By Nicole D. Batey, Special to the AFRO Civil rights leaders and organizations across the country are reflecting on the life of civil rights icon, singer and actor Harry Belafonte Jr. The 96-year old Belafonte died on April 25 morning of congestive heart failure. He is most remembered for using his talent and time in […]
Category: Arts & Culture
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Arts In Color: meet the woman behind D.C.’s Black inclusive art gallery
By Zsana Hoskins, Special to the AFRO Arts in Color is a Black-owned, international art gallery and art consulting company located in Washington, D.C. Owner Satarra Leona started the business with motivation from her strong love and appreciation for art and culture. Leona officially opened Arts in Color’s doors only two years ago. “At first […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Legacy of local legislators preserved through art
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Earlier this year Gov. Wes Moore made history by becoming the first Black man to be the governor of the state of Maryland. Moore is now a part of the rich, Black history in the state that is being preserved and told by local artists like Will Watson. Watson is […]
Posted inNational News
Harry Belafonte, activist and entertainer, dies at 96
By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Harry Belafonte, the civil rights and entertainment giant who began as a groundbreaking actor and singer and became an activist, humanitarian and conscience of the world, has died. He was 96. Belafonte died Tuesday of congestive heart failure at his New York home, his wife […]
Posted inMedia
New podcast highlights legacy of 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike and sacrifice of Martin Luther King Jr.
By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO The I AM campaign over sanitation workers’ conditions in Memphis, Tenn. –the spark that led to Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination in 1968–is dramatically spelled out in a podcast released this month by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees commemorating King’s final social justice campaign. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Reginald F. Lewis Museum hosts Gov. Wes Moore in speaker series
By Reuben Greene The Reginald F. Lewis Museum was teeming with service providers and supporters of Governor Wes Moore recently for a speaker series, hosted by United Way and sponsored by DLA Piper. The event, titled “In Their Own Words,” was an opportunity to hear directly from Moore about his vision for a new Maryland. […]
Posted inMusic
How jazz great Ahmad Jamal changed music and inspired a hip-hop generation
By A.R. Shaw, Executive Editor of Atlanta Daily World Ahmad Jamal passed at his home in Ashley Falls, MA at the age of 92. Born Frederick Russell Jones in Pittsburgh on July 2, 1930, Jamal began playing piano as a teenager and moved to Chicago following high school. He would eventually convert to Islam during […]
Posted inMusic
J. Cole and Drake deliver a star-studded night to remember at Dreamville Festival 2023
By Forward Times Staff J. Cole’s Dreamville festival aimed to reach new heights in its third year. Fans went crazy the moment the lineup was announced with Cole himself and Drake as co-headliners for the second night. Getting those two superstars in one place is a major feat in itself — the only thing harder […]
Posted inBooks
Michelle Miller releases new book, ‘Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Love and Loss’
By Reginald Williams, Special to the AFRO Michelle Miller recently discussed her journey to a stronger idea of self and the motivation behind her memoir, “Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Love and Loss.” Among friends, fans, Howard professors and classmates, Miller bore her soul at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Funktopia’s newest production ‘The Dark Tower’ honors Harlem Renaissance pioneer A’Lelia Walker
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Three words to describe Baltimore theater group “Funktopia” are intentional, unapologetic and charismatic! With a heavy focus on honoring those who have come before them, Funktopia is continuing to uphold this tradition with their latest production “The Dark Tower.” Based on A’Lelia Walker and the salons she held at her […]
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO announces star-studded Baltimore AFRO High Tea
By Ciara Franklin, Abel Communications, for the AFRO The AFRO will host the annual Baltimore AFRO High Tea on April 22, honoring “Maryland’s Leading Ladies.” This year’s event features Maryland’s most prominent women in leadership, including First Lady Dawn Moore, Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and Speaker of the House of Delegates, Adrienne […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Bowie State University’s Performing Arts Center theatre named for Dionne Warwick
By Deborah Bailey, Contributing Editor Bowie State University’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) now bears the name of internationally renowned singer, Dionne Warwick. In a ceremony this past week, the PAC theatre was formally renamed the Dionne Warwick Performing Arts Theatre. Hundreds gathered in attendance to celebrate with Warwick and the campus, including Gospel Singer, BeBe […]