Smithsonian chief's last hurrah?, Serena's back, RIP Peabo Bryson
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What I’m Reading
Curating in the crosshairs: Is this the Smithsonian chief’s last show?, The New York Times
Lonnie G. Bunch III, the secretary of the Smithsonian, was profiled by the New York Times. Bunch said that the “American Aspirations” exhibition for America’s 250th anniversary may be one of his final acts as secretary.
Related: For The Atlantic, Camille Borders wrote about the uncertain future of the Smithsonian’s smallest museum — the Anacostia Community Museum. It was a pioneer in preserving Black history. But will that be enough to save it from President Trump?
Imagining what comes next for Black America, Harper’s Bazaar
Kaitlyn Greenidge wrote about her visit to an exhibit of Betye Saar’s Black doll collection, a trip to the iconic Schomburg Center’s centennial gala, and New Yorker staff writer Lauren Collins’ new book “They Stole A City.”
Supreme Court approves Alabama map that erases majority-Black district, The Guardian
Alabama can use a redrawn congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s two majority-Black districts in this year’s midterms, the Supreme Court ruled.
Derrick Coleman, the former star NBA power forward, pulled out of a state recognition ceremony in response to the redistricting push.
What’s In The News
Across America
California: As of the publication of this newsletter, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has advanced to the November election as she awaits her opponent…
Colorado: The homicide convictions of two ex-Aurora paramedics charged in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain were reversed…
Florida: Four Black candidates are reportedly considering consolidating behind one candidate to defeat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz…
Georgia: Fort Valley State University Choir has been nominated for the inaugural Stellar Awards HBCU Choir of the Year…
Illinois: Hyde Park high schoolers are protesting the removal of community groups that supported students through a traumatic year…
Massachusetts: Boston hosts its first Black Men’s Health Summit to confront a 9-year life expectancy gap…
Mississippi: A massive legal win for Black Mississippians that was supposed to lead to new elections for the state Supreme Court was erased…
New York: As the departure of New York’s Black residents changes neighborhood culture, Maya King attended a gathering that paid tribute to one of the remaining Black institutions, the Tip-Top Bar and Grill…
North Carolina: Former police officer Karson Hyder, who was seen in a viral video repeatedly punching Cherrie Moore during an arrest, has been charged with assault, authorities said…
Pennsylvania: The Trump administration is arguing for power to change a memorial to enslaved people who lived at George Washington’s residence in Philadelphia in the 18th century…
South Carolina: An attorney representing the family of Cyrus Carmack-Belton said that the family vowed to continue pursuing a civil lawsuit against Rick Chow… Ashlee Banks, Esq. has the full story…
Tennessee: Six Tennessee State University coaches have signed a vote of no confidence letter against the athletic director, Mikki Allen…
Texas: The murder trial for Karmelo Anthony began this week in Collin County…
Washington: Kameirah, a high school senior, shared the inspiration behind her winning Google Doodle and what defines her superpower…
Wisconsin: Milwaukee activists have traveled to Cuba to bring aid to the island nation during the Trump administration’s oil blockade...
What’s Happening
The prominent Riverside Church in New York held a service to honor Assata Shakur, featuring dancing, a speech from Marc Lamont Hill and Angela Davis, and more. Watch above…
George Floyd’s family criticized the Minnesota GOP for honoring Derek Chauvin during the party’s state convention, and pointed to Tony Hinchcliffe’s racist joke…
Elisha Brown for Stateline: Black midwives are suing Southern states, claiming regulations make it harder for them to help patients…
Former Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah ’s case against her ex-employer headed to arbitration this week…
Stacey Abrams told Perry Bacon Jr that the erosion of democracy and Black power in the South won’t just stop there…
AP News: Trump’s Education Department is backing away from addressing civil rights for Black students…
After a “botched” lethal injection attempt, Tony Carruthers’ family, supporters and lawmakers seek transparency…
Alvin Tillery explains: Black Texans are not yet sold on James Talarico’s Senate run…
Semafor reported on the anxiety growing inside the Congressional Black Caucus in the wake of Louisiana v. Callais… Related: The GOP is targeting Black voters in the former Confederacy with surgical precision…
More in the New York Times: Civil rights activists are gearing up for the fight of a generation as Republicans rush to redraw congressional maps in the South…
Capital B News’ Adam Mahoney reported on Miami’s disappearing black neighborhoods…
Say What? with Michele Norris has been working on this story for years — Elgon Wilson’s grandfather was a Western Union Telegram Delivery boy during the Tulsa Race Massacre. He was one of the very few white people who spoke about it after it happened…
Have you heard of Estevanico? Here’s how the enslaved, shipwrecked African became the first great explorer in the United States…
Entertainment News
For Black Music Month, Floetry took a break from their first tour in a decade to visit the NPR Tiny Desk. Watch above…
Keith David was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Watch the full ceremony here. But he’s not close to being done…
Serena Williams has announced her comeback to professional tennis…
EBONY’s Sidney Madden interviewed nine directors who left their mark on the American Black Film Festival...
“The Roots Picnic wasn’t just a concert. It was a reminder of what made the empire possible in the first place,” Justin Tinsley writes of Jay-Z’s return…
Michelle Obama is embracing her “last chapter” as a podcaster…
“Cheers” actor Ted Danson apologized in a podcast for appearing in blackface while roasting Whoopi Goldberg in 1993…
Russell Wilson has confirmed in a video posted to social media that he’s retiring from the NFL…
For the Hollywood Reporter, Kaitlyn McNab spoke with 50 Cent and documentarian Alex Stapleton about how “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” became an Emmy contender…
The L.A. County District Attorney’s Office said it is reviewing new sexual assault allegations against Sean Combs…
Alfre Woodard shared her secret to Hollywood longevity with NPR’s Tonya Mosley…
Softball is still a mostly white sport. UCLA standout Jordan Woolery wants to inspire change on and off the field…
Queen Latifah, LL COOL J, Bob Johnson and others are among BET’s first-ever Board of Advisors...
Netflix’s “A Different World” sequel series has set its premiere date…
Obituaries
Peabo Bryson, the legendary soul singer who captivated audiences with his voice for decades, has died. He was 75…
David Henderson, a poet who rose to prominence with the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s and later wrote a biography of Jimi Hendrix, has died. He was 83…
Ronald LaPread, the former bassist and co-founder of the Commodores, has died. He was 75…
Foster Sylvers, the former child star and singer-songwriter who later joined The Sylvers, has died. He was 64…
Spencer Leak Jr., the Chicago funeral director who handled the funerals of Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and many others, has died. He was 56…
Don’t Miss
Can you beat my time on Black Crossword? 1 minute, 29 seconds…
Re’Nyqua Farrington, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Riverside, is conducting a research study on Black former high school students’ experiences with and resistance to school policing and surveillance…
Meet the new Prince George’s County team of the Baltimore Banner as they host a community listening session on June 10 at Greenbelt Library...
The Library Company of Philadelphia is hosting its annual Juneteenth Lecture on June 16 at 5:30 pm ET…
AFRAM—one of the largest Black festivals on the East Coast—is seeking media and volunteers...
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History is hosting a live digital teach-in on June 18 at 7 pm ET, on the push to eviscerate the 1965 Voting Rights Act…
Submissions are now open for The Black Press at 200, a symposium commemorating 200 years of Black journalism, March 17–18, 2027, at Howard University. Abstracts (300 words max) due Sept. 18…
Thanks for the shoutout, Phil!!