Howard University held its 102nd Charter Day dinner on March 7, honoring four distinguished alumni and raising over $1.1 million in ticket sales to uplift students.
Tag: Phylicia Rashad
Posted inReligion
‘Total Praise’: Smallwood’s signature anthem embodies Jan. 24 celebration of life service
Thousands gathered at First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Maryland to celebrate the life and legacy of gospel composer and singer Richard Smallwood, honoring the “Maestro” with music, testimony and tributes from faith leaders, artists and public officials. The Jan. 24 service highlighted Smallwood’s enduring impact as a theologically grounded musician whose compositions bridged church, campus and global stages.
Posted inMaryland News
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. members join to support women of D.C., Maryland and Virginia area
Thousands of women from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. gathered at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Convention Center in Maryland to celebrate the organization’s 118th anniversary, with Phylicia Rashad as the special guest speaker and the Greater D.C. Diaper Bank Program as the beneficiary of the event.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Gospel giant Richard Smallwood, composer of timeless hits, has died at 77
Richard Smallwood, the eight-time Grammy-nominated, classically trained gospel composer and recording artist whose work reshaped contemporary gospel music, died Dec. 30 at age 77 from complications of kidney failure. Over a five-decade career, Smallwood blended classical, pop and gospel traditions, creating enduring songs like “Total Praise,” “I Love the Lord” and “Center of My Joy,” while influencing generations of artists across gospel, R&B and popular music.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Acclaimed playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney tackles issue of gay marriage amid recent attacks on LGBTQ rights
Playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney’s new work “We Are Gathered” explores same-sex marriage and Black queer love amid renewed political threats to LGBTQ rights following the 47th president’s return to the White House. Premiering during WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C., the play celebrates love and resilience while underscoring the urgency of preserving hard-won freedoms in a shifting political climate.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Roberta Flack laid to rest in celebration of life featuring Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill
A March 10 public memorial service celebrated the life and legacy of the Grammy-winning singer and pianist Roberta Flack.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C.’s Howard Theatre celebrates historic Harlem stage in “A Toast to the Apollo”
Reggie Van Lee and Chip Ellis produced “A Toast to the Apollo” at the Howard Theatre in Washington D.C., featuring a lineup of performers honoring the legendary Harlem theatre, with Jennifer Holliday, En Vogue, and Frederic Yonnet performing live.
Posted inHBCU
Phylicia Rashad Resigns as Howard University Fine Arts Dean
By Amaka WatsonHouston Defender August 14, 2023 Prominent actress, producer, and Houston native Phylicia Rashad announced her decision to step down from her role as dean of the Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University after the 2023-2024 academic year. Reports indicate that Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick conveyed this news […]