The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) exposes, educates, and engages audiences through the presentation and support of art and artists of African descent across the disciplines of music, dance, film, theatre, visual and literary arts.
The Move/Dance! Program was established by NBAF as part of its Adopt-A-School arts education initiative. It brings much needed dance-based arts education back into local Atlanta middle schools. Move/Dance! is an interventionist project because of the focus on improving the health and wellness of the students, and by extension their families, through fun dance lessons that support movement and exercise.
NextGen Artist is a NBAF youth arts education program that nurtures the dreams, creativity and artistic talents of high school age emerging artists of African descent. Our program currently offers workshops, artist residencies, and mentorship in music and fashion. These experiences equip students with the creative, workforce development, and practical skills needed for college, careers, and beyond.
NBAF's Leatrice Ellzy sat down with Jamal Ahmad, host of WCLK's Sounds of Universal Love, for a fascinating conversation about Black music and its cultural influence. Their conversation explored Jamal's practice of music discovery, the art of listening, the richness of global sounds, and the ways Black music serves as a continuum connecting Black culture across generations and space. Throughout the evening, the audience was treated to musical interludes featuring selections that have shaped Jamal's musical journey and informed his deep love and appreciation for the art form.
Walter Thompson-Hernández is an author, journalist, and filmmaker whose work explores identity, culture, family, and the complexities of Black and Latino life. His debut book, The Compton Cowboys, highlights Black equestrian culture in California, while his feature directorial debut, If I Go Will They Miss Me, explores fatherhood, imagination, and belonging through the perspective of a young boy in Los Angeles. With journalism featured in The New York Times, NPR, and The Guardian, Thompson-Hernández continues to amplify underrepresented voices through compelling narratives that celebrate community, resilience, and cultural identity.
The California African American Museum (CAAM), located in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating African American art, history, and culture. Founded in 1977, the museum highlights the experiences and contributions of Black communities throughout California and the American West. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and a collection of more than 5,000 objects, CAAM explores themes of identity, representation, and cultural expression while fostering dialogue and a deeper appreciation for the enduring influence of Black history and creativity.
📍Los Angeles, CA
https://caamuseum.org/
Our bookshelf pick this month is Kin by Tayari Jones, a moving novel exploring friendship, sisterhood, family, and belonging. Set in Honeysuckle, Louisiana, the story follows Vernice and Annie, two childhood friends whose lives take different paths as Vernice attends Spelman College and Annie searches for her estranged mother. Against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South and the Civil Rights era, Jones examines Black womanhood, identity, and the enduring power of chosen family through a compelling portrait of love, loss, and resilience.
