Gateways Music Festival’s 2026 Spring  Season To Feature A Historic Firebird Collaboration With Dance Theatre Of Harlem And A Homecoming Celebration Honoring Founder Armenta Hummings Dumisani

Gateways Festival Orchestra | Armenta Hummings Dumisani, Gateways’ Founder and Pianist      Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg Black classical artistry takes center stage from New York City to Winston-Salem, with works by classical greats, including Black composers, and national engagements with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Carnegie Hall Citywide and more Rochester, N.Y. (March 5, 2026)…

Helen Butler, executive director of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda issued the following statement on the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.

The Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda mourns the loss of one of the most influential civil rights warriors in modern history, Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. From Operation Breadbasket, to his historic presidential campaigns, to his decades of leadership at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Rev. Jackson dedicated his life to service, justice, and economic…

Bigger Than Africa Digs Deep Into Black History

Toyin Ibrahim Adeyeke’s far-reaching documentary on Yoruba culture comes to public stations across the U.S. and streaming The film features interviews with the likes of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Afrobeat musician and activist Femi Kuti and former Presidentof the Federal Republic of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo. BOSTON (February 9, 2026) — Bigger Than Africa, Toyin Ibrahim…

Sounds of Blackness Juneteenth Celebration Is An Anthem of Joy & Freedom for Our Time

In a powerful tribute to freedom and unity, Sounds of Blackness presents Juneteenth Celebration. Blending the rich traditions of R&B Soul with the contemporary flair of modern R&B, a music driven call-to-action that resonates with a vibrant spirit that invites listeners to celebrate heritage and resilience. The collective’s signature sound is a heartfelt tapestry woven…

Beyonce Makes History, Becomes First Black Woman to Win a Grammy For Best Country Album

Nationwide — Beyoncé has once again made history, becoming the first Black woman ever to win a Grammy for Best Country Album. Her groundbreaking achievement shatters barriers in a genre that has long been dominated by white artists and often overlooked the contributions of Black musicians. According to Billboard, this win for Cowboy Carter, she…

Supporting Access to Healthy Foods and Resilient Food Systems 

CDFA awards $9 million to 103 Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program projects to expand access to healthy foods in underserved communities California receives $38 million from the USDA to support food and farm businesses at the middle of the supply chain SACRAMENTO – (12/22/23)Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted supports to expand access to fresh, healthy foods in…

Clark Atlanta University President Attends The 14th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser Event ‘Closing The Gap’ Fundraiser (corrections from week of 2/16/23)

George T. French, Jr., Ph.D. President of Clark Atlanta University, and Clifton L. Harris, Publisher of the San Bernardino American News attend the Annual William E. Shack Jr. Clark University Fundraiser in Henderson, NV. In its 14th year, this year’s event was held at the Green Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. The event was titled…

Young Scholars of Excellence Showcase Talent at APhiA and AKA 35th Oratorical Contest

      Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mu Xi Lambda Chapter, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Nu Omega Chapter hosted the 35th Annual Oratorical Contest at the Riverside County Office of Education, Riverside, California on Saturday, February 18, 2023.  Young scholars demonstrated their public speaking skills in three different categories: Grade School,…

55th San Bernardino County Black History Month Parade and Expo “SOUNDS OF MUSIC” is a Fantastic Voyage!

Saturday February 25th. The parade starts at 10:00 on Citrus and Summit Avenue and proceeds to the Home Depot parking lot on Sierra Lakes parkway where the Expo begins. This year’s Grand Marshal, founder of the R&B group “Lakeside”, Captain Mark Woods Jr.  and his lovely wife and  Soul Train dancer Sharon Hill Woods. Soul…

George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021

This bill addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It increases accountability for law enforcement misconduct, restricts the use of certain policing practices, enhances transparency and data collection, and establishes best practices and training requirements. The bill enhances existing enforcement mechanisms to remedy violations by law enforcement….

The National Black Cultural Information Trust Launches the Protect Black History Initiative

The new ProtectBlackHistory.org initiative will distribute Black history materials and other resources in communities facing hostility toward teaching Black history in local school systems. WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc. has launched the Protect Black History Initiative. This program, available at ProtectBlackHistory.org, will provide Black history resources and…

Juneteenth, the U.S.’ Second Independence Day, Is Now a Federal Holiday

June 19, 1865, marked the end of slavery in Texas and, by extension, the Confederate states Meilan Solly Smithsonian Magazine Associate Editor, History Note: On Thursday, June 17,  2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill designating Juneteenth—the longstanding commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States—as a federal holiday. The Senate passed the…

Orchestra Partners Appoints Kim Hunter To Independent Corporate Advisory Board

Bringing experience and innovation to help restore the urban core of Small Town, USA.   BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (February 16, 2022) – Orchestra Partners announces the appointment of Kim Hunter to the Independent Corporate Advisory Board, effective immediately. Hunter brings strategic integrated marketing communications expertise, deep prior experience in growing professional services firm, as well as…

The  Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana is proud present the 54th San Bernardino County Black History Month Parade and Expo 

The  Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana is proud present the 54th San Bernardino County Black History Month Parade and Expo spotlights STEM program on Saturday February 26th.  The parade starts on Citrus Ave. north of 210 freeway on Fontana at 10am, the Expo will follow at 11am in the Home Depot parking…

Diocese of San Bernardino Recognizes Lifetime Accomplishments  Of  Three Outstanding Women Of Color

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Diocese of San Bernardino Catholics of African Descent will recognize the lifetime accomplishments of three outstanding African American women: Thelma Bledsoe, Lois J. Carson, (posthumously)  and Wilma Cochrane. Each of these women were instrumental in establishing a ministry for Catholics of African descent in the Diocese of San Bernardino.  The Most…

McDonald’s USA Celebrates Black History With “Future 22” — a Campaign Spotlighting Young Gamechangers

Actress Keke Palmer has been tapped to tell stories of these next generation leaders who are positively shaping the future, one impactful act at a time CHICAGO, Feb. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — McDonald’s has launched “Future 22,” a new creative campaign that celebrates the work of 22 young, gifted and Black leaders whose passion and…

What Better Time To Remember Forgotten Black Heroes Who Helped End Slavery In America Than Black History Month?

Docudramas based on the lives of Denmark Vesey, Charlotte Forten and Solomon Northup now streaming Now streaming on Tubi, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Productions of Past America Inc. and Pentacom Productions Inc. Denmark Vesey’s Rebellion Denmark Vesey grew up a slave in Charleston, South Carolina. After purchasing his freedom, he became a carpenter and could…

200-Year Old Historically Black Community In Michigan Continues To Struggle After Years Of Disenfranchisement And Racial Inequity

Nationwide — If you live in one of 10 contiguous South Oakland County, Michigan suburbs (one of the wealthiest counties in the United States), you are living on the stolen land and looted lives of a historically Black community called Royal Oak Township, dating back to 1819 and before Michigan’s 1837 statehood. White security and…