CeCe Winans celebrated the 30th anniversary of her solo debut album with a soulful NPR Tiny Desk performance, which has now amassed over 881,000 views on YouTube.
Category: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Posted inBaltimore News
Pilot of ‘3 Blind Mice’ shines spotlight on Baltimore while exploring Black identity
Inspired by the spirit of 90s classics, “3 Blind Mice” follows a young Black woman’s search for identity and belonging after transferring to a historically Black college in Baltimore. The pilot, filmed entirely in the city, weaves themes of culture, community and self-discovery while showcasing Baltimore as a character in its own right.
Posted inCommentary
ASALH leads resistance to attacks on Smithsonian and U.S. history
ASALH is standing in opposition to the President’s directive to review archival materials and remove any exhibit or artifact that does not align with his definition of American exceptionalism, and is calling for daily acts of resistance to preserve and protect Black history.
Posted inArts & Culture
From craft to calling: How Nate Couser turns Black stories into wearable art
Artist and entrepreneur Nate Couser, founder of VashtiBlue Jewelry and The Artist Exchange, uses fashion, jewelry, and teaching to honor and preserve Black culture through creative expression. Through deeply personal and spiritual artwork, Couser creates wearable pieces that tell stories and celebrate individuality, while advocating for the proper teaching and representation of Black art history.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Kid ‘n Play to be inducted into the National Hip-Hop Museum’s Hall of Fame
By Mekhi AbbottSpecial to the AFROmabbott@afro.com The National Hip-Hop Museum will conclude the summer by inducting a new class of Hall of Fame honorees, which include Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin of Kid ‘n Play, at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre on Aug. 23. The induction ceremony will be followed by a concert headlined by Kid […]
Posted inDMV News
5 Washingtonians spotlight beloved Black-owned businesses
By Nyame-Kye KondoSpecial to the AFRO The AFRO had the pleasure of catching up with some Washingtonians as they went about their daily lives. We asked five individuals to name their favorite Black-owned businesses in the area and their answers reflected both the shared culture and varied interests of the African-American community. Dezhane Moore – […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Ciara is among the first descendants of enslaved people granted citizenship by Benin
Grammy-winning artist Ciara was granted citizenship in Benin on July 26 under a groundbreaking new law offering citizenship to descendants of enslaved Africans. The move is part of Benin’s wider effort to confront its role in the transatlantic slave trade and invite Afro-descendants to reconnect with their ancestral roots through cultural heritage and “memorial tourism.”
Posted inTV and Film
Not just Big Bird: Things to know about the Center for Public Broadcasting and its funding cuts
By Audrey McAvoyThe Associated Press The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which helps pay for PBS, NPR, 1,500 local radio and television stations as well as programs like “Sesame Street” and “Finding Your Roots,” said Aug. 1 that it would close after the U.S. government withdrew funding. The organization told employees that most staff positions will […]
Posted inDMV News
UniverSoul Circus brings culture, creativity and high-flying thrills to the D.C. area
The UniverSoul Circus, currently performing at National Harbor until Aug. 10 before heading to Baltimore, offers a high-energy, multicultural experience filled with breathtaking acts and audience participation. More than just entertainment, the show celebrates Black culture and creativity, honoring its legacy and impact on generations of families.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Rare Essence, D.C.’s legendary go-go band, proves they still have the magic touch
Go-go elite Rare Essence, continues to draw audiences to its live performances of Washington, D.C.’s homegrown sound delivered in the band’s signature style.
Credit: AFRO Photo/ J. Pamela Stills
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Nas makes history with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performance
Hip-hop legend Nas makes history at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall by performing his iconic album “Illmatic” alongside the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, marking the first time an internationally renowned rapper has collaborated with the BSO in its 109-year history.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Paris unveils mural of Josephine Baker to honor her legacy
A new mural honoring Josephine Baker has been unveiled in northeast Paris, celebrating the legendary entertainer’s legacy as a performer, World War II spy, and civil rights activist. Painted by artist FKDL, the mural is part of a street art festival and serves as a tribute to Baker’s enduring spirit of freedom, resistance, and cultural impact, fifty years after her death.