ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, a graduate of Winston-Salem University in North Carolina, is creating a new docuseries that will focus heavily on the history and importance of America’s HCBUs. The show is being produced with director Elaine Oliver, the director and
By Sandra Gonzalez This year’s Emmy Awards will be hosted by a first-timer. CBS and the TV Academy on Monday announced that Cedric the Entertainer will make his Emmys hosting debut in September as the big show returns to a live, in-person
By Leah Asmelash Around the country, school, county and even bird names are being reconsidered and changed, as greater attention is paid to their origins and the racism the names may invoke. In this same tradition, multiple areas have reconsidered geographical names containing the word “negro” —
By Jason Hanna It’s summertime — and the 44th President once again has a few tunes for your consideration. Former President Barack Obama kicked out a characteristically wide-ranging list of what he’s been listening to this summer — a collection including J.
By Stella Chan Suzzanne Douglas, an accomplished stage and screen actress who starred “Tap” and the television series “The Parent ‘Hood,” has died, her representative told CNN in a statement on Wednesday. She was 64. “The industry has lost a truly talented
By Lisa Respers France Juvenile doesn’t just want you to get his latest song stuck in your head, he wants you to get stuck in the arm. The New Orleans-based rapper has teamed up with fellow artists Mannie Fresh and Mia X
by Clay Cane In August of 1969, a 36-year-old Nina Simone told a cheering audience at the Harlem Cultural Festival, “Are you ready to listen to all the beautiful Black voices, the beautiful Black feelings, the beautiful Black waves moving in beautiful
By Steve Forrest and Susannah Cullinane Bill Cosby issued a statement in support of his former co-star and longtime friend Phylicia Rashad, who earlier apologized for celebrating Cosby’s release from prison. Cosby, once known as “America’s Dad,” was released on Wednesday after Pennsylvania’s highest
By Lisa Respers France There was backlash over Vanessa Williams performing for Independence Day before it even happened. Williams hosted PBS’ “A Capitol Fourth” on Sunday, and it had been announced that she would sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which has
Review by Brian Lowry A pair of documentaries showcase strong directing debuts by Black filmmakers for the Fourth of July weekend: “Summer of Soul” transforms long-lost video into an intoxicating and layered look back at the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969; and
by Amir Vera Maggie Montoya used to love Independence Day fireworks. Now, the loud explosions and bangs that come with the American ritual agonize her. The 26-year-old’s views on fireworks changed after she had to hide under a desk while a gunman fired
