India Bradley made history in October with her promotion to soloist at New York City Ballet, becoming the first Black ballerina to hold the rank in the company’s 76-year history. Celebrated for her elegance, musicality and standout performances — including her acclaimed turn as Dewdrop in “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” — Bradley’s achievement reflects both her personal journey and the legacy of Black dancers who paved the way in a ballet world that long resisted inclusion.
Category: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Posted inDMV News
D.C.’s ‘Black Broadway’ comes alive as fans celebrate 50 years of go-go music
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO The old magic of “Chocolate City” returned on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. The theatre, located in the U Street corridor known as “Black Broadway,” is where legendary entertainers musicians like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong once showcased their musical prowess […]
Posted inWord In Black
Richard Smallwood: ‘I’m looking forward to singing with you in heaven’
The death of Richard Smallwood, the legendary gospel composer and musician whose work reshaped Black church worship, on Dec. 30 at age 77, has prompted tributes across congregations and the music world. Best known for “Total Praise” and other modern hymns, Smallwood blended classical training with gospel tradition, leaving a lasting spiritual and musical legacy that continues to resonate across denominations and generations.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Winners announced for the 17th Annual AAFCA Awards presented by the African American Film Critics Association
The African American Film Critics Association announced the winners of its 17th Annual AAFCA Awards, with “Sinners” emerging as the top honoree, earning multiple awards, including Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan and Best Director and Writing for Ryan Coogler. The winners, selected by more than 100 AAFCA members, will be celebrated Feb. 8 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, honoring films and artists whose work reflects bold storytelling and cultural impact.
Posted inDMV News
Go-go, D.C.’s signature sound, to celebrate 50 years
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO The Go-Go Museum and Café will celebrate 50 years of go-go music at the 2026 Go-Go Awards, on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The awards will be hosted at the Lincoln Theatre in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood, historically known as the city’s ”Black Broadway.” This year’s theme, “Returning to Our Roots and Embracing the Diaspora,” promises to […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Black culture didn’t just show up in 2025—it shaped the year
The past 12 months have been a beautiful display on Black excellence when it comes to music, fashion, the big screen and more. Take a look at some of the top moments in this year’s arts and culture timeline.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Recording Academy® Honors presented by the Black Music Collective returns, celebrating Grammy® Award-winning icons Pharrell Williams, Brandy and Kirk Franklin
The Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective will host the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors on Jan. 29, 2026, during GRAMMY® Week, celebrating the enduring impact of Pharrell Williams, Brandy and Kirk Franklin. The event will recognize their genre-defying artistry, cultural influence and commitment to advancing Black excellence in music and beyond.
Posted inMusic
Darlene Love reflects on her enduring holiday classic, ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’
By Hillel Italie Darlene Love will never stop thinking of her holiday classic, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” At this time of year, she couldn’t if she tried. “The post office, grocery store, elevator,” she says with a laugh, listing a few locations where she keeps hearing the song. “It just feels funny that my […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
How many of these Black movies have you seen?
The article highlights the importance of Black representation in movies and how Black-led films have evolved over time. It features a decade-by-decade list of must-watch Black movies that celebrate Black stories, culture and history.
Posted inBlack History
Jordan Peele’s ‘High Horse: The Black Cowboy’ doc sheds light on an erased part of history
Jordan Peele’s docuseries “High Horse: The Black Cowboy” explores the often-erased history of Black cowboys, revealing their central role in shaping the American West and challenging long-held pop culture myths. Through archival footage and contemporary voices, the series reframes cowboy culture as a shared American story rather than a narrowly defined tradition.
Posted inArts & Culture
From the streets to the stage: ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ channels Alicia Keys’ roots into a Broadway triumph
Inspired by Alicia Keys’ life and music, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning “Hell’s Kitchen” follows 17-year-old Ali’s coming-of-age journey through family, first love and finding her voice, anchored by powerful performances and reimagined songs. Led by Jade Milan and featuring rotating turns by Ne-Yo, Tank and Christopher Jackson as Ali’s father, the musical blends raw storytelling with electrifying choreography and soul-stirring vocals.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Is Black America reckoning with the end of hip-hop’s ‘Diddy Era’?
Despite Sean Combs’ long status as a controversial public figure, the Netflix documentary “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” has struck a nerve across Black America, dominating conversations about power, violence, and abuse in hip-hop. The series is prompting broader soul-searching about the culture that enabled Combs’ rise and the limits of accountability in the music industry.