By Deborah Bailey, Contributing Editor The East Coast debut of playwright Cheryl West’s “Shout Sister Shout!: The Untold Story of Rock and Roll Trailblazer Rosetta Tharpe, is the poignant and jubilant theatrical journey of a Black woman emerging from the deep, Jim Crow South of the early and mid-20th century to a world-wide stage– all the while […]
Category: Arts & Culture
Posted inWashington D.C. News
“Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures” exhibit opens March 24
By Michelle Richardson, Special to the AFRO Have you ever wanted to see George Clinton’s wig up close or experience the power of the Black Panther suit worn by Chadwick Boseman? The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s newest exhibit makes that possible with “Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures,” opening March 24. […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Gladys Knight among 22 honored by Biden
By The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden welcomed a high-wattage collection of singers, authors, artists and humanitarians to the White House on Tuesday to present them with medals — and then stole the show himself with a quip about seeking reelection. Bruce Springsteen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mindy Kaling and Gladys Knight were among […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Well Read Sistas: meet the woman promoting Black women authors and Black stories year-round
By Nadira Jamerson, Word in Black It’s been 73 years since Zora Neale Hurston’s essay “What White Publishers Won’t Print,” ran in the Negro Digest. As Hurston explained back in 1950, even though publishing houses “are in business to make money,” they don’t publish “romantic stories” about Black people “because they feel that they know […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
International Criminal Court issues warrant for Putin
By DaQuan Lawrence, Special to the AFRO The International Criminal Court (ICC) said March 17 that it has issued arrest warrants for Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova for their alleged involvement in the abductions of children from Ukraine. “is allegedly responsible for the war crime […]
Posted inTV and Film
Lance Reddick, ‘The Wire’ and ‘John Wick’ star, dies at 60
By MARK KENNEDY, AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Lance Reddick, a character actor who specialized in intense, icy and possibly sinister authority figures on TV and film, including “The Wire,” “Fringe” and the “John Wick” franchise, has died. He was 60. Reddick died “suddenly” Friday morning, his publicist Mia Hansen said in a […]
Posted inNational News
Choosing uncommon careers continues to keep Black women on top
By Sherri Kolade, The Michigan Chronicle The fields of tech, law, construction and that of certain business sectors are in dire need of Black women who naturally always up the ante wherever they go. However, there is still a lot to be desired. Between Black women leaving the workforce in high numbers (according to a […]
Posted inNews
About time: Toni Morrison honored with new stamp
By Aswad Walker, The Houston Defender Nobel laureate and former Texas Southern University faculty member Toni Morrison was recently “forever immortalized” on a stamp honoring her prolific career as an uncompromising, “for the culture” writer, editor, scholar and mentor. The new stamp was unveiled this month in a tribute at Princeton University, where Morrison taught […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Anson Asaka: celebrating Black women
By Reuben Greene, Special to the AFRO In honor of Women’s History Month, painter Anson Asaka recently debuted his latest exhibition, “The Black Queen In All Of Her Splendor and Glory,” with an opening reception at Katsea Gallery on West Pennsylvania Avenue in Towson, Md. The exhibit features a stunning collection of portraits that highlight […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Personality Pups teaches children how to develop and embrace their own personality
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com When Darius Bridges was 12 years old, his art teacher assigned an origami project to his class. A friend taught the Maryland native how to make an origami puppy, and after turning it in, he aced the assignment. Since he enjoyed the project so much, Bridges continued making […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA draws crowd to Baltimore Soundstage
By Reuben Greene, Special to the AFRO GZA, co-founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, proved why he is deserving of the title “rap legend” with a recent performance at the Baltimore Soundstage. The venue was packed with fans who came from far and wide to witness an incredible performance. GZA’s entrance triggered a thunderous roar […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Popular music festival to return to nation’s capital this summer
By Michelle Richardson, Special to the AFRO It’s almost festival season and that means the number one music festival in the nation’s capital is returning. Last week, Broccoli City Festival (BCF) dates and lineups were announced and like the young kids say, “it’s lit!” Broccoli City Festival is a “Black-owned social enterprise that focuses on […]