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THE BLACK MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM

Volume 134 No. 27

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AP Photo/ J. Scott Applewhite

JANUARY 31, 2026 - FEBRUARY 6, 2026

AP Photo / Joshua Roberts AFRO Photo / Patricia McDougall

U.S. House of Representatives Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., will not seek reelection as a non-voting member of Congress. She has served on behalf of the residents of D.C. since 1991. Norton has been a friend, trusted colleague and mentor to countless Black women in politics. Shown here at bottom right, Norton with Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (second from left); former First Lady of D.C., Cora Masters Barry (second from right), and former D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt at the AFRO’s 2024 High Tea in D.C.

Eleanor HHolmes olmes NNor ortton announces rretir etirement ement Longtime congresswoman celebrates 35 years of service on Capitol Hill

By Victoria Mejicanos AFRO Staff Writer vmejicanos@afro.com Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, 88, has officially announced her retirement on Jan. 27, after 35 years representing the District. This comes days after she filed paperwork to end her reelection campaign. In her letter speaking on her retirement, Norton reflected on her career and its impact on the city. “I’ve had the privilege of representing the District of Columbia in Congress since 1991.

Time and again, D.C. residents entrusted me to fight for them at the federal level, and I have not yielded,” Norton said. “With fire in my soul and the facts on my side, I have raised hell about the injustice of denying 700,000 taxpaying Americans the same rights given to residents of the states for 35 years. “ D.C Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke to the tenacity shown by Norton on Capitol Hill. “Congresswoman Norton has been our Warrior on the Hill,” wrote Bowser. “Her work embodies the unwavering resolve of a city that refuses to yield in its fight for equal representation.”

Her retirement comes after she faced recent calls to step aside as residents and local lawmakers questioned her ability to effectively advocate for the city. Norton will serve the remainder of her term. Norton has not endorsed any of the candidates in the Democratic primary, slated for June 16, but D.C. Councilmember Robert White, one of the Democrats vying to succeed her, praised her influence in D.C in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “As a fifth-generation Washingtonian, from an early age I looked to Congresswoman Norton as a model of what public service should

be,” wrote White. “Her name is synonymous with authentic leadership.” Prior to her role in Congress, Norton was a prominent civil rights attorney and advocate. In 1970, she represented 60 female employees of Newsweek in a gender discrimination lawsuit against the magazine. Norton also served on the founding board of “Women’s Rights Law Reporter,” the first legal periodical focused on women, and was one of the women to sign the “Black Woman’s Manifesto,” arguing against the oppression of Black women. Continued on A3

afro.com

Sojourner-Douglass College founder, Dr. Charles W. Simmons, dies at 87 By AFRO Staff Members of the Baltimore community and beyond were saddened to

learn of the death of Dr. Charles W. Simmons, founder and president Continued on A3

Courtesy photo

Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” starring Michael B. Jordan, leads the 98th Academy Awards with a historic 16 nominations, the most ever for a single film.

‘Sinners’ makes Academy Award history with 16 nominations By Itoro N. Umontuen Black Press USA

Photo courtesy of Meta (Charles Simmons)

Dr. Charles W. Simmons is remembered for his work as founder of Sojourner-Douglass College in Baltimore.

(NNPA Newswire) – Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” emerged as the biggest contender at the 98th Academy Awards, earning a historic 16 nominations—more than any movie has ever received in Oscar history. The announcement was made Jan. 22 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. With this achievement,

“Sinners” surpassed the long-standing record of 14 nominations previously held by classics such as “All About Eve,” “Titanic” and “La La Land.” In addition to a Best Picture nod, Coogler secured nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. The film’s leading man, Michael B. Jordan, also reached a career milestone, receiving his first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Coogler’s recognition is

particularly significant, as he becomes one of only seven Black filmmakers to be nominated for Best Director. He joins an influential group that includes Spike Lee (“Do the Right Thing”), John Singleton (“Boyz n the Hood”), Lee Daniels (“Precious”), Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”), Barry Jenkins (“If Beale Street Could Talk”), and Jordan Peele (“Nope”). Continued on A3