On June 4, members and leaders of about 20 community associations and organizations gathered at the headquarters of the Afro-American Newspapers to announce the reboot of the AFRO Clean Block Campaign in conjunction with the AFRO and the Department of Public Works (DPW).
Jake Oliver CEO and publisher of the AFRO said “We are excited. We have been conducting this program for over 70 years, can you believe that? And over the years we’ve seen Baltimore go through a lot of changes.” He continued, “We intend to make this program one of the biggest and most successful Clean Block campaigns in the AFRO and Baltimore City’s history. The only way we can do that is by the support of you all and many more like you all.”
Community leaders gather at The AFRO to plan and organize the “Clean/Green Block” campaign. (Photo by James Bentley)
The AFRO Clean Block program began in 1934, as a way to beautify Baltimore and ran for several decades. Frances L. Murphy I, daughter of the founder of the AFRO, John H. Murphy Sr., created and ran the project.
This year’s Clean/Green Block program will run from June4 to Aug. 20, when the organizations will meet in Druid Hill Park for a culminating program. The theme for this year’s program is “AFRO Clean/Green Block Campaign – Our Community – Our Responsibility.”
http://www.afro.com/afros-cleangreen-block-comes-back-with-a-blast/