Black History Month Archives - The Washington Informer https://www.washingtoninformer.com/category/supplements/black-history-month/ Black News, Commentary and Culture | The Washington Informer Thu, 07 Mar 2024 14:34:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cropped-Site-Icon-32x32.png Black History Month Archives - The Washington Informer https://www.washingtoninformer.com/category/supplements/black-history-month/ 32 32 121622320 Laughter from the Capital: D.C.’s Rich Legacy of Black Comedians https://www.washingtoninformer.com/black-comedians-dc-legacy/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/black-comedians-dc-legacy/#respond Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1201729 Greg "Judge" Poole (Courtesy photo)

Washington, D.C. has been home to some of the most influential and iconic Black comedians, who have used humor as a powerful tool to challenge societal norms, amplify their voices, and shape the comedy landscape.

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Cathy Hughes: Media Arts Entrepreneur, ‘Truth-Teller,’ Barrier-Breaker, Living Legend https://www.washingtoninformer.com/cathy-hughes-barrier-breaker-media-mogul/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/cathy-hughes-barrier-breaker-media-mogul/#respond Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1201723 **FILE** Media arts mogul Cathy Hughes launched her barrier-breaking work in D.C. as the owner and operator of the largest Black-owned broadcast company in the nation. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

Media arts mogul Cathy Hughes is a trailblazer and pioneer, having created a legacy of innovation and journalistic integrity in the media world, and is the first African-American woman to chair a publicly held corporation with Urban One.

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Dick Gregory: An Accessible D.C. Comedy Legend and Activist https://www.washingtoninformer.com/dick-gregory-legacy-civil-rights/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/dick-gregory-legacy-civil-rights/#respond Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1201733 Dick Gregory

Dick Gregory, a renowned comedian and activist, was celebrated during Black History Month with the limited edition re-release of "Wake Up and Stay Woke", which shares aspects of his life beyond his comedy and activism.

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Mimi’s Musings: Black Entrepreneurs Ensure Ownership of African American Stories, Black Comedians Keep Audiences Laughing Despite Pain https://www.washingtoninformer.com/african-american-arts-entrepreneurship-comedy/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/african-american-arts-entrepreneurship-comedy/#respond Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1201719 Legendary media mogul Cathy Hughes greets the crowd during The Hilltop's centennial celebration on Feb. 3. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

African American arts entrepreneurs and comedians have been taking ownership of Black stories through arts entrepreneurship and comedy, paving the way for future generations to do the same.

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30 Years of Step Afrika: Bringing the Art of Stepping to the Masses, Honoring its Roots https://www.washingtoninformer.com/step-africa-30-years-stepping-culture/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/step-africa-30-years-stepping-culture/#respond Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:00:51 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1201316 Celebrating 30 years, Step Afrika! has been a leader in exposing the District, nation and world to the power and beauty of stepping as a means of sharing Black narratives and culture and spreading joy. Step Afrika! performed with D.C. native Christylez Bacon as part of President Joe Biden’s 2023 Juneteenth Concert. (WI file photo)

Step Afrika!, a D.C.-based arts company, has celebrated its 30th year by bringing the art of stepping to the masses and honoring its roots, while also spreading joy through its performances.

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African Americans’ Historic Contributions to Theater and Dance https://www.washingtoninformer.com/african-american-theater-dance-history/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/african-american-theater-dance-history/#respond Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1201296 Scurlock Photography Studio's photo of Berniece Hammond’s Northeast Dance Academy class showcases dance as a key aspect of African American artistic expression in the District in the early- to mid-20th century. (Courtesy of Black Dance DMV/Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History)

African American theatermakers and dancers in D.C. have used their talents to educate, entertain and empower audiences, while also highlighting their contributions to overall culture.

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D.C. Black Repertory Company: A Trailblazer in Black Theater and Arts for the District and Beyond https://www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-black-repertory-company/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-black-repertory-company/#respond Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1201307 Robert Hooks, celebrated actor and political activist, returned to his hometown for an anniversary tribute honoring him for establishing the DC Black Repertory Company 47 years ago. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

D.C. Black Repertory Company, founded by Robert Hooks in 1971, produced more than 20 classical, contemporary and original plays and provided theater instruction to some of the greatest artists of their time, inspiring the careers of Lynn Whitfield, Kene Holliday, LaVerne Reed, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Amii Stewart, and others.

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Reflections on Mike Malone: An Innovator with a Mission to Educate, Empower Black Youth Through the Arts https://www.washingtoninformer.com/black-arts-movement-mike-malone/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/black-arts-movement-mike-malone/#respond Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1201311 As a theater-maker, co-founder of Duke Ellington School of the Arts and longtime professor at Howard University, Mike Malone was a trailblazer to D.C.’s Black arts scene. (Courtesy photo)

Mike Malone, a pioneer in Washington, D.C.'s Black arts movement, revolutionized arts education and theater in the nation and world, and his legacy continues to inspire young artists to pursue careers in the arts.

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Jones-Haywood’s Offers Dance Training, Life Lessons  https://www.washingtoninformer.com/black-ballerinas-jones-haywood-dance-school/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/black-ballerinas-jones-haywood-dance-school/#respond Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1201321 In 1941 Doris Jones and Claire Haywood started a dance school that has trained many Black dancers, choreographers and artists. Jones-Haywood continues to offer dance classes to this day. (Courtesy photo)

Jones-Haywood Dance School, founded by Doris Jones and Claire Haywood in 1941, has provided a safe space for Black dancers to grow as artists and navigate the world, training countless successful alumni including three-time Tony winner Hinton Battle, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and Tony Award-winning performer Chita Rivera, and celebrated choreographer George Faison.

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Honoring the Life of Maya Angelou https://www.washingtoninformer.com/maya-angelou-legacy-second-chances/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/maya-angelou-legacy-second-chances/#respond Wed, 14 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1200742 Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou, a celebrated author, poet, and civil rights activist, was born in 1928 and died in 2014, leaving a legacy of her work and a passion for emphasizing the importance of grace and second chances.

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