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 […]
Category: ENTERTAINMENT
Posted inBaltimore News
The AFRO’s Baltimore Tea returns with spotlight on women in the C-suite
The AFRO’s 2026 Baltimore Tea will be held April 25 at Martin’s West from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Each year the event serves as a time to celebrate the Black community and bring together the best of Baltimore. Shown here, 2025 attendees Jade Madden (left), Michelle Johnson and Dikesha Robinson.
Posted inBaltimore Events
NCBW 100 Baltimore Chapter hosts third annual Pearls with a Purpose event
The Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. hosted its third annual Pearls with a Purpose Deluxe Bull Roast Day Party on April 12 at Martin’s West, with a record 1,200 attendees. Members of Baltimore’s Divine Nine and representatives from Morgan State University’s School of Social Work were present in support of the organization’s mission.
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.
Posted inMaryland News
Dr. Carla Hayden and Dr. Kimberly Moffitt appointed to Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission
By Maryland Public Television Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has appointed Dr. Carla D. Hayden and Dr. Kimberly R. Moffitt to serve on the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) 11-member governing body. The Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission was created by statute in 1966 to establish and maintain a system of educational and cultural […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
The Apollo Theater and The Howard Theatre co-present ‘Best of The Apollo’ in Washington, D.C., with special performance by legendary hip-hop duo Clipse
Apollo Theater and Howard Theatre will co-present “Best of The Apollo” on April 26 in Washington, D.C., featuring performances by hip-hop duo Clipse and rising artists, while celebrating the legacy of “Amateur Night” and supporting the Howard Theatre Foundation.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
It’s music festival season. How to stay safe and healthy while enjoying the show
As music festival season kicks off, experts advise attendees to prioritize safety by planning ahead for risks like heat, dehydration, injuries and overexposure to noise, while staying aware of surroundings and personal limits.
Posted inArts & Culture
Devin Allen takes the helm for SCOUT, Baltimore’s affordable art fair
Baltimore photographer Devin Allen has been named curator of SCOUT 2026, the city’s affordable art fair held as part of Artscape. As curator, Allen will spotlight local and national artists while helping build stronger connections between creators and the community.”
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Hip-hop pioneer DJ Afrika Bambaataa dies at 68
Afrika Bambaataa, a pioneer of hip-hop, died of prostate cancer at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy of music and a controversial history of sexual abuse allegations.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Devin Allen takes the helm for SCOUT, Baltimore’s affordable art fair
Baltimore photographer Devin Allen has been named curator of SCOUT 2026, the city’s affordable art fair held as part of Artscape. As curator, Allen will spotlight local and national artists while helping build stronger connections between creators and the community.”
Posted inBaltimore News
Champions of change in Cherry Hill prepare for 80th anniversary gala
As Cherry Hill celebrates 80 years since its official founding, women like Tracey Garrett-Rogers, ZeeVelle Nottingham-Lemon and Malika Brown are leading the community’s growth, preserving its history, advocating for residents and creating opportunities to ensure a stronger future for generations to come.