Fans and supporters of the AFRO gathered at Cylburn Arboretum to celebrate the 85th birthday of its Clean Block program. The program was established in 1934 by Frances L. Murphy, daughter of AFRO founder, John H. Murphy, Sr., as a community initiative to keep Baltimore neighborhoods clean.
Guests – encouraged to dress in all white – had a chance to catch up with friends and pose for photos.
AFRO publisher/CEO Toni Draper kicked off the program by welcoming the crowd, acknowledging some of those involved in the Clean Block program, as well as those present who had contributed to the book, “The Thing I Love About Baltimore,” newly released by the AFRO.
Amng those on hand to honor the occasion; Baltimore Mayor Jack Young…
…and US Congressman Elijah Cummings.
Pictured (LtoR) Edgar Brookins, AFRO Washington DC circulation manager; and Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper, AFRO CEO/publisher
Pictured (LtoR) Bunny Owens, retired Baltimore City health counselor; Jannette Witmyer, Baltimore-based freelance writer/editor; Kevin Brown, Station North Arts Cafe & Nancy by SNAC owner/restauranteur; and Delly Alexander, retired FAA project manager
Pictured (LtoR) Stacy Rodgers, Baltimore County county administrative officer; and Jerome Stephens, US Senator community outreach director
Pictured (LtoR) Judy Rainey, retired educator; and Donald Rainey, retired human resources director
Pictured (LtoR) AFRO colleagues: Diane Hocker, director of community public relations; La’Tasha Owens, accounts receivables/advertising specialist; and Bonnie Deanes, finance manager
Pictured (LtoR) Ralph Moore, Baltimore City Community College instructor; and Dana P. Moore, Baltimore City deputy city solicitor. The Moores wrote Chapter 8 in “The Thing I Love About Baltimore.”
Pictured (LtoR) Tacuma Yasin, Nation’s Best Moving & Hauling owner; Tim Bridges, Fayette Street Outreach vice president; Lionel Terrell, Bons Secours Health System Clean & Green program coordinator; Gus Hillard, Baltimore area truck driver; and Maurice Sanders, Bons Secours Health System building maintenance supervisor
Pictured (LtoR) Stacy Rodgers looks on as Alice Emmanuel Clash, 95, is recognized as one of the first people to get involved in the AFRO’s Clean Block program when she was 10 years old.
(August 13, 2019 – Cylburn Arboretum) Photos by Sean McDaniel & Sloane Brown
Sloane Brown
Baltimore's longtime fashion and social scene reporter, Sloane is the founder/managing editor of Baltimore Snap.
