Celebrating Black Cinema of the 21st Century

Four silhouettes of african american people wearing white shirts in front of a pink and blue film strip.

Celebrating Black Cinema of the 21st Century

By Hannah Brown Web Content Contributor Dating back to the inspirational influences and contributions from Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas alike, February has cemented itself as the month of celebrating and recognizing the triumphs of African Americans throughout history. Audience members have been able to enjoy moving pictures since 1895. In 1903, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was the first film to feature a Black actor. Sidney Poitier, born in 1927, served […]

February 10, 2022 433 3

A male nurse stands in the middle of the image hold a clipboard, dressed in scrubs and a mask. Around the corners of the image are black and brown arms and hands being held up in solidarity on a dark black background.

Culture

The Importance of This Year’s [2022] Black History Month Theme

By Lea Mercado Web Content Assistant Manager As we enter February of 2022, Black History Month helps us kick off the new year again. Each year, a theme is selected to guide the public's awareness of issues disproportionately affecting Black individuals. Past themes have ranged from "Afro-American Scholars: Leaders, Activists and Writers," in 1993 to "The Crisis in Black Education" in 2012. Each theme provides a snapshot of history, just […]

February 8, 2022 122

Music

Black History Month Staff Picked Playlist

By Christopher Brocker Hip-Hop Music Director Black History Month is a time to reflect on the great figures within the black diaspora but also to celebrate black culture itself. Our music staff has compiled a playlist dedicated to celebrating black artists and the culture. Each song has been chosen by a member of our staff that they wanted to highlight. We’re also encouraging our listeners to support the local organizations below […]

February 24, 2021 274

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Culture

Influential Black Figures in Tech to Know About

by Jernice KelleyWeb Content Contributor Since the beginning of U.S. history, the tech industry has struggled to reflect the diversity of the country. Major tech companies such as Google, Amazon, and Facebook have put out diversity reports every year since 2014, reporting consistently low single-digit percentages. Despite the odds, there are still many influential black figures who have made a name for themselves in tech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp6RmlBh-qA&ab_channel=OutspokenAgency Outspoken Agency's YouTube video […]

February 19, 2021 79

An image with a blue background, Jimi Hendrix and the text “Black History Month.”

Culture

5 Black Musicians: Their Impact On Genres and History

By Paige GreeneWeb Content Assistant Manager Early Black musicians led the way in the U.S. for the funk and jazz fusion that exploded in popularity during the late 1960s to 1970s. The blues' influence reached as far as rock, country and classical music. Changing the musical landscape as we know it, below are five Black musicians who influence not only music but the world as we know it. Marvin Gaye […]

February 19, 2021 124

Music

A Queer Black Playlist!

By Akosua AsareRap Director As we honor and celebrate black artists throughout Black History Month, let us not forget the queer ones. The barrier breakers and innovators. The fabulous, loud and proud. The creators of musical magic across the genre spectrum. From Rap to Pop, Alternative, House, Jazz, New Orleans Bounce, Electronic and R&B. Here are 50 songs by queer black artists. A playlist for my kith and kin. Come into […]

February 4, 2020 121

Music

Black History (A Playlist)

By Conner YarbroughMusic Director With the end of February signaling the end of Black History Month, various KTSW teams have collaborated to put together Black History (a playlist) featuring black artists across all genres from throughout the decades. This playlist, however, is more than just another set of songs to set a mood. It is, at its heart, a celebration of the often-overlooked influence that black artists have on every aspect […]

February 28, 2019 44

St.Beauty stands in the center on the EP cover in front of a brick wall their bodies shadowed by a outline of neon pink and a yellow circle imitating the sun is drawn on the brick wall behind their heads.

Music

Seven Female Black Artists You Should Be Listening To

By Timia Cobb Music Journalist Black women are the backbone of the music industry; they write, sing, produce, rap, dance and more. Black women have shaped the music we listen to today, but what about the music of tomorrow? Here is a list of seven inspiring and game-changing black female artists who I believe will rise to superior stardom in the future of music. Normani Normani Kordei has been around […]

February 27, 2019 541

A microphone is in the foreground of the photo, only the head is visible. Behind it, there is a stage with spotlights on it.

Culture

Black Women in Entertainment: Progress, Representation and Where We Are Going

By Caden ZieglerWeb Content Contributor Jasmine Ellis performing at the Empire Control Room & Garage. Photo courtesy of Steve Rogers Photography. Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Viola Davis, Laverne Cox, Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone are all names we (should) know. They are a handful of successful and persistent black women in entertainment. Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin were singer/songwriters and civil rights activist who lived through the era. Many people […]

February 20, 2019 40

black history month