AFRO News, Washington Informer to honor D.C.-area HBCUs
The AFRO will host its annual Washington D.C. Tea on Sept. 12 at the National Press Club in collaboration with the Washington Informer, celebrating the impact and legacy of D.C. HBCUs such as Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia. Publishers Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper of the AFRO, and Denise Rolark Barnes said the event will highlight Black excellence, community connection and the importance of collaboration between legacy Black newspapers. The post AFRO News, Washington Informer to honor D.C.-area HBCUs appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
Black News 
By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
The AFRO will host its annual Washington D.C. Tea at the National Press Club on Sept. 12, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s tea will be hosted in collaboration with The Washington Informer and will honor historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the D.C. area.
According to Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, CEO and publisher of the AFRO, this is the first time the publication is honoring the HBCUs of D.C. in this manner.
“Institutions like Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia have long been central to the life of this city, the region, and the nation—educating generations and shaping leadership across many fields,” she said.
Although the Baltimore Tea is a longstanding tradition for the AFRO, the fourth D.C. Tea has “developed its own rhythm,” said Draper. This year, the event will expand through collaboration with The Washington Informer.
Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher at The Washington Informer, reflected on what this partnership means for the community of D.C.
“We both are legacy newspapers in Washington, and it’s good to set an example of how companies need to work together,” said Rolark Barnes. “In this day, when the media is under attack and sustainability is a lot more difficult for all of us, we each want to see the other survive. This is an example of how we can work together for the benefit, not only of our individual companies, but also of our readers and the community.”
Both papers are long standing legacy news outlets in the community. The AFRO has been serving the community for 133 years, and the Washington Informer has done the same for 61.
Each publisher discussed that the atmosphere is warm and inviting, allowing people to reconnect with each other and support local vendors.
“The Tea reflects both style and substance,” said Draper. “There’s a sense of elegance, certainly, but also a genuine opportunity to connect, a spotlight on Black excellence, and a space where people from across sectors and generations come together—leaders, professionals, creatives, and community builders—each bringing something meaningful to the room.”
To purchase a ticket to the D.C. Tea, please click here.
The post AFRO News, Washington Informer to honor D.C.-area HBCUs appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
