Volume 134 No. 19
THE BLACK MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM
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DECEMBER 13, 2025 - DECEMBER 19, 2025
AP Photo/Bryan Woolston
Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, the first woman and first Black person to hold the position, is stepping down after a widely celebrated tenure marked by transformative legislation and historic investments in equity.
Maryland leaders praise Speaker Adrienne Jones as she steps down from historic, transformative tenure
By Catherine Pugh Special to the AFRO The Dec.4 announcement of the resignation of Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Adrienne A. Jones from the post was met with widespread commendation for her exemplary leadership. Jones has dedicated over half of her
31-year tenure to leadership roles, serving as Speaker Pro-Tem for 16 years under her predecessor Speaker of the House Michael Bush. “My best wishes to Speaker Adrienne Jones as she plots the next chapter in her life,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.07). “Adrienne’s leadership as Speaker and her guiding example will be sorely missed.
Fortunately for the people of Maryland’s 10th District, she remains their legislative voice, with vision and vigor, but most of all she remains a friend to so many of us.” Chair of the House Health and Government Operations Committee, Delegate Jocelyn Pena-Melnyk (D-District 21) recalls nominating Jones for speaker, noting her fairness and consensus-building.
“She led us through COVID,” Pena-Melnyk said, adding that as Speaker, “Jones was strong yet quietly led, avoided micromanagement, voiced unpopular opinions when needed, implemented bias training, and provided opportunities for many of us. I appreciated Continued on A3
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett announces U.S. Senate bid in Texas By Bill Barrow and John Hanna
afro.com
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett launched a campaign Dec. 8 for the U.S. Senate in Texas, telling President Donald Trump, “I’m coming for
you,” and bringing a national profile to what could be a critical race for Democrats’ long-shot hopes of reclaiming a Senate majority in next year’s midterm elections. Crockett, one of Congress’ most outspoken Democrats, a frequent target of GOP attacks and a Trump target, jumped into the race on the final day of qualifying in
Texas. She is seeking the Senate seat held by Republican John Cornyn, who is running for reelection in the GOP-dominated state. “As a candidate who is constantly attacked and seen as a threat, it’s because I am,” Crockett told supporters in Dallas. “I’m the only one who Continued on A3
AP Photo/LM Otero
Jasmine Crockett, (D-Texas), speaks to reporters after announcing her run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
A new generation of Black church leaders steps into power By Hazel Trice Edney Word in Black
Courtesy of Trice Edney News Wire / Word in Black
Pastor Kevin Lamár Peterman (front, center, in suit and tie) stands in front of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., surrounded by guest clergy who attended to support and celebrate.
It was on Nov. 24, 2014, when then Howard University student Kevin Lamár Peterman first felt a sermon rise from his belly. That was the same day that a grand jury decided not to indict a White Ferguson, Mo., police officer, Darren Wilson, in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Mike Brown, an unarmed Black teenager
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walking down the street in his neighborhood. It was a police killing that sparked historic protests across America, including fiery demonstrations in Ferguson that were met with military force. Having returned from the uprisings in Ferguson, Peterman was leading a community and student protest on the steps of Howard’s Douglass Hall when the announcement Continued on A3