Over nearly 50 years, Penumbra Theatre in Saint Paul, Minn. has evolved from a pioneering Black arts institution into a national leader in racial healing and artistic excellence. Meanwhile, Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center empowers Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) youth with classical arts training that builds confidence, discipline and cultural pride.
Category: ENTERTAINMENT
Posted inBaltimore News
Shelley Jordon debuts documentary honoring 50 years of friendship
Baltimore native Shelley Jordon, 71, makes her filmmaking debut with “Colored Footprints,” a documentary chronicling the enduring 50-year friendship of 17 women from north and northwest Baltimore. Set to premiere July 19 at Morgan State University, the film highlights their shared experiences of family, love, loss and cultural legacy, offering a heartfelt tribute to sisterhood and the spirit of Baltimore.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Ousted Librarian of Congress tapped by Mellon Foundation
Carla Hayden, the former Librarian of Congress ousted under the 47TH presidential administration, has been named a senior fellow at the Mellon Foundation, where she will advise on advancing public knowledge through libraries and archives. Her appointment marks a return to cultural leadership amid growing national debates over censorship, federal funding cuts, and access to information.
Posted inArts & Culture
AFRAM 2025 offers star studded line up and fun for the whole family
The AFRAM Festival, a celebration of African-American culture, returned to Baltimore on June 21-22, featuring international artists such as Amerie, Patti LaBelle, Juvenile and Teedra Moses, and offering fun, food, and more for the whole family.
Posted inBaltimore Events
Baltimore’s A Taste of Summer to offer community and culinary adventure
Baltimore’s “A Taste of Summer” Long Table Dinner Series, founded by Nailah Queen and James Dickey, uses food, fashion and fellowship to celebrate community, culture and local entrepreneurship. With a vibrant outdoor dining experience and spotlight on Black and minority-owned culinary talent, the event transforms a shared meal into a powerful symbol of connection and creativity.
Posted inBaltimore News
‘Trailblazer:’ Carol Moseley Braun reflects on legacy, loss and leadership during Enoch Pratt event
Former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun reflected on her historic career, personal struggles, and lasting legacy during a June 30 conversation at Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library, where she discussed her new memoir “Trailblazer.” Sharing lessons on resilience, faith, and public service, Moseley Braun offered an unfiltered look at the triumphs and pain behind her groundbreaking journey as the first Black woman in the U.S. Senate.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Fans criticize Beyoncé for shirt calling Native Americans ‘the enemies of peace’
Beyoncé is facing backlash for wearing a T-shirt during her Juneteenth performance that referred to Native Americans and Mexican revolutionaries as “enemies of peace,” sparking criticism for promoting anti-Indigenous language. Historians and Indigenous voices say the imagery romanticizes American imperialism and overlooks the Buffalo Soldiers’ role in violent westward expansion.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Diddy trial but is told to keep deliberating
A jury has reached a verdict on four of five charges in the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs but remains deadlocked on the most serious charge: racketeering conspiracy. Judge Arun Subramanian declined to accept a partial verdict and instructed the jury to continue deliberating on the unresolved count, which carries the potential for a life sentence if Combs is convicted.
Posted inBaltimore News
Charm City glows with Pride
Baltimore celebrated 50 years of LGBTQIA+ Pride with its 2025 “50 Shades of Pride” festival, featuring a week of vibrant events and a heartfelt parade that highlighted Black joy, love, and advocacy. From multigenerational families to strong allyship, the celebration reflected both the progress made and the urgent need for continued support and representation.
Posted inMusic
Public Enemy drops surprise album ‘Black Sky Over the Projects’
BLACKPRESSUSA–Public Enemy has released “Black Sky Over the Projects: Apartment 2025,” a surprise 12-track album blending old-school hip-hop with urgent social commentary. Available for 72 hours on a pay-what-you-want basis from June 30, the album tackles topics from gun violence and ageism to climate denial, reaffirming the group’s legacy of resistance and relevance.
Posted inMusic
Black music: The soul of every sound
Black music is more than sound — it’s identity, soul and storytelling passed down through generations. Baltimore musicians John Thomas and Robert Vandervall explore how gospel, blues and rhythm express emotion, history and spiritual resilience. Their stories show that while styles evolve, the heart of Black music remains unchanged.
Posted inCommentary
Celebrating Black music month: From Billie to Gabby, Go-Go to Gospel
Black Music Month is a celebration of the Baltimore-Washington corridor’s rich musical tapestry, from jazz legends Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington to hip-hop artists like Sisqó and Gabby Samone, and gospel choirs like the Howard Gospel Choir and Morgan State University Choir.