Profiles

38 results
Page 1
Coles, a Black man, sits at an illuminated, colorful soundboard in a dim studio

Capturing the Philadelphia sound with Samori Coles

A Lil’ Drummaboy with big dreams

Coming ahead of his new podcast launch, Lil’ Drummaboy Recordings founder Samori Coles talks about the history behind the studio, his aspirations in expanding the space, and what makes Philly music special. Lowry Yankwich profiles.

Lowry Yankwich

Profiles 4 minute read
Portrait snapshot of Ongoza, a Black woman, wears matching white floral top and head wrap against a cloth backdrop

Creative menstrual hygiene with Maisha Ongoza and the PASHI project

Sewing together affordable, accessible solutions

Maisha Ongoza of the Pan-African Sisterhood Health Initiative talks about the project and its efforts to provide reusable menstrual pads, carry pouches, masks, and panties to schools and organizations in Africa. Crystal Sparrow profiles.
Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Profiles 3 minute read
Rainey with another dance partner in mid move, holding them up in a rehearsal space.

Performance Garage presents When Yesterday Meets Tomorrow: Being Black in Ballet Today

Dancing into the conversation

Performance Garage presents a free panel discussion on being Black in ballet with 2023-2024 DanceVisions resident artist Meredith Rainey, choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans, and founder of Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet Theresa Ruth Howard. Melissa Strong previews.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Profiles 4 minute read
Pérez-Vega portrait shot, she’s mid-air mid-step, looking towards low-angle cam, a rainbow painted wall with neon behind her

Keila Pérez-Vega and dancing with many hats

Balancing multiple steps and roles

Keila Pérez-Vega talks her favorite parts of performing on stage, her behind-the-scenes work that informs her perspective, and how her upbringing instilled vital skills that she still uses today. Melissa Strong profiles.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Profiles 6 minute read
Holmes, a Black woman, in a layered floral black top & hoop earrings. She looks to the right against a melon-colored backdrop

The art of possibility with BlackStar Projects and Maori Karmael Holmes

Looking forward to the 2023 BlackStar Film Festival, August 2-6

Maori Karmael Holmes, founder of BlackStar Projects and recent winner of the 2023 Berresford Prize from United States Artists, talks with Kyle V. Hiller about the award, the film festival, and the power of possibilities.
Kyle V. Hiller

Kyle V. Hiller

Profiles 5 minute read
Conyers poses with a student, who is holding a diploma, for a snapshot in an indoor space, a piano behind them

Tuning youth advocacy in music with Joseph H. Conyers and Project 440

A different frequency of learning

Joseph H. Conyers, founder and vision advisor of Project 440, talks about teaching music to children and young adults, community, and learning more than just the instruments. Maria Thompson Corley profiles.
Maria Thompson Corley

Maria Thompson Corley

Profiles 3 minute read
Portrait of Gbadebo, materials in front are out of focus, she’s in the middle looking to camera, resting her head on her hand

Ancestral memory in materials and art with Adebunmi Gbadebo

Remembering from the root

Interdisciplinary artist Adebunmi Gbadebo speaks on her new exhibit that cultivates materials and arts in the pursuit of remembering and preservation. Robert Margolis profiles.

Robert Margolis

Profiles 3 minute read
A man helps a young girl on an aerial trapeze fabric outdoors, the Ben Franklin bridge in the background

Running away to Philadelphia School of Circus Arts

Rooting early passion for the circus

Lisa Grunberger takes a look at circus arts, the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, and Fringe's Hand to Hand Festival through the eyes of their youngest fans.

Lisa Grunberger

Profiles 3 minute read
An old portrait of Coates, sepia toned.

Remembering Florence Van Leer Earle Nicholson Coates

Looking back at a Philly poet legend

April is National Poetry Month, and Emily R. Zarevich recalls historic poet Florence Van Leer Earle Nicholson Coates, who paved the way for future generations of poets in Philadelphia.
Emily R. Zarevich

Emily R. Zarevich

Profiles 3 minute read
A faded black and white portrait of Price

Bringing Florence Price’s lost music to the stage with Nicole Jordan

More than just recordings

Philadelphia Orchestra’s principal librarian Nicole Jordan talks Florence Price, a Black woman composer whose work fell into obscurity. Jon Caroulis profiles.

Jon Caroulis

Profiles 2 minute read