WRITTEN BY: Chiara Sottile Dr. Desi Small-Rodriguez calls her traveling data science lab her “Data War Pony.” It’s a huge trailer—a classroom on wheels equipped with computers and software, wrapped with ledger art by Dakota artist Holly Young. Small-Rodriguez, researcher, data advocate, and professor, rolls up to tribal communities in the lab (by invitation) to […]
Category: Arts & Culture
Posted inArts & Culture
Jenenne Whitfield speaks on departure from American Visionary Art Museum
By Helen Bezuneh Special to the AFRO It’s been almost two months and Jenenne Whitfield is still not sure what motivated her former employer, the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) to remove her as its director. A press release from the museum’s Board of Directors did not specify why they decided to part ways with […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Black artists strongly represented at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony
By Mark Kennedy, AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Sheryl Crow and Olivia Rodrigo kicked off the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Nov. 3 and Missy Elliott closed the show more than four hours later with a roof-shaking set, as the hall celebrated a strong representation of women and Black […]
Posted inMusic
An intimate conversation with Tamika Scott: Reflecting on 30 years in the music business and beyond
By Ericka Alston BuckSpecial to the AFRO In the world of rhythm and blues, few groups have made as enduring an impact as Xscape. Known for their powerful vocals and unforgettable songs, like “Just Kickin it” and “Who Can I Run To?,” the group has been a cornerstone of the genre. One of the original […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘BMHA Road to 40: Art of Unveiling’ – a night of celebrating mental health and art
By Reuben Greene, Special to the AFRO On the evening of Oct. 18, a captivating event unfolded at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Museum on Thames Street, Baltimore. The occasion was “BMHA Road to 40: Art of Unveiling with Larry ‘Poncho’ Brown,” a fundraiser commemorating the remarkable 40-year journey of the Baltimore Mental Health Alliance (BMHA). […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Black community responds to the death of Richard Roundtree, cultural icon and hero
By Ericka Alston Buck, Special to the AFRO News of film and stage icon Richard Roundtree’s death sent a ripple of grief around the world as fans and loved ones learned the news, triggering a profound sense of loss. Roundtree’s monumental influence extended far beyond the geographical boundaries of New Rochelle, N.Y., where he was […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Hana Sharif steps into spotlight as first Black artistic director of Arena Stage
By Adriana Navarro, Special to the AFRO Hana Sharif builds worlds for a living. With the eye of a museum curator, she carefully selects the stories that will play out within them and the truths they will display. She practiced crafting narratives for five years at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis (The Rep) as […]
Posted inBooks
Serena Williams has a 2-book deal, starting with an ‘intimate’ and ‘open-hearted’ memoir
By Hillel ItalieAP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Now that she’s stepped back from the sport she dominated like few others, Serena Williams is ready to reflect. The tennis great has a two-book deal with the Random House Publishing Group, starting with an “intimate” memoir in which she will open up about everything from […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Baltimore’s tourism institutions reveal plans for the future
By Megan SaylesAFRO Business Writermsayles@afro.com On Oct. 16, four leaders of Baltimore’s creative and cultural institutions gathered to share future plans for driving tourism and engaging city residents. The discussion took place during the Greater Baltimore Committee’s (GBC) transportation and economic opportunity summit and included executives from the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, National Aquarium, Maryland […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Center Stage hosts inaugural Locally Grown Festival
By Shaela Foster, Special to the AFRO Baltimore Center Stage (BCS) kicks off the first ever Locally Grown Festival this weekend, Oct. 21 to Oct. 22, highlighting over 150 local creatives. The festival is taking place at Baltimore Center Stage at 700 N Calvert St. as a way to bring together local artists, performers and […]
Posted inMusic
Ohio Players drummer James “Diamond” Williams advocates for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire For over six decades, the Ohio Players, first introduced as the Ohio Untouchables, have been a powerhouse in the world of music, dazzling fans with iconic hits like “Love Rollercoaster,” “Fire,” and “Funky Worm” while performing to sold-out audiences across the nation. After years of dedicated contributions to the […]
Posted inMusic
Top five Afrobeats, American music collabos you should listen to today
By Amaka Watson, Defender Network Afrobeats, the genre that originated in West Africa, has rapidly taken the world by storm. With its infectious rhythms and dance-inducing melodies, Afrobeats has managed to bridge cultural gaps and bring artists from different parts of the globe together. These top five Afrobeats collaborations with U.S. based artists showcase the […]