By AFRO Staff Carter Roberson made his debut as a guest conductor with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 23. The nine- year-old led the group of talented musicians in a selection of “Sleigh Ride” as part of the organization’s Holiday Spectacular. “I felt swell,” said Roberson. “I felt really good up there because I […]
Category: Arts & Culture
Posted in!Front Page National News
Revelers set to pack into Times Square for annual New Year’s Eve ball drop
The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The confetti has been tested for airiness. The giant numerals – 2 0 2 4 – are in place. And the luminous ball, bedazzled in 2,688 crystal triangles, is fixed to the pole from which it makes its 60-second descent at 11:59 p.m. With throngs of revelers set […]
Posted inHBCU
Ariyana Abroad: Day six on the safari
By Ariyana GriffinSpecial to the AFRO Our group woke up to the peaceful sounds of nature and began walking down a hill from our hotel to sign up for a daytime safari ride. After experiencing the night safari, we were excited to see the trails during the day and hoped to see more wildlife. Less […]
Posted inWomen's Rights
Taraji P. Henson’s candid revelation sparks industry support for equal pay
By Stacy M. BrownNNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent (NNPA NEWSWIRE) — In a recent SiriusXM interview with Gayle King, iconic actress Taraji P. Henson bravely addressed the pervasive issue of pay inequality in Hollywood, triggering an outpouring of solidarity from her peers. The 53-year-old star, celebrated for her roles in “Empire,” “Hidden Figures” and “The […]
Posted inHBCU
Ariyana Abroad: On the way to Tamale!
By Ariyana Griffin Day five started early and there was no room for errors or mistakes when it came to oversleeping or missing the bus. We were prompted to be outside at 3 a.m. – sharp – so we could prepare for our early morning flight to Tamale, the capital city of the northern region […]
Posted inNational News
Emmy-winning actor Andre Braugher dies at 61
By Stacy M. BrownNNPA Newswire Renowned actor Andre Braugher, celebrated for his compelling performances in iconic television series such as “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Homicide: Life on the Street,” has died at 61 after a brief illness. His publicist, Jennifer Allen, first confirmed the news to Variety. A two-time Emmy winner, Braugher gained widespread acclaim for […]
Posted inReligion
Black women in ministry recognized as ‘Unsung She-roes’
By Ashleigh FieldsAFRO Assistant Editorafields@afro.com Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, recently celebrated 24 women of excellence in the religious field with the UnSung She-Roes Awards. Among the list of awardees was AFRO Special Projects Editor Rev. Dorothy Boulware, beloved former managing editor of the publication. Journalist Adelle Banks, […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Black artistry highlighted at 46th Kennedy Center Honors ceremony
By Ashleigh FieldsAFRO Assistant Editorafields@afro.com Among a class of five esteemed performers, New Jersey natives Queen Latifah and Dionne Warwick were honored by the Kennedy Center for lifetime achievement in the arts. The 46th class of inductees also included Renée Fleming, Barry Gibb and Billy Crystal, each eminent influencers of American culture in their own […]
Posted inEvents
Black Mental Health Alliance marks 40 years with Dr. Maxie T. Collier Awards Ceremony and Anniversary Gala
By Aria Brent AFRO Staffabrent@afro.com On Dec.1 Black Mental Health Alliance (BMHA) welcomed members of the Baltimore community to the World Trade Center for the Dr. Maxie Collier Awards Ceremony and 40th Anniversary Gala. Mental health coach, Jay Barnett, Ph.D was the keynote speaker and this year’s theme for the event was “honoring our past, […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ArtsCentric opens Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ at Baltimore Center Stage
By Ericka Alston Buck, Special to the AFRO ArtsCentric, an African-American performing arts company dedicated to reexamining traditional roles in the arts, is currently showing a captivating rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” at Baltimore Center Stage (BCS). Opening night took place on Dec. 1. The production is a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Lenny Kravitz sets the record straight on Black awards controversy
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent (NNPA NEWSWIRE) – Iconic rock star Lenny Kravitz has clarified his comments regarding his absence from Black awards programs, emphasizing that his concerns were not directed at Black-owned media companies. In response to the entertainer’s comments to Esquire, the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s “Let It Be […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘X: The Life and Times of Malcom X’ puts legacy of the fierce activist on Metropolitan Opera stage
By Ericka Alston Buck, Special to the AFRO In the realm of operatic innovation, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Anthony Davis stands as a trailblazer. His groundbreaking opera, “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X,” which initially premiered in 1986, has finally found its place on the illustrious stage of the Metropolitan Opera. This production lands […]