By North Carolina Museum of History Foundation While the North Carolina Museum of History’s physical building remains closed for renovation, the museum’s mission continues through partnerships, public programs and storytelling that share North Carolina’s history far beyond its walls. The museum has announced that a piece from its collection will be featured in “Superfine: Tailoring […]
Category: Arts & Culture
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial to delve into the seediest side of rap’s ‘bad boy’
Sean “Diddy” Combs faces a federal trial beginning May 5 on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, with prosecutors alleging he used his fame and businesses to abuse women over decades, while his defense argues the encounters were consensual.
BOPA announces winners of the 20th annual Baltimore Screenwriters Competition
By Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts The Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts (BOPA) proudly announced the winners of the 20th annual Baltimore Screenwriters Competition on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the SNF Parkway Theatre during the Maryland Film Festival’s “Maryland Film Day” weekend. This annual contest is a project of the […]
Inside the Met Gala: Under a petal-filled sky, guests honor Black style, hail a ‘monumental night’
By Jocelyn Noveck “Well, it took a minute,” said Spike Lee, surveying the glittering Met Gala crowd during cocktail hour through bright orange glasses that matched his New York Knicks cap. “But we’re here now, that’s the most important thing.” Lee was referring to the fact that for the very first time, the Met Gala […]
TSU Terry’s ‘Roll Call’ brings Baltimore club music to Fortnite’s global stage
Baltimore native and choreographer TSU Terry has brought his hometown’s signature sound to the global stage with his track “Roll Call” featured in Fortnite, a video game with over 650 million players. The milestone not only celebrates Terry’s musical journey, but also highlights Baltimore club music and Black cultural expression for a new generation of players around the world.
Reginald F. Lewis Museum celebrates 20 years of impact with gala on May 8 and special post gala event with Tamara Tunie on May 10
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum will celebrate its 20th anniversary on May 8 with a Black Tie Gala in Baltimore, honoring Black culture and community leaders, and featuring live performances, award presentations, and notable guests.
A look at dandyism, the Black fashion style powering the Met Gala
The Met Museum’s spring exhibit, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” spotlights Black dandyism—an expressive style rooted in resistance and self-definition—through centuries of tailored fashion, from 18th-century enslaved servants to Harlem Renaissance icons and modern figures like Janelle Monáe. Highlighting how Black communities used fashion as both protest and empowerment, the exhibit, which kicks off May 5 with the Met Gala, traces a vibrant lineage of sartorial defiance, elegance, and cultural pride.
Update: Smithsonian officials say the Greensboro lunch counter exhibit at the ‘Blacksonian’ will now remain at the museum
The Smithsonian confirmed that the Greensboro lunch counter exhibit, a pivotal Civil Rights Movement artifact, will remain on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, addressing concerns about the removal of Black resistance artifacts.
2025 Met Gala theme inspired by Black style
The 2025 Met Gala, set for May 5, celebrates Black designers and classic menswear with the theme “Tailored For You,” inspired by the Met’s new exhibit “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Co-chaired by stars like Pharrell Williams and A$AP Rocky, the exclusive fundraiser continues to blend high fashion, celebrity, and cultural history at one of the year’s most iconic events.
DC artist Reggie Gillumo creates art that the visually impaired can ‘see’
Reggie Gillumo, a D.C.-based visual artist and sculptor, has spent nearly 30 years perfecting his signature style—vibrant, touchable artworks designed to be experienced by both sighted and visually impaired audiences. Celebrated for his innovative technique and community impact, Gillumo recently opened his own gallery and continues to inspire through mentorship and his deeply personal, inclusive art.
Gospel Fest brings church to the Symphony Hall
In a time when divisions often feel louder than unity, Gospel Fest was a moment of communion—a reminder of the beauty that emerges when tradition, excellence, and faith share the same stage. The event, held at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore on April 3, featured the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Pastor Smokie Norful, and three of the nation’s most distinguished HBCU choirs, Bowie State University Choir, Howard Gospel Choir and Morgan State University Choir.
Obituary: Former judge George L. Russell Jr., founding chairman of Reginald F. Lewis Museum, dies at 96
George L. Russell Jr., a trailblazing jurist and civic leader who became the first African American to hold several key legal positions in Maryland, has died at the age of 96. As the founding chairman of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, he played a pivotal role in securing its funding and establishing it as a beacon of Black history and excellence.

