EST. 1963

AFRO

CHARITIES

BALT. MD

Afro Charities is a 501(c)3 organization that maintains and cares for the AFRO’s archives, hosts programs with local partners, and provides meaningful opportunities for our community to engage with and contribute to the archives.

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The AFRO, was founded by John Henry Murphy Sr. a former slave and Union sergeant in the Civil War.
The AFRO, was founded by John Henry Murphy Sr. a former slave and Union sergeant in the Civil War.
The AFRO, was founded by John Henry Murphy Sr. a former slave and Union sergeant in the Civil War.
The AFRO, was founded by John Henry Murphy Sr. a former slave and Union sergeant in the Civil War.
The AFRO, was founded by John Henry Murphy Sr. a former slave and Union sergeant in the Civil War.
The AFRO, was founded by John Henry Murphy Sr. a former slave and Union sergeant in the Civil War.
The AFRO, was founded by John Henry Murphy Sr. a former slave and Union sergeant in the Civil War.
"Integrate in '58" March for Freedoms
The AFRO, was founded by John Henry Murphy Sr. a former slave and Union sergeant in the Civil War.
The AFRO, was founded by John Henry Murphy Sr. a former slave and Union sergeant in the Civil War.
The AFRO, was founded by John Henry Murphy Sr. a former slave and Union sergeant in the Civil War.
The AFRO, was founded by John Henry Murphy Sr. a former slave and Union sergeant in the Civil War.
1963

Establishment of Afro Charities, L to R: John H. Murphy III, James D. Williams, Moses J. Newson, Cliff W. Mackay, and Elizabeth M. Phillips

We are the stewards of The Afro’s rich history and legacy

We see the beauty in both the everyday and profound history documented in the AFRO Archives. As stewards of this collection, we are dedicated to caring for this material and inspiring new lines of inquiry.

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AFRO Newsies
UNDATED

AFRO Newsies

2022

Coppin Academy student visits the AFRO Archives for Journalism & Multimedia Fellowship

Coppin Academy student visits the AFRO Archives
Annual Mrs. Santa Toy Giveaway
UNDATED

Annual Mrs. Santa Toy Giveaway

Folders inside the AFRO archives
2022

Folders inside the AFRO Archives

We manage and activate the Afro Archives

The AFRO American Newspapers have been chronicling world history through a Black lens since their founding in 1892. We are a dedicated partner to the AFRO, and work every day to maintain their archives and to create unique programming inspired by the collection.

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Processing Fellows Bilphena Yahwon and Jasmine Clarke look at political cartoons created by artist Thomas Stocket
2024

Processing Fellows Bilphena Yahwon and Jasmine Clarke look at political cartoons created by artist Thomas Stockett

2022

Executive Director Savannah Wood inside the AFRO Archives

Executive Director Savannah Wood inside the AFRO Archives
Curator of Archives Deyane Moses inspects a bound volume in the AFRO Archives
2024

Curator of Archives Deyane Moses inspects a bound volume in the AFRO Archives

Clean Block participants hold the honor flag
1969

Clean Block participants hold the honor flag

We are known for our legacy programs

Our two legacy programs are: AFRO Clean Block, the oldest environmental program of its kind in the U.S.; and Mrs. Santa, an annual holiday gift drive for Baltimore families. 

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AFRO Clean Block

EST.
1934

Mrs. Santa

EST.
1956

Artist Commissions

EST.
2019

Conversation Series

EST.
2020

Youth Programming

EST.
2022

Archival Fellowships

EST.
2022

Pop-ups and Training

EST.
2023
Sharayna Christmas, founder of Muse 360 and New Generation Scholars, at the opening reception of "Take + Maintain" at the Black Artist Research Space,
2023

Sharayna Christmas, founder of Muse 360 and New Generation Scholars, at the opening reception of "Take + Maintain" at the Black Artist Research Space

UPCOMING EVENTS

We also produce artistic and educational programs and events inspired by the AFRO American Newspapers’ archives on an ongoing basis.

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Historic Upton Mansion, Courtesy of the Library of Congress/HABS
 1936

Historic Upton Mansion, Courtesy of the Library of Congress/HABS

We are making The Upton Mansion Home to the Afro Archives

We're establishing a new cultural center in Old West Baltimore to house one of the largest Black press archives in the world and to
empower students, artists and curious citizens to engage in meaningful research.

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Interior of the Upton Mansion
2023

Interior of the Upton Mansion

2024

Rendering of the future home of Afro Charities, AFRO News, and the AFRO Archives by Ziger|Snead Architects

Rendering of the future home of Afro Charities, AFRO News, and the AFRO Archives by Ziger|Snead Architects
Site plan, courtesy of Ziger|Snead Architects
2024

Site plan, courtesy of Ziger|Snead Architects