Music Usher's World-Renowned Saxophonist Mike Burton to Celebrate Birthday with Two Star Studded Shows at The Velvet Note Saturday, August 22nd Acclaimed saxophonist, producer, educator, and sought after touring musician Mike Burton is turning his birthday celebration into a night to remember, and he’s inviting his friends, fans, and music lovers to join him for what promises to be the birthday party of all time at The Velvet Note in By Pamela Broussard • 3 min read
Culture When Harlem Meets the Vineyard: Dance Theatre of Harlem Celebrates Black Art and Culture On Martha’s Vineyard, Dance Theatre of Harlem brought Robert Garland and Mickalene Thomas together for a conversation that connected two places with deep roots in Black creativity, community and cultural influence. There are certain places that mean something different to Black people because of the history we have created By Dr. Christal Jordan • 6 min read
Everyday Community Can Keisha Lance Bottoms Do What Stacey Abrams Couldn’t? Georgia has already watched one Black woman come painfully close to the governor’s mansion. But in 2026, the candidates, the opponents and Georgia itself are different. When Stacey Abrams lost her second bid to become governor of Georgia in 2022, I think a lot of Democrats quietly wondered whether By Dr. Christal Jordan • 15 min read
Superstar Among Friends: Broadus Together Snoop Dogg Is the Algorithm — And He's Bringing the Culture With Him on TikTok LIVE PREMIERE Long before Snoop Dogg became one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world, there was Calvin Broadus, a lanky young man from Long Beach with an unmistakable voice, a little bit By Victor Flavius • 6 min read
Culture OWN’s 12th Season of Love & Marriage: Huntsville Proves #SideChicksBeWinnin’ Twelve seasons ago, Love & Marriage: Huntsville introduced us to something I was genuinely excited to see on television: Black love, Black marriage, Black ownership and Black entrepreneurship. Three attractive, successful Black couples in Huntsville, Alabama, were building businesses, raising families and trying to create something together. They were upper- By Dr. Christal Jordan • 4 min read
Finding Purpose Through Music: Gibson Opens Up About His Journey, Inspiration, and the Story Behind the Sound Every artist has a story, but not every artist is willing to tell it with complete honesty. Michigan recording artist Gibson has built his music around authenticity, allowing listeners to experience both the victories and the struggles that have shaped his life. Rather than creating songs for temporary attention, he By King O’muni Lens • 4 min read
Lifestyle Dreams, Ambitions, & White Priva-Latte: A Deep Dive into Janea West’s Grown: The Webseries “So often, Black women are expected to be perfect and polished…My series Grown allows Black women to be in their process, imperfect, messy, and all the while still worthy” – Janea West My sister and I grew up under the stern governance of Dr. Phil and Carl Winslow;our parents By Stone E. Mims • 3 min read
It's Not Kandi Versus Tamar, It's the Master Versus the Defiant Student Tamar Braxton has made headlines once again, and per the pattern, it has nothing to do with her coveted five-octave vocal range. Instead, her on-again-off-again rivalry with fellow singer Kandi Burruss has been reignited, and this time, it doesn’t seem any sort of reconciliation or By Brenda Alexander • 8 min read
Culture Truth Hurts Isn’t Pandering to Women and That May Be Exactly Why They Keep Listening The Philly relationship personality has built an audience by saying the things people do not always want to hear, admitting his own flaws and refusing to pretend social media created the war between Black men and women. Truth Hurts is not particularly interested in making women feel good. That becomes By Dr. Christal Jordan • 9 min read
Lifestyle Creating Unforgettable Experiences: How Jayna Martin Is Building a Legacy Through Moments & Memories Party & Decor When people think about event planning, they often picture beautiful decorations and elegant venues. But behind every unforgettable celebration is a visionary who transforms ideas into experiences that leave lasting impressions. Since launching Moments & Memories Party & Decor in 2019, founder Jayna Martin has built a reputation for designing By King O’muni Lens • 5 min read
Copyright: AP2011, Credit: AP, Creator: Gerald Herbert Humanity Why the Angola Farm Line Ruling Was a False Victory Angola sits on land with one of the darkest histories in America. During the 1830s and 1840s, Isaac Franklin, one of the nation’s largest slave traders, pieced together several plantations into a massive cotton operation worked by hundreds of enslaved Africans. The plantation’s name reflected a common practice By Victor Flavius • 5 min read
The Velvet Note in Alpharetta, Georgia Launches Signature Series with Grammy Award-Winning Saxophonist Wayne Escoffery Featuring Legendary Bassist Curtis Lundy The Velvet Note launches its new Signature Series with two unforgettable performances featuring Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Wayne Escoffery on Thursday, August 7, and Friday, August 8, 2026. The performances will take place at The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Brookside Commons (next to Jersey Mike’s), Alpharetta, Georgia, By Pamela Broussard • 2 min read
