by Ezinne Ezepue, University of Nigeria via New Pittsburgh Courier Nollywood – the Nigerian movie industry – was described as a small screen cinema involving amateurs who produced low budget trashy videos with predictable storylines. But in the intervening decade it’s been transformed into a multi-million dollar industry with rising international interest. For my PhD I interrogated this transformation as […]
Category: Arts & Culture
Posted inArts & Culture
General Assembly passes legislation to increase funding for Commission on African American History and Culture
By Kara Thompson, AFRO MDDC Intern History was made recently when the Maryland General Assembly passed two bills that will delegate or increase funding to the Commission on African American History and Culture and the African American Heritage Preservation Grant Fund. “As the Chair of this historic commission, I am truly honored to be at […]
Posted inWord In Black
#WordinBlack: Coppin Academy students display creative
By Kara Thompson, AFRO MDDC Intern In a special partnership with AFRO Charities and Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center, students of Coppin Academy have been exploring the rich history of Black Baltimore and the influence of African Americans on multiple genres of art. The program recently closed out their semester with the Student Fellowship Showcase, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
“Walls of Respect”: Famed African-American artists featured in a new documentary premiering at Georgetown’s City Tavern Club
By H.R. Harris, Special to the AFRO In Georgetown, nestled amidst million-dollar homes and storefront boutiques, African-American artist Norman Parish Jr. spent the last chapter of his life creating a space to display works from all walks of life. Parish created the Parish Gallery after years of art and activism in Chicago where his life […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Revival of ‘for colored girls…’ saved from chopping block, extends run on Broadway
By Special to the AFRO Following an earlier announcement that the show must close the critically acclaimed and reimagined revival of Ntozake Shange’s groundbreaking “for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf,” will now play an additional two weeks. The revival of the cult classic will run through June 5 at […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Joseph Bologne de Saint Georges, the Black Mozart
By Tamara Shiloh, Black Press USA Black classical music artists have been performing publicly for more than 500 years. England’s King Henry VII and King Henry VIII were entertained by trumpeter John Blanke, a Black court musician. According to researcher Earl Ofari Hutchinson, “the list of Africans, African-Americans and Afro European composers, conductors, instrumental performers, […]
Posted inMusic
Ella Mai elevates the love song on her second record
By Karena Phan, The Associated Press British singer, Ella Mai, is back with even more rhythm and blues (R&B) bridges in her second album, “Heart on My Sleeve.” While this album radiates Mai’s finger-snapping tracks and smooth melodies similar to her debut, it’s also more passionate and sung by someone who’s a little older and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
New exhibition inspired by the AFRO Archives opens in Paris
By Savannah Wood, Special to the AFRO Afro Charities recently celebrated the opening of Nectar, a new solo exhibition by New York based artist Xaviera Simmons in Paris, France. The exhibition consists of several newly commissioned photographic and video works made in response to the AFRO American Newspapers Archives. Nectar, which was produced in collaboration […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Actor Hill Harper joins Najah Roberts the “Queen of Crypto” for the 2nd Annual Digital Financial Revolution Tour kick-off to 41 cities in the U.S.
QUEEN OF CRYPTO WARNS INFLATION AND RECESSION COULD WIPE OUT ECONOMIC GAINS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS FOR GENERATIONS (LOS ANGELES, CA – May 18, 2022) – As runaway inflation escalates, gas prices skyrocket and recession looms, African Americans have continued to lose economic ground throughout the pandemic. Responding to what she feels may be a future […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Black-owned Célébrez en Rosé festival returns to D.C. and travels to Chicago for the first time
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Member, msayles@afro.com It’s time to break out your finest pink and white attire because the premier Black-owned festival for wines, champagne and lifestyle, Célébrez en Rosé, is returning to Washington, D.C. and Chicago this June. This year marks the festival’s third anniversary in Washington, D.C., […]
Posted inArts & Culture
MICA’s MFA Mamas reunite at the Fred Lazarus IV Center
By Jannette J. Witmyer, Special to the Afro If while driving through the 100 block W. North Avenue late Monday (5/9) afternoon you thought you witnessed four Black women seated in encircled chairs in front of the Maryland Institute College of Art Fred Lazarus IV Center, deeply engaged in conversation, you absolutely did. Seated in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Morton Street Dance Center students danced their way through COVID
By Beverly Richards, Special to the AFRO You can find a cornucopia of dancers of various skin tones and sizes at Morton Street Dance Center (MSDC). Diversity and inclusion have been the cornerstone of the Center since its inception 30 years ago. “We come with many different forms and shapes, and everyone can move,” said […]