Kerry James Marshall has long been celebrated as one of the most influential contemporary artists in America. His groundbreaking work has not only reshaped the art world but also highlighted the experiences of Black Americans in a way few artists have achieved. Marshall’s monumental painting, Past Times sold for $21.1 million at Sotheby’s New York in 2018. […]
When Tony Powers was selected as Decatur’s first black mayor earlier this month, the moment carried the weight of history. For the first time since the city was founded more than two centuries ago, a Black man was chosen to lead it. The decision was made on 5 January 2026, when the Decatur City Commission […]
HUDSON, N.Y., A historic chapter in New York law enforcement opened on January 2 as Jackie Salvatore was sworn in as Columbia County sheriff, becoming the first Black woman ever elected to that role in the state’s history. The milestone event took place at the Columbia County Courthouse, where family, county officials, community members, and […]
Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican singer, songwriter, and actor whose work helped carry reggae to audiences around the world, has died at 81. His wife, Latifa Chambers, confirmed in a statement on Nov. 24 that Cliff suffered a seizure followed by pneumonia. “It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed […]
Massachusetts is mourning the death of Setti Warren, the first Black person elected mayor of Newton and a prominent voice in public service. He was 55. Harvard University announced Warren’s passing on Nov. 2. The school did not disclose a cause or time of death. “Setti was a beloved member of our community, and we […]
