Culture
LeBron’s Power Plays
LeBron James’ promise to Akron gets more ambitious
His I Promise School now includes housing, job training and health care
Commentary
The obsession over Chloe Bailey’s sex scene is exactly ‘Swarm’s’ point
Show examines what happens when we’re too concerned about the lives of celebrities
An Appreciation
Bobby Caldwell was a great artist – and a continuing revelation for Black fans
The ‘What You Won’t Do For Love’ artist was covered or sampled by everyone from The Notorious B.I.G to John Legend
Television
‘The Last of Us’ finale isn’t controversial, it’s correct
Let’s be clear: Joel was right
Commentary
Florida’s Stop WOKE Act marshals students past our racial history
In my class, we learn how to embrace the truth
Sneaker Stories
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu joins WNBA rare air with her first Nike signature sneaker
She becomes the eighth woman to earn a basketball shoe with the swoosh
Sneakers
Will Rihanna’s reign continue by reuniting with Puma?
This collaboration could provide a different example of a celebrity-sneaker partnership
Commentary
The Oscars are beyond repair. Let’s make something better.
Over and over, the devil finds work in Hollywood. It’s high time he was unemployed.
Black Women
Angela Bassett’s résumé of sci-fi, horror and comic book movies created new ways of seeing Black women
Oscar-nominated actress showed what’s possible through offbeat choices and varied characters
Commentary
Chris Rock’s ‘Selective Outrage’ draws a strange line in the sand
Comedian’s recent deference to white people rings strange in light of his previous work
Books
Why does the Black guy always die first in horror movies?
Robin R. Means Coleman and Mark H. Harris tackle the history of Black people in the horror genre
Hip Hop at 50
In the history of hip-hop fashion, there’s no ignoring Lil’ Kim
She paved the way for female rappers to front fashion campaigns, be a designer’s muse or star in major ad campaigns
Sneaker Stories
The story behind the private sale of the rarest Air Jordan collection ever
The ‘Dynasty Collection’ includes sneakers worn by Michael Jordan when the Bulls clinched their six championships
Theater
‘The Seagull/Woodstock, NY’ is a devilishly fun time with people who are the absolute worst
Ato Essandoh and Parker Posey shine in Thomas Bradshaw’s tragicomic take on the aristocracy