Black Voices: News, Culture & Community from Across the Nation At the 98th Academy Awards, Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history. The New Zealand-born cinematographer behind “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler, became the first woman — and the first woman of color — to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography during the ceremony held March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Her richly textured 35mm visuals, blending practical firelight with deep blues for the film’s vampire twins, helped define the visual identity of the movie, which entered the night with 16 nominations and ultimately secured four Academy Awards. Following…
Author: Savannah Herald
HBCU News Spotlight: By The Associated Press NEW YORK — The WNBA and its players’ union had another marathon negotiating session that lasted into the early morning hours Monday as they try to reach a deal on new collective bargaining agreement. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert had said Friday night that the two sides need to get a deal done by Monday to potentially avoid disruptions to the upcoming season. “Can things be 24 to 48 hours later than maybe a date that we put on a piece of paper just to get everybody understanding there is a basketball calendar here? Can…
Black Voices: News, Culture & Community from Across the Nation Joy Malone/Getty Images; Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM; James Klug/Redferns The sun is out in NYC. The temperatures are finally above freezing level. It’s almost Aries season. And, speaking of, fellow Aries, my good sis Jill Scott, Miss Jilly from Philly, just announced her tour dates for new album To Whom This May Concern. I’ve of course had the project on repeat as well—especially tracks “Don’t Play” and “Pressha.” In other words, I’m feeling good! Thanks for asking. In all seriousness, I am extremely excited for her tour. Not only…
Local Voices. Statewide Impact. Stay Informed with Georgia News March 16, 2026 GPB Amanda Andrews reports that leaders from the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee, transportation, and business organizations around the state spoke on various panels Thursday about their ongoing preparations for the tournament. Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches this summer starting June 15. March 16, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive! Staff reports, Georgia is home to an array of postsecondary education options, from large public universities with satellite campuses to private four-year colleges and universities, and to a statewide career and technical education system with a…
Black Voices: Money and Employment News from Across the Nation CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 25: Jennifer Hudson and Common look on after the game between the Chicago Sky and the Las Vegas Aces at Wintrust Arena on August 25, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) “That relationship is one of the greatest blessings and most important things in my life,” Common told podcast host Samantha Chatman in…
HBCU News Spotlight: Southern University and A&M College marked a significant milestone in the construction of its $68 million science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) complex. In an Instagram post published Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, the Baton Rouge, LA-based Historically Black College and University (HBCU) shared plans that the state-of-the-art facility will be completed in 2027. “A major milestone is now in place,” the university shared in the post. “Today, Southern University celebrated the topping-off of the new STEM Complex, marking the placement of the final structural beam.” According to a news release, the project is funded through Louisiana’s Capital Outlay Act. Transforming STEM…
Black Arts & Culture Feature: By Cynthia Gibson, Contributing Writer | WAVE Publications In her latest book, “Living the California Dream – African American Leisure Sites during the Jim Crow Era,” author Alison Rose Jefferson provides new insights into how the great migration of Blacks beginning in 1910 from the American South to the urban North, Midwest, and West challenged the prevailing narratives that exclude African Americans and shows their active role in shaping regional identity. Her research demonstrates that in California and other western states — unlike the South — racial discrimination existed in implicit practice rather than explicit…
City of Savannah: Official News, Events & Community Updates City Council Approves Civic Legacy – Arena Removal Project; Partial Parking Lot Closure Set for Mid-March SAVANNAH – City Council approved a $10.9 million Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the Civic Legacy – Arena Removal Project at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center. With approval secured, construction activities will begin March 18, starting with an exterior fence, interior work and site preparation. A portion of the Civic Center parking lot will be closed to accommodate construction staging and laydown activities. The partial closure will remain in place throughout the…
From Hollywood to Home: Black Voices in Entertainment Fugees member Pras Michel has officially dropped his lawsuit against former bandmate Lauryn Hill just weeks before he is scheduled to begin serving a federal prison sentence later this month. According to court documents cited by Billboard, attorneys representing both Michel and Hill filed a motion on Wednesday confirming that the lawsuit has been dismissed. The filing states that the case was “dismissed without prejudice, with each party to bear his, her or its own expenses, costs, and attorney’s fees.” Because the dismissal was filed without prejudice, Michel retains the legal right…
From Hollywood to Home: Black Voices in Entertainment Kiki Shepard Dead at 74 Published March 16, 2026 8:51 PM PDT Kiki Shepard — the longtime co-host of the legendary music showcase “Showtime at the Apollo” — has died … TMZ has learned. LaShirl Smith, Kiki’s rep, tells TMZ … she suffered a massive heart attack in Los Angeles on Monday, adding her passing was completely unexpected. Shepard became a familiar face to millions of viewers during her long run on “Showtime at the Apollo” from 1987 to 2002, where she shared the stage with Steve Harvey and helped introduce aspiring…