All Praises: Remembering Poet Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni's vital and resonant poems live on the page, but out loud they really slayed.
Kwanzaa and the Meaning of Unity
Satisfy your thirst for cultural exploration by learning about Kwanzaa. Explore its creation, learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa, and digest new foods on your way to expanding your knowledge.
15 Ways to Wrap Up James Baldwin’s Centenary
This was the year of James Baldwin's 100th birthday, and the fire next time isn't candles on a cake.
Out, Brief Candle: 15 Singular James Earl Jones Stage Performances
Some of the late James Earl Jones's greatest accomplishments as an actor were in performances nobody will ever see again.
James Earl Jones Was More Than Just the Voice
Sadly, the only person who could bring enough magnitude and gravitas to announcing the news of James Earl Jones’s death is James Earl Jones.
65 Years Ago, “A Raisin in the Sun” Changed American Theatre
Sixty-five years ago this month, Lorraine Hansberry’s pivotal play A Raisin in the Sun opened on Broadway, and it’s exerted a gravitational pull on American culture ever since.
And ACTION: Happy Birthday Film Director Ava DuVernay!
It's director Ava DuVernay's birthday. But what do you get someone who already has an Emmy, an Oscar nomination, and Oprah's phone number?
History in the Making: 20 Years of Beyoncé
Twenty years ago, Beyoncé released her first solo album and since then she's worked steadily toward world domination. What have YOU done since 2003?
Okay, I Believe You: The Art and the Activism of Harry Belafonte
A movie star, a singing sensation, and a major civil rights leader, the late Harry Belafonte accomplished enough to fill several lifetimes.
Don’t Call it a Bad Back: LL Cool J Turns 55
It's LL Cool J's birthday, and we're celebrating in the customary fashion: starting hurricanes; listening to the bass go boom; maybe a little ice cream.
10 Ways to Try a Little Otis Redding
Fifty-five years ago this month the unparalleled soul singer Otis Redding left us, and we've been loving his music too long to stop now.
10 Ways to Commemorate the Retirement of Tennis Legend Serena Williams
Tennis superstar Serena Williams is moving on to other things, and the sport may never be the same.
Five Ways to Remember Late Actress Nichelle Nichols
She left the bridge of the Starship Enterprise only sparingly, but as Lieutenant Uhura, the late Nichelle Nichols beamed herself directly into the American consciousness.
The Godfather of Comedy
Comedy writer Paul Mooney worked with household names without ever quite becoming one himself, but the mark he leaves on American culture is unmistakable.
Race and Police Violence in Children’s Books
News items about police violence involving Black Americans have become so prevalent even young kids can't help but become aware of them. Here are some books to help them make sense of it all.
The Life and Art of Cicely Tyson
Before she died in January, the masterful Cicely Tyson performed in 29 movies and 68 TV programs. The library has some of them.
