On the “A” w/Souleo… On the surface the title of Dianne Reeves’ new album, Beautiful Life seems straightforward enough, but it holds a deeper significance for the singer after experiencing two major deaths. Five years ago, she returned home to help care
On the “A” w/Souleo… Looking back on her life, Jennifer Holliday knows that she has much to take pride in and celebrate. She originated the role of Effie White in the classic Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Ms. Holliday is a Tony and
On the “A” w/Souleo… It wasn’t until graduate school that Michelle Joan Wilkinson realized that becoming a curator could be a viable profession. Wilkinson is now the director of collections and exhibitions at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American
On the “A” w/Souleo… Ray Greene always knew that he was destined to share his musical gifts with audiences around the world. Now he’s finally getting his chance to do just that as the new lead singer of legendary funk/soul
On the “A” w/Souleo… As the nation prepares to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 20, actor Brandon J. Dirden hopes that people will not only remember King as a powerful reverend and activist, but also as an
On the “A” w/Souleo Nearly 12 years ago, Sage Gallon was just getting clean after a decade of smoking crack. He’s now reliving those days of substance abuse but this time as a photographer. In his photographic essay, “Crack(s)” Gallon
On the “A” w/Souleo Leela James hasn’t decided on the title of her forthcoming album but if her current state is anything to go by, then perhaps the word “good,” should be somewhere in the title. She recently joined the
Bobby Womack’s daughter, GinaRe is concerned whenever her father hits the stage to perform. During his nearly 50 year legendary career, Womack has battled substance abuse, developed diabetes and successfully undergone surgery to eradicate a potentially cancerous tumor. “She is
On the “A” w/Souleo While the atmosphere was festive at last week’s Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opening night gala benefit at New York City Center, there were some who had serious issues on their minds including ballerina Misty Copeland.
If there were a poem to describe the thoughts of independent film producer and director Marc Levin on the 15th anniversary of his gritty film, Slam, it would likely include the phrase “blown away.” Levin is still surprised at the
On the “A” w/Souleo While this time of year calls for giving thanks, spiritual life coach Iyanla Vanzant is focused on forgiveness with her new interactive self-help book FORGIVENESS: 21 Days to Forgive Everyone for Everything. But in her personal
Stax Records was more than a music machine releasing hits by the likes of Otis Redding and The Staple Singers. According to author and music historian Robert Gordon it was also an example of unity in 1960s segregated South Memphis.
On the “A” w/Souleo When the married stars of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” Cynthia Bailey Thomas and Peter Thomas set out to write their joint memoir, Carry On Baggage: Our Nonstop Flight, they didn’t expect to discover new things
When actresses LisaGay Hamilton and Yolonda Ross finished reading the script for two-time Oscar nominee John Sayles’ new film, Go for Sisters, they immediately knew they wanted to be cast in it since they appreciated the script’s sensitivity in dealing
The spirit of the late jazz legend George Duke was with multi-instrumentalist Najee during the recording of his latest album, The Morning After: A Musical Love Journey. Duke’s presence was so strong that it inspired Najee to record a song
Henry Louis Gates Jr. hopes that his latest PBS documentary,” The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross,“ will not only educate the public but also lead to reform in the nation’s public school system. “We need one documentary to show the whole
On the ‘A’ w/Souleo In her private residence, playwright Ntozake Shange is lost in her own world: one made up of words, rhythm and recovery. The writer of the legendary theater piece, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ When the
On the “A” w/Souleo During an evening inspired by the whimsy of “The Wizard of Oz,” attendees at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s (NJPAC) 18th Annual Spotlight Gala didn’t hesitate to delve into less lighthearted topics such as the government
On the “A” w/Souleo The piercing cheers of more than 500 New York City schoolkids trumpeted the kickoff event at Symphony Space for the album, Songs for a Healthier America. Hip-Hop Public Health and the Partnership for a Healthier America,
On the “A” w/Souleo: At this year’s 17th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival, presented by BET Networks, numerous attendees were seeking the funk. One of the event’s most anticipated films, Finding the Funk was screened and brought out stars including George Clinton of Parliament
