“Roots” remains a landmark work that centers Black history as essential to understanding America, but its recent temporary ban in a Tennessee school district reflects ongoing efforts to restrict discussions of slavery and race. The article argues that preserving and sharing Black stories is vital to confronting history honestly and fostering unity.
Category: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Documentary Film Festival returns to D.C. with lineup of untold Black stories
The fourth annual DC/DOX Film Festival brought dozens of documentaries to Washington, D.C., highlighting untold Black stories, historical struggles and cultural achievements. From the children of Black Panther Party leaders reflecting on their upbringing to Questlove’s exploration of Earth, Wind & Fire’s enduring legacy, the festival used film to spark dialogue, deepen understanding and celebrate resilience.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Sonny Rollins, saxophonist and restless genius of jazz, dead at 95
Sonny Rollins, the tenor saxophonist and restless genius whose bold, distinctive tone and constant experimentation kept him on the cutting edge of jazz for more than 50 years, died May 25 at age 95. Spokesperson Terri Hinte told The Associated Press that Rollins died at his home in Woodstock, N.Y. She cited no specific cause […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Druski tapped to host BET Awards, becoming youngest emcee in show’s 25-year history
By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Drew “Druski” Desbordes will host the 2026 BET Awards, becoming the youngest emcee in the show’s history. BET announced April 30 that the 31-year-old comedian and digital creator will lead the ceremony, which airs live June 28 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Druski surpasses Kevin Hart, who previously held […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Met gala guests deliver works of art on the human form
By Beatrice Dupuy Whether dressed in a jewel-encrusted skeletal form, sculpted breast plates or anatomy-evoking trompe l’oeil, Met Gala guests physically evoked the theme “fashion is art” May 4 evening as they masterfully pulled from a kaleidoscope of references to embody living works of art. “Everyone who attended the Met Gala this year really leaned […]
Posted inHBCU
‘Carmen’ production at Xavier challenges opera’s exclusive past
Students and faculty at Xavier University of Louisiana are using their production of “Carmen” to challenge long-held perceptions of opera as exclusive and inaccessible. Rooted in the university’s history and legacy, the performance highlights the role HBCUs play in expanding access to the art form while shaping its future.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
‘Michael’ moonwalks to $97 million opening, shattering record for music biopics
“Michael” soared to a record-breaking $97 million opening weekend in North America and $217.4 million globally, becoming the biggest debut ever for a music biopic despite mixed reviews and production setbacks. Starring Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson, the film overcame controversy and costly reshoots to draw strong audience enthusiasm, with sequels already under consideration.
Posted inArts & Culture
SNF Parkway Theatre selects Wordsmith for its inaugural residency program
With renovations complete, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Parkway Theatre is launching an artist residency program to support local creatives, including Wordsmith, who will present original works blending youth theater, music and storytelling. His productions, including “Uncle Bey’s Will” and “Network to Freedom,” center Black storytelling, history and community, while aiming to uplift Baltimore’s young and emerging artists.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
District leaders, residents and visitors celebrate Emancipation Day
By Patricia McDougallSpecial to the AFRO More than 100 years ago, on April 16, 1862, the Compensated Emancipation Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. On that day, slaves in the District of Columbia gained their freedom. More than a century later, the residents of D.C. gather on an annual basis to honor and celebrate […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Meet Chinai Routté, the Baltimore‑born performer and educator turned Everyman Theatre resident actor
Baltimore native Chinai Routté, now a member of Everyman Theatre’s Resident Company, brings both passion and purpose to the stage as Cassandra in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” while also using her work as an educator to empower young people through the arts. The play is running through April 19.
Posted inMusic
Trick Daddy performance halted at AKA Regional Conference
By AFRO Staff “You can’t give me no playlist … this ain’t your wedding.” That was the response from Trick Daddy in a video posted to social media and later reported by BIN News, after his performance was halted at a gathering of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The Miami rapper had been booked to […]
Posted inTV and Film
Back from the brink: ‘Afropop’ season 18 to premiere in June
The season features Listen to Me, Kanika Harris and Stephanie Etienne’s urgent documentary on the Black maternal and infant mortality crisis, and This World Is Not My Own, Opendox’s visually striking film using animation about celebrated folk artist Nellie Mae Rowe, who turned her home and yard in Vinings, Georgia, into the fantastical creative world she called the Playhouse. Emmy Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba and Broadway veteran Amy Warren bring Rowe and her friend, gallery owner and arts patron Judith Alexander, to life through voice and movement. A third title, to be announced later this year, will premiere in November.
