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

By: Jewel Benton Photos by: Bill Allen, Perception Media Elevation, community and flair were at the heart of this year’s Harlem Fashion Week as attendees gathered at Aloft Harlem to celebrate the event’s 10th year. Flashy runway presentations, a thoughtful panel and vibrant vendor showcases brought together models, designers, media and guests on Sunday, March 16, from 2 p.m. into the evening. Co-founder and creative director Yvonne Jewnell, a jewelry designer who launched th

By: Tariq Richardson Courtesy of Anthony Boogie Nicholson From church pews in Louisiana to crowds of 80,000 at the Houston Rodeo, musician and entrepreneur Anthony Boogie Nicholson has spent decades carving out a lane entirely his own. The Houston-based bassist opens up about his roots, his relationship with AI, his trucking business, and what he hopes to leave behind when the spotlight eventually fades. Before the big stages and the viral Shannon Sharpe moment, where did it

By Mana Faye photos courtesy: Bill Allen Kephra Burns and Susan Taylor seated at their gala table Credit: Bill Allen Perception Media On Monday night, the National CARES Mentoring Movement  hosted its annual For the Love of Our Children Gala, marking the organization’s 20th anniversary and founder Susan L. Taylor’s 80th birthday at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Angela Yee and Leon Robinson, Credit: Bill Allen Perception Media Hosted by Emmy Award-winning television host Tamron Hall,

By: Bonita Sostre photos courtesy Bill Allen Amazon brought together journalists, influencers, founders and trailblazers for a two day conference to explore the future of work, AI and the intersection of entertainment sports and technology. A few of those who attending including NABJ past and present chapter Presidents, including NYABJ's Bonita Sostre, Phil Lewis among others. Sessions included: Impact Over Optics: How Amazon and AWS Use Innovation and Influence for Good, Wha

By: Stephanie Woods Mckinney Photo Courtesy: Stephanie Woods Mckinney The 92nd Street Y continues to bring new and exciting celebrity guests to its tight-knit community uptown in New York City. The world-class cultural center has outdone itself with meaningful, educational, entertaining, and heartfelt discussions. In January, media mogul, philanthropist, television producer, host, and all-around powerhouse Oprah Winfrey made a special guest appearance with friends. Michael Pr

By: Jewel Benton Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, was one of the coldest evenings of the year so far, but even more memorable was the warmth that permeated the sold-out Jellabiya Iftar: The New York Edition, a celebration of both African excellence and Black excellence. At least 300 attendees, ranging from their twenties and up, gathered in midtown Manhattan from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at an elegant commercial building. Guests embraced the dress code, donning dazzling fashion from Jellabi

Photos by Bill Allen The show ended, but the love is still very real. Michelle Miller brought her CBS family and friends together to celebrate their work on CBS Saturday Morning. It was a celebration and a final farewell for the team. There was laughter, tears, and a sense of community.

By: Akilah H. Green Courtesy: JRoberts Management New England born soul singer, writer, and producer Charmagne Tripp, self-described as a “New England Negro”—is a 25-year music industry veteran whose career has been rooted in longevity, adaptability, and truth. The oldest of seven and an aunt to more than 40 nieces and nephews, Tripp carries generations of life experience into her music, and it shows deeply on her newest release, Live at Parkville Sounds. The project is intim

By: Bill Allen Harlem, NY — Charlie Lewis Jr. has achieved a milestone many have long anticipated: the publication of his first book, No Apologies. With the help of acclaimed filmmaker and writer Nathan Hale Williams, Lewis has documented the chapters of his life, offering an intimate look at his journey from a young boy in the South to a proud New Yorker and community leader. The book’s title reflects a mixture of conscience, metaphor, and poetic language—qualities shaped by

Photos and Article by Bill Allen Two years ago, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City launched a special partnership with the Alvin Ailey Progressive Dance Company and the local community. The Whitney, renowned for showcasing innovative artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, has created a vibrant platform for artistic exploration and engagement. As part of this initiative, admission to the Whitney Museum is now free for all visitors every Friday evening from

Photos and Article by: Bill Allen The Ruth E. Carter Afrofuturism in Costume Design exhibition is currently touring national museums, showcasing some of Ms. Carter’s extensive work and celebrating her groundbreaking contributions to fashion and film. Ms. Carter learned her craft early, experimenting on her mother’s sewing machine in Springfield, Massachusetts. A proud graduate of Hampton University, she began her career working on several television programs, including the a

By: Tariq Richardson Courtesy: JRoberts Management New York, the vibrant city that never sleeps. It’s home to the iconic Knicks at Madison Square Garden, where the energy is electric. Who can forget the thrill of Aaron Judge launching home runs into the night sky? And we can’t forget about the city’s rich nightlife and music culture. Every time Ace Livingston comes to town, it’s always an atmosphere he enjoys. Livingston knows that New York will always tell the truth—either y

By Stephanie Woods-Mckinney Darryl McDaniels Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Darryl McDaniels, affectionately known as DMC of the Hip Hop group RUNDMC bought some magic to Bed-Stuy Fish Fry located in Co-Op City, the Bronx on Monday, December 15. 2025.  The humanitarian, philanthropist, advocate, rap icon and author is promoting is latest book titled: Darryl’s Christmas in Hollis and signed autographs and cookies for those who came out in the frigid cold to not only get a s

By: Bonita Sostre Photo by Paul Kolnik 2021 Alvin Ailey continues its annual season at City Center, running now through January 4, 2026. This season marks a historic milestone as the first under the leadership of new Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack. According to the Ailey website, Mack is a former principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, having performed with the company from 2005 to 2008 and again from 2011 to 2014. She joins Ailey from The Juilliard

Akilah H. Green Stepping into Sugar Bar, felt like entertaining a piece of Black cultural history. The legendary performance and gathering space, founded by Valerie Simpson and the late Nick Ashford, celebrated Melba Moore in this new phase of her career, and it was definitely a night to remember. The atmosphere was warm and intimate, wrapped in rich African-inspired décor that felt both regal and familiar. Earth tones, carved wood, and warm lighting gave the venue a soul-de

By: Akilah H. Green On a crisp New York evening, the energy inside Sweet Catch BK felt like a homecoming. The Brooklyn seafood restaurant, known for its warmth, flavor, and unmistakable cultural pride, opened its doors to the UNCF for an HBCU Happy Hour that blended fellowship, fundraising, and unapologetic Black joy. Before the room filled with alma mater chants and friendly debates about whose band reigns supreme, I spoke with the owner of Sweet Catch Brooklyn, Kawana Jeffe

By: Bill Allen This year's edition of The Root 100 Awards Gala was a double celebration on December 3, 2025. The annual event took place at Gotham Hall in Manhattan, New York. The Root 100 has long recognized authors, educators, inventors, media professionals, sports heroes, politicians, and others who have enriched our lives. Ashley Allison, owner of Watering Hole Media, a well-respected advisor, journalist, and political commentator for CNN, assumed leadership of The Root i