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Residents and Elected Officials Hope New Governor Will Improve Collaborative Relationship with Baltimore Policymakers

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Baltimore’s Mayor Brandon Scott said the state should take more responsibility for Baltimore but has not. Over time, citizens have complained that Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, did not contribute enough to Baltimore – but some think he is on the right path.
The post Residents and Elected Officials Hope New Governor Will Improve Collaborative Relationship with Baltimore Policymakers first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

November 28, 2022

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By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Report For America Corps Member,
tmcqueen@afro.com

Many Baltimoreans think of their city as a town independent of Maryland.

Whether the sentiment is due to Baltimore’s location or the distinct culture, the poor collaboration between Baltimore City and the state of Maryland doesn’t help the attitude.

In a recent interview with the AFRO, Mayor Brandon Scott expressed his views on the lack of effective collaboration between Baltimore and Larry Hogan, the current governor.

Hogan, a Republican, has been well-received throughout the state. Both White and Black residents on both sides of the party aisle voted for him. However, his actions, attitude and comments about Baltimore City have left some wanting more from his leadership.

“The governor controls more public safety agencies than I do,” said Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott. “We need the governor to work with the city and we have not had that.”

Scott said he believes that Wes Moore, the Democratic Governor-Elect in Maryland, could launch a shift that leads to increased harmony between state and city elected officials.

The Mayor said the state should take more responsibility for Baltimore but has not. Over time, citizens have complained that Hogan did not contribute enough to Baltimore – but some think he is on the right path.

A Baltimore native, Will Hanna, spoke with the AFRO about his concerns.

“The governor’s focus is right,” said Hanna, a former legal analyst. “I believe the governor is taking the lead on issues that the mayor should be addressing.”

In August, Hogan met with U.S. Attorney Erek Barron and the Baltimore mayor to discuss state funding to end violent crime. He said he would “continue to work with federal, state, and local partners to make neighborhoods safer.”

The event likely was a response to an earlier, heated exchange between Scott and Hogan.

In June, Scott responded to a Hogan letter that claimed the city is at fault for little progress on curbing street violence. In the letter to Scott, Hogan said the state’s focus has been funding public safety initiatives and making more arrests.

Scott responded with a statistical update and an invitation to visit Baltimore to speak with local organizations and address the deeper concerns of the city.

It is evident that Scott is still seeking “comprehensive solutions” and actions that help keep residents safe. Still Baltimreans aren’t sure that he will be able to make the change desperately needed.

“I agree that the state has some obligations to the city, but it’s the mayor’s responsibility because he is the CEO of the city,” said Hanna. “The city has an accountability problem.”

The young Mayor said crime and public safety are a key topic of conversation for the next governor.

“Working with Moore to build a stronger partnership could help us build a better Baltimore from top to bottom,” said Scott.

Moore’s campaign platform focused on public safety, the Black-White wealth gap and overall economy, education, and improved health care– all issues that top Black interest in Baltimore.

According to the 2021 federal census data, Black residents comprise 62.3 percent of Baltimore’s population, compared to Whites’ 29.7 percent and the Latinex 5.4 percent shares.

“We need to make sure… …that Cox and the people who support his beliefs will not run again,” said Scott. “Their ideology of hatred and divisiveness does not have a place here.”

The AFRO reached out to Cox and Maryland GOP leaders but received no response.

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

The post Residents and Elected Officials Hope New Governor Will Improve Collaborative Relationship with Baltimore Policymakers first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

12 hours ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”

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Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”

But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”

Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”

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WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Published

2 days ago

May 28, 2025

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed

May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.

But what has happened since?

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?

This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.

Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:

Panelists: