By MJ VanDevere and Doug Alston, co-founder of JARO Media Services Many of us know Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean), the legendary producer behind sounds from some superstars like Jay Z. You may not know that in addition to his musical prowess he is an avid art collector. Beatz is the single largest private holder […]
In his memoir I’m BETTER not BITTER, Anthony Tuggle takes us through his very personal journey with God—a journey that ultimately molded him into the Dynamic Husband, Loving Father, Friend, and Prolific Leader that we see before us today. After receiving the devastating news of kidney failure, and the subsequent trials and tribulations while […]
In his latest venture, Guava Island, Renaissance man Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) shares the screen with Rihanna and Letitia Wright (Black Panther) to bring forth a tale of black cultural expression and the power of art. Guava Island tells the story of musician Deni (Glover) and his passion for music inspired by his muse and romantic partner […]
Boston’s newly appointed poet laureate, Porsha Olayiwola, has had quite the journey as a Black queer poet. In an interview with Essence, the 30-year-old recalled how she used a particularly disheartening and insensitive comment at her first poetry reading as fuel to write honest poetry about blackness and identity. The remark, which had nothing to […]
In a new picture book titled The Undefeated, artist Kadir Nelson brings Kwame Alexander’s “This One Is For Us” poem to life through eye-catching illustrations. Written in 2008, the poem was inspired by the election of our first African-American president, Barack Obama, which coincided with the birth of his daughter. “This poem was my tribute […]
For more than 30 years, TED Talks have granted a global audience with the opportunity to listen to a wide range of culturally diverse speakers discuss a multitude of “ideas worth spreading.” In our current digital age, we now have the ability to watch these conferences instantly, bringing these inspirational talks to our living […]
During ESSENCE’s annual Black Women in Hollywood event, photographer Michael Rowe captured stunning portraits of powerful and inspiring Black women who are making history today, including Ava DuVernay, Dewanda Wise, Angela Bassett, Jenifer Lewis, and more. With “The Power of Our Presence: Art & Activism” being the event’s theme this year, portraits were taken of […]
Carolyn Evans, a professional Black history storyteller and actress, is bridging the gap between generations by continuing the tradition of storytelling. Growing up in New York, Evans discovered her love for storytelling as a young girl, when she would entertain her family with songs, stories, and dancing. As a young adult, she was granted opportunities […]
Medium’s Nevertheless podcast, which is now approaching the end of its second season, celebrates various women who are revolutionizing teaching and learning through technology. As part of their podcast episode discussing essential role models in STEM, Nevertheless commissioned female illustrators from across the globe to design posters of eight women innovators in STEM, and […]
Google celebrates the first day of Black History Month with an illustration honoring abolitionist Sojourner Truth. Created by Loveis Wise, the doodle features the courthouse where Truth became the first African-American woman to win a lawsuit by fighting for her son’s freedom. Born approximately in 1797 as a slave in New York by the name […]