Listen to saxophonist/composer Wayne Escoffery celebrate the chemistry shared by his closest musical collaborators on Like Minds live stream from Smoke in Harlem. Featuring special guest appearances by renowned vocalist Gregory Porter, legendary trumpeter Tom Harrell, innovative guitarist Mike Moreno, and vital percussionist Daniel Sadownick who join Escoffery’s highly acclaimed working quartet of pianist David Kikoski, bassist Ugonna Okegwo, and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr. These musicians may approach…
Mabel Keaton Staupers, February 27, 1890 – September 30, 1989, was a Harlem legend in the American nursing profession and equity supporter. Faced with racial discrimination after graduating from nursing school, Staupers became an advocate for racial equality in the nursing profession the integration of Harlem Hospital, and much more. Here Comes Harlem Staupers was born on…
With the growing popularity of music festivals and concerts, it’s now easier than ever for music lovers to stay up-to-date on upcoming musical events in their area. However, with a seemingly endless list of options from all genres each season, narrowing down your top choices and deciding which ones are worth investing in can be…
The first Uptown Night Market of the year was a rousing success. Under the protection of the iconic West Harlem Arches, not even the rain could dampen the pure joy exuded from all in attendance. This was, in no uncertain terms, an Uptown Love fest. With that said, make sure you are at the next one on Thursday, May 12 at 4 pm. Remember you now have the 2nd Thursday of every month until November accounted for. You’re welcome!
The New York City public school system is expanding access to Gifted and Talented programs, making them available in every school district for the first time.
At a press conference on April 14, Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor David C. Banks announced that the Department of Education (DOE) would add over 1,000 additional Gifted and Talented slots for the 2022-2023 school year.
“For far too long, we had districts in our city that did not have gifted and talented programs,” said Adams. “We are giving every child in every zip code a chance that has been denied too often.”
Adams said the city DOE will also make it easier for parents to enroll kids in the program, by providing two entry points in elementary school – kindergarten and third grade.
In expanding the program to all 32 school districts, the DOE will bring the total number of seats citywide to 2,500.
“In the past, some of our families felt they might have to fight tooth and nail to even get access or be considered for these programs. Then, if they were invited to attend, they were told that their children would have to travel a long distance because there was no program available in their home district,” Banks remarked.
Among the communities to receive new Gifted and Talented slots are Soundview in the Bronx, East Flatbush in Brooklyn. Far Rockaway in Queens, and Port Richmond in Staten Island.
Talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor Oprah Winfrey is set to delivery the undergraduate commencement address at her alma mater, the historically Black Tennessee State University (TSU). The ceremony will take place on May 6 in Nashville at Hale Stadium.
“Commencement is always a special time for our students and their families, as it marks a major milestone in our students’ lives and a sign of success for them,” said TSU, Dr. President Glenda Glover. “To have Ms. Winfrey as our speaker will be a life changing moment for graduates and the University. She is someone who has walked the TSU campus as a student, sat in some of the same classroom, and knows first-hand the value of a TSU education.”
Winfrey attended (TSU) on a full scholarship, majoring in communications. While at TSU, Winfrey landed a job at Nashville’s WLAC-TV (now WTVF-TV), where she was both the youngest news anchor and the first black female news anchor. Despite being one credit short of her degree, Winfrey decided to leave school and Nashville to pursue her dream of being a broadcast journalist. However, in 1986, she returned to submit her final paper and officially graduated from TSU.
Jamel Shabazz is one of the greatest street photographers of all time. You know his work even if you might not know his name. His stirring images of everyday people on the streets of New York lovingly capture the vibrancy and resiliency of his subjects. With that said, make your way to The Bronx Museum of the Arts (1040 Grand Concurse) ASAP to catch this expansive and joyous exhibit.
The exhibition, on view through September 4, features over 150 photographs by the legendary photographer. This is the largest retrospective of the artist’s work to date. Don’t miss it!
I don’t like wearing masks. No one does. I love seeing people laugh and smile. But I will never understand how a measure to protect your health and others became a major flashpoint. The price of freedom is high. And it isn’t wearing some cloth over your face.
La Lupe was a force of nature. It was with good reason that the Cuban Afro-Latina songstress from the Bronx was known as the “Queen of Latin Soul.” La Lupe was absolutely unforgettable and in her heyday graced the stage of Carnegie Hall, headlined at The Garden and even starred on Broadway. Genias in Music: La Lupe, by Latino USA, is a fascinating deep dive into the life and career of this important but often misunderstood giant of Latin music. Enjoy!
Back in 2013, Country Club, the popular Dominican soda brand, ran a brilliant ad campaign that featured a group of aliens coming to the Dominican Republic with nefarious intent but end up falling in love with Quisqueya. Enjoy!
