B4 The Afro-American December 9, 2023 - December 15, 2023
Afro Charities celebrates 60 years with gala and fundraising campaign By AFRO Staff fro Charities celebrated six decades of success on Nov. 30 at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The organization was founded on Nov. 15, 1963 and serves as the non-profit sister company to the AFRO American Newspapers. The organization cares for the AFRO Archives and curates educational materials and cultural experiences based on the historic collection, which includes more than three million photographs, audio recordings and letters.
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Board members and stakeholders of both the AFRO American Newspapers and Afro Charities come together on Nov. 30 at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Shown here, from left to right:
AFRO Board Member Dr. James Wood Jr., with Robin Wood, Esq, president Board of Directors for Afro Charities; AFRO Director of Operations Andre Draper; AFRO CEO and Publisher Frances “Toni” Draper; Afro Charities Executive Director Savannah Wood; (back) AFRO Vice President of Marketing and Technology Kevin Peck; Angela Wheeler; AFRO Director of Digital Solutions Dana Peck; AFRO Board Member Laura Murphy and Bill Psillas.
Currently, Afro Charities is in the process of building a new home for the AFRO Archives. Afro Charities has launched a campaign to raise funds for the renovation of the Upton Mansion, located at 811 W. Lanvale in West Baltimore. The building will serve as a permanent home for the AFRO Archives and include office space for the AFRO News staff and other interested organizations AFRO News and Afro Charities and companies. The Afro Charities team has been offered the Board Member Beverly Carter opportunity to have funds raised matched by donors. They are celebrates the work done by currently on a mission to raise $350,000 in pledged donations Afro Charities over the past by Dec. 31 of this year, with donors having five years to make six decades with John Carter. good on their promise. Once the pledge goal is reached, it will unlock another $3.2 million in funds. To make a pledge to the AFRO Photos/James Fields Afro Charities campaign to renovate Upton Mansion, please visit afrocharities.org.
Members of the Afro Charities staff are recognized at their 60th anniversary gala. Shown here, from left to right: Megan McShea, Jasmine Clarke (back), Bacarri Byrd, Bilphena Yahwon, Oyinda Omoloja, Deyane Moses and Nicoletta de la Brown.
Baltimore Museum of Art Director Asma Naeem enjoys the evening with Jeannie Howe, executive director of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance.
Chanel Johnson (left) and Dr. Oluwa Tosin Adegbola Richard, of the Afro Charities Board of Directors, speak about the mission of the organization.
DJ Tanz turns out the tunes for attendees on the dance floor.
U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (DMd.-07) speaks to the audience about the important work of Afro Charities. Mfume, along with U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), worked to secure a $2.25 million federal investment to renovate the Upton Mansion.
Faith P. Leach, chief administrative officer of Baltimore, joins Shamiah Kerney, chief recovery officer of the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs, at the Baltimore Museum of Industry to celebrate the success of Afro Charities.
Black Mental Health Alliance marks 40 years with Dr. Maxie T. Collier Awards Ceremony and Anniversary Gala
Jason Newton, of WBAL-TV, serves as host for the award ceremony and gala.
Keynote speaker Dr. Jay Barnett, a former pro football player turned author, shares powerful words with those gathered for BMHA’s 40th anniversary gala.
From left to Right: Dr. Maxie Collier Awardee T-Keyia Blackman Maxwell, BMHA Executive Director Andrea Brown and Awardee Linda Diaz. By AFRO Staff
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he Black Mental Health Alliance (BMHA) celebrated 40 years of existence with the Dr. Maxie T. Collier Awards Ceremony and 40th Anniversary Gala on Dec. 1. The event took place at the World Trade Center in Downtown Baltimore. Leaders from around the country were honored for their work in the community, and Dr. Jay Barnett served as keynote speaker, offering an encouraging word to those who struggle with their mental health. Founded by psychiatrist Dr. Maxie Collier, Fikre Workneh, a social worker from Ethiopia, and former Sen. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, a respected registered nurse, the BMHA still today seeks to address mental health disparities in the Black community.
The Dr. Maxie T. Collier Awards shine shortly before being handed out to deserving recipients.
Susan Smallwood, founder of Grandiosity Events, makes an appearance at the BMHA gala and awards ceremony.
JoJo Simmons, recipient of the Phoenix Arising Award, serves as CEO and co-founder of Whos House Entertainment. Simmons uses his talent to address mental health in the community.
Together, the three built an organization to serve the community with culturally responsive care from mental health clinicians looking to serve the Black population. Currently led by Executive Director Andrea Brown, today the organization stands as a resource hub for those in need of mental health support. BMHA connects Black mental health professionals in states across the country with each other and Black people looking to improve their mental health. The organization also hosts a variety of community programs to help Black people improve the state of their mental health and their day-to-day lives.
To purchase this digital photo page or photos contact editor@afro.com
AFRO Photos/A.J. Johnson