By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor The AFRO honored those who have served the country on Nov. 7 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore. Prominent military leaders from around the state of Maryland were in attendance, including Adjutant General Janeen Birckhead, former Adjutant General Linda Singh and Anthony C. Woods, secretary of the […]
Category: ENTERTAINMENT
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company pushes for diversity and inclusion within the organization
By Shaela Foster, Special to the AFRO Following the pandemic, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company (CSC) has attempted to diversify their organization. CSC is a classical theater company based in Baltimore. They specialize in Shakespearian plays as they look to expose Baltimore to the wonders of classical theater. The emergence of the coronavirus pandemic prompted members […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
SZA leads the 2024 Grammy nominations as women outpace men in the leading categories
By Maria Sherman, AP Music Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Killing her ex? That’s a bad idea. Writing “Kill Bill” and releasing her critically acclaimed sophomore album “SOS” earlier this year? That was a great one. SZA is the lead contender for the 66th Grammy Awards, with nine nominations announced Nov. 10. “Kill Bill,” her […]
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
‘Nope’ star Keke Palmer alleges physical abuse by ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson, court documents say
By The Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Nope” star Keke Palmer alleges in civil court documents that she suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, with whom she shares a son. The filing this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court included a request for a domestic violence restraining order […]
Posted inMusic
Lyrics can be used as evidence during rapper Young Thug’s trial on gang and racketeering charges
By KATE BRUMBACK, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — When rapper Young Thug goes to trial later this month on gang and racketeering charges, prosecutors will be allowed to use rap lyrics as evidence against him, a judge ruled Thursday. Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville said in court he would allow prosecutors to introduce 17 sets […]
Posted inHealth
Taraji P. Henson honors late father, Boris L. Henson, with mental health awareness foundation
By Zsana Hoskins, Special to the AFRO The Planet Word Museum in Washington, D.C. was transformed into a juke joint on Oct. 30 as the Boris L. Henson Foundation’s (BLHF) very first installment of a speakeasy-themed event aimed at promoting connection and eliminating the stigma around mental health issues. The “Joy Joint,” gathered prominent people […]
Posted in!Front Page
Indigenous data warriors fight for data sovereignty and against “data genocide”
WRITTEN BY: Chiara Sottile Dr. Desi Small-Rodriguez calls her traveling data science lab her “Data War Pony.” It’s a huge trailer—a classroom on wheels equipped with computers and software, wrapped with ledger art by Dakota artist Holly Young. Small-Rodriguez, researcher, data advocate, and professor, rolls up to tribal communities in the lab (by invitation) to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jenenne Whitfield speaks on departure from American Visionary Art Museum
By Helen Bezuneh Special to the AFRO It’s been almost two months and Jenenne Whitfield is still not sure what motivated her former employer, the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) to remove her as its director. A press release from the museum’s Board of Directors did not specify why they decided to part ways with […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Black artists strongly represented at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony
By Mark Kennedy, AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Sheryl Crow and Olivia Rodrigo kicked off the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Nov. 3 and Missy Elliott closed the show more than four hours later with a roof-shaking set, as the hall celebrated a strong representation of women and Black […]
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Kendrick Lamar plans to bring major concerts to Africa through new Global Citizen initiative
By Glenn Gamboa, AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline Move Afrika: A Global Citizen Experience, a new initiative to establish an international touring circuit on the continent of Africa launching with a concert in Kigali, Rwanda, on Dec. 6. Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans said Lamar’s show at the […]
Posted inMusic
An intimate conversation with Tamika Scott: Reflecting on 30 years in the music business and beyond
By Ericka Alston BuckSpecial to the AFRO In the world of rhythm and blues, few groups have made as enduring an impact as Xscape. Known for their powerful vocals and unforgettable songs, like “Just Kickin it” and “Who Can I Run To?,” the group has been a cornerstone of the genre. One of the original […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘BMHA Road to 40: Art of Unveiling’ – a night of celebrating mental health and art
By Reuben Greene, Special to the AFRO On the evening of Oct. 18, a captivating event unfolded at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Museum on Thames Street, Baltimore. The occasion was “BMHA Road to 40: Art of Unveiling with Larry ‘Poncho’ Brown,” a fundraiser commemorating the remarkable 40-year journey of the Baltimore Mental Health Alliance (BMHA). […]