By AFRO Staff Season 14, episode four of AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange focuses on issues surrounding the ownership of African Art, stolen over centuries of colonialism. Directed by French filmmaker Nora Philippe, “Restitution: Africa’s Fight for Its Art” recounts the true and troubling history of the theft of African artwork and sacred artifacts by […]
Category: Arts & Culture
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5th Annual Dream Big Contest winners honored on stage at The Lyric Baltimore
By Special to the AFRO Winners of the 5th annual Dream Big Contest were recently announced and celebrated at the Lyric Baltimore, the historic live-entertainment venue in Baltimore, Md. The Lyric Foundation, which operates and maintains the theater, announced both Dreamers (runners-up) and Visionaries (grand prize winners) on the Lyric stage. “The Lyric Education team […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TV’s ‘Black-ish’ ends 8-season run with legacy, fans secure
By Lynn Elber, The Associated Press News A surprise-awaited “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris and his family on a 2016 visit to the newly opened National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington: an exhibit on the TV series was on display. “I was very, very emotional” at seeing the honor, Barris said. He […]
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Hip-hop pioneer DJ Kay Slay dies of COVID-19 at age 55
By The Associated Press News Pioneering hip hop artist Keith Grayson, who performed as DJ Kay Slay and worked with top stars, has died of complications from COVID-19. Grayson’s death at age 55 on Sunday was confirmed by his family in a statement released through New York radio station HOT 97, where he hosted “The […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Black teen makes millions selling digital art
By AFRO Staff An African-American teen is now a multimillionaire after garnering demand for her art in the digital market. Nyla Hayes sells her art as NFTs, or “non-fungible tokens.” These tokens are unique or one-of-a-kind assets, such as an original song or painting, which are sold online and purchased via cryptocurrency. The 13-year-old’s drawings […]
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PRESS ROOM: ESSENCE Features Global Music Stars Cardi B and Offset’s Family on the Cover of Its May/June Issue With Their Son, Wave, Making His Debut
(BUSINESS WIRE) — ESSENCE has always been a place that nurtures, uplifts and inspires the notion of family. The magazine is proud to announce its May/June 2022 Anniversary issue featuring hip-hop royalty Cardi B and Offset and their amazing family—with a first look at the couple’s youngest son, Wave! As the publication enters its 52nd year fresh off receiving a […]
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Reimagined & Reinvented ‘for colored girls’ opens tonight on Broadway!
NEW YORK, NY – The highly anticipated Broadway revival of Ntozake Shange’s groundbreaking for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf, directed and choreographed by Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown (Once On This Island, Choir Boy, co-director and choreographer of Fire Shut Up in My Bones) opens tonight, April 20 at 6:45pm at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th Street). […]
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Ashanti celebrates the 20th anniversary of her multi-platinum Grammy-winning debut album with the launch of NFTs
By Special to the AFRO Singer, songwriter, actor, author, and tech entrepreneur Ashanti made history with her record-breaking, self-titled debut album. Released on April 2, 2002, Ashanti topped the Billboard 200 albums chart, staying on the chart for 55 weeks, and went on to win a Grammy Award among other accolades. Two decades later, Ashanti […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Derrick Adams’ Digital Project receives $1.25 million investment
Compiled by Nadia Reese, AFRO Editorial Assistant The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities, has awarded a $1.25 million grant to support the Black Baltimore Digital Database (BBDD). BBDD was conceived by Baltimore-born, Brooklyn-based artist Derrick Adams, whose multimedia practice focuses on portrayals of Black American leisure, celebration […]
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Jon Batiste, Bruno Mars and Anderson. Paak clean up at 64th Annual Grammy Awards
By AFRO Staff The music industry’s best and brightest stars turned up for the 64th annual Grammy Awards on April 3, held at the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena. The event was hosted by Emmy Award-winning comedian, Trevor Noah and featured star-studded performances from R&B singer H.E.R., Lenny Kravitz and rapper Nas. The show […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Women of the World Poetry Slam brings competition to Baltimore
By Stephanie Harper, Special to the AFRO April is National Poetry Month and this year’s Women of the World Poetry Slam took over Baltimore’s poetry scene for the first time. Thanks to the Black Arts District, the city had a chance to experience competitive spoken word at its finest from March 29 to April 3. […]
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Will Smith gets 10-year Oscars ban over Chris Rock slap
By ANDREW DALTON, AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — The motion picture academy on Friday banned Will Smith from attending the Oscars or any other academy event for 10 years following his slap of Chris Rock at the Academy Awards. The move comes after a meeting of the academy’s Board of Governors to discuss a […]