Black leaders come together for Day of Healing
By Patricia McDougall Special to the AFRO
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Day of Healing Prayer Breakfast was held on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
Thousands packed the room and were inspired by the words and prayers that were shared. The keynote speaker, Dr. Howard-John Wesley, senior pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church, lifted up each attendee with his words. All in the room left feeling full of life and full of hope for the future of the Black community.
All AFRO Photos / Patricia McDougall
Bishop Walter Thomas Sr. (left) takes a moment with Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie at the prayer breakfast, alongside AFRO CEO and Publisher Dr. Frances Draper and Andre Draper (right), director of operations for the AFRO-American Newspapers.
Thousands attend the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Day of Healing Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
Monica Turner Lee (left) and Dee C. Marshall, the CEO and managing partner of AI Training Plus, take time to shop after the prayer breakfast.
Dr. Talib M. Shareef, president and imam of the historic Masjid Muhammad, The Nation’s Mosque, in Washington, D.C., delivers remarks at prayer breakfast.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (left) and her mom, Joan Bowser, enjoying breakfast at the CBCF’s signature prayer event.
Cathy Adams (left), president of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, with Usoma Okora, COO of Eco Alpha; Melanie Okora, CEO of ECO Alpha; and Cheryl Brownlee, CEO and founder of CB Communications.
Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.) (left), shares a moment with the prayer breakfast’s keynote speaker, the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, the senior pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church, and U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.)
New York Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman (D-District 58), left; Charlene Gayle, executive director of the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators; (NYSABPRHAL), and Ann Marie Adamson-Serieux, assistant vice president of corporate and community engagement for Emblem Health, join in song at the Day of Healing Prayer Breakfast.
Clean Community Challenge celebrates summer of success
By AFRO Staff
The winners of the Clean Community Challenge were announced on Oct. 3 in an end-of-summer celebration that took place at the Lakeside Pavilion on Grove Road.
The Challenge was inspired by the AFRO Clean Block program, which was founded in 1934 by Frances Louise Murphy.
The Clean Community Challenge, launched by Baltimore’s Department of Planning through its Clean Corps program, funded 27 community-led beautification projects across 24 neighborhoods, with the goal of restoring public spaces and strengthening local pride. Clean Corps maintains public spaces in
42 Baltimore neighborhoods, and hires local workers to clean alleys, maintain lots and improve street fronts year-round. The Challenge provided grants for residents and local leaders within those neighborhoods to lead their own summer projects.
This year, Janet Bailey, of the Laburt Improvement Community Association, won the “Small but Mighty” award. The Forest Park High School community received the “Youth Power Prize” award and Lisa Edmonds, of Dolly Park, took the “Best Community Glo Up” award for the butterfly garden she and her family members created in their neighborhood.
AFRO Photos/ Nyame-
Kye Kondo
Akewi Barnes, of Bmore Rap Review, has a quick bite before documenting the festivities.
Rebuild Johnston Square Executive Director Audrey Carter (left); Clean Team coordinator Keith Hammond and community advocate Regina Hammond, fellowship with each other before the event officially begins.
Natasha Neal (left), of Clean Corps, enjoys the good food from Jerk Pit with her son, Keaton Satterfield.
Georgians Johnson makes an appearance at the Clean Community Challenge’s end-of-summer celebration.
Janet Bailey, of the Laburt Improvement Community Association, smiles with her “Small but Mighty” award.
Deyane Moses, director of programs and partnerships for Afro Charities, smiles with the parrot, Mr. Wilson, on her shoulder.
Lisa Edmonds, of Dolly Park, smiles with her “Best Community Glo Up” award. She and her family created a butterfly garden in their neighborhood.
Keysha Fearon, affectionately known as “Coach K,” represents the Forest Park High School community as she accepts the “Youth Power Prize” award on behalf of Lisa Mitchell.