Bad Bunny made history at the 68th Grammy Awards, winning album of the year for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” the first all-Spanish-language project to earn the top prize, while Kendrick Lamar and SZA captured record of the year for “luther.” Lamar also became the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history with 26 wins, and British singer Olivia Dean was named best new artist as the ceremony highlighted both musical achievement and social commentary.
Category: Arts & Culture
Posted inMusic
Pharrell calls for empathy from US leaders after being honored at Black Music Collective event
Pharrell Williams was honored with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective event on Jan. 29, 2026, where he called on U.S. leaders to show empathy, grace, and mercy. The evening also celebrated Brandy and Kirk Franklin, featured performances by Justin Timberlake, Tyler, the Creator, John Legend, and Coco Jones, and included a special tribute to Eve for her contributions to The Roots’ hit “You Got Me.”
Posted inArts & Culture
Baltimore August Wilson Celebration continues with ‘Fences’
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Chesapeake Shakespeare Company will produce August Wilson’s “Fences” as part of the citywide Baltimore August Wilson Celebration. The production is the sixth of 10 plays in Wilson’s American Century Cycle, being staged as part of the celebration, and will run Feb. 6–March 1. Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, “Fences” centers on […]
Posted inNEWS
10 films selected for inaugural HBCU Week NOW Film Festival
Ten award-winning short films by students and recent graduates of historically Black colleges and universities will premiere Jan. 27 as part of the inaugural HBCU Week NOW Student Film Festival. The selected films, representing multiple genres and institutions, will stream on the HBCU Week NOW YouTube channel, with each winning project receiving a $5,000 award.
Posted inArts & Culture
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre returns to D.C. with new artistic director and dancers
The Alvin Alley American Dance Theater has launched its 20-city U.S. tour with Washington, D.C. as its first stop, featuring 11 provocative performances and led by Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack.
Posted inBooks
Enoch Pratt to highlight work of Angela Flournoy at 38th Annual Booklover’s Breakfast
Enoch Pratt Free Library will host its sold-out 38th Annual Booklovers’ Breakfast featuring award-winning novelist Angela Flournoy on Feb. 7 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Morgan State University choir honor MLK Day with community concert
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a powerful community concert at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Featuring the Morgan State University Choir, the program celebrated the civil rights leader and his legacy through music by Black composers.
Posted inArts & Culture
National Museum of African American History and Culture opens exhibition featuring collections from five HBCUs
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture opened a new exhibition, “At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs,” celebrating the cultural, intellectual and artistic legacy preserved by historically Black colleges and universities. Featuring collections from five HBCUs, the exhibition highlights rare artifacts, artwork and archival materials before embarking on a national tour through 2029.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
John Forté, creative force behind ‘The Score’ and voice of redemption, dies at 50
John Forté, the Grammy-nominated Brooklyn-born artist and producer who helped shape the Fugees’ landmark album “The Score,” died Jan. 12 at age 50. After rebuilding his life following a federal prison sentence that was later commuted, Forté became a voice of redemption through music, film and public speaking centered on accountability and renewal.
Posted inObituaries
Richard Smallwood, gospel icon, to be honored at Jan. 24 celebration of life
The celebration of life for legendary gospel artist Richard Smallwood will take place Jan. 24 at First Baptist Church of Glenarden International in Upper Marlboro, Md. Smallwood, 77, died of complications from kidney failure on Dec. 30, 2025.
Posted inTV and Film
‘Sinners’ wins two Golden Globes; loses out on Best Motion Picture
By Itoro N. Umontuen “One Battle After Another” emerged as a major winner, taking home the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical. The film continued its strong showing by earning three additional honors, including Best Supporting Actress for Teyana Taylor, along with Best Director and Best Screenplay awarded to Paul Thomas […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Meet India Bradley, New York City Ballet’s first Black female soloist
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.