Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 55

"Afro-Atlantic Histories": Art of the African diaspora

'Works of artists from Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean from the 17th through 21st centuries are on display in the exhibition "Afro-Atlantic Histories," the most comprehensive look at the interplay of art between Africa and the Americas ever held at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Correspondent Rita Braver pays a visit.'

Dear Black Love: Musicians Share How They Fell in Love

'Afrohaus founders Kelly and Gregory bonded over their love of music. With a daughter and as of 2022, another on the way this little family puts the Black art and creativity at the center of their relationship.'

Denzel Curry: Tiny Desk Concert

'From the moment Denzel Curry and his people stepped foot into NPR headquarters to record their Tiny Desk concert, the vibes were right. With a 10-piece configuration — consisting of drums, bass, keys, guitar, horns and percussion — the rapper put on a flawless and inspired live performance of songs off his latest LP as well as some of his biggest hits, all freshly arranged for the Tiny Desk.'

Erroll Garner Uncovered with Robin D.G. Kelley: Nicole Mitchell / Feeling Is Believing

'Nicole Mitchell is an award-winning flutist, composer, bandleader, and now the chair of Jazz Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. On this episode of Erroll Garner Uncovered, she and host Robin D.G. Kelley examine Garner’s GRAMMY nominated 1970 album, and discuss his pioneering contributions to music and culture.'

Conversations in Atlantic Theory • Nick Nesbitt on The Price of Slavery: Capitalism and Revolution in the Caribbean

'A conversation with Nick Nesbitt about his new book The Price of Slavery: Capitalism and Revolution in the Caribbean, published in April 2022 with University of Virginia Press. In this conversation with Keisha Allan and John Drabinski, Nesbitt explores the argument of The Price of Slavery concerning the meaning of capitalism, commodification, and slavery in the Caribbean, with specific emphasis on Marx’s key concept of the social forms of labor, wealth, and value.'

Thresholds with Jordan Kisner: Ashley C. Ford on Choosing Reality

'Host Jordan Kisner talks with Ashley C. Ford (author of the memoir Somebody's Daughter) about how writing made her into more of herself, about the systems that we live under, and about finding joy in new community. “I was trying to base my feelings about the circumstances of my life off of fantasies, and what things should be like, or what people should be like. It took a minute for me to figure out that if you keep trying to live inside a fantasy, you’re going to be pretty miserable.”

Into America: Get Your Freaknik On

'For 15 years, Atlanta held the biggest, wildest party the country has ever seen. “Freaknik in many ways is what Woodstock was for white people,” explains Dr. Maurice Hobson. Hobson is an historian at Georgia State University and former Freaknik attendee.  Into America with Trymaine Lee explores the rise and fall of the greatest block party America has ever seen, and the impact that Freaknik still has on Atlanta and Black youth culture today, told by the people who lived it, including Uncle Luke, Maurice Hobson, radio host Kenny Burns, and Freaknik co-founder Sharon Toomer.'

Studio Salon | Conversations in the Commons: Surveillance

'In this second installment of Conversations in the Commons, danilo machado, Simone Browne, and Akil and Seth Scafe-Smith of UK-based RESOLVE Collective discuss and guide a collective reflection on the global conditions of Black people under surveillance campaigns and the history of public and private resistance in the United States and United Kingdom. At the intersection of creative disruptions and scholarship, how do we redefine “the commons” or public space? What happens when blackness enters the frame?'

Why Cornrows Are So Much More Than Just A Hairstyle

'Celebrity Beauty Expert Gabrielle Corney explains the complex history behind cornrows, including the difference between honoring and appropriating a hairstyle. Exploring her own relationship to braids through thinking about both the past and present of the style, in this video Gabrielle breaks down how to replicate the hairstyle in a way that pays homage to its roots. Produced in partnership with Ulta Beauty.'

The Dish: Chef Debra Sardinha-Metivier and a Taste of the Caribbean

'After training and cooking across the world, Caribbean island native Debra Sardinha-Metivier has returned home and added her own influence to her food while carrying on a three-generation family tradition as a chef and restaurateur. Michelle Miller reports this week for The Dish.'