A current exhibit at the California African American Museum (CAAM) honors the life and monumental artwork of Ernie Barnes (1938-2009). Barnes, who is considered of the most influential African-American artists, is also the first American professional athlete to become a well-known painter. In his large-scale paintings, Barnes often captured glimpses of his life growing up […]
Issa Rae has recently unveiled her ambitious new project: Adapting Tayari Jones’ Award-winning 2011 novel Silver Sparrow for the big screen. Jones verified to Oprah Magazine that Rae has optioned the film and will produce. Silver Sparrow begins boldly with an opening line of “My father, James Witherspoon, is a bigamist.” It is a story […]
OlaRonke Akinmowo is fulfilling her purpose, and enriching others’ lives in the process. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Akinmowo’s company The Free Black Women’s Library is an innovative mobile library which currently includes over 1,000 books by Black women authors. The dream began four years ago for Akinmowo, on the stoop of a brownstone in […]
Barry Jenkins, the Award-winning director of Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, is set to direct a film based on the life and work of Alvin Ailey (1931–1989), Deadline reports. Ailey is thought to be one of the most prominent choreographers of the 20th century. He founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in […]
In May, Italian illustrator Paolo Parisi released his latest, Basquiat: A Graphic Novel, which is a detailed exploration of the renowned artist’s life through vivid and colorful graphics. The book takes readers on a journey in reverse, beginning with Basquiat’s tragic death, and concluding with the start of his life. All throughout the graphic […]
NEW YORK (AP) — Artist Kehinde Wiley will unveil his first monumental public sculpture in New York’s Times Square this fall in response to Confederate statues nationwide. Times Square Arts, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and gallery owner Sean Kelly announced Thursday that the bronze “Rumors of War” sculpture features a young black male […]
By CHEVEL JOHNSON Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Essence Festival, which draws thousands to New Orleans during the fourth of July week, is celebrating 25 years of bringing African American women of all ages together for thought-provoking conversation and performances from top musical acts. Launched to mark the 25th anniversary of black-owned Essence […]
In the beginning of the summer’s heat, I headed down to New York for the first time. It would be a 10 day trip, with little on the itinerary–I planned on finding my way around the grand state with the help of a good friend, who graciously allowed me to become her temporary roommate. With […]
Soul Train, the celebrated music-dance variety television program that provided a platform for black artists from 1971 to 2006, is being made for Broadway. Deadline reports that Questlove is set to executive produce the musical with Tony Cornelius, the son of Don Cornelius, who created and hosted Soul Train. Set to arrive in 2021 in […]
NEW YORK (AP) — Five young poets, including a National Book Award winner, have each received prizes worth just over $25,000. Poetry Foundation and Poetry magazine announced Tuesday that the Lilly Rosenberg Fellowships were given to Franny Choi, Jane Huffman, Jose Olivarez, Justin Phillip Reed and Michael Wasson. The 30-year-old program gives money to poets […]