By Sabreen Dawud, Special to the AFRO The rising cost of childcare is causing concern for parents or people considering having a child. According to a brief issued by the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau last year, median childcare prices for one child ranged from $4,810 to $15,417 per year. These prices make up 8 percent to 19.3 percent of average family income. With many families in need of childcare services for multiple children, the cost of childcare can significantly strain even the best, carefully thought out budget. When considering care type, age group and county population si ..read more

By Ericka Alston Buck Special to the AFRO The Howard County NAACP is gearing up for its annual Freedom Fund Jazz Luncheon, scheduled for April 27. This year’s luncheon promises to be an electrifying affair, featuring Grammy-nominated poet, human and civil rights activist, journalist and author Kevin Powell as the keynote speaker. The Freedom Fund Jazz Luncheon holds a special place in the hearts of Howard County residents, serving as both a fundraiser and a platform to honor local champions of justice and equality. Willie Flowers, president of the NAACP Howard County Branch, highlighted the e ..read more

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By Gene Lambey, Special to the AFRO April is a National Financial Literacy Month, making it the perfect time to read up on all things related to money. Check out the list below and see which book is the perfect fit for you and your home library.  “Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away” is a book written for Black people looking to improve their lot in life on their own terms. The book is written by Julien Saunders and Kiersten Saunders, and focuses on how to break free from corporate America. (Photo courtesy of RichandRegular.com) Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Aw ..read more

By Ama Brown, AFRO Editorial Assistant Associated Black Charities (ABC) recently hosted a Free Teen Financial Literacy Summit for all ages at The Doubletree by Hilton in Pikesville, Md. on April 13. The event, sponsored by SECU, offered all teens in attendance a new account with a free $25 deposit. Guests enjoyed breakfast and lunch at the summit, which divided attendees into groups that focused on different finance subjects. Breakout sessions included time allocated specifically to topics such as the job search and interviewing skills, entrepreneurship and investing and breaking generational ..read more

By AFRO Staff The ladies of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s (NCBW) Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter hosted “Pearls with a Purpose” on April 14. The event, which featured a deluxe bull roast, took place at Martin’s West in Baltimore. DJ KeeBee provided sounds for the evening, as attendees enjoyed a three-hour buffet and open-bar.  While there was plenty of fellowship and networking to do, the event was also a fundraiser. Proceeds from the event will help the NCBW’s Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter continue their advocacy work through community programming. The funds will be aimed ..read more

Top finance tips from Michelle Singletary, personal finance advisor. (Photo courtesy of The Park School of Baltimore) By Karyn Cook, Special to the AFRO As April is National Financial Literacy Month, this week’s edition includes tips from finance experts in all walks of life, looking to help people improve finances and build generational wealth. One expert who spoke with the AFRO was Michelle Singletary, a personal finance advisor and journalist. A graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park and Johns Hopkins University, Singletary has been honored by the National Association of Bl ..read more

By AFRO Staff On April 17 members of the Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness celebrated the work of Angela Celestin, executive vice president and chief of human resources at CareFirst BlueCross Blueshield, and Robert Matthews, vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Exelon.  Clarrissa Taylor-Jackson, director of programs and outreach for NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore, addresses the crowd. Tyleia Reed, WEST Baltimore Outreach Coordinator NAMI Baltimore President and Chief Executive Officer at United Way of Central Maryland Fran ..read more

in Prince George’s County University of Maryland Medical System is bringing high-quality, comprehensive cancer treatment to Prince George’s County with the Cancer Center at UM Capital Region Health, part of a new 100,000-square-foot Center for Advanced Medicine on the UM Capital Region Health campus in Largo. Cap Region, Center-For-Advanced-Medicine, Exterior, Welcome Desk, Multidisciplinary Center, Radiation Oncology Suite, CT Simulator, Linear Simulator, Pulmonary, Ultrasound, Hematology Breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers are prevalent in Prince George’s County, and specialists at the ..read more