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November 16, 2024 - November 22, 2024 The Afro-American A5 THE BLACKwww.afro.com MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM $2.00 $1.00

Volume 133 No. 16

Volume 123 No. 20–22

NOVEMBER 16, 2024 - NOVEMBER 22, 2024

A loss for Maryland’s working class

Glenard Middleton, beloved Baltimore ‘union man,’ dies at 76 Photo courtesy of Councilwoman Sharon Green Middleton; Glenard Middleton Jr.

Friends and family of Glenard Middleton Sr. are mourning his Nov. 7 death at age 76. Middleton, who led AFSCME Local 44 in Baltimore as president for decades, will be remembered as a fierce advocate for the working class and as a loving husband and father.

By Catherine Pugh Special to the AFRO

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Glenard Middleton Sr., the longtime Baltimore union leader, died at age 76 on Nov. 7, while in hospice care. Middleton solidified his place in the heart of Charm City with his commitment to fighting for Maryland’s working class. He was first elected to the top position of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 67 and president of local 44, in 1987. He also served on the executive board of the American Federation of Labor and

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Congress of Industrial Organizations’ (AFL-CIO) Maritime Trades Department, in 2013, a position he held until his retirement in 2023. “He was a leader among leaders,” said Courtney L. Jenkins, “and dedicated his life to fighting for public employees and union members.” Middleton was a fighter who received numerous accolades. The building he purchased for the union under his leadership, at 1410

Bush Street in Baltimore, is named in his honor. The building represents the first time a Baltimore union owned its place of operation. Middleton has a street named after him in Turner Station, “Glenard Middleton Court,” and the Sollers Point Multipurpose Center has an exhibit displaying his years of service. Last year, at the Legacy Affair, held Sept. 28, 2023 at Martin’s Valley Mansion in his honor, Middleton was

Judith Jamison dies at 81

AP Photo

The AFRO sends condolences to the friends, family members and creatives impacted by the death of Judith Jamison, the internationally known dancer and legendary choreographer. See more about the former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater artistic director on C2.

able to truly understand his impact when union coworkers, leaders, friends and family were able to pay tribute to him. Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07) took time to speak with the

AFRO about Middleton’s character. “His work ethic and sense of fairness led to him becoming a forceful, effective labor leader and civil rights advocate,” he said. “Glen loved his family,

cherished his friends and didn’t suffer fools lightly. He defied the limitlessness of others’ expectations, and for that we are better for having known him.” To others, he might have Continued on A3

Racist text messages raise alarm in multiple states, prompting investigations By Ayanna Alexander, Ali Swenson and Gary Fields The Associated Press Racist text messages invoking slavery raised alarm across the country this week after they were sent to Black men, women and students, including middle schoolers, prompting inquiries by the FBI and other agencies. The messages, sent anonymously, were reported in several states, including New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. They generally used a similar tone but varied in wording. Some instructed the recipient to show up at an address at a particular time “with your belongings,” while others didn’t include a location. Some of them mentioned the incoming presidential administration. It wasn’t yet clear who was behind the messages and there was no comprehensive list of where they

were sent, but high school and college students were among the recipients. The FBI said it was in touch with the Justice Department on the messages, and the Federal Communications Commission said it was investigating the texts “alongside federal and state law enforcement.” The Ohio Attorney General’s office also said it was looking into the matter.

Tasha Dunham of Lodi, California, said her 16-yearold daughter showed her one of the messages Nov. 7 evening before her basketball practice. The text not only used her daughter’s name, but it directed her to report to a “plantation” in North Carolina, where Dunham said they’ve never lived. When they looked up the address, Continued on A3

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

The Department of Justice and the FBI are looking into racist text messages sent to residents in states across the country from Alabama to California and New York.