Volume 135 No. 6
THE BLACK MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM
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SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 - SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
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Lonnie G. Bunch III, the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, will step into retirement by the end of the year.
Lonnie G. Bunch III, 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, announces retirement plans
By Alexis Taylor AFRO Managing Editor Lonnie G. Bunch III, the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, announced
Sept. 8 that he will soon step into retirement after more than three decades of service to the Smithsonian. The move comes after tangles with the 47th president
of the United States and White House leadership over everything from information included in Smithsonian exhibits to perceived “anti-white activism.”
The Smithsonian, under Bunch’s leadership, came under fire for not focusing enough on America’s founders, and for being more inclusive of stories from all sectors
of the American populationespecially the Black and Brown souls that helped build the country all while being treated as less than human. Through it all, Bunch never
backed down. In a 2025 AFRO News interview, Bunch explained why he stood in the gap when it Continued on A5
Black Americans have doubts about the U.S. food system, new Word In Black survey finds By Jennifer Porter Gore
afro.com
Black Americans are intensely aware of the connection between food and health but face economic and structural barriers that limit what they can actually put on the table, according to a new report from Word In Black’s Insights and Research Division. The report, At The Table: Food and Health In Our
Community, published Sept. 3, finds that Black Americans have major concerns about the nation’s food safety and their ability to access healthy food choices at prices they can afford. Among the starkest findings: Six in 10 don’t trust that the food they buy in grocery stores is safe, and rising grocery prices are pushing families toward cheaper, less
nutritious options. “What we found is a community that knows exactly what it needs to eat well and simply cannot get there on the current terms,” said Christa Mahlobo, Ph.D., Insights and Research Director for Word In Black. Mahlobo is a research scientist who works independently from the newsroom. When it comes to
healthier eating, “The barrier isn’t awareness,” Mahlobo says. “It’s price, proximity, and a food system that too often asks Black families to choose between what they can afford and what will keep them healthy.”
Price, food safety concerns Continued on A3
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Black Americans identify lower prices for fresh fruits, vegetables and whole foods as a key way to improve access to healthier diets, according to Word In Black.
U.S. sole nation to oppose U.N. resolution correcting Africa’s size on world maps By Tennessee Tribune
Unsplash/Marc Fanelli
Led by Togo and backed by African Union members, a U.N. resolution now calls for more accurate maps in schools, governments and other institutions.
The United States stood alone Sept. 4 as the only country to vote against a United Nations resolution encouraging the use of world maps that more accurately depict the size of Africa and other regions near the equator. The U.N. General Assembly adopted the “Correct the Map” resolution Sept. 4 by a vote of 164-1, with six countries abstaining, according to reports from The Independent, BBC and The Hill. The non-binding measure, led by Togo and backed by African Union members, calls for wider use of the Equal Earth projection and other equal-area maps
Copyright © 2026 by the Afro-American Company
when the comparative size of continents matters. The resolution does not ban the traditional Mercator projection, which has been widely used for centuries. Developed by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569, the Mercator projection was designed to aid navigation. However, the map increasingly distorts the size of landmasses farther from the equator, making northern regions appear substantially larger while areas near the equator appear smaller, BBC reported. Africa provides one of the most striking examples. Continued on A3
A2 The Afro-American September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026
WHAT’S TRENDING ON AFRO.COM
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Morgan State University’s Magnificent Marching Machine takes part in the U.S. Open’s sixth HBCU Live! celebration.
Taylor Townsend, of the United States, warms up ahead of her match against Taylah Preston, of Australia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sept. 2, 2026, in New York. Townsend wore a costume that gave a nod to HBCU marching band and majorette culture.
U.S. Open celebrates the sound, style and spirit of HBCUs By AFRO Staff The U.S. Open was transformed into the “Yard” Sept. 2 as HBCU homecoming culture took center court at one of tennis’ biggest tournaments. It was the sixth iteration
of HBCU Live!, a series of events honoring HBCU culture, history and their influence on the game of tennis during the tournament. Setting the tone was Morgan State University’s Magnificent Marching Machine (M3),
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which marched into Arthur Ashe Stadium with that HBCU big band energy, sound and swag. Morgan State’s DJ Flow also entertained patrons at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, N.Y. And, Morgan
State’s President David K. Wilson performed the ceremonial coin toss to kick off the first match of the day. The celebration also featured DJs representing other HBCUs, including Hampton and Alabama State; star
appearances, including rapper and actor Common; an equity discussion panel, and a whole lot of HBCU pride as alumni repped their alma maters throughout the grounds. And it didn’t stop there. The HBCU experience was
brought courtside in the Arthur Ashe Stadium as player Taylor Townsend wore a costume that paid homage to HBCU marching band and majorette culture in her second-round match against Taylah Preston, of Australia.
Africa’s mother tongues are finding new life as youth connect with roots and relatives By Farai Mutsaka and Dan Ikpoyi A television game show in Nigeria’s commercial hub of Lagos has an unforgiving rule: Speak English and you lose. For a U.S.-born millennial in the audience and a student of her parents’ mother tongue, the high-stakes setting is a perfect classroom. Meanwhile, a 15-year-old Canadian speaks to a teacher about 13,000 kilometers (8,000 miles) away in Zimbabwe, learning a language her parents feared she would never speak. “Mhoroi,” Nyashadzashe Machingura says cheerfully with a pronounced Canadian accent while greeting in Zimbabwe’s vernacular Shona. The scenes capture a new generation of interest and entrepreneurship around African languages once pushed to the margins by decades of colonialism. Often seen as secondary to English, French and Portuguese, they are enjoying a renaissance that is also creating business opportunities.
There are between 1,500 and 3,000 languages in Africa Africa is home to over 1 billion people speaking roughly a third of the world’s languages, with between 1,500 and 3,000 across 54 countries, according to UNESCO. Experts say the revival in some of them is driven partly by second- and third-generation Africans in the diaspora finding it easier to reconnect with their roots and communicate with older relatives, thanks to social media, online learning and entertainment. “There were times I definitely felt left out because my family around me were all speaking Shona. And I just
AP Photo/Sunday Alamba
Contestant Aanuoluwani Olaniyan gestures following a game show called Masoyinbo, which translates to “Do not speak English,” in Lagos, Nigeria. couldn’t understand them,” Nyashadzashe said after a lesson covering traditional greetings, proverbs and ancestral clan symbols. She said she had eaten the food and worn the traditional clothing but still felt left out. But now her conversations with her grandparents in Zimbabwe are growing longer. “Being able to connect with them on that level makes me really proud of my heritage,” she said.
African languages were never ‘modernized’
Her Zimbabwe-based tutor, Shungu Chidovi, left her banking career in January to focus full-time on ZimbOriginal, an online platform that teaches Shona through storytelling, book clubs and “buddy pairing” exchanges. Now she teaches about two dozen learners in Zimbabwe, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Ireland and Scotland, charging $50 a month. The business, part of a small but growing number of online initiatives teaching African languages, emerged almost by accident. Chidovi began writing a blog about Zimbabwean traditions in
2016. Readers began asking whether she taught Shona. “I didn’t see it at the time that I was really writing about the Shona language,” Chidovi said.
language eventually becomes endangered.”
Western languages were prioritized
Governments and international organizations are trying to reverse that trend. The African Union’s 2022 decision to adopt Kiswahili, spoken in much of east Africa, as an official working language has raised its international profile. The United Nations declared 2022-2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. And the AU continental body and UNESCO are supporting efforts to document and revitalize African languages, including using artificial intelligence to generate and translate children’s books and teacher guides. But there’s a steep digital disadvantage. UNESCO says only 10 languages around the world dominate the “internet ecosystem,” while less than 2% of African languages have a meaningful online presence. That leaves many with too little data to train artificial intelligence systems.
Like many in Africa, she grew up with the understanding that to get ahead she had to embrace Western languages instead of her mother tongue. English remains the dominant language for education, business and government affairs in the southern African nation that officially recognizes 16 mostly Indigenous languages. “When you talk of Africa, you talk of English, French, Portuguese,” said Believe Mubonderi, a linguistics lecturer at Zimbabwe Open University. His research notes the importance of ensuring that African languages have a place in technologies shaping how people communicate, learn and trade. “In most cases, African languages were sidelined. They were never exposed or modernized to be used in commerce, science and technology,” he said. “When a language has a very low status, there’s a danger that
Culture and connection are driving the new interest
Read more on AFRO.com
September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026 The Afro-American A3
Map Continued from A1 The Mercator projection can make Africa and Greenland appear similar in size, although Africa is actually about 14 times larger than
Greenland, according to BBC and The Independent. The Equal Earth projection was created by a team of cartographers in 2018 to more accurately preserve the relative sizes of land areas. The African Union’s 54 member states adopted the projection earlier this year, according to BBC.
The resolution encourages governments, schools, international organizations and technology companies to use Equal Earth or other equal-area projections in appropriate settings, The Independent reported. Supporters say the issue extends beyond geography,
arguing that distorted maps can influence how people perceive Africa’s size, importance and potential. “A map is never neutral,” Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said during a U.N. briefing, according to The Independent. “It shapes perceptions, influences how
the place of peoples and continents in the world is understood.” Dussey said African nations are not seeking special treatment, but a more accurate representation of the continent. The United States was the only nation to oppose
the resolution. U.S. officials characterized the initiative as promoting an ideological agenda and distracting from more pressing international issues. Based on reporting by Tennessee Tribune. This article was originally published by Black Press USA.
Food Continued from A1 The report draws findings from a survey of 1,249 Black Americans conducted between April 22 and June 8, 2026. Respondents were readers of Word In Black and 10 partner publishers, legendary Black news outlets operating nationwide. Roughly one-third of the respondents have postgraduate or professional degrees, and the largest group had annual incomes of $100,000 or more. Respondents also want to see improvements in the nation’s food quality and availability, as well as better access to nutrition education. Roughly 3 out of 4 respondents said prices for healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables need to be lowered. Forty-two percent of respondents want more grocery stores in their neighborhoods, while 38 percent want more nutrition education. More than 60 percent of respondents reported concerns about the nation’s food safety, reflecting a broader erosion of confidence in the American food system. In July, a Quinnipiac University poll of likely voters found 55 percent of respondents have little or no confidence in the government’s oversight of food safety. A KFF survey found that less than half of voters approve of the Trump administration’s handling of food policy. This comes as news headlines have been filled with weekly reports of food recalls due to salmonella, E. coli and the continued cyclospora outbreak that has killed two people and sickened more than 11,000.
Key findings
Health vs. Affordability While many respondents did not report being food insecure, the survey found that rising grocery prices are forcing difficult trade-offs. Respondents described “trading down” — swapping higher-priced foods or brands for cheaper alternatives, such as buying store brands or swapping chicken for steak. They also look for manager’s specials, use coupons and mobile apps for additional savings. Some also rely on local food pantries. Although the most recent government figures estimate that it’s possible to meet federal fruit and vegetable recommendations for roughly $2.50–$3.00 per day, that report—using data from 2022—seems out of step with current conditions. A noticeable segment of WIB survey respondents reported they’ve begun buying fewer fresh fruits, vegetables or meat, bypassing organic foods. They’re also more willing to accept lower-quality food, or skip healthier options altogether. One respondent described her mindset while grocery shopping: “Put it back or find a cheaper unhealthy version.” The report warns this practice could signal a widening gap in Black Americans’ access to healthy food, which appears to be affecting the larger population.
Unsplash / Marcel Heil
Black Americans across the country are struggling to choose healthier foods, while being inundated with fast food options that are cheaper and quicker to obtain. A Pew Research Center survey conducted last year found that 90 percent of U.S. adults said healthy food has gotten more expensive in recent years. Seventy-seven percent of lower-income adults report it’s now harder to eat healthier, while at the same time, 46 percent of lower-income adults said it’s “a lot” harder to eat healthy, versus 15 percent of upper-income adults saying the same. Price also shapes where people shop. Two in five respondents said reasonably priced food is the most important factor in choosing a grocery store — ahead of taste, convenience, and healthfulness. This differs from national survey findings, where taste has been the leading driver of food and beverage purchases since 2006. The Word In Black survey found it’s common for respondents to eat out, especially among younger adults More than one in three respondents reported dining out—including fast food, takeout, or restaurants—three or more times per week. But this finding skewed younger, with 41 percent of respondents aged 18 to 34 saying they were more likely to eat at a restaurant three or more times per week than respondents aged 55 and older.
Food is life— and culture
The survey found Black Americans remain strongly tied to their food heritage. Roughly 32 percent said their knowledge of food came from how they were raised and what their family cooked at home, while 29 percent said their current food knowledge was shaped by their own research and expanding their food horizons as adults. When asked whether they still want to eat the way they were taught, roughly 47 percent said they try to balance traditional foods with healthier choices. But a quarter of respondents said they still eat mostly the same foods they grew up with, and about 12 percent have moved away from their traditional diet for health reasons.
Meanwhile, 46 percent of survey respondents strongly agreed that food in the U.S. contributes to diet–related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Many say their diet is in a good place
When grading the healthfulness of their own diets, a little more than half of respondents gave themselves a B. That’s around the same percentage as the 51 percent of respondents in a broader survey who gave themselves the same grade. Nine in 10 agreed that what they eat affects their mental and emotional well-being. Self-reporting diet grades also tracked closely with respondents’ impressions of their overall health. Among respondents who gave their diet an A, more than 85 percent rated their general health as excellent or very good, compared with 48 percent who graded their diet a B, 10 percent who gave it a C, and 5 percent who gave it a D.
Low awareness of the “MAHA” program
While the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again program is reportedly having some success among Republican voters, but not so much among WIB survey respondents. Nearly half of them either heard very little about the official government-approved food and nutrition guidelines, had heard of the guidelines but were unaware that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had them updated in 2025, or had never heard of them at all. But survey respondents are having conversations with healthcare providers: 73 percent said a doctor, nutritionist or other caregiver had regularly or occasionally spoken with them about their diet or eating habits.
What people say would help
Asked what would help them eat healthier, respondents pointed to structural changes. Seventy-three percent want lower prices for fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods, while 42 percent want more grocery stores or fresh food
markets in their neighborhoods. But 38 percent also want more public education about food and nutrition—an appetite for knowledge the report calls an important entry point for public health interventions. The report concludes by calling on policymakers, community health organizations,
and food retailers to expand access to healthy foods through subsidies, invest in culturally relevant nutrition programs, and partner with trusted community leaders to deliver health education where Black Americans already live, work, worship and gather. At The Table: Food and
Health In Our Community was produced by the Word In Black Insights and Research Division, which launched in 2025 with support from the MacArthur Foundation and the Knight Foundation. The MacArthur Foundation made the research possible. This article was originally published by Word in Black.
A4 The Afro-American September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026
COMMENTARY
Principal McKinney embraced the discomfort of accountability By Llerraj Esuod When Miami Carol City Senior High School Principal Bridget McKinney went viral for confronting firstday-of-school dress-code violations, her delivery quickly became one of the loudest talking points after the video went viral. There is always a little Soulja Boy “First Day of School” energy when students return: fresh clothes, fresh shoes, everybody trying to make an entrance and establish who they are going to be for the year. She was having none of it. Whatever fashion statement students planned to make that morning still had to fit within the school’s expectations. Students knew what was required. So did their parents. Yet critics spent considerably more time debating whether she sounded sufficiently pleasant than whether students knowingly disregarded a clearly communicated rule. Yes, tone matters. Adults should not humiliate students, and authority does not excuse disrespect. But delivery has also become one of the easiest ways to avoid a harder conversation about accountability. August begins with rules about dress code, cellphones, IDs, attendance, tardiness and behavior. Teachers are told consistency matters. Then students arrive, someone pushes back, a parent complains, follow-through becomes uneven, and students quickly learn which
Photo courtesy of Miami Carol City Senior High School
Miami Carol City Senior High School Principal Bridget McKinney (seen here) is under fire for strictly enforcing the dress-code and refusing to accept violations. This week, author Llerraj Esuod highlights the challenges educators face when balancing authority, accountability and student voice. directives carry consequences. Before long, the teacher who continues holding the line is treated as unreasonable for taking those policies seriously. Miami Carol City is more than a school. For generations, it has been one of the community’s most visible expressions of “Chief Pride.” Though municipal boundaries have changed and the area now falls within Miami
Gardens, the history and traditions associated with the school remain deeply rooted in the community that helped shape it. McKinney disrupted a familiar pattern by doing something deceptively simple: she took ownership of the standard herself. She did not issue a memo and leave classroom teachers to absorb the resistance. She stood in front of students and addressed the violations directly. That is administrative ownership, and schools need far more of it. Miami Carol City is a mandatory-uniform school. The principal was not introducing a new rule that morning; she was enforcing one already on the books. What Carol City represents matters just as much as the uniform itself. It has to mean more than a hashtag, a T-shirt, football season, an annual class-reunion picnic at Risco Park with celebrity performers such as Yung Miami, Finesse2tymes and legendary Geto Boys member Scarface, or gatherings at neighborhood landmarks like Walt Frazier Park. Those things may showcase the culture, but they cannot be the culture. Pride has to survive after the picnic ends, the music stops, the field empties, and all that remains are discarded Styrofoam containers and red Solo cups. If that sense of belonging is real, it has to live in the young people walking those halls now. It should be visible in how they represent the school, value what came before them,
and understand that they have inherited something worth protecting. Alumni can preserve the memory of what Carol City has been. Current students determine what Carol City is becoming. Otherwise, Chief Pride risks becoming little more than a mascot stripped of its headdress, bow and arrow, admired as a symbol but increasingly disconnected from the discipline, tradition and responsibility it is supposed to represent. Students also must own their part in this conversation. Knowingly violating a rule does not become protest simply because the correction feels unpleasant. Being corrected is not oppression, and a boundary is not disrespect. Schools should listen to students, treat them fairly and provide them with opportunities to question policies they believe are unreasonable. Student voices deserve to be heard. It cannot become a veto over every rule they dislike. Parents are part of the contradiction too. You cannot demand orderly schools, complain that students are disrespectful, insist that teachers “do something,” and then become outraged when the rule reaches your own child. Advocacy asks whether a policy is fair, whether a consequence is appropriate, and whether a student was treated with dignity. Advocacy does not mean arguing that accountability should apply to everybody except the child whose face is saved as
your screensaver and whose name is attached to your phone number. Too often, parents demand standards in principle and exemptions in practice. That contradiction leaves educators in a precarious position. They are expected to establish boundaries, maintain order and hold students accountable, yet are often judged less by whether standards were enforced than by whether enforcement felt comfortable. Do they want adults who mean what they say, or adults who are expected to package every correction like a customer-service interaction? Who exercises authority matters too. Black women in leadership are frequently judged not simply by what they say but by how comfortably other people receive it. Firm becomes angry. Direct becomes aggressive. Authority becomes attitude. That does not make every criticism of a Black woman’s tone illegitimate, but it should make us cautious when “I didn’t like how she said it” quietly becomes “she had no right to say it at all.” For some observers, her delivery sounded harsh. For others, especially those who grew up around a tradition of communal accountability in Black communities, it sounded familiar: less like bureaucratic enforcement and more like an adult refusing to watch young people fall short without saying something. See more on AFRO.com
We fought to learn to read. Are we now choosing not to? By Steven Ragsdale
Courtesy photo
Steven K. Ragsdale, a strategic systems architect and human capital optimizer. This week he expresses his concern over the lack of literacy.
Our ancestors fought for the right to read. Today, with books competing against screens and artificial intelligence, we risk losing more than a pastime. I cannot forget the day Ms. Elma, an elder Black neighbor, left me an unexpected envelope. I was a college sophomore trying to stretch every dollar, when I realized I could not afford a required textbook. I mentioned it in passing to my mom. Ms. Elma caught three buses to work cleaning rooms at a chain hotel. A few days later, I found an unstamped envelope in our mailbox with my name on it. Inside were four $20 bills and a note that simply said, “Stay in school.” I bought the book that afternoon. It is still on my shelf, not because of the science I learned
from it, but because of what her generosity made me realize. That memory gave me chills when I came across a troubling pattern in how Americans spend their time. A large national study tracking two decades found that reading for pleasure has steadily declined. I get it. With social media in just about everyone’s hand, there had to be a drop in reading. And the trend is especially disadvantageous in Black communities, where the gap in leisure reading has widened. I often wonder what happens when the quiet act of reading disappears. For Black Americans, reading has never been a casual pastime. It was an economic necessity and, for centuries, a form of survival. Frederick Douglass learned to read in defiance of laws designed to keep him in bondage,
understanding that literacy was inseparable from freedom. He was devastated when his prized home library burned in Rochester. W.E.B. Du Bois used books to argue for the intellectual dignity of Black life. Zora Neale Hurston and James Baldwin wrote and read their way into articulating identities the world often refused to recognize. Reading was not simply about enjoyment. It was about recovering history, asserting humanity and imagining futures that had been historically denied. Today, information is everywhere and attention increasingly fractured. Search engines answer questions before we finish typing them. Artificial intelligence can summarize a collection of articles or books in seconds. These tools provide incredible power and access earlier societies could not
have imagined. Yet I wonder whether ease of access is quietly replacing the deeper discipline of sitting with a text long enough for it to change us. A friend often reminds me of an African saying that when an elder dies, a library is lost. It speaks to oral traditions, but the idea lingers. What is a community that no longer wants to read or pass down its stories with care, but a place where libraries risk going silent even while the shelves remain full? I think again of Ms. Elma, a woman who struggled to read mail and medicine bottles herself but understood the weight of a book in a young person’s hands. What does it mean when information is endless, but our commitment to curiosity and understanding moves toward extinction?
The Momnibus Act could save Black mothers– I know because it might have saved me By Akilah J. Shaheed The opportunity to confront one of America’s longest-standing public health failures, Black maternal mortality, is here again after being legislatively stalled. The Momnibus Act would expand community-based care, diversify the maternal health workforce, improve accountability, invest in culturally responsive care, and address the system inequities that make Black women nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Research continues to show that structural racism, not biology, is recognized as a major driver of the health disparities seen in maternal health. By implementing the Momnibus Act, we can start to decrease obstetric violence. According to the World Health Organization, obstetric violence is the
physical, verbal, psychological, or institutional mistreatment of pregnancy, laboring or postpartum individuals by health care providers or health systems. It includes non-consented care, coercion, discrimination, unnecessary medical interventions, denial of autonomy, neglect, and dehumanizing treatment during reproductive care. The Momnibus Act is one of many solutions that birth workers have continued to present as a strong step towards decreasing medical distrust and providing culturally competent care to expecting families. Studies show that women of color, who are equitably assessed as low-risk pregnancies, experience less mistreatment during childbirth within the community-midwifery model of care. Legislation like the Momnibus Act is more than just reducing statistics. It is about
protecting Black women’s right to survive childbirth with dignity. While midwifery was never federally banned, there continues to be a steady progression of legislation, public health regulations, hospital policies, and physician-led campaigns backed by insurance companies that restrict and eliminate the practice of traditional midwifery. This progression continues to criminalize midwifery and create barriers to culturally competent care for expecting families. Black women in the United States report being dismissed, ignored, denied informed consent, undertreated for pain, and even physically assaulted during childbirth. The medical system that reinforces these harmful practices were created at the expense of Black women, whose bodies were considered property. While we no longer
live under those laws, the echo can be felt in the medical and structural racism, implicit bias, hospital hierarchy, and continued philosophy taught by “the father of gynecology” J. Marion Sims. I know this because I nearly became one of those statistics. My birth story showcases the impact of structural racism as the leading contributor of harm during labor and delivery: the absence of Black women who would have traditionally helped me navigate birth, failure to treat me and my body with dignity, ultimately risking my life. My story included what most hope to experience – my baby was healthy. I achieved the goals on my birth plan that were made with my physician, and my family was present to support. But due to obstetric violence, my rights were violated seamlessly. See more on AFRO.com
Akilah J. Shaheed is a birth and postpartum advocate, educator and author whose work centers healing, reproductive justice, and empowering Black women. She is a Public Voice Fellow on Public Health with the OpEd Project and Blue Shield of California Foundation and co-author of “What We Carry: Black Women Never Tell, Volume 4” and “What We Carry: Stories Black Women Never Tell, Volume 9.”
The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American ∙ 233 E. Redwood Street, Suite 600G Baltimore, MD 21202 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com
September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026 The Afro-American A5
Before the Crab Feast: Nia Hampton honors the African-American labor behind Maryland’s bounty By Alanah Nichole Davis Special to the AFRO Before we can enjoy our beloved bushels of crabs, the last of the summer season, we have to first acknowledge the labor of the crabbers and crab pickers who make Maryland’s seafood culture possible. That’s exactly what pan-Africanist, cultural worker and transatlantic scholar Nia Hampton is doing with her latest conceptual art. While finishing her MFA in Intermedia and Digital Art at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) this spring, she began investigating the intersection of food, labor and attachment theory, specifically as it relates to the seafood industry in the Chesapeake region, where, as she puts it, the labor is done by migrant women today, but before migrant women, it was Black
Bunch Continued from A1 came to protecting America’s real history amid efforts to revise or dismiss the record. “The notion of erasing history is a real problem,” Bunch told the AFRO at the time. “I think it’s incumbent upon those of us that care to raise the issue, make sure that the books are in, make sure the presentations are there, because this history is too important to be ignored.” “There is nothing more dangerous than a nation that forgets, and it’s often African-American culture that’s gotten forgotten,” Bunch continued. “All of us are shaped by our notions of spirituality, our notions of optimism, our notions of hope that come out of the African-American community.” Bunch launched his career with the Smithsonian at the National Air and Space Museum in 1978. He then moved to pick up curatorial and leadership experience, working at the National Museum of American History. Prior to becoming the first African-American and first historian to serve as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Bunch was the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, a role he held from 2005 to 2019. “I have spent nearly half of my life working at and being part of the Smithsonian family,
women and their kids. “We all bond through food. Our primary source of food is usually our mother–but what does that look like in Baltimore specifically?” quipped Hampton, in a Zoom call with AFRO News. “The first person to teach you how to pick a crab is usually someone who loves you and cares enough about you to give you that skill and sacrifice their own time.” It got her thinking about how we even get our crabs in Maryland, where they came from, and what the industry meant to Baltimore City, which rolled her right into research about labor movements, like a successful fiveweek strike in 1938 by mostly Black female crab pickers in Crisfield, Maryland. “Black women’s labor makes the world go round,” Hampton said. As the founder of Black Femme Supremacy Film
Festival, Hampton often centers Black cultural narratives in her work. Drawing inspiration from Baltimore-based peers like Lawrence Burney, a longtime arts/culture writer and author of Maryland Humanities’ 2026 One Maryland One Book selection, whose essay “A Love Letter to Steamed Crabs Piled Onto a Bed of Newspaper” left an impression on her. She also cited Baltimore’s own Afro-Deco artist Tom Miller, whose 1994 work “Maryland Crab Feast” inspired her thinking for her thesis exhibition, “Holding Each Other Down,” which is all about the labor of crab picking and the luxury of crab feast in Maryland. “’I think people don’t understand how much “seafood [has] made this region,’ Hampton said. She traced the origins of the modern canning industry back to Napoleon, who needed a
way to feed his troops during wartime, sparking a contest that led to the invention of canning as we know it today. That innovation eventually grew into its own industry, and Baltimore became a major canning city for a long time. Baltimore’s last major cannery closed in 1995. “The Blackjacks, the Black watermen of the area, were some of the first legally recognized American “citizens via labor,” Hampton said. ‘They got their work visas. The earliest renditions of work visas were given to these Black crabbers and oystermen and seafaring men.” Some of the works from Hampton’s thesis which celebrate the contributions and wins for women in the canning and crabbing industry are headed to Senegal, West Africa, for Dak’ART, running Nov. 19 to Dec. 19.
and what a privilege it has been,” Bunch said in a Sept. 8 statement released by the Smithsonian Institution. “There is no place like the Smithsonian—it has been one of the great loves of my life, and I am extraordinarily proud of what we have accomplished together. I leave with pride and sadness, gratitude and joy, and with enormous confidence in the people who will carry this remarkable institution forward.” Bunch took helm of the institution’s 21 museums, 20 libraries and the National Zoo as Secretary of the Smithsonian in 2019. He also oversaw multiple centers for research and education in the role. “I have had the honor of working with Lonnie Bunch for more than two decades, first when he was the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture and ultimately when he became the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian,”said Franklin D. Raines, Smithsonian Board of Regents Chair, in the statement. “I have seen firsthand how Secretary Bunch’s leadership of our 21 museums and the National Zoo has illuminated the nation’s past, opened pathways to new knowledge and powered creativity and innovation. These efforts will help create a better shared future for all. I thank Secretary Bunch for his extraordinary service to the Smithsonian and wish him continued success as he enters what I am sure will be an active
retirement.” “As Secretary Bunch prepares to conclude his tenure by the end of the calendar year, the Board of Regents will be focused on ensuring stability during this time of transition,” Raines continued. “In due course, the board will announce an Acting Secretary and begin a national search for his successor.” National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) issued a statement on the retirement announcement and the accomplishments seen during Bunch’s time with the museum. Bunch began working as director of the museum in 2005-more than a decade before the Sept. 24, 2016 opening day of the museum for the public. Bunch was instrumental in building the museum from the ground up. He was instrumental in getting members of Congress to approve $250 million for the museum, while also securing another $500 million from fundraising efforts. Shanita Brackett, acting director of NMAAHC, said in a statement that Bunch “envisioned a museum of which the American people and their descendants could be proud, a place that would serve as a beacon of hope, reflection and remembrance for future generations.” According to information released by NMAAHC, Bunch “oversaw the acquisition of an unparalleled collection that
includes Harriet Tubman’s hymnal and shawl, Southern Railway Car No. 1200, George Clinton’s Mothership, Emmett Till’s original casket, Louis Armstrong’s trumpet and Chuck Berry’s red Cadillac… . By the end of his tenure as director, NMAAHC had organized more than two dozen exhibitions and built a permanent collection of nearly 40,000 objects.” Aside from his work with
AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz
Carla Hayden (left), then Librarian of Congress, and Lonnie G. Bunch III, current Secretary of the Smithsonian, shake hands in 2019 at the unveiling of a previously unknown portrait, c. 1868, of abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman. At the time, Bunch was director of The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Hayden was removed from her position in 2025, and Bunch has now announced plans to retire by the end of 2026.
See more on AFRO .com
Unsplash / Sri Lanka
Nia Hampton is the Baltimore artist and filmmaker behind a new short film and installation that traces the Black history behind Maryland’s seafood industry and celebrates the traditions of the Afro-Chesapeake. NMAAHC, the museum reports that “Bunch also established groundbreaking research centers, including the Center for the Study of Global Slavery, the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life and the Center for African American Media Arts.” While his work seemed to make him a target for the present presidential administration, his work encouraged, informed
and instilled a sense of purpose in the millions who visited the multitude of Smithsonian exhibits and offerings. “Lonnie Bunch led with vision, tenacity and boldness,” said a statement from Kinshasha Holman Conwill, who served as deputy director of NMAAHC from 2005 until her retirement in 2022. “He inspired. He coaxed—creating a pathway for what needed to be done against all odds.”
A6 The Afro-American September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026
‘Gypsy Woman’ turns 35: A look at the Baltimore connection behind a house music classic By Alanah Nichole Davis Special to the AFRO “La Da Dee, La Da Da, La Da Dee, La Da Da … .” That’s the signature vocal hook of Crystal Waters’ 1991 hit “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless).” Arguably the most recognizable part of the whole track, perhaps more famous than the verses themselves, the hypnotic refrain helped the song become a global phenomenon. This year, the iconic song turns 35 years old. That’s over three decades of
baby-powdered floors, shuffling, jacking and footwork from house music heads all over the globe. Waters, fresh off a tour and recording a new project amid the anniversary of “Gypsy Woman,” spoke to the AFRO about her hit song and its enduring popularity. “I never would have imagined that this song is still being played like it’s brand new,” said Waters, who calls it a wonderful journey riding the popularity of the song. Her audiences, she said, are growing younger.
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Crystal Waters is the woman behind the 1991 hit “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless).”
“I remember doing this one show. I think it was in Canada, and these guys had to be 16 or 17. They were like, ‘Are you gonna do the song?’ I was like, ‘What song?’ He said, ‘The TikTok song.’ I said, ‘Oh Lord, am I the TikTok lady now?’” The song has become a trending audio across social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, introducing it to a generation that wasn’t alive when it first came out. Structurally, it alternates between verses telling the story of a woman living on the street and that taut, rhythmic hook that, as Waters explained, was born out of necessity rather than design. Waters met the Basement Boys, a house music production team out of Baltimore, at a Washington, D.C., conference. She was doing more of an R&B-style sound at the time, but the group, who was already working with Ultra Naté, known for her own hit ‘90s dance tracks such as “Free,” liked Waters’ songwriting. They asked her to write for a house music song, a genre she barely knew. “I got like 100 no’s until I met the Basement Boys at that conference,” Waters said. “You just keep going. I just had something in me [to] just keep going and it worked out.” She got the “Gypsy Woman” instrumental and, working melody-first as she always did, landed on a “la da dee, la dee da” vocal line that no real words seemed to fit. That wordless melody brought to mind a woman she used to pass on Connecticut Avenue during her time working in the nation’s capital. “She had a full face of makeup, hair was done, looked freshly dressed, and I used to walk by her, and I used to say, ‘You know, that woman needs to go get a job,’” Waters recalled during
the AFRO interview. “And then I read in the local paper about how she had just lost her job, and she had lost everything in a matter of days. And it just changed my whole idea about homelessness. Who could it affect? She’s just like you and me.” One detail stuck with her: The woman believed that if she was going to ask for money, she should look respectable doing it, a philosophy that became the song’s opening line, “She wakes up early every morning just to do her hair … because she cares … .” Waters wrote the entire song at her kitchen table, Budweiser in hand, in about 15 to 20 minutes. Maybe even more notable than the hook are the chords underpinning the track, composed and played by Neal Conway, a composer and songwriter from Baltimore who is credited alongside Waters as a writer on the song. He got his start as a full-time DJ playing in the window of a downtown Baltimore clothing store called Twofers, where he’d hook his keyboard into the mixer and build songs live while people watched from the street. “You know, I always think about Neal. I think Neal doesn’t get enough credit. You always hear my name or maybe The Basement Boys, but you know when Neal sent me that track, I just [heard] the keyboards [and] gravitated to them so much. They haunted me and stuck in my mind. And, you know, 35 years later, here we are, still singing it.” Conway, who is now a special education teacher at Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove in South Baltimore, holds a Master’s of Fine Arts in creative music technology from Ramapo College, and is currently infusing music instruction
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Neal Conway, a composer and songwriter based in Baltimore, is the musician and composer responsible for the iconic melody of “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless).” into his life-skills special ed classroom while working on a new album. He still remembers hearing the song for the first time blasting from a car stereo on Morgan State University’s campus. “I’m on the bridge at Morgan. Me and my boy Tony, just chilling … and this car pulls into the parking lot underneath, and had the back window open, playing ‘Gypsy Woman.’ And the crazy thing was people started dancing. They were like, ‘La da dee, la dee da,’” he recalled. “I’m like, ‘Oh my God! Wow.’ It was so surreal. [But] I ain’t telling anybody [of my involvement.] You know, back then we were kids. Like, if me and you knew each other and I’m like, ‘Oh, I produced the song,’ you’d look at me like I’m crazy … [like] ‘Yeah, yeah, Neal, sure you did.’” However unbelievable it may have felt to Conway that his peers might not recognize his genius behind a song that
would go platinum in the United Kingdom and gold in the U.S., the composer credits people like Bruce Carbone, an executive producer, with making sure he’s gotten his props over the years. “Obviously, other people in the crew weren’t concerned with me getting my props, even though they took theirs,” said Conway, who has played musical instruments since childhood, but didn’t actually learn to read music until fifth or sixth grade at Dicky Hill Elementary. Credit aside, Conway says “royalties are good” thanks to signing a “fair deal.” For both him and Waters, the song has become much more than a hit record. It’s become a movement that means “more.” “House is a feeling. That’s what it is,” Waters said. “It was always accepting everyone as they were, and you can be whoever you want. Nobody said anything; just have fun. And it was a community of togetherness.”
Cassandra Wilson, two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer, dies By Maria Sherman NEW YORK (AP) — Cassandra Wilson, the two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer, songwriter and producer has died. She was 70. Dubbed America’s best singer by Time magazine in 2001, Wilson was best known for her genre-bending voice, which expanded the boundaries of traditional blues-based jazz and worked effortlessly across folk, pop, R&B, country and beyond. At the heart of all her work was her idiosyncratic contralto, a soulful sound distinctly tied to her roots. As Jon Batiste put it in a eulogy on Sept. 2, Wilson sounded like the South. She died in her native Jackson, Miss., early Sept. 1, the Hinds County Coroner Jeramiah Howard confirmed. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy Award-winning and legendary jazz artist. Cassandra Wilson transitioned
peacefully at home, surrounded by family, close friends, and her manager,” said a statement from her manager to jazz radio station WBGO.
From Jackson to the world
Born and raised in Jackson to musician Herman B. Fowlkes and teacher Mary Fowlkes, Wilson showed an early love of music listening to Motown, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. At 6, she started piano lessons. She played clarinet in marching bands. She performed at coffeehouses and in cover bands while studying at Millsaps College and Jackson State University. In the early ‘80s, she mentored under jazz greats in New Orleans before moving to New York City and joining Steve Coleman’s M-Base Collective — eventually becoming its main vocalist. Her instantly recognizable voice earned her four Grammy nominations and two wins for best jazz vocal album. Those were in 1997 for “New Moon Daughter” and 2009 for “Loverly.” In 2015, it was Wilson who gave
AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz
American jazz musician Cassandra Wilson from Jackson, Miss., poses during an interview with the Associated Press in Cologne, German, Sept. 25, 2003. a special concert at the famed Apollo Theater to commemorate the 100th birthday of blues singer Billie Holiday, the legendary American jazz vocalist who died in New York City at age 44. That same year, Wilson released her last album, “Coming Forth by Day,” an homage to Holiday.
In 2022, Wilson was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, one of the highest honors awarded to jazz musicians in the United States.
Tributes pour in
“She had an unmistakable vocal tone, phrasing and her approach
of weaving folkloric, R&B and diasporic music together with experimental and popular genres had a major impact on me,” Batiste said in his tribute to Wilson on Instagram. “Her Mississippi heritage was always present in everything no matter how expansive her artistry evolved,” he wrote in the caption of a clip showing them together on Brazilian TV in 2009. “She was one of the first people to take me on tour around the world, the great Cassandra Wilson.” Jackson Mayor John Horhn said the city “has lost an extraordinary native daughter, and the world has lost a singular musical voice.” “Cassandra Wilson carried the sound, spirit and history of Mississippi with her wherever her music reached,” said the mayor’s statement, shared with WJTV. “Her work had rare depth of character and a profound understanding of how music moves people, tells stories and connects generations.” This story was originally published by The Associated Press.
September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026 The Afro-American A7
Menopause and the power of becoming: Advocates, doctors push for more inclusive conversations By Victoria Mejicanos AFRO Staff Writer vmejicanos@afro.com Menopause is clinically defined as “12 consecutive months without a menstrual period,” according to Dr. Ngozi Wexler, an OB-GYN and chief medical officer at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. Though it may seem like a simple definition, advocates
like Omisade Burney-Scott, founder of The Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause, say the transition carries deep significance. While menopause is a natural stage of aging, many women begin it unprepared or unsure of what is happening to their bodies due to a lack of education around the subject, continued stigma and medical mistrust, according to a National
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Omisade Burney-Scott is a long time reproductive health advocate and founder of The Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause. She views menopause as a “reset” in a woman’s body.
Institutes of Health (NIH) study published in 2025. Wexler reports that for many of her Black patients, there are many misconceptions that she has to address, such as that there is no “test” for menopause or the length of perimenopause symptoms such as hot flashes. According to Dr. Wexler, symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats can last as long as 10 years, with decreasing intensity over time. In an interview with the AFRO, Wexler clarified that although some studies suggest that Black women start menopause earlier than White women, it is typically only a few months difference. She added that research more consistently shows Black women often experience symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats for longer periods. Wexler said there are a variety of hormonal and non-hormonal treatments to manage symptoms. Non-hormonal treatments can include alternative medicine such as acupuncture. Wexler also recommends consistent exercise and intentionally creating an environment to prioritize sleep. For hormonal options,
there is the use of estrogen and progesterone to help with symptoms, which can come in the form of a pill, gel or a patch. Finally, there is the use of antidepressants in low doses to treat night sweats. Wexler says she is intentional about normalizing menopause with her patients. “This is part of a normal continuum of being a human being as a woman,” said Wexler. I think doctors have a responsibility to also ask questions the right way so that if a patient is coming in with a certain misconception or, you know, presumed stigma that we’re not making them feel any more uncomfortable by being uncomfortable ourselves.” Advocates say that the gap between medical knowledge and lived experience is where community-based education becomes essential. Burney-Scott said she started Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause in 2019 after realizing many women were navigating menopause with little guidance or open conversation beyond clinical terms, and were typically excluded in the growing
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Dr. Ngozi Wexler, an OB-GYN and chief medical officer at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, says health professionals have to be intentional with patients to help them address stigma or misinformation. menopause space. “I had no idea how much we as a community, as a culture, needed an approach to the conversation about menopause, reproductive aging [and] gender affirming care from a cultural place,” said Burney-Scott. Her organization is committed to not just inclusivity, but accessibility. Many of the resources provided by Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause are free or low cost educational materials such as a podcast, zine, and website. In addition to digital resources, the organization hosts community events and conferences. For Burney-Scott, menopause is a “reset” and a sacred part of life that allows women to tap into their wisdom as they age, which has often been
framed as negative. “Menopause is a physical, cultural and political experience, and to leave one of those out is a disservice to not only the individual, but to the collective,” said Burney-Scott. Despite the challenges that can accompany the transition, Burney-Scott said the stage also represents something deeper. “Becoming is an honor,” said Burney-Scott. “It’s a privilege. Living is an honor and a privilege. If you are able to stay alive and navigate menopause, it’s a privilege—however complicated or confusing the experience might be for some people … it’s a privilege to become who you’re supposed to be, and menopause is certainly a part of your becoming.”
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A8 The Afro-American September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026
BALTIMORE AREA
Addressing transportation needs with The Food Project’s Learner’s Permit Initiative By Shawn Ware AFRO Intern sware@afro.com Prior to participating in The Food Project Baltimore’s learner’s permit initiative, Tyree Johnson, a 24-year-old worker at The Food Project Baltimore, failed the written permit test 15 times. He had no way of legally driving a vehicle on the roads of Maryland, and without a learner’s permit, . However, with the program’s assistance and his own determination, he was able to turn the multiple rounds of failure into a big personal win. “My first time I passed … I cried,” Johnson said about the accomplishment. Attaining a driver’s license can be a major pain point for many- especially if they struggle to first obtain a learner’s permit. Now, The Food Project Baltimore, located at 424
Credit: Unsplash / Kelly Sikkema
Gov. Wes Moore and former state Delegate Dan Cox will go head-to-head in a televised debate in October. The candidates’ campaigns confirmed the matchup on Aug. 26.
AFRO Photo/ Shawn Ware
Jordan Murray (left) shares a moment with Khyion Young, Jamya Gainer, Tyree Johnson, David Sabb (right) and Gilbert Dodd (front). South Pulaski St. as part of the U Empower of Maryland Resource Hub (UEMD), has partnered up with the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to combat this issue.
AFRO Photo/ Shawn Ware
Darnell Turner, a Food Project Baltimore employee, discusses his success with the learning permit initiative.
The learner’s permit initiative began two years ago and consists of MVA representatives visiting UEMD on every third Friday of the month. Those who were able to receive one of the limited tickets are granted permission to take part in the exam. The handwritten, read-aloud, learner’s permit exams are distributed to participants. The tickets also showcase the various testing times for participants, which includes: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 noon and 1:30 p.m.. The next available date to take a read-aloud, learner’s permit exam at the UEMD Resource Hub is Sept. 18. According to Michelle Suazo, executive director of The Food Project Baltimore and UEmpower of Maryland, this program has been particularly helpful for participants with testing anxiety and individualized learning programs. Suazo said early participants of the learner’s permit initiative did not always use the read-aloud tactic. “We started by studying for the test and then going
down to MVA, but they were failing,” Suazo said. “I was trying to figure out why,” she continued. “Then I discovered that a lot of the kids have IEPs or had IEPs in school. We found that when the test was read aloud it helped to increase the success rate.” Johnson said the offerings helped him in multiple ways. “The best part about the MVA is that they come down here to us,” he said. “The second best part is, it’s not on computer. It’s on paper. I get a little discouraged when a lot of stuff [is] on computers.” Darnell Turner, a 29-yearold employee of The Food Project, said he also benefited from having extra support. “I was at Motor Vehicles all the time, there was a lot going on around me,” said Turner, explaining the benefits of the UEMD Resource Hub. “Having a teacher and getting it done helped me out so much better … . After Continued on A9
Maryland gubernatorial candidates to face off in October debate By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will take the debate stage with his Republican opponent, Dan Cox, in October, his campaign announced on Aug. 26. The televised debate will air on Maryland Public Television ahead of the November general election. A spokesperson for the Moore campaign gave a glimpse of Moore’s talking points for the face-off. “Governor Moore looks forward to highlighting how Maryland created nearly 60,000 businesses, drove down crime to record lows and how we’ll keep building on that progress even as Washington actively is making life more expensive and ripping healthcare away,” said Carter Elliott, senior communications adviser. “Marylanders will see firsthand the MAGA agenda Dan Cox threatens to bring to Maryland, and a reminder of why they overwhelmingly rejected him four years ago.”
The October debate will mark the second time Moore and Cox, a former state delegate, have gone head-to-head, following a previous meeting during the 2022 gubernatorial election. Cox confirmed his acceptance of Moore’s challenge on Aug. 26, but requested there be two additional debates, suggesting Maryland colleges and universities as potential hosts. “I am honored, on behalf of the people of Maryland, to accept the debate with Wes Moore,” said Cox. “But Marylanders deserve more than one debate—and an opportunity to hear from both candidates before and while voting is underway.” Recent polling conducted by Zenith Research Group between July 27 and Aug. 3 revealed that Moore had a 27-point lead over Cox. In 2022, Moore won the governor’s race over Cox by 32 points. On Nov. 3, voters will have their chance to cast their ballots and decide who will serve as Maryland’s next governor.
Megan Rivers prepares to retire from local news By Shawn Ware AFRO Intern sware@afro.com Megan Rivers, Emmy Award-winning reporter and co-anchor for WBAL-TV’s 11 News Today, has announced her imminent retirement from traditional news, just three years after joining the WBAL team. Her 14 years working in the broadcasting industry will come to an end in late September. “The hardest part about walking away is feeling like I was letting people down. I felt like my presence here in Baltimore, and how I chose to wear my hair [naturally] the majority of the time … meant so much for Black women and Black girls in particular, for them to see a full, authentic reflection of themselves on TV,” said Rivers. “I felt honored to be able to be one of the people to bring that to them. And so that feels weird to walk away from.” Rivers initially came into the broadcasting industry with
Courtesy of Michael Lawson
Megan Rivers, Emmy-award winning reporter and coanchor for WBAL-TV’s 11 News Today will soon retire from journalism and pursue her passion in mentorship. a desire to be on television. As her career progressed, she learned that she loved tangible results, bringing exposure to
situations that might otherwise have been dismissed and educating audiences on local stories that are
shaping today’s history. “A lesson I learned from news that I will always take with me is that everyone has a story, and maybe when I encounter them, it’s time for it to be told,” said Rivers. Mariah Hart, the executive producer of WBAL-TV, spoke to the impact that Rivers has had on Baltimore. “The way Megan has been embraced by our amazing viewers in Baltimore and beyond came as no surprise to me because of the genuine care she has for the community she serves,” said Hart, in a statement sent to the AFRO. “She has served that community well, both on and off the air, during her time here at WBAL-TV.” Rivers was born in Rochester Hills, Mich., but grew up in Manning, S.C. She received a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Claflin University, and graduated in 2010. Following this, she began working behind the scenes in Columbia, S.C., where she was a news
producer for three and a half years. Then she became a digital producer and multimedia journalist. After this, she moved to Charleston, S.C., and held a variety of roles, including: morning reporter, nightside reporter, fill-in reporter and then fill-in lifestyle host. Prior to moving to Baltimore, and joining the WBAL team in 2023 as a live desk and morning anchor, she worked in Washington, D.C., as a morning and dayside reporter. “I never lost the desire to want to live in Baltimore. I was always able to see that there was some charm up 95,”
she said. “I always wanted to come to Baltimore and live in a city filled with people who looked like me, and that I could give my best to.” Rivers spoke on her upcoming retirement. “News is a beast. It is a 24hour cycle. Now I want to be more in control of my time. Another thing was realizing that I was exhausted, and that there is a reward at times for hard work, but there is no reward for being exhausted,” she said. Lacee Griffith, co-anchor for WBAL-TV’s 11 News
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September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026 The Afro-American A9
Maryland commission begins work to uncover history of Black boys buried at former reform school By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com The Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children held its inaugural meeting on Aug. 4, outlining its initial operational plans and giving descendants a chance to testify about their ancestors who died at the institution. Established through law by the Maryland General Assembly (MGA), the commission is tasked with investigating the deaths of at least 230 Black boys who were buried in unmarked or forgotten graves near the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center in Prince George’s County, Md., more than 150 years ago, when the site housed the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children. Attorney General Anthony Brown, commission chair, opened the meeting by recognizing the abuse the boys, some as young as 5 years old, faced. “They were beaten. Many were forced to labor. They were denied an education. They were malnourished and medically neglected,” said Brown. “When they died, many of them were buried without their families knowledge in a cemetery that was for decades largely forgotten.” A long-time Prince Georgian, Brown said he was dismayed to learn that the suffering and deaths of the boys occurred just miles from his home. He also noted that the institution’s legacy can still be seen in the state’s juvenile justice system today. “That’s not something that I’m willing to accept as history. It’s something I’m
Screenshot of Virtual Meeting
Commission public member Phyllis Hammond speaks on the experience of her late uncle, Amos Hammond, at the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children in Prince George’s County. Her testimony took place during the Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children’s inaugural meeting on Aug. 4. committed to doing something about,” said Brown. “The House of Reformation is not an isolated chapter. It’s part of a long continuum from the criminalization of Black children in the 18th century to the school-to-prison pipeline we’re fighting to disrupt in Maryland today.” The House of Reformation’s history dates back to 1870, when the MGA passed legislation establishing a facility specifically for Black children convicted of crimes. Up until that time, Black children were sent to adult institutions, even as White children had been removed from adult prisons nearly four decades earlier and given their own facility, the House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents. At the House of
Reformation, Black boys were subjected to hard agricultural labor, including through a convict-leasing system that allowed white farmers in Prince George’s County to lease their labor. They also endured hazardous living conditions and other forms of abuse. Commission public member Phyllis Hammond said her uncle, Amos Hammond, was admitted to the House of Reformation in 1916 at the age of 13 for being “incorrigible.” During the meeting, she spoke on the treatment he endured while imprisoned there. “I learned that in 1920 he was placed by the institution as a servant in the household of a White farmer in Carroll County, and this is a little disturbing because my family lived in Carroll County,” said Hammond. “I’m wondering
exactly where he worked in Carroll County. How close was he to his family with them not even knowing of his existence and where he was?” Hammond said Amos Hammond was returned to the House of Reformation in April of 1921 before his death two months later at the age of 18. Like Brown, Hammond noted that the legacy of harm at the House of Reformation remains evident in juvenile justice institutions across the state. She said her son, Jason Butler, was a victim of abuse at several facilities, including the Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School. “No child or parent should have to deal with this type of relentless ongoing trauma,” said Hammond. “Maryland— and America— have got to do better as this commission moves forth to disclose, rectify and bring some form of dignity to these boys who died at the House of Reformation and are currently incarcerated at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center.” Hammond said some families have called for the remains and burial sites to be exhumed for forensic examination, hoping the process can shed light on the circumstances surrounding the boys’ deaths. She said some have also expressed a desire to have their ancestors relocated and reburied in family burial blots. “Some of these requests may not lead to answers or results that we would hope for, but we will never know unless the state puts forth the time, effort and funding to follow through on what we, the families, deem is necessary,” said Hammond. Commission advisory
Screenshot of Virtual Meeting
Commission advisory member Linda F. Gorham (left), descendant of Richard Saunders, speaks during the inaugural meeting of the Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children on Aug. 4. Next to her is Dorothy Givens, another advisory member and descendant of a boy who died at the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children. member Linda F. Gorham, a descendant of Richard Saunders, emphasized the collective grief among descendants, saying their mourning must be recognized as the commission continues its work. “I know this work has to be systematized and has to have a format, but I hope that we prioritize the families who are grieving, mourning and in shock,” said Gorham. “It doesn’t matter that Richard, my cousin, died when he was 15 in 1935, I still feel it.” She urged the commission to understand the emotional weight of its work and to approach the investigation as more than a process of examining records and remains. “Any child who is found in this process is our child. That’s our relative,” said Gorham. “There’s a really deep thing that’s happening here. If you’re serving, I want you to feel it.” The commission’s first major step will be securing a genealogical research contract to identify the boys who died at the House of Reformation
and trace their descendants. In total, the commission has $1.2 million available for its first year, including $1 million in state general funds and $200,000 from the Maryland Historical Trust and the Commission on African American History and Culture. The initial funding will help establish the scope of the genealogical and surveying work needed, commissioners said, and could inform a future request for additional funding. Commissioners also introduced five subcommittees that will guide the work: descendant and community engagement; education, policy reform and reconciliation; historical research and accountability; investigations and forensic science; and cemetery, memorial and site preservation. Members of the public can participate in all subcommittees. “The commission’s work is not only about the past,” Brown continued. “It’s about what kind of future we’re willing to build.”
Initiative Continued from A8 all of these years of me going to Motor Vehicles and taking my test, it took me [taking] it at my job [to pass] it. That’s still mind blowing.” Those in need of a learner’s permit–the mandatory precursor to earning a driver’s license–have been lining up to obtain test tickets, some as early as 4 a.m., said Suazo. Recently, program officials were questioned on why the program does not prioritize Maryland youth over the adults. “I have parents that need to be able to have jobs…and be able to thrive,” said Suazo. “Why should I just limit it to the youth? That does not make sense if it can help more people.” She spoke to how the initiative works to make the most out of the third Friday of each month. “We are trying to make it a very powerful day…the Franciscan Center comes, and they help with ID, birth certificates and social security cards,” she
Rivers Continued from A8 Today, agrees that the lifestyle of a news reporter is rigorous. “It’s definitely not easy waking up at 2 a.m. each day. We’re glad Megan is choosing a path to find happiness and wish her the best,” said
Courtesy of Michelle Suazo
Marylanders line up at the U Empower of Maryland Resource Hub, located on 424 South Pulaski St., to take the learner’s permit exam. said. “There are additional hurdles that we’re dealing with because certain people can’t even take the learner’s permit test because they’re dealing with vital document issues.” Suazo spoke about how the
school system can help. “We are now reaching out to the Board of Education, who has birth certificates of the kids that are in school, to then also work with the Social Security Administration and MVA, and to get the back-end
systems working,” she said. To the employees and participants of the learner’s permit initiative, the program is more than just a place to pass your written permit exam. According to Jamya Gainer, a 20-year-old
Youthworker and Food Project Baltimore employee, “The MVA project is just so open to everyone and everyone wants to come because they know they are not going to be judged for their situation here,” said Gainer.
Gainer concluded with a final piece of advice to those who are afraid of getting their license, “Just do it, scared. If you do it scared and you achieve it, then that lets you know that you can keep going.”
Griffith, in a statement sent to the AFRO. Rivers said she is worried about the future of news. She has watched the industry transition over the years to a point where journalists take on multiple roles by themselves. “The news industry is shrinking into less and less people,” she said. “It makes me nervous for what is the future because you need
news, you need storytellers, you need critical thinkers. You need people who are going to give you that first draft of history.” As for now, Rivers enjoys studying history and religion, and is in her third year of pursuing a master’s of divinity degree from Howard University. She is also an emcee, moderator, host and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
She is planning to further serve her community through Rivers Strategy Group, which includes a mentorship program she started to assist young journalists from all backgrounds. The Rivers Strategy Group will also provide public relations assistance to small businesses. Additionally, Rivers created a storytelling workshop for college students, and is in
the process of bringing it to different universities. As she prepares to leave her post, Rivers is certain to leave Black journalists with words of encouragement. “My advice to young Black journalists is to always remember who you come from. Remember that you come from so much good, so keep your head up, even on the rough days. You come from a
people of vibrance, a people of wisdom, intelligence and bold expression,” said Rivers. “Study the history of each community that you live in. Focus on building relationships with the community and not just sources. Treat people like people.” For more information on Megan River’s mentorship program and other endeavors, visit meganmrivers.com.
A10 The Afro-American September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026
Everyone from city leaders to residents: Inside Charm City Live’s fifth year By Alanah Nichole Davis Special to the AFRO Charm City Live, the youngest of Baltimore’s summer festivals, is still finding its footing next to bigger cousins like Artscape and AFRAM. Still, the festival brings thousands of residents and visitors together for a day of live music, food, local businesses, family activities and community engagement in the heart of downtown Baltimore. On Sept. 5, everyone from local business owners to youth and older adults turned out for the free concert, which featured dozens of vendors, local talent, community resources and headliners Boyz II Men and Estelle. AFRO Photos / Athalie Rivera, except where noted
Diana Rodriguez (left) and Alessa Rodriguez represent Philadelphia, the city that members of Boys II Men call “home.”
Baltimorean Lisa Crum showed up stylish and ready to hear Boyz II Men.
Photo courtesy of the Baltimore Office of the Mayor / J.J. McQueen
Estelle sings for Charm City Live attendees.
Photo courtesy of the Baltimore Office of the Mayor / J.J. McQueen
Case performs for the crowds.
Mother, frequent traveler and technologist Charae Davis enjoys Charm City Live.
Destineè Brown (right) and Gabriel Ali-El, official vendors for Charm City Live, held down their joint business table. (@Hidd3n_perfections) (@ woke_trends)
Arts educator and food enthusiast Ryan Gholson, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity’s Zeta Sigma Chapter, makes an appearance at Charm City Live.
Jenny Hayes (left) joins husband, Sen. Antonio Hayes (D-Md.District 40), Downtown Partnership of Baltimore President Shelonda Stokes and Dr. Dana Truesdale in the VIP viewing area.
The fellas enjoy Charm City Live. Shown here, Michael Ball (left), Derrick Shaw and Jah-Lil.
Both Los Angeles natives, medical doctorate candidate Janelle Prothro (left) and emergency manager Jahnel Walker prepare to experience the festival.
To purchase this digital photo page or photos contact editor@afro.com
September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026 The Afro-American A11
WASHINGTON AREA
Photo Courtesy of Montgomery County
Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, 43, is renewing discussion about heart disease risks among Black men after suffering a heart attack during a pickup basketball game.
Photo courtesy of Flickr / MDGovPics
Jamaican dancehall artist Spice performs for the crowd.
Afro Plus Fest highlights culture of ‘Africa, plus more’ By Kendra Bryant Special to the AFRO Afro Plus Fest, labeled as the “World’s Largest Afro-Caribbean Hip Hop Festival,” took place Sept. 4-6 at the Northwest Stadium in Prince George’s County. Now in its second year, this year’s theme, “Africa, plus more” was reflected in the musical lineup ranging from Afrobeats headliners Davido and Wizkid to dancehall artist Alkaline and American rap artists Lil Baby and Latto. The event also featured Jamaican artist Spice, known as “Queen of the Dancehall.” “It was vibrant,” said Victoria Ajasin, a first-time attendee. “As someone who didn’t really embrace their culture growing up, seeing everyone come together from different tribes, or even from the same, it felt like a family. Being with people
Montgomery County Councilman Will Jawando suffers heart attack – full recovery expected By Dr. Deborah Bailey AFRO Contributing Editor
Photo courtesy of Flickr / MDGovPics
Thousands attend the 2026 Afro Plus Fest. who knew all the same things and the meaning behind the songs means a lot to me.” Tens of thousands of fans packed the stadium for the
festival, which has drawn more than 20,000 attendees in the past. Thousands traveled from outside of Prince George’s County to attend. “Afro Plus Fest reflects
the vibrancy, diversity, and global influence of Prince George’s County,” said County Executive Aisha Continued on A12
This past Labor Day weekend men all over America left the house to engage in a game of pick-up basketball. But during his regular Saturday game on Sept. 5, AtLarge Montgomery County Councilman Councilman Will Jawando suffered a heart attack. He was quickly transported to George Washington Hospital where doctors placed a stent inside a coronary artery. As of Sept. 8, Jawando remains in GW hospital where doctors expect him to be released in the coming days to recover at home. His office is open, “available and ready to meet the community’s needs,” said
David Kunes, Jawando’s chief of staff. “Councilmember Jawando and his family are grateful to God for the friends who acted quickly and to the exceptional doctors, nurses and staff at the George Washington University Hospital. They are deeply thankful for the outpouring of support and prayers from neighbors, colleagues and supporters across the county and state,” Kunes added. Kunes reported that Jawando has not had previous cardiac trouble. At 43, Will Jawando is unusually young to experience a heart attack, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Continued on A12
Meta set to pay Washington, D.C. millions for exposing youth to addictive social media By Kendra Bryant Special to the AFRO District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced Aug. 26 one of the largest multistate settlement victories in a case against Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta), resulting in a multi-million dollar settlement for the District and the implementation of new safety features designed to protect young users from potentially addictive platforms. The settlement resolves claims brought by 51 states and territories, resulting in a $17.1 billion settlement. According to information released by the District of Columbia’s Office of the Attorney General, “The District will receive at least $90,395,940 and up to $129,356,762 to resolve
the lawsuit the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) filed alleging that Meta has caused long-lasting psychological damage to children through its exploitative, addictive social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook, while at the same time deceiving the public about the risks associated with using those platforms.” Attorney General Schwalb said in a press release, “Meta intentionally exploited kids for profit and then lied about it, claiming its products were safe when its own internal research confirmed the platforms were addictive and harmful.” He added, “This is a monumental public health victory for young people in DC and across the country, and the safety features Meta is required to install will fundamentally and immediately
change how young people use Instagram and Facebook.” Required changes will include age-appropriate content controls, limits on cosmetic filters and restrictions on notifications during the school day and at night for users under 18. Meta representatives say the solutions to the social media addiction problem will have to come from the entire industry– not just them. Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram (IG), has called out TikTok and YouTube to apply similar guidelines to their platforms. “The framework we’ve negotiated will empower parents to easily manage their children’s access to our platforms,” said C.J. Mahoney, chief legal officer of Meta in a company video,” ... but framework will only work if all our peers join us. Because
teens move fluidly across dozens of apps. We need an industry wide solution.” According to Worldmetrics, teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media are 2.7 times more likely to feel persistently sad or hopeless. Higher use also maps to anxiety and panic symptoms, including hourly checking behavior. “The physical, mental, and emotional harms that intentionally addictive social media platforms inflict on youth — and particularly teenage girls — are widespread across the tech industry, and this successful, coordinated multistate litigation has resulted in Meta being the first platform to come to the table and agree to such comprehensive reforms. It will not be the last,” said Schwalb. $12.1 billion will be
Skorzewiak / Shutterstock
Meta urges other media platforms, including YouTube and TikTok, to implement features designed to keep young users safe. distributed over a 10-year period to resolve the state lawsuits, while an additional
$5 billion will go toward implementing protective safety features.
1
73
Past 7 days
2026 Total as of 9/9
A12 The Afro-American September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026
Year 3 for Jayden Daniels could be crucial for both his future and Washington’s By Noah Trister After plummeting from an NFC title game berth to a five-win season, the Washington Commanders (5-12) will certainly hope for a return to the playoffs. Beyond wins and losses, it’s important for quarterback Jayden Daniels to have a solid, healthy season to dismiss comparisons to Robert Griffin III, another Washington quarterback who had a great rookie year that was ultimately too good to be true. The problem for the Commanders is that the line being counted on to keep Daniels upright is already having problems. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil went down with a triceps injury. Nick Allegretti seemed as if he might be the choice at center after veteran Tyler Biadasz was released, but Allegretti has been dealing with a calf injury during camp. Dan Quinn is back for his third season
Jawando Continued from A11 (CDC) and the American Heart Association (AHA). The average age reported for first time heart attack sufferers in the U.S. is 65.5 years for men and 72 for women, according to AHA reports. But information linking heart disease exclusively with an older population is changing, said Dr. Kwame Akoto, specialist in internal medicine and assistant physician in chief at Kaiser Permanente’s South Baltimore County facility. “Heart disease is not just a disease of the old. Sixty-two
as coach, but the offensive and defensive coordinators are both different — David Blough and Daronte Jones took over those roles.
New faces
WR Stefon Diggs, DE Odafe Oweh, TE Chig Okonkwo, LB Sonny Styles, WR Antonio Williams, DE K’Lavon Chaisson, CB Amik Robertson, LB Leo Chenal, RB Rachaad White, DC Daronte Jones.
Key losses
WR Deebo Samuel, LB Bobby Wagner, LB Von Miller, DE Preston Smith, DB Marshon Lattimore, C Tyler Biadasz, TE Zach Ertz, QB Josh Johnson, RB Austin Ekeler, WR Noah Brown, OC Kliff Kingsbury, DC Joe Whitt Jr. This article was originally published by The Associated Press.
percent of African-American men have a history of hypertension which is one of the most common risk factors for heart disease,” said Akoto, who also serves as a volunteer physician with the AHA. “This is a real wake up call for our community,” Akoto said. “We are disproportionately affected. And with men, across all ages, our risk of heart disease is higher. When we see something like this in someone young like this, we have to look at all the risk factors such as high blood pressure, family history of heart disease, smoking, obesity, and now we have some independent markers for cardiovascular disease that can help assess risk.”
Jawando’s heart attack came as a surprise to many because of his age, commitment to physical fitness and
AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels smiles while watching warmups before an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens. cardiovascular risk is accumulated over years and decades. Akoto said the lesson for all of us is to become invested in
The PREVENT calculator can predict an individual’s 10 year and 30-year risk of cardiovascular disease. It is
“Councilmember Jawando and his family are grateful to God for the friends who acted quickly and to the exceptional doctors, nurses and staff at the George Washington University Hospital.” - David Kunes, Chief of Staff for Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando
his activity level. “Being active does not necessarily mean you are risk free,” Akoto said, adding that
understanding and monitoring heart disease risk. There are new tests that can help, including The American Heart Association’s PREVENT online calculator.
the first risk assessment tool combining cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic health measures and can be taken online by anyone at this link: https://professional.heart.org/
en/guidelines-and-statements/ prevent-calculator. Akoto also mentioned additional measures such as the lipoprotein (A) test. “We advise every adult to get this done at least once in their lifetime. This is a genetic measure. It does not change,” he added. Also, a coronary artery calcium (CAC) test can measure the amount of calcified plaque in your heart’s arteries. Both of these measures can be requested in consultation with a doctor. Jawando is currently the frontrunner in a general election campaign for Montgomery County Executive. His opponent, Republican Esther Wells, publicly sent well wishes to Jawando and his family. Election Day in Maryland is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (left) and First Lady Dawn Moore (right) present a citation to Michael Awosanya, Afro Fest founder and executive producer.
Festival Continued from A11 Braveboy. “This partnership represents more than entertainment; it is about economic growth, cultural pride, tourism and creating opportunities for local businesses, artists, and residents to benefit from an international-scale event hosted right here in our county. We are proud to welcome thousands of visitors from across the nation and around the world to experience the energy, excellence, and cultural richness that define Prince George’s County.” Michael Awosanya, founder and executive producer of Afro Plus Fest, attended Towson University in Baltimore County but is a native of Prince George’s County. He believes the festival is just one way artists, local officials, party promoters and organizers can bring the African diaspora to his hometown.
“We were raised in this county,” said Awosanya, in a statement. “This year is bigger because the community demanded it be bigger. This one’s for the people who raised us.” Gov. Wes Moore, accompanied by First Lady Dawn Moore, also attended the event and welcomed Nigerian artist Tems to the stage. “If we’re going to celebrate global Black culture, you’ve got to come to Maryland,” said Moore in an interview with Afro Plus Fest. “Maryland really is such a hotbed not just of historical Black culture, but also a place that is the home of the future of Black culture. So when we’re having a festival as important as this, I just feel like there’s no better home for it than the state of Maryland.” Awosanya, who was raised in Prince George’s County and has Nigerian roots, spent many years hosting African Student Association events while attending Towson University. The festival was born from the philosophy that “Afro is everywhere.”
September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026 The Afro-American A13
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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2026ADM000791 LEONARD JOHNSON Name of Decedent JOHNNY M. RIDDICK, ESQUIRE 505 CAPITOL COURT, NE, SUITE 100 WASHINGTON, DC 20002 Name and Adress of Attorney
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2026ADM000804 JOHNNIE MACK VILLINES Name of Decedent IZU I AHAGHOTU, ESQUIRE 3724 12TH STREET, NE WASHINGTON, DC 20017 Name and Adress of Attorney
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2026ADM000862 MANSOOR HUSSAIN AWAN aka MANSOOR AWAN Name of Decedent
Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JEANETTE HILLIARD, whose address is 2329 KIRBY DRIVE, TEMPLE HILLS, MARYLAND 20748 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LEONARD JOHNSON who died on NOVEMBER 17, 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 FEBRUARY 28, 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 28, 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 28, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Law Washington Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs PRISCILLA E. VILLINES, whose address is 3100 24TH STREET, NE, WASHINGTON, DC 20018 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOHNNIE MACK VILLINES who died on APRIL 27, 2021 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 28, 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 28, 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 28, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Law Washington Reporter 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 MARCH 11, 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 MARCH 11, 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: SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
JEANETTE HILLIARD Personal Representative
PRISCILLA E. VILLINES Personal Representative
ERIK P CHRISTIAN Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 08.28, 09.04, 09.11.26
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 08.28, 09.04, 09.11.26
Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs EWELINA AWAN, whose address is 2123 CALIFORNIA ST., NW, A1, WASHINGTON, DC 20008 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MANSOOR HUSSAIN AWAN aka MANSOOR AWAN who died on APRIL 23, 2025 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before MARCH 04, 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 MARCH 04, 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: SEPTEMBER 04, 2026 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: AFRO American Newspapers EWELINA AWAN Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 09.04, 09.11, 09.18.26
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 09/11, 09/18, 09/25/26
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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.
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.
September 16, 2026
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NOTICE – SEPTEMBER 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 September 14, 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 October 9, 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: Pat Pattana, LLC T/a Nahm Pla - Keasinee Viriyakul Petition: New restaurant license requesting off-premises catering and delivery of alcoholic beverages Premises: 340 N. Charles Street 21201 (City Council District: 11th; State Legislative District: 40th) Applicant: Waverly Arts, LLC T/a Thai Restaurant - Jacob Wittenberg Petition: New restaurant license requesting outdoor table service Premises: 3100 Greenmount Avenue 21218 (City Council District: 14th; State Legislative District: 43A) 2. CLASS “B”, BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE (ARENA) Applicant: The Paramount Baltimore, LLC T/a The Ostend - Robert Turk Goldstein Petition: New Arena license requesting live entertainment and outdoor table service Premises: 555 W. Ostend Street 21230 (City Council District: 10th; State Legislative District: 46th) 3. CLASS “BD7” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE Applicant: Jack and Fancy Jack, LLC T/a Mixer’s Bar - Jack Dante Thompson and Jacques Stefan Van Der Walt Petition: Transfer of ownership with continuation of live entertainment, requesting outdoor table service Premises: 6037 Belair Road 21206 (City Council District: 2nd; State Legislative District: 45th)
• Bituminous Paving Materials (Hot & Cold Patch)- RFQ-000840 ENTIRE SOLICITATION CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWNLOADED BY VISITING THE WEBSITE: cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/suppliers/ bid-opportunities
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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. October 7, 2026 • Lead Hazard Reduction and Healthy Home Intervention programs - RFQ-000859 ENTIRE SOLICITATION CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWNLOADED BY VISITING THE WEBSITE: cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/suppliers/ bid-opportunities
Applicant: Go 22, LLC T/a Catch 22 Saloon - Steven S. Kong Petition: Transfer of ownership requesting outdoor table service Premises: 6000 Eastern Avenue 21224 (City Council District: 2nd; State Legislative District: 46th) Applicant: Lightrandall Corporation T/a Riverside Taphouse - Ryan D. Kehoe Petition: Request to add second floor to licensed premises Premises: 1542 Light Street 21230 (City Council District: 10th; State Legislative District: 46th)
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