Latest news with #Afro-American
The Guardian
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Idris Ackamoor Ankhestra, Rhodessa Jones, Danny Glover: Artistic Being review – powerful live set from the Afrofuturist and friends
Idris Ackamoor was a champion of Afrofuturism long before that term was coined; his 70s band the Pyramids combined funk and avant-garde jazz with Egyptian flavours and a keen awareness of Afro-American history. (Sun Ra is an obvious fellow traveller.) Since his re-emergence a decade back, Ackamoor has deliveredfour impressive albums for the Strut label, which is marking National Record Store Day with this recording of a 2024 San Francisco concert. It's a powerful, uncompromising work, combining an expanded big band, the Ankhestra, with spoken-word outings by Hollywood actor Danny Glover alongside fellow activist Rhodessa Jones. Opener Afro Futuristic Dreams is a call to arms, its massed chants shapeshifting into driving soul and a rich instrumental mix led by violin and flute. The group draw on hard bop and serpentine melodies on Tembeka and the jauntier Thank You God. The centrepiece is Glover's Grandma Cole Story, which turns the harrowing ordeals of a 10-year-old African girl aboard a slave ship into a a triumph of spirit via a blaze of Blakean imagery. China Lane Suite charts a cross-racial love affair, while In God's Country is Glover's tribute to his mother. Ackamoor's Prayer for Changing Times is self-explanatory, both demanding and joyous.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UMass Spring Arts Festival showcases over 75 events through May 9
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – The third annual UMass Spring Arts Festival is underway, offering the community more than 75 arts events, including concerts, performances, exhibitions, and faculty-led discussions. Running from March 24 to May 9, the festival highlights the creative talents of students, faculty, and visiting artists through a mix of free and ticketed events. Ludlow elects new selectmen, school committee members A collaboration between the Fine Arts Center and the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA), the festival is a testament to UMass Amherst's dedication to the arts. 'The Spring Arts Festival not only underscores an important partnership between HFA and the Fine Arts Center, but it also showcases the immense talent of students, faculty, and staff in our community,' said Lupe Davidson, Dean of HFA at UMass Amherst. The festival features a variety of artistic expressions, from student-led performances to internationally acclaimed musicians and scholars. A key event component is HFA Days, which invites the public to sit in on open classroom sessions spanning subjects like visual art, Afro-American studies, literature, linguistics, and philosophy. 'The future belongs to creative leaders—those who innovate, experiment, and push boundaries,' said Jamilla Deria, Director of the Fine Arts Center. 'The arts drive innovation, and this festival showcases the extraordinary talent and energy that make our campus a dynamic hub for the next generation of visionaries.' Alongside faculty discussions and classroom experiences, the Spring Arts Festival will feature a lineup of performances, exhibitions, and special events, including: Student Art Sale – March 28, noon to 4 p.m., Studio Arts Building Juniper Literary Festival – April 4-5, celebrating poetry, fiction, and nonfiction Fine Arts Center Outdoor Concert Series April 10: Skruple and The Baxbys at Southwest Residential Area beach April 17: South Pleasant Revival and The Greys at Southwest Residential Area beach John Cameron Mitchell Performance – April 11, an evening with the actor and screenwriter Meshell Ndegeocello Concert – April 24, a performance by the three-time Grammy winner Bach Festival and Symposium – April 25-27, featuring world-renowned musicians and scholars Spring Artwalk – April 19, featuring hands-on art activities, exhibitions, and free snacks Xanadu Musical Production – May 2, 3, and 7, presented by the UMass Department of Theater Bruce Hornsby & yMusic Performance – May 9, closing out the festival with a mix of classical and contemporary music With a diverse lineup of events, the UMass Spring Arts Festival provides a platform for students and faculty to engage in meaningful artistic expression while inviting the greater community to participate. A full schedule of events is available online. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
17-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Longtime Maryland aide Anthony McCarthy dies after battling kidney disease
Longtime Maryland political aide, strategist, journalist and radio host Anthony McCarthy has died following a battle with kidney disease, WJZ has learned. He was 57 years old. McCarthy spoke candidly about his k idney disease diagnosis with WJZ in 2023 while waiting for a kidney transplant. He was a fixture in Baltimore politics as the spokesperson for mayors Shelia Dixon, Stephanie Rawlings Blake and Catherine Pugh. McCarthy also served with Congressman Kweisi Mfume and the late Congressman Elijah Cummings. "I remember running around City Hall," McCarthy told WJZ in 2023. "I remember running all around Baltimore when I had so much energy and now I can't even walk." McCarthy began his career as a writer with the Afro-American newspaper and was host of "The Anthony McCarthy Show" on WEAA radio. The station (WEAA) is planning a tribute of remembrance to honor him at 5 p.m. on Monday. "Anthony was the epitome of loyalty, principles and hope," Congressman Mfume said in a statement. "He never allowed the coarse nature of others to deprive him of his faith in God or his belief in the inherent nature of good in all people. Optimism and determination coexisted in his being. I will miss his trust and wise counsel. He was a friend until the end." According to The Baltimore Banner, McCarthy had been on dialysis for four years and was hoping for a new kidney. McCarthy was raised in Virginia and attended Eastern Mennonite University and Howard University before moving to Maryland in the mid-1990s, according to the Banner. "I want to live" In 2023, politicians and friends put on a fundraiser called"Love Fest" in Ellicott City. McCarthy was waiting for a kidney at an assisted living facility in Virginia. At the time, he was optimistic about a recovery. "I want to live, I want to walk, I want to laugh, I want to dance," McCarthy said. "I want to do all the things I used to do, again."
Associated Press
05-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
CÔTE d'IVOIRE AMBASSADOR TOURÉ BRINGS TOGETHER BUSINESS, CULTURAL, AND EDUCATIONAL LEADERS FOR DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION
Delegation to travel to Côte d'Ivoire in May 2025. 'We are reaching out to international corporations, organizations, institutions, and the Afro-American and Caribbean communities inviting them to look at Côte d'Ivoire, visit, and to invest' — H.E. Ibrahima Touré WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, February 5, 2025 / / -- Côte d'Ivoire has experienced remarkable economic growth since 2012, driven by advancements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and particularly in the agriculture sector. The country has maintained a consistent GDP growth rate averaging around 7% over the past decade, establishing itself as a significant player in the West African region. 'The facts about Côte d'Ivoire's economy speak for themselves and present a reasonable case for companies to consider investing in Côte d'Ivoire', says Thomas Young, President, World Trade Center, Philadelphia. The Ivorian government is committed to fostering a stable democracy and improving economic conditions, recognizing that continued cooperation with international organizations and foreign nations, especially with trade, investment, culture, and history is crucial for the country's ongoing development. According to Côte d'Ivoire's Ambassador to Washington, DC, 'We are reaching out to international corporations, organizations, institutions, and the Afro-American and Caribbean communities inviting them to look at Côte d'Ivoire, visit, and to invest in Côte d'Ivoire', H.E. Ibrahima Touré. As a gateway to West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire serves as a strategic hub for trade, providing access to markets in the 5 neighboring countries it borders and beyond by facilitating regional commerce. The Ambassador is organizing a delegation to Côte d'Ivoire during the period from May 23 to June 1, 2025. The date was deliberately chosen so that this cultural and economic discovery trip coincides with the Agriculture and Animal Resources Fair (SARA), thus providing a framework for discovery and interaction with the Ivorian business community. The tour also includes visits to cultural and historical sites in Abidjan, Grand-Bassam, Yamoussoukro, Abengourou and a day devoted to discussions on investment opportunities. Finally, the Ambassador reassured his guests about the support of the ministries in charge of Foreign Affairs, Culture, and Tourism as well as the institutions promoting investments in Côte d'Ivoire. Rich in natural resources, including cocoa, coffee, palm oil, and minerals, Côte d'Ivoire stands as the world's largest exporter of cocoa, creating ample opportunities in agriculture and agro-industry. The government has initiated significant investments in infrastructure—transportation, energy, and telecommunications—which enhance logistics and connectivity for businesses operating within its borders. 'This commitment from the Ivorian government and investment in infrastructure provides a level of comfort that members of my Chamber can identify with when looking for new business opportunities', Charles DeBow III, President and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Stanley Straughter, the Chairman of The African Caribbean Business Council of Greater Philadelphia states that businesses are seeking opportunities to expand where they can see returns on their investments. 'Côte d'Ivoire is a major contributor to the economy of Pennsylvania in the manufacturing sector creating good-paying jobs,' said Mr. Straughter, 'that is why I am helping to organize a trade mission to Côte d'Ivoire to further our trade and investment relationship'. Serving a population of over 26 million and with a growing middle class, Côte d'Ivoire presents a burgeoning market with an increasing demand for diverse products and services. To attract foreign investment, the Ivorian government has introduced several initiatives, including tax incentives, investment codes, and a commitment to improving the ease of doing business. The government is focused on sustainable practices, with plans to enhance renewable energy capacities and promote eco-friendly investments, appealing to socially responsible investors. They are also embracing rapid digital transformation, Côte d'Ivoire is witnessing growth in sectors such as FinTech, e-commerce, and telecommunications, attracting technology-savvy investors eager to tap into the country's potential. 'Alongside these developments, exists a burgeoning appreciation for beauty, entertainment, and fashion says', Sasha Perea, Miss DC, USA ('21), and DC Commissioner of Fashion Arts and Events, she continues, 'There are many overlapping industries all benefiting or positioned to benefit from the growth of the fashion, pageantry, beauty, entertainment industry'. 'Côte d'Ivoire, as a dynamic leader in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) promotes trade and investment cooperation among member states; yet it also takes pride in celebrating the nation's rich cultural legacy, history, and creative arts,' says Dr. Toungara, retired professor of history, Howard University. 'Côte d'Ivoire is not just a land of opportunity but a nation committed to building a prosperous future for all its citizens and investors alike,' says Ambassador Touré, 'we invite global partners to engage with Côte d'Ivoire as we continue on this path of sustainable growth and development'. 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