand clothing was slowly expanding before 2020, its growth accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Americans were cleaning out their closets and buying more used clothes because they were spending

more time at home and experiencing economic strain and inflation.”

To combat rising prices, the couple offers racks full of clothes that are significantly marked down in their store.

There are dollar racks available with many offerings between $1 and $5.

Shawn Brown said Reversed was created with the joy of Baltimore’s citizens in mind.

“The No. 1 thing is the love and passion that me and my wife put into this every day,” said Shawn Brown. “We don’t get up and put the love and the passion in for a dollar, but because we want to see smiles, we want to see people happy.”

The couple goes the extra mile to deliver top quality.

Their travel to other states enables them to offer clothes that appeal to all audiences.

“My wife does everything when it comes to the trends.

She’s a big fashion queen– before even doing all this.

Customers come in and say, ‘Hey, I’m trying to do this, and that.’ She gets people dressed from top to bottom.”

To the Browns, building an atmosphere that is appealing to the customer is everything.

“I want people to know that Reversed is a place of love, care and quality. We wanted people just to come in and be happy. We want people to always feel that there’s something to fit every status or something they always want,” said Shawn Brown.

“When you leave Reversed, I want you to be refreshed and reversed.”

AFRO Photo/ Shawn Ware

Reversed Thrift Store brings fashion lovers from around the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area to 1916 Fleet St. in the Fells Point neighborhood of Baltimore.

AFRO Photo/ Shawn Ware

Reversed, an up and coming thrift store, appeals to consumers who are interested in both the latest trends and vintage style.

Lifting as we climb: The journey to generational wealth

By Makayla Walker AFRO Intern mwalker@afro.com As federal contracting undergoes significant changes under the Trump administration, Black-owned firms participating in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program are navigating increased scrutiny and new compliance requirements.

For Ronnette Meyers, the moment is about more than protecting her own business, but rather ensuring the following generations of Black entrepreneurs are prepared to succeed.

“Outside of the financial, it’s about having the independence to create your own and instill that into the next generation thereafter,” said Meyers, president and CEO of JLAN Solutions.

As a young mother and the daughter of a service member, she’s no stranger to handling challenges and adapting. That flexibility has served her well in her career and beyond.

This National Black Business Month, Meyers discussed her journey and insight from her early years shadowing her mother. She also spoke on her present role as a CEO–all while being a role model to her four children.

Integrity and excellence serve as the bedrock for JLAN Solutions, an 8(a) certified small business founded in 2010. Each letter of the company serves as an ode to her four children, Jamie, Lenae, Asia and Nia. This consulting firm is dedicated to serving commercial and government clients. They take pride in a staff that maintains a reputation for being responsive and reliable while providing unparalleled performance.

Meyers’ commitment ensures that every project is completed with honesty, meeting deadlines and financial requirements consistently.

The journey hasn’t been easy.

Under the new administration the federal contracting landscape is experiencing a shift, bringing on unforeseen challenges to small businesses owners particularly 8(a) firms. The SBA gave 8(a) participants until January 2026 to provide financial records covering the last three fiscal years.

By definition, 8 (a) businesses are small companies certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to participate in a business development program that works with entrepreneurs for a maximum of nine years. The program services entrepreneurs with a lower socioeconomic status so they are better equipped for federal contracting.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, in a press release, said that the “8(a) Program designed for ‘socially and economically disadvantaged’ businesses went from being a targeted program to a pass-through vehicle for rampant abuse and fraud.”

She criticized the Biden administration for “aggressively prioritizing DEI over merit in federal contracting” in a press release about the records request.

Since the January 2026 deadline, over 1,000 firms have been suspended.

Although Meyers is on the tail end of the program, she recognizes how these changes will affect the people coming behind her. She advises emerging business owners to read the federal register, focus on what they can control and move strategically.

As a Black woman in a white-male

Photo Courtesy Vickey Evans

Ronnette Meyers (left), president and CEO of JLAN Solutions, stands beside her mother, Janice Adams, founder and chief executive officer of JMA Solutions, as both proudly display honorary degrees from Wealth Elevation Christian University. dominated field, she’s no stranger to imposter syndrome. Meyers has proven that confidence is a major part of success.

Fueled by the tenacity of her single mother, Janice Adams, founder and chief executive officer of JMA Solutions and a U.S. Air Force veteran, Meyers had no choice but to trust that she’d make a difference in the world.

She recalls a time when she was the only Black woman in the room, but she didn’t let that stop her from sitting in the front and connecting with the different people in the space. That unwavering confidence

was steadily built throughout her childhood.

Growing up on Ramstein Air Base in Germany broadened her view of the world, so when she returned to the States she “saw the world differently.”

“I knew there was so much more out there to define wherever it was that I wanted to go,” she said. “My mother is a strong Black female; she had to hold her own.”

Seeing the resilience of her mother instilled strength in her. As business partners, Meyers helped her mother’s company grow to over $36 million in revenue.

“Our plan is to keep the family unit together because you see it in other cultures. You don’t necessarily see it in our culture, but that’s what we’re trying to keep,” said Meyers.

Outside of handling business, Meyers also makes time to make a positive impact wherever she can.

“I’m a strong proponent of giving back to the community and helping where others need it,” said Meyers, who serves as a member of three non-profit organizations, Bishop McNamara High School, Dreaming Out Loud and the D.C. Chamber of Commerce.

As the first female board chair at Bishop McNamara High School (BMHS), she leads the entire board of directors. Bishop McNamara High School (BHMS) is a predominantly Black institution located in the heart of D.C. “She always helps to make sure that McNamara has a seat at the table.

And that’s what she does best,” said Dr. John Barnhardt, CEO and president of BMHS. “She ensures that our voices are heard.”

With their 52,000 square foot capital renovation project undertow, Meyers has been instrumental in both designing and financing the plan.

Her personal business advancements and avid community advocacy hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Meyers was honored to be the recipient of this year’s District of Columbia Small Business Person of the Year award.

Meyers wants aspiring entrepreneurs to follow their dreams.

“If you’re passionate about something–and you feel as though you can help others–really believe in yourself, but also find great mentors,” she said.

August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026 The Afro-American A13

Unsplash / Tim Mossholder

While Black businesses may have taken a hit in the last year due to changes in federal policies and public sentiment, Black entrepreneurs are still thriving in a variety of locales across the nation.

A look at cities with the most Black-owned businesses

By Josh Meth It’s no secret that Black business owners and entrepreneurs have had to move strategically as both diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and federal jobs continue to face attack.

Still, that has not stopped Black people from striking out on their own.

Black entrepreneurs take a lot into account when starting their own businesses. From hours of operation to the font on the company website, there are countless decisions to be made. One important choice will always be location. No matter where they land, many Black entrepreneurs have a proven track record of improving the communities they serve. Researchers at TruckInfo.net analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau to better understand exactly where Black businesses are thriving.

Despite gains in recent years, Black entrepreneurs are still underrepresented

Although Black and African Americans represent 13.7 percent of the population, less than 4 percent of employer firms (those with at least one employee) are Black-owned.

This discrepancy highlights both the challenges and the untapped potential within the community.

Black entrepreneurs see the most success in Southern metro areas

Black-owned businesses in the South exceed national averages. For example, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Georgia, has nine times as many Black-owned businesses as would be expected based on population alone. The metro areas with the highest concentration of Black-owned employer firms include:

1. Atlanta, Sandy Springs and Roswell, Ga.

• Businesses that are Black-owned: 10.7 percent • Black population: 34 percent • Black-owned businesses: 13,091 • Black-owned businesses per 10k: 62

2. Fayetteville, N.C.

• Businesses that are Black-owned: 9.9 percent

• Black population: 36.8 percent • Black-owned businesses: 472 • Black-owned businesses per 10k: 33

3. D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia (DMV) area

• Businesses that are Black-owned: 9.4 percent • Black population: 24.9 percent • Black-owned businesses: 10,627 • Black-owned businesses per 10k: 68 •

4. Memphis, Tenn.

• Businesses that are Black-owned: 9.1 percent • Black population: 46.8 percent • Black-owned businesses: 1,477 • Black-owned businesses per 10k: 24

Photo courtesy of Stacker

5. Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk, Va.

• Businesses that are Black-owned: 8.8 percent • Black population: 29.7 percent • Black-owned businesses: 2,357 • Black-owned businesses per 10k: 44

6. Baltimore, Columbia and Towson, Md.

• Businesses that are Black-owned: 8.0 percent • Black population: 29.0 percent • Black-owned businesses: 4,201 • Black-owned businesses per 10k: 51

7. Richmond, Va.

• Businesses that are Black-owned: 8.0 percent • Black population: 28.5 percent • Black-owned businesses: 2,011 • Black-owned businesses per 10k: 53

8. Columbus, Ga.

• Businesses that are Black-owned: 7.8 percent • Black population: 42.3 percent • Black-owned businesses: 379 • Black-owned businesses per 10k: 27

9. Tallahassee, Fla.

• Businesses that are Black-owned: 7.6 percent • Black population: 31.9 percent • Black-owned businesses: 563 • Black-owned businesses per 10k: 45

Photo courtesy of Stacker

10. Durham and Chapel Hill, N.C.

• Businesses that are Black-owned: 7.5 percent • Black population: 24.0 percent • Black-owned businesses: 837 • Black-owned businesses per 10k: 59

At the state level, Washington D.C., Maryland and Georgia have the highest concentration of Blackowned employer businesses — by a wide margin The District of Columbia, Maryland and Georgia each have

about 50 percent more Blackowned businesses compared to other states. While 9 percent of employer businesses in Georgia are Black-owned, only 5 percent of employer businesses in Mississippi are Black-owned, even though the state has the second-highest concentration of Black population.

Transportation is the second most popular industry for Black entrepreneurs While less than 4 percent of employer firms are Black-owned, 6.9 percent of transportation and

warehousing firms are Black-owned — more than twice the national average. Other popular industries include health care and social services, administrative support and entertainment.

Methodology

All data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau for 2023, the most recent data available. Only businesses that employed at least one individual were included in the analysis.

This story was produced by TruckInfo.net and reviewed and distributed

by Stacker.

A14 The Afro-American August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026

Payment Policy for legal notice advertisements.

Effective immediately, The Afro AmericanNewspapers will require prepayment for publication of all legal notices. Payment will be accepted in the form of checks, credit card or money order. Any returned checks will be subject to a $25.00 processing fee and may result in the suspension of any future advertising at our discretion.

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2026ADM000165 HERBERT RAYMOND LEWIS aka HERBERT R. LEWIS Name of Decedent ERICA F. GLOGER, GRIFFIN & GRIFFIN LLP 1320 19TH STREET, NW #800 WASHINGTON, DC 20036 Name and Adress of Attorney

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2026ADM000690 Wilton Younger Morgan Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs VALERIE DENISE COVINGTON whose address(es) is 128 N. GOVERNORS BLVD., DOVER, DE 19901 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILTON YOUNGER MORGAN who died on MAY 13, 2026, 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 JANUARY 24, 2027, 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 JANUARY 24, 2027 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: July 24, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: AFRO American Newspapers

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2026ADM000704 CHARLES C CHRISTIAN Name of Decedent NATHAN A NEAL, ESQ LAW OFFICES OF NEAL AND HANEY, PLLC 209 KENNEDY STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20011-5214 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs ERIK P. CHRISTIAN whose address(es) is 1729 JUNIPER STREET NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20012 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CHARLES C CHRISTIAN who died on MARCH 21, 2019, 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 JANUARY 24, 2027, 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 JANUARY 24, 2027 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: July 24, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs AMANI AMIR ALI, whose address is 20499 E. 53RD AVENUE, DENVER, COLORADO was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of HERBERT RAYMOND LEWIS AKA HERBERT R. LEWIS who died on APRIL 26, 2016 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 JANUARY 31, 2027 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 JANUARY 31, 2027 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: JULY 31, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Law Washington Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

VALERIE DENISE COVINGTON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 7/24, 7/31, 8/7/26

AMANI AMIR ALI Personal Representative

ANITA DEAN Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 08/07, 08/14, 08/21/26

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2026ADM000757 RIVER LEE BOWLING Name of Decedent FERRIS RIDGELY BOND, ESQUIRE BOND & NORMAN LAW PC 13206 CHESTNUT OAK DRIVE GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND 20878 Name and Address of Attorney Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JENNIFER CLARK whose address(es) is 551 LOVE AND CARE ROAD - SIX MILE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29682 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of RIVER LEE BOWLING who died on DECEMBER 18, 2022, 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 FEBRUARY 7, 2027, 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 FEBRUARY 7, 2027 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: AUGUST 7, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers JENNIFER CLARK Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 08/07, 08/14, 08/21/26

Please call the number above LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION 2026FEP000092 September 20, 2023 Date of Death EMERSON W. H. BROWNE Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS LENA BROWNE whose address is 1412 WOODSIDE PKWY, SILVER SPRING, MD 20910 was appointed representative of the estate of EMERSON W. H. BROWNE, deceased, by the ORPHANS’ Court for MONTGOMERY’S County, State of MARYLAND, on OCTOBER 18, 2023.

Service of process may be made upon LOLA SINGLETARY, 1313 SHERIDAN ST. NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20011 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: 408 CEDAR ST NW #E, PARKING SPACES #1 AND 3, WASHINGTON, DC 20012.

The decedent owned District of Columbia personal property. 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: JULY 31, 2026 Name of newspaper, and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO-American LENA BROWNE Personal Reperesenative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 07/24, 07/31, 08/07/26

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 07.31, 08.07, 08.14.26 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM1114 ANGERLEAN DEAN Name of Decedent ANTHONY GREEN, JR 800 MADISON ST. NW WASHINGTON, DC 20011 Name and Address of Attorney Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs ANITA DEAN whose address(es) is 4345 GORMAN TERRACE SE WASHINGTON DC was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ANGERLEAN DEAN who died on JULY 26, 2024, without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding.

Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before FEBRUARY 7, 2027, 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 FEBRUARY 7, 2027 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: AUGUST 7, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: AFRO American Newspapers Daily Washington Law Reporter

ERIK P CHRISTIAN Personal Representative

For More Information

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2026ADM000574 NIKO ESTEP, JR Name of Decedent KATHRYN ALI ALI & LOCKWOOD LLP 501 H STREET NE, SUITE 200 WASHINGTON, DC 20002 Name and Adress of Attorney Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs AUTUMN DRAYTON, whose address is 1900 HALF STREET SW #255, WASHINGTON, DC 20024 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of NIKO ESTEP, JR who died on NOVEMBER 3, 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 DECEMBER 5, 2026 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 DECEMBER 5, 2026 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: JUNE, 5, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Law Washington Reporter AFRO American Newspapers AUTUMN DRAYTON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 08.07, 08.14, 08.21.26 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2026ADM000796 BARBARA ANN DODSON WALKER Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs ALTHEA ELIZABETH WALKER DAVIS whose address(es) is 1425 MONTAGUE STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20011 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BARBARA ANN DODSON WALKER who died on MARCH 26, 2026, 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 FEBRUARY 7, 2027, 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 FEBRUARY 7, 2027 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: AUGUST 7, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: AFRO American Newspapers ALTHEA ELIZABETH WALKER DAVIS Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 08/07, 08/14/26

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2026ADM000713 WALLACE AKBAR TATE Name of Decedent WILLIAM A. BLAND, ESQUIRE 80 M STREET SE #330 WASHINGTON, DC 20003 Name and Address of Attorney Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs GANELLE JOHNSTON whose address(es) is 2022 MARYLAND AVENUE NE #104 WASHINGTON DC 20002 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WALLACE AKBAR TATE who died on AUGUST 14, 2021, without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before FEBRUARY 7, 2027, 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 FEBRUARY 7, 2027 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: AUGUST 7, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 7/31, 8/07, 8/14/26

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2026ADM000741 FREDERICK D. MATTHEWS, JR Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs TRACY F. MATTHEWS ROBERSON whose address(es) is 17 WEDGEWOOD DRIVE WEST ORANGE, NJ 07052 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of FREDERICK D. MATTHEWS who died on APRIL 12, 2016, 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 FEBRUARY 7, 2027, 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 FEBRUARY 7, 2027 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: AUGUST 7, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

GANELLE JOHNSTON Personal Representative

TRACY F. MATTHEWS ROBERSON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 08/07, 08/14, 08/21/26

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 08/07, 08/14, 08/21/26

PRETIREMENT

PRETIREMENT

TAKES THE FEAR OUT OF

TAKES THE RETIREMENT FEAR OUT OF

RETIREMENT

Start planning at

ThisIsPretirement.org

Start planning at

ThisIsPretirement.org

August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026 The Afro-American A15

August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026 The Afro-American A16

Payment Policy for legal notice advertisements.

For More Information: Please call us.

Effective immediately, The Afro American Newspapers will require prepayment for publication of all legal notices Payment will be accepted in the form of checks, credit card or money order. Any returned checks will be subject to a $25.00 processing fee and may result in the suspension of any future advertising at our discretion.

BALTIMORE CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

BOARD OF LIQUOR LICENSE COMMISSIONERS FOR BALTIMORE CITY NOTICE—SPECIAL AD – JULY 27, 2026

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE ESTABLISHMENT OF GRADES The Chief of Engineering and Construction Division, designee of the Director of the Baltimore City Department of Transportation will be in his office, Room 732, Charles Benton Jr. Building, 417 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 on August 14, 2026, from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon for the purpose of the hearing and consider protest and explain matters in connection with the establishing the grades of the following public and private streets and also alleys as shown in the plans for Developer’s Agreement No. 1793B This includes: • Watts Street from Station 0+00 to Station 1+27.53 • Private Street ‘A’ constructed from Station 1+27.53 to Station 4+89.51 • Public Alley extended from Station 0+00 to Station 0+20.00 Respectfully, KIRKLAND GARBIEL ACTING CHIEF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION DIVISION VERONICA P. McBETH, DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Publish: August 07, 2026

Petitions have been filed by the following applicants for licenses to sell alcoholic beverages at the premises set opposite their respective names. The real property for these applications will be posted on or about August 3, 2026. Written protests concerning any application will be accepted until and including the time of the hearing. Public hearings may be scheduled on or after September 10, 2026 at 10:30 AM in the Liquor Board Hearing Room, located at 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2300, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Please visit baltimorecity.gov/ llb under the link for “Hearing Schedules” for confirmation of the date, time, and place for all matters being heard by the Board.

1. CLASS “B” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE Applicant: Ashe Enterprises, LLC T/a Creole Soul Kitchen & Bar - Ashley Wilson Petition: New restaurant license requesting outdoor table service and off-premises catering Premises: 514 S. Broadway 21231 (City Council District: 1st; State Legislative District: 46th)

City of Baltimore Department of Finance Bureau of Procurement Sealed proposals addressed to the Board of Estimates of Baltimore will be Received until, but not later than 11:00 am local time on the following dates for the stated requirements.

August 19, 2026 • Bituminous Paving Materials (Hot & Cold Patch) - RFQ-000840 ENTIRE SOLICITATION CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWNLOADED BY VISITING THE WEBSITE: https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/supplier/baltimorecity/SupplierSite

STAY INTOUCH WITH THE AFRO

Housing Authority of Baltimore City Low-Income Public Housing Program Waiting List Opening on August 17, 2026 through August 31, 2026 for Housing in Baltimore City The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) will be accepting applications for the Low-Income Public Housing (LIPH) Waiting List for the following housing opportunities located throughout Baltimore City: · Senior Housing – Housing for persons 62 years of age or older. · Mixed Population Housing – Housing for persons 62 years of age or older and non- elderly persons with disabilities under the age of 62 years. · Accessible Housing – Housing for persons who require units with accessible features due to a disability. The accessible features may include, but are not limited to: ◊ Wheelchair-accessible units ◊ Single-level units ◊ Visual and hearing accessibility features ◊ Modified kitchens and bathrooms Applications will be accepted online starting on Monday, August 17, 2026 at 9:00AM and ending on Monday, August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM. The Low-Income Public Housing Program is a federally funded, rental assistance program for assisting very low-income families, including elderly families and persons with disabilities, to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing.

Preliminary applications must be submitted online. Once the application period opens on August 17, 2026 through August 31, 2026, applicants can go online to https://habc-onthelist.myhousing. com from any device to complete the application. Individuals with disabilities or others who need additional support may receive assistance completing a preliminary application by contacting a call center representative at the following number:

1-410-357-6565

The application is available in multiple languages. Applicants who do not speak English can request translation services at that number.

Following the closure of the two-week application period, HABC will: • Randomly select applicants for placement on the waiting list • Notify the applicants who were randomly selected of their placement on the waiting list • Notify all other applicants that they were not selected for placement on the waiting list HABC may decide to re-open the waiting list if additional applications are needed to fill anticipated vacancies.

Eligibility for the Low-Income Public Housing Program is determined based on HABC’s screening criteria, including but not limited to, income screening, citizenship/eligible immigration status screening and criminal background screening. Eligible families must have gross annual incomes that do not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family resides and only United States citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status are eligible.

To assist applicants with the pre-application process, HABC has prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), which are available on HABC’s website: https://www.habc.org/phwaitlist/

6th Annual Black Business EXPO TICKETS SCAN FOR TICKETS

TICKETS SCAN FOR TICKETS

SCAN FOR TICKETS SCAN FOR

SCAN FOR TICKETS SCAN FOR