Arts & Culture

Belén Pereyra-Alem and Yannick Lebrun. Black woman and man in black and brown performance outfits link arms in front of brown wall and floor
Sameer Rao  Dec 13, 2018 3:45PM EST

Vanessa Williams, Jillian Hervey Reflect on 60 Years of Alvin Ailey

The performers discuss the pioneering artist, his dance company and their importance to Black families for an HBO video series commemorating the institution’s 60th anniversary. 
Janet Jackson. Black woman with brown hair wears black outfit and carries black cape in front of red lights
Sameer Rao  Dec 13, 2018 2:26PM EST

Celebrate Janet Jackson's Rock Hall Induction With Her Biggest Hits

She is the only artist of color in a Hall of Fame class of inductees dominated by White rockers.
Eden Duncan-Smith and Danté Crichlow. Black girls in white shirt with red and white and blue NASA logo stands next to Black boy in blue and red and grey and yellow jacket in front of grey walls
Sameer Rao  Dec 13, 2018 12:13PM EST

Black Brainiacs Time Travel to Stop Police Violence in 'See You Yesterday'

“I made this film because I don’t want the conversation on police brutality to slow down,” says director Stephon Bailey about his Netflix project, which is produced by Spike Lee.
Multicolored pins, including gold one spelling "Selena" and yellow one with text spelling "COMO LA FLOR" on denim vest worn by person in black tank top in front of crowd
Sameer Rao  Dec 12, 2018 5:05PM EST

Selena Fans Cheer for Netflix Series—With Reservations

The news of a biopic series about the late queen of Tejano music has fans (mostly) jumping for joy.
Issa Rae. Black woman in green and grey dress speaks into black microphone on stand with white sign and back text reading "HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE" in front of black microphone and background with white text on screen
Sameer Rao  Dec 12, 2018 2:54PM EST

Issa Rae Inks Production Deal to Uplift Marginalized Screenwriters

The “Insecure” creator’s new agreement with Columbia Pictures will provide support for emerging writers working on feature projects. 
Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Meagan Good and Debbi Morgan. Black girls and women and man pose in dark clothing on black background with white text; Adam Beach, Irene Bedard and Evan Adams. Indigenous woman and men smile under blue sky with red text
Sameer Rao  Dec 12, 2018 11:29AM EST

1990s Black and Indigenous Coming-of-Age Stories Added to National Film Registry

Their induction coincides with the NFR’s 30th anniversary. 
Tricia Joe. Asian girl in multicolored outfit with long black hair in front of beige wall with multicolored art and brown furniture
Sameer Rao  Dec 11, 2018 4:59PM EST

'The Claudia Kishi Club' Explores 'Baby-Sitters Club' Member's Influence on Asian America

In Sue Ding’s upcoming documentary, Asian-American artists discuss what the ultra-fashionable babysitter meant for their cultural representation.
Poster with yellow top bar and black text reading "PLAYBILL" and Black woman on white and pink and turquoise background behind black text that reads "EVE'S SONG" on grey pavement in front of brown building
Sameer Rao  Dec 11, 2018 12:29PM EST

READ: New York City Theater Explores Black Death

The Undefeated looks at on- and off-Broadway plays that take on the specter of anti-Black violence, both intimate and structural, during this theater season.
Two paintings illustrating Latinx woman and child in multiple colors of paint and caption on white placard with black text, all on white wall
Sameer Rao  Dec 10, 2018 6:37PM EST

Artists Protest Whitney Museum Exec's Weapons Connections

Warren B. Kanders owns Safariland, a defense manufacturer whose tear gas canisters were used against asylum seekers at the United States-Mexico border.
Muslim-American girls in white and gray and blue hijabs and multicolored clothing stand near Brown boy with black hair and beard and blue shirt while holding black filmmaking equipment in front of red brick wall and brown wall and green tree and gray sky
Sameer Rao  Dec 10, 2018 3:40PM EST

WATCH: Young Muslim Filmmakers Take Control of Their Stories

Participants in the Center for Asian American Media’s Muslim Youth Voices Project captured their realities and imaginations in a series of newly released films.
Chuck D and Ernie Isley. Black men in black pants and hats and blue and black shirts join fists in front of red and brown chairs and brown floor and white wall with multicolored photos and artwork
Sameer Rao  Dec 10, 2018 12:03PM EST

Chuck D and Ernie Isley Talk Two Generations of 'Fight the Power'

The songwriters discuss their social justice anthems and the Black resistance that inspired them.
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele. Two Black men in black tuxedos and white shirts smile at the camera
Kenrya Rankin  Dec 7, 2018 12:23PM EST

Who Should Replace Kevin Hart as Oscars Host?

The comedian dropped out after people criticized him for homophobic tweets.
The GZA, Raekwon and the Wu-Tang Clan. Black men in multicolored clothing stand or sit in front of brown bookshelf and multicolored books and artwork
Sameer Rao  Dec 6, 2018 4:13PM EST

Watch the Wu-Tang Clan Drop Bars in This Tiny Desk Concert

The Wu celebrates the 25th anniversary of its debut album with a career-spanning medley and cipher.
Stephan James, KiKi Layne, Regina King and Barry Jenkins. Black man in light blue suit stands next to Black woman in yellow dress next to Black woman in blue and white romper next to Black man in navy and black suit in front of white wall with purple
Sameer Rao  Dec 6, 2018 12:11PM EST

The Artists of Color We'll Be Pulling For At the Golden Globes

From Berry Jenkins and Regina King to Rami Malek and Alfonso Cuarón, people of color grabbed nominations in several of the top categories.
Indigenous man in blue and white shirt sits next to standing Indigenous child in yellow jacket and black pants holding brown stick on brown rocks in front of grey water
Sameer Rao  Dec 5, 2018 3:22PM EST

Livestream 'Dawnland' and Discussion With Indigenous Activists

Watch as the documentary’s stars, Esther Anne and Dawn Neptune Adams, join the filmmakers for a live screening, concert and panel discussion.
Kevin Hart. Black man in black and red striped shirt and black jeans sits on brown stool and speaks into black microphone in front of light pink wall with white text
Sameer Rao  Dec 5, 2018 3:14PM EST

Indigenous Critics Not Pleased That Kevin Hart Will Host Oscars

The comedian faces backlash for throwing a “cowboys and Indians” party for his son’s first birthday.
Lena Waithe and Black Women Who Brunch. Group of Black women in multicolored clothing sit and stand on or near white blocks on white floor in front of white wall
Sameer Rao  Dec 5, 2018 12:37PM EST

Hollywood's Black Women Who Brunch Are Ready to Step Into Their Power

More than 60 members of the entertainment networking group gathered to discuss how they navigate racism and sexism for The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Power 100 issue.
Yellow text reading "Blaxploitation A Film by Noname" hovers over black and navy city buildings and sky and yellow lights
Sameer Rao  Dec 4, 2018 4:29PM EST

WATCH: Noname Sends Up Anti-Black Fear in New Music Video

The Chicago rapper’s new clip for “Blaxploitation” features a Black child scaring White newscasters and viewers by—you guessed it—simply living.
Sandra Bland. Black woman with black hair in black jacket in front of red background with dark red text
Sameer Rao  Dec 4, 2018 3:07PM EST

New Sandra Bland Documentary Calls On World to 'Say Her Name'

The feature-length documentary follows Bland’s family as they try to answer the questions surrounding her 2015 death in police custody.
Glory Edim. Black woman in grey shirt with black text that reads "WELL-READ BLACK GIRL" surrounded by green plants; Illustrated book cover with Black woman rendered in blue on light orange background with white stars and text
Sameer Rao  Dec 4, 2018 12:33PM EST

Glory Edim On Reading as Activism

The woman behind the “Well-Read Black Girl” anthology discusses how she built a community around Black women and literature.