By: Breanna Robinson Photo courtesy of Leo Bruce Henpell/Dreamstine Every Labor Day, Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway transforms into a glorious river of vibrant color, upbeat music and movement. Sequined costumes shimmer like tropical birds, steelpan orchestras echo across brownstone-lined blocks, and the aroma of jerk chicken, curry goat and doubles drifts through the late-summer air. For millions of New Yorkers, the West Indian Day Parade is more than a festival; it is a testame

By: Mana Faye Credit: Nigil Crawford The festival featured beauty activations, inspiring conversations, and a celebration of community. After a one-year hiatus, CURLFEST 2026 returned this weekend to Randall’s Island, bringing together thousands of attendees for a celebration of textured hair, culture, and community. CURLFEST honors the glory of textured crowns, the richness of our skin, and the boundless joy of our culture,” said co-founder Charisse Higgins. Higgins is one o

By: NYABJ Staff Photo credit Kurt Leggard SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Black art, culture and entrepreneurship took center stage as ART & SOUL: Hamptons returned July 17-19 for a three-day festival celebrating creativity, wellness and community across Southampton. Photo credit Kurt Leggard Photo credit Kurt Leggard Presented in partnership with the Southampton African American Museum, the Southampton Arts Center and Ma's House & BIPOC Art Studio, the annual festival brought together a

By: Tariq Richardson Photo courtesy: jrobertsmgt From a small church piano in Cleveland to major recording studios in the Atlanta, Larry Oliver has spent decades building a career as a producer, songwriter, musician, and music director. From the ground up, he had to put blood sweet and tears into building his career. In an interview Oliver reflected on his beginnings, the lessons he learned from church music, his first major placement, and the importance of enjoying the jou

Written/Photos Courtesy: Bill Allen NEWARK, N.J. — Fans, content creators and entertainment professionals gathered at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on July 18 for the inaugural Viewer Con, a new event designed to connect audiences with the stars and storytellers behind their favorite television shows and films. The convention, the brainchild of veteran entertainment journalist Christopher Witherspoon, marks the latest expansion of his PopViewers platform, which aims t

By: Bill Allen Photos Courtesy: Bill Allen NEW YORK — If there was one word to describe New York this summer, it would be hot. The city has endured soaring temperatures, but the heat extended far beyond the weather. From championship celebrations to celebrity weddings and sold-out concerts, New York has been the center of attention. Fresh off the New York Knicks' 2026 NBA championship, fans flooded the streets in orange and blue as the team's victory parade brought parts of M

By: Kelsi Bowen Photo Courtesy: avenue4anything Juneteenth celebrations in New York are relatively new compared with the holiday's long history in the South, but they have quickly become anticipated cultural events. This year, young people from across the city played a leading role in creating spaces that celebrated Black history, culture and community while bringing people together. Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of chattel slavery in the United States. On June 19

By: Mana Faye Photo credit: Darryl Jones This past Juneteenth weekend, The Black Beauty Club transformed the plaza at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building into a vibrant marketplace for its inaugural "Beauty on the Block" event. More than 4,000 attendees gathered for the outdoor celebration, which featured booths from more than 20 Black-owned beauty brands, including Dosso Beauty, Good Weather Skin, KOBA Skincare and Harlem Perfume Co. Founder Tomi Talabi launche

By Jewel Benton & Kelsi Bowen Photo Credit: Shatimah Monaé Brathwaite On Saturday, May 30, 2026, the Hair Unites Everyone (HUE) Affair celebrated its 10th annual event at the Metropolitan Pavilion, drawing beauty enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and industry professionals from across the region . Featuring more than 60 Black-owned and Black-supported beauty brands, the milestone event showcased a vibrant mix of products, services and networking opportunities. With early-bird ticket

By: Bill Allen The American story is often taught as a celebration of freedom, equality and opportunity rooted in the ideals outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Yet beneath those promises lies a more complicated history shaped by racial inequality and exclusion. Those themes were the focus of a May 27 discussion featuring author and Princeton University professor Eddie S. Glaude Jr. at the Free Library of Philadelphia. The event centered on

By: Bill Allen Growing up is often described as an adventure — a journey filled with discovery, uncertainty, fear, and transformation. It is a process marked by difficult decisions, painful failures, and moments that ultimately shape character and wisdom. Yet for some individuals, that journey carries an even greater weight: growing up in the shadow of a parent whose life was cut short because of their influence, courage, and commitment to truth. That reality is explored with

By: Bill Allen The annual Met Gala fundraiser did not disappoint, this year's theme being "Costume Art". The event was co chaired by Beyonce, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, Anna Wintour amongst others. This year's theme welcomed guests to express their love of fashion by embodying art, and the stars came showcasing their unique style and glam. Held annually to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, the gala sets the tone for the institute’s spring exhibitio

By: Akilah Green Photos by: Bill Allen, Perception Media National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) came together on May 1–2 at Temple University in Philadelphia for its Region I Conference, a lead up to its annual convention. Those who attended were journalists, students and media professionals for two days of programming centered on equity, innovation and the evolving media landscape. This year’s gathering included a collaboration with the Young Black Journalists Task

By: Akilah Green Doobie Powell is stepping into a new season one defined by healing, purpose, evolution and a deeper connection to his audience the artist known for his neo-soul, funk, and gospel roots has a new project. In a recent conversation with AkilahTheGenius, Powell reflected on his musical journey, upcoming projects and the inspiration behind what he calls “Remedy.” Known for his dynamic vocals and genre-blending sound, Powell is entering a deeply personal chapter in

By: Tariq Richardson Photo provided by team Aaron Smith For Aaron Smith, music was never just a hobby; it was a calling that started long before he ever stepped onto a stage. Growing up, Smith found himself drawn not just to sound, but to the machinery behind it. Catalogs filled with instruments, gear, and technology fascinated him. Just steps away from his home sat a small mom-and-pop music shop, a place that would quietly shape his future. “I used to go there every day,” Sm

By: Bill Allen Washington, D.C. — On April 16, 2026, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) hosted its annual Legacy Gala at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., to celebrate and honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the ongoing fight for justice and equality. The event brought together current CBC members, past and present CBC presidents and board members, and legislative interns. Honorees included Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina’s 6th

By: Bill Allen New York City — The National Action Network convened its 35th annual convention April 8–11 at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, bringing together community leaders, activists, elected officials and media figures from across the country. The annual gathering serves as a forum for education, information-sharing and strategy development aimed at strengthening communities and advancing social justice nationwide. Founded and led by the Rev. Al Sharpton, th

By: Bill Allen Philadelphia — For the past decade, WDAS and iHeartRadio have shined a spotlight on remarkable women through their annual Women of Excellence luncheon — a celebration of leadership, resilience and community impact across Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. This year’s event continued that tradition, bringing together community leaders, business owners, activists and entertainers for an afternoon of recognition and inspiration. Among the honorees was Joanna Mc

By: NYABJ Staff Ailey II's Xavier Logan in Alvin Ailey's Streams. Photo by Nir Arieli New York City — Ailey II, the acclaimed second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will returned to The Joyce Theater from March 17 to 22 as part of its 2025-26 world tour. Under the direction of Artistic Director Francesca Harper, the company presented eight performances featuring two dynamic programs that highlight both emerging and established choreographers, alongside a classi

By: Bill Allen On March 19, 2026, Amazon Corporation held its 10th annual AWS Imagine Nonprofits Conference at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Baltimore, Maryland. Amazon Web Services Imagine Nonprofits brings together many national companies each year that provide resources or services aimed at benefiting and increasing business and profits, in conjunction with nonprofit representatives. The goal is to network, improve what is working, and potentially make things work better