James Baldwin

Regina King and Colman Domingo in "If Beale Street Could Talk." Black woman in blue shirt and Black man in gray shirt dance in front of beige wall
Sameer Rao  Dec 24, 2018 6:04PM EST

Regina King and Colman Domingo Make Us Better With 'If Beale Street Could Talk'

The veteran actors discuss their relationships to James Baldwin, what they brought to their portrayal of Sharon and Joe Rivers and the passion for rich Black characters.
Stephan James and KiKi Layne. Black man in brown jacket and shirt holds Black woman in yellow sweater and light blue dress in front of brown wall and blue store lights
Sameer Rao  Sep 20, 2018 3:17PM EDT

Gorgeous New 'If Beale Street Could Talk' Trailer Celebrates Black Families

The latest look at Barry Jenkins’ upcoming film illuminates how Baldwin’s characters build community while navigating uncertainty and trauma.
Teyonah Parris, Colman Domingo, Barry Jenkins, KiKi Layne, Regina King and Stephan James stand in multicolored clothing in front of white wall with yellow and black and green logos
Sameer Rao  Sep 11, 2018 2:56PM EDT

'If Beale Street Could Talk' Showcases Black Love, Resistance

Berry Jenkins, the Oscar-winning director of “Moonlight,” brings James Baldwin’s work to the big screen—and it’s never been more relevant.
Illustration of Black child in blue and yellow clothing on brown sidewalk in front of orange building; black-and-white photograph of James Baldwin in scarf and coat in front of trees
Sameer Rao  Aug 24, 2018 4:20PM EDT

Why the New Reprint of James Baldwin's Children's Book Still Matters

Baldwin’s “Little Man, Little Man: A Story of Childhood” offers a haunting exploration of how Black children learn about racism. Colorlines talked to the late writer’s niece and one of the scholars who shepherded the title back to bookshelves about this unique work.
KiKi Layne in yellow shirt next to Stephan James in black and red plaid jacket and white shirt in front of grey background
Sameer Rao  Aug 2, 2018 2:57PM EDT

WATCH: 'If Beale Street Could Talk' Brings James Baldwin's Harlem to Life

Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins dropped the first trailer for his film adaptation of the novel.
Black man in maroon suit with white shirt in front of brown-shaded movie poster with Black man's image and white text
Sameer Rao  Aug 30, 2017 4:21PM EDT

Stephan James Cast in Barry Jenkins' Adaptation of 'If Beale Street Could Talk'

The “Shots Fired” actor will star as Fonny, the main character who is incarcerated on false rape charges in James Baldwin’s 1974 novel.
Black-and-white photo of Black man in blazer and button-down next to black-and-white photo of Black man in white shirt and patterned scarf
Sameer Rao  Jul 11, 2017 11:56AM EDT

Barry Jenkins Adapting James Baldwin Novel for Next Movie

The “Moonlight” director and co-writer will bring ”If Beale Street Could Talk”—Baldwin’s 1974 novel about an engaged couple racing against time and the legal system—to the big screen.
Black man in white shirt and black jacket against black background with blue window and brown window frame
Sameer Rao  Jun 2, 2017 11:51AM EDT

Rocker Benjamin Booker Channels James Baldwin on 'Witness'

The singer and guitarist’s new album, which features guest vocals from Mavis Staples, is available now.
Six Black women and men standing against light blue background with dark blue text, with one Black man holding gold statue and one Black woman wearing a gold gown
Sameer Rao  Jan 24, 2017 11:18AM EST

'Moonlight,' 'Fences' and Actors of Color Make Oscar History

Viola Davis, Mahershala Ali and four others round out the most diverse Academy Awards acting nominee pool ever.
Greyscale image of Black man in white shirt with patterned tie; greyscale image of Black man in white shirt with black blazer
Sameer Rao  Jan 17, 2017 2:55PM EST

''I Am Not Your Negro' Director Raoul Peck on James Baldwin's Legacy

The Haitian filmmaker’s new documentary weaves the compelling story of Black resistance from the 1950s to present using Baldwin’s unfinished “Remember This House” manuscript as its guide.
Greyscale footage of Black man in black suit with white shirt and black tie against black background
Sameer Rao  Jan 6, 2017 10:47AM EST

WATCH: Trailer for 'I Am Not Your Negro' Trailer Brings James Baldwin's Words to Life

The Samuel L. Jackson-narrated documentary opens in theaters February 3.
Greyscale footage of Black man in black suit with white shirt and black tie against black background
Sameer Rao  Dec 7, 2016 1:21PM EST

'I Am Not Your Negro,' '13th' and 'O.J.: Made in America' Shortlisted for Oscar Doc Nominations

Will one of these projects win an Oscar in January?
Novelist James Balnddwin in Hyde Park, London, in 1969.
Yessenia Funes  Sep 9, 2016 10:46AM EDT

James Baldwin's French Home Could Become an Artist Colony

There is an $11.2 million fundraising campaign underway to make it happen.
Colin Kaepernick in white sleeveless warm-up shirt with red-and-gold 49ers logo on front
Sameer Rao  Sep 8, 2016 3:14PM EDT

Keep The Activist Athlete Convo Going With The #ColinKaepernickSyllabus

Mark Anthony Neal collaborated with scholars across disciplines to create the extensive syllabus, which features works on sports and race from James Baldwin and Jackie Robinson.
Black letters on a red background read "The Fire This Time."
Kenrya Rankin  Aug 15, 2016 4:25PM EDT

QUOTABLE: 3 Important Passages From New Book 'The Fire This Time'

Jesmyn Ward’s “The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks about Race” hit bookshelves earlier this month. Here are three passages you must read even before you buy your own copy.
James Baldwin in black-and-white photo with white shirt and black pants
Sameer Rao  Aug 2, 2016 12:03PM EDT

Honor James Baldwin's Birthday With This Poignant Book Excerpt

The seminal writer and race discourse pioneer would have turned 92 today.
In a black and white photograph, James Baldwin stands in front of a white statue
James Baldwin. Introduction by Akiba Solomon  Jul 12, 2016 11:34AM EDT

Proof for Why We Need James Baldwin Now More Than Ever [Excerpt]

Published in 1955, the anthology ”Notes of a Native Son” helped establish the Harlem novelist, essayist and playwright James Baldwin as one of the most important thinkers in the world. This exclusive excerpt from the book about America’s toxic relationship with its Black folks is just as relevant in the #BlackLivesMatter era as it was 61 years ago. 
Kenrya Rankin  Jan 21, 2016 1:15PM EST

EXCLUSIVE: Listen to Studs Terkel’s 'Black Power' Interview with Activist Charles Hamilton

As Chicago’s WFMT kicks off a campaign to bring the broadcaster’s legacy to the Internet, Colorlines has rare audio of his interview with the man who co-authored “Black Power: The Politics of Liberation” with Kwame Ture.
Sameer Rao  Dec 10, 2015 2:33PM EST

Clothing Line Imagines Black Leaders as University Namesakes

Philadelphia Printworks’ “School of Thought” line features shirts from fictional universities built on the philosophies of Audre Lorde, James Baldwin and other Black ideological leaders. 
Black man wearing a dark blazer and pink button-down shirt
Sameer Rao  Oct 26, 2015 3:46PM EDT

Ta-Nehisi Coates Talks White Readers, Offers Black Literature Primer

Coates addressed his readership and preferred books during a public conversation with journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones last Thursday.