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 […]
Category: ENTERTAINMENT
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). […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
The White House and Google launch a new virtual tour with audio captions, Spanish translation
By Darlene Superville, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Can’t come to Washington? Couldn’t get a ticket to tour the White House? Don’t worry. The White House, Google Maps and Google Arts & Culture launched a new virtual tour of the famous mansion on Oct. 27, which is also National Civics Day. With a computer […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Black community responds to the death of Richard Roundtree, cultural icon and hero
By Ericka Alston Buck, Special to the AFRO News of film and stage icon Richard Roundtree’s death sent a ripple of grief around the world as fans and loved ones learned the news, triggering a profound sense of loss. Roundtree’s monumental influence extended far beyond the geographical boundaries of New Rochelle, N.Y., where he was […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Hana Sharif steps into spotlight as first Black artistic director of Arena Stage
By Adriana Navarro, Special to the AFRO Hana Sharif builds worlds for a living. With the eye of a museum curator, she carefully selects the stories that will play out within them and the truths they will display. She practiced crafting narratives for five years at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis (The Rep) as […]
Posted inBooks
Serena Williams has a 2-book deal, starting with an ‘intimate’ and ‘open-hearted’ memoir
By Hillel ItalieAP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Now that she’s stepped back from the sport she dominated like few others, Serena Williams is ready to reflect. The tennis great has a two-book deal with the Random House Publishing Group, starting with an “intimate” memoir in which she will open up about everything from […]
