Jared Michael Lowe profiles BlackStar’s new Filmmaker Lab, its inaugural class, and speaks with founder Maori Karmael Holmes on the evolution of BlackStar.

Saxophone phenom Jaleel Shaw returns to Philly to celebrate Charlie Parker’s 100th birthday with a performance with the Philly POPS Jazz Orchestra. Vena Jefferson profiles.

The new director of public art in the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy wants more public art in the city to reflect more identities. Anndee Hochman profiles.

Hip hop artist Raphael Xavier turns his talents from the dance stage to the screen with production of Swerve: The Movie. In the short film, Xavier plays a BMXer who mentors a teenage rider as they both undergo transformation. Darcy Grabenstein profiles.

A Novel Idea’s Christina Rosso-Schneider has released not just one, but two books during the course of the pandemic. Her secret to getting it all done is magic. Jordan Cameron profiles.

The new Books & Bagels offers a curated selection and space for community with help from a community launchpad in Wilmington. Dara McBride profiles.

Artist Kah Yangni talks about their new mural, its messages, and how the mural came to be. Jared Michael Lowe profiles.

Kelli S. Williams is a 2021 Mural Arts Philly Black Artist Fellow, and she's using stop-motion animation and comedy to challenge how we think. Christina Anthony profiles.

Ken Johnston is putting the movement back into the civil rights movement one step at a time, literally. Johnston uses “walks” to emphasize protecting civil liberties. Jared Lowe profiles.

Khalif Rivers is part of the 2021 Mural Arts Philadelphia Black Artist Fellow class. The photographer, writer, and fine artist spoke with Blair Krassen about his work.