Spotlight Profile: Alvin Ailey
Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) was an African American dancer, choreographer, and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in modern dance and is celebrated for his contributions to the...
Spotlight Profile: Ma Rainey
Ma Rainey was an American blues singer and songwriter who was one of the earliest African American professional blues musicians. Born in Columbus, Georgia, in 1886, Rainey got her start in vaudeville before making a name for herself as a blues performer in the 1920s....
Spotlight Profile: Essex Hemphill
Essex Hemphill was an American poet, performer, and editor who was an important figure in the LGBTQ rights and black cultural movements of the late 20th century. Born in Washington D.C. in 1957, Hemphill grew up in a working-class family and was involved in activism...
Spotlight Profile: E. Lynn Harris
E. Lynn Harris was an American novelist and playwright who was known for his works that explored the complexities of African American and LGBTQ relationships. Born in Flint, Michigan, in 1955, Harris grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and later attended the University...