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Tag: Ericka Alston Buck
Baltimore’s Gabby Samone: From ‘American Idol’ breakout to rising R&B powerhouse
From a Disney performance in 2021 to “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” and now “American Idol” and beyond, Gabby Samone is proving that her story is only beginning. For Baltimore and for fans nationwide, the rise of Gabby Samone is one to watch — a young artist grinding, glowing, and stepping fully into her moment.
Mobile mural unveiled at future AFRO headquarters site, celebrating Black legacy, art and community
A vibrant new mural celebrating Black legacy and community was unveiled outside Jubilee Arts in West Baltimore, created through a collaboration between Creative Nomads and Afro Charities. Featuring historic AFRO imagery, interactive AR elements, and community-driven design, the mural now surrounds the future site of the AFRO’s new headquarters at Upton Mansion.
Single in the City: A look at love after the tassel
With change on the horizon, clear communication, mutual growth and intentional effort become the pillars of post-grad relationships. This week, Ericka Alston Buck speaks on love and life after commencement.
Baltimore’s creative pulse takes center stage at inaugural Scout Art Fair
The inaugural Scout Art Fair, part of Baltimore’s revitalized Artscape and curated by Derrick Adams and Teri Henderson, showcases over 40 local artists in a landmark cultural moment that affirms the city’s arrival as a major force in the contemporary art world.
Jazzy Summer Nights opens 25th and final season at Hopkins Plaza
More than 1,000 people pack Hopkins Plaza on May 1 for the kickoff of the 25th and final season of Jazzy Summer Nights, a beloved Baltimore tradition since 2000. With high-energy DJ sets, live percussion and a vibrant, joyful crowd, the opening night celebrates the legacy of music, community and culture in the heart of the city.
Six regional HBCUs receive scholarships at the Presidents’ Roundtable 2025 Scholarship Awards Gala
By Ericka Alston BuckSpecial to the AFRO On Friday, March 21, 2025, the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront transformed into a vibrant celebration of excellence and opportunity as the Presidents’ RoundTable (PRT) and the PRT Reach Foundation hosted the 2025 Scholarship Awards Gala. The evening’s spotlight was on higher education, honoring institutions with over $250,000 to date […]
Powerhouse vocalist Angie Stone dead at 63
Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Angie Stone tragically passed away at the age of 63 after a car accident in Alabama, leaving a profound void in the music industry and a legacy as a pioneer of neo-soul and a trailblazer for female artists in hip-hop and R&B.
Matters of the heart: The long haul
Three couples, married for one, two, and three decades, shared their insights on what keeps their relationships strong, including shared goals, communication, humor, vulnerability, and faith.
Baltimore hosts inaugural Marcus Garvey Symposium at Trinity Baptist Church
The inaugural Marcus Garvey Symposium was held in Baltimore, featuring a keynote address by Steven Golding, president of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL) Jamaica, and a special screening of the film “Mosiah,” the first-ever feature film produced about the life of Marcus Garvey.
Baltimore poet and author Mecca Verdell stars in ‘Once Again (For the Very First Time)’
Mecca Verdell, a local poet and author, stars in Boaz Yakin’s new film “Once Again (For the Very First Time)”, which explores the fusion of battle rap, poetry, and dance, and pays homage to the creative vibrancy of the community.
Single in the City: Whole and healed for the holidays
This holiday season, choose self-love and wholeness by investing in your own growth, setting boundaries, creating your own traditions, and celebrating small wins, rather than feeling pressured to find a partner.

