During a nerve-racking political climate there are plenty of artworks to distract your mind’s eye. But there are also pieces that can soothe your consciousness by artistically exploring the complexities of social and personal issues. That’s why we asked Jessica
In today’s tense climate following the U.S. presidential election, virtually everything has taken on an extra layer of political nuance. Take, for example, a seemingly apolitical project by cognac brand, Hennessy to commission artists to create original work inspired by
Earlier this year, Dannis Winston, a bandleader, singer/songwriter, and President/CEO of Winston’s Crew Collective took the first step on his journey of parlaying his successful wedding band career into solo mainstream music success with the release of his debut single “Let
Not much has changed since 1979. Well, at least not when it comes to the creative and stylish social circles of New York City, according to Paul Caranicas. “I feel like this is the same as that party back then.
For the last 20 years of his life, the celebrated writer Langston Hughes lived at 20 E. 127th St. in Harlem. Now nearly 50 years later, his legacy has inspired award-winning author Renée Watson to launch a crowdfunding campaign to rent the
Twins are known to share many things. For identical twin sisters, Karen and Sharon Mackey, one of those mutual passions is visual art. In 2004 they founded the Mackey Twins Art Gallery in Mt. Vernon, New York. Since then, the
When most travelers go on vacation it is to relax and unwind. However for Chetachi Ecton traveling to resorts throughout the world proved more taxing than relaxing. It was during a trip almost three years ago when she stepped foot
The history, pulse, rhythm and energy of Africa spiral into motion in a new series by visual artist Danny Simmons. Noted for his abstract-expressionist paintings, Simmons is now merging oil paints with African and abstract print fabrics. On the surface, the
For his latest album, R&B veteran Will Downing decided to flip the lyric. On Black Pearls, listeners will find the crooner covering a staple of songs made famous by Chaka Khan, Deniece Williams, Cherrelle, Jean Carne and Phyllis Hyman, among others.
In They Still Live, Denver-based artists Thomas “Detour” Evans and Tya Alisa Anthony present a series combining DNA, African relics and African Americans in Denver. For the project, Evans and Anthony had each model conduct DNA testing provided by Ancestry.com. Based on the
Legendary Philadelphia radio personality Patty Jackson was just a teenager when the African American Museum in Philadelphia opened in 1976. On Friday, April 8, she returned to the museum to host its 40th anniversary celebration. “Forty years later and this
Kasseem Dean, aka Swizz Beatz, became a member of the Brooklyn Museum’s board of trustees this past October, and in a show of his dedication he brought along wife, Alicia Keys, to the museum’s recent Fund for African American Art
Since one of the earliest known buttons was found at Mohenjo Daro in the Indus Valley (now Pakistan) nearly 5,000 years ago, buttons have gone from being ornaments to indicators of economic and social status to commonplace mass-produced objects. Now they
The backlash against the Academy Awards for once again nominating only White actors has intensified. Oscar boycott parties are being hosted across the nation this Sunday, and directors Ava DuVernay and Ryan Coogler recently announced a fundraiser for Flint, Michigan, in
So what do you get when you combine a spirit brand with social justice, stir, and garnish with a jazz and hip-hop twist? The answer is all in the title of the documentary, An Unexpected History: The Story of Hennessy
When photographer Joe Conzo reflects on hip-hop’s early days one word comes to mind: innocence. During the late 1970s he began to document the birth of hip-hop in New York City prior to the culture becoming a global commercial force
Most visual artists prefer that viewers do not touch their completed works whether on display at a museum, gallery, or studio. Thomas “Detour” Evans, is not of that mindset. The 30-year-old emerging artist creates interactive paintings that are meant to
Women’s History Month drew to a close, or should we say a crescendo this past week with two special March end-of-the-month events, where women were celebrated and given a platform to share their thoughts on a host of topics, including
On the “A” w/Souleo … It took Dutchess Lattimore nearly 20 years before discovering that she possessed the skills to become a tattoo artist. The star of VH1’s hit reality series, “Black Ink Crew,” thought she would get an “easy A”
If you want to make veteran fashion designer, Byron Lars cry with joy, just arrange a surprise appearance by his brother, Vincent Lars. That was one of the highlights that took place at this year’s Harlem’s Fashion Row seventh Annual Fashion Show
