James W. Sweeney was born in Fresno on July 28, 1948 to the union of Lonnie Lee Sweeney and Evelyn Randle. He is the younger of two sons born to this union. Sweeney’s parents, and his brother Sherman Sr., preceded him in death. While a portion of his childhood was spent in Fresno, where he ...

Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center (Dance at The Music Center), programmed by TMC Arts, marks the return performances by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from March 18–22. The engagement features three independent programs: Program A (New Works) includes Aszure Barton’s BUSK and the West Coast premiere of Jamar Roberts’ acclaimed new work, Ode; Program ...

Covered California is giving those without health care coverage another chance. With the new year came new subsidies for middle-income households and a new penalty from the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). Because many people were unaware of the changes, California’s exchange has established a special-enrollment period for people who did not hear about the state ...

By Dianne Anderson Drums, the ancient African sound that doubles as a language, continues to serve as an entertaining wake up call to the keepers of tradition. In historic times, John Beatty said the African drums heralded festive occasions and reasons that the ancestors held certain rhythms for certain seasons. There were special sounds for ...

A provocative evening of plays exploring the immigration, emigration and migration experience. Welcome to America. The journey to another place is filled with the anticipation of new opportunities, sorrow at leaving and sometimes fear of what’s to come. Written by a culturally diverse group of writers, with equally diverse characters, some of the short plays offer ...

By Dianne Anderson Anyone ever wanting a greater say in the direction of cultural and artistic expression for the city of Long Beach will get their chance at an upcoming Arts Council 5-year strategic planning event. Local poet and blues performer Shy But Flyy is coming out in support, where she hopes to raise and ...

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Katherine Johnson, the legendary NASA physicist and mathematician whose work played a key role in the early successes of the U.S. space program, passed away at 101 years old on the morning of February 24 in Newport News, Va. Johnson played a pivotal role in helping the U.S. land ...

By Dianne Anderson As a young boy, Jesse Johnson remembers standing in front of his grandmother’s house at the very edge of the street, trying to grab his handful of beads thrown from the passing car. The ten-year-old was keeping with the long-standing tradition for the New Orleans French Quarter. It was a Cadillac, to ...

By Dr. Maulana Karenga Again, so we might remember and raise up, pursue and do the good. We owe this month of meditation, celebration and recommitment to increased study of our history to Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950), the founder of Black History Month, who rose up from the evil and debilitating depths of post-Holocaust ...

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor The U.S. Navy is set to name a new aircraft carrier after World War II hero Doris Miller. Miller was a Mess Attendant 2nd Class from Waco, Texas. The aircraft carrier naming would be the first to be named after an African American. In June of 2016, the ...