By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Drew “Druski” Desbordes will host the 2026 BET Awards, becoming the youngest emcee in the show’s history. BET announced April 30 that the 31-year-old comedian and digital creator will lead the ceremony, which airs live June 28 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Druski surpasses Kevin Hart, who previously held […]
Category: TV and Film
Posted inArts & Culture
Met gala guests deliver works of art on the human form
By Beatrice Dupuy Whether dressed in a jewel-encrusted skeletal form, sculpted breast plates or anatomy-evoking trompe l’oeil, Met Gala guests physically evoked the theme “fashion is art” May 4 evening as they masterfully pulled from a kaleidoscope of references to embody living works of art. “Everyone who attended the Met Gala this year really leaned […]
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
‘Michael’ moonwalks to $97 million opening, shattering record for music biopics
“Michael” soared to a record-breaking $97 million opening weekend in North America and $217.4 million globally, becoming the biggest debut ever for a music biopic despite mixed reviews and production setbacks. Starring Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson, the film overcame controversy and costly reshoots to draw strong audience enthusiasm, with sequels already under consideration.
Posted inTV and Film
Back from the brink: ‘Afropop’ season 18 to premiere in June
The season features Listen to Me, Kanika Harris and Stephanie Etienne’s urgent documentary on the Black maternal and infant mortality crisis, and This World Is Not My Own, Opendox’s visually striking film using animation about celebrated folk artist Nellie Mae Rowe, who turned her home and yard in Vinings, Georgia, into the fantastical creative world she called the Playhouse. Emmy Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba and Broadway veteran Amy Warren bring Rowe and her friend, gallery owner and arts patron Judith Alexander, to life through voice and movement. A third title, to be announced later this year, will premiere in November.
Posted inMaryland News
Dr. Carla Hayden and Dr. Kimberly Moffitt appointed to Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission
By Maryland Public Television Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has appointed Dr. Carla D. Hayden and Dr. Kimberly R. Moffitt to serve on the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) 11-member governing body. The Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission was created by statute in 1966 to establish and maintain a system of educational and cultural […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ruby red slippers, a mean old lion, and Black folk adorned in emerald green can only mean one thing – ‘The Wiz’ is coming back to DC
The Tony Award-winning musical “The Wiz” returns to Washington, D.C., for a limited run at the National Theatre from April 7–12, showcasing a new generation of talent in the beloved all-Black reimagining of “The Wizard of Oz.” Cast member Cal Mitchell, who stars as The Lion, highlights the production’s enduring cultural impact, its celebration of Black joy and artistry, and its continued ability to inspire audiences across generations.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Bill Cosby held liable in 1972 sexual assault case; jury awards nearly $60 million
A California civil jury has found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in 1972, awarding her nearly $60 million in damages, including $40 million in punitive damages. The verdict comes nearly five years after Cosby’s criminal conviction was overturned in Pennsylvania. Motsinger, who came forward publicly in 2023, said the ruling affirms her experience and sends a message to other survivors seeking justice.
Posted in!Front Page Arts and Entertainment
Kiki Shepard, ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ co-host, dies at 74
By Alexis LaRueAFRO Internalarue@afro.com Kiki Shepard, the long-time co-host of the variety show “Showtime at the Apollo,” died on March 16 after suffering a heart attack. She was 74. Shepard, a Texas native and a graduate of Howard University, launched her career as an ensemble dancer on Broadway in shows like “Reggae” and “Comin’ Uptown” […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Cast, crew of ‘Sinners’ win big at 2026 Academy Awards
By Alexis TaylorAFRO Managing Editor Standing on the Dolby Theatre stage before his mother, father and all of Hollywood, actor Michael B. Jordan accepted the Oscar award for Best Actor in a Leading Role inside of the Dolby Theatre on March 15. “God is good,” said Jordan, before acknowledging his parents, siblings and the people […]
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: For Black women, the Oscars are about more than Best Picture
Dr. Regina Davis Moss is a narrative strategist, cultural leader and reproductive justice advocate whose research examines how stories shape public belief and influence policy as president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice. In this piece, she discusses the importance of Black women controlling how their stories are told.
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Michael B. Jordan loves being Black. We do too
After winning Outstanding Actor at the NAACP Image Awards and taking home a leading actor prize at the 32nd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Michael B. Jordan has become an Oscar frontrunner for his role in “Sinners.” The victories mark a cultural moment for Black audiences who have watched the film’s awards-season journey amid broader political and social pressures, turning Jordan’s success into a celebration of affirmation and resilience.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
NAACP celebrates Black excellence at the 57th NAACP Image Awards
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com The NAACP closed out Black History month with their 57th Image Awards weekend crowning winners in music, film, books and television. The vampire-thriller “Sinners” dominated the weekend, where Micheal B. Jordan won for best actor in a motion picture and closed out the night winning the award for entertainer of […]