www.brenikabanks.com
www.brenikabanks.com
Amanda Seales’s one-woman show presents comedic facts with ancestral entertainment (11/7/2024)
African ancestors are said to guide their descendants culturally and spiritually with invaluable wisdom, addressing issues and helping to guide the current generation. “What Would the Ancestors Say??,” a one-woman show by the newly proclaimed “Artistic Intellectual” Amanda Seales, “former” actress and comedian, fulfills that role at Brooklyn’s Billie Holiday Theatre, the AUDELCO and Obie Award-winning theater dedicated to genuine representation of the African diasporic experience. Brooklyn’s two shows, organized by Smart Funny & Black Productions, took place on Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27.
“What Would the Ancestors Say??” provided truth-telling while invoking laughter from the crowd. Seales’s production included African and Black American history, activism, knowledge, music, and comedic monologues. “In shedding the ‘actress’ and ‘comedian’ titles, I don’t remove them from my repertoire. However, I do commit to aligning them and my various artistic talents with the goal of education as a practice,” said Seales.
Black curator brings Pan-African aesthetic to the Met (10/31/2024)
More and more often, institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly known as the Met, are prioritizing the showcasing of artworks from Black and Brown artists. The museum’s recent “Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism” exhibition was a massive success and has contributed to a culture shift in the institution.
The Met will continue to spotlight African-diasporic art with the upcoming “Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now,” opening Nov. 17. Characterized as an artistic, scholarly, and scientific engagement of modern Black artists and cultural figures with the art and culture of ancient Egypt, the exhibit serves to challenge racist, Eurocentric constructions of the celebrated civilization.
Readying the Museum seeks to correct racist structures in the arts (10/17/2024)
In recent years, activists, social media attention, and the press have forced museum institutions to be more accountable to the communities they serve. Welcoming more diverse exhibits and board members provides temporary solutions for larger issues. Readying the Museum (RTM) has a solution-based agenda to remove entrenched cycles of racism and white supremacy in those environments. Formed in January 2021 by a cohort of artists and museum directors, this organization aims to dismantle colonialism, patriarchy, and anti-Blackness practices in museums and other arts-related institutions.
The unlawful killings of Black and Brown people throughout the history of the United States, especially during COVID-19, were the inspiration for RTM. “Museums had no ability to reckon with what was happening A) on the walls and B) from the artists and arts workers who were demanding that the museum look at itself,” said Xaviera Simmons, cohort member and co-leader of RTM, who has depicted tragedies linked to concerns in her artworks, as well as fundamental problems of the U.S.
RAISEfashion network expands during NYFW’s Spring 2025 preview (9/12/2024)
New York Fashion Week (NYFW) vibrantly displayed Spring 2025 previews, proving fashion’s importance ranks high. Black brands showcased their collections at House of Sound for RAISEfashion on Wednesday, Sept. 4. The organization’s founder, Felita Harris, led this network and community of designers, stylists, and fashion enthusiasts. She and her team hosted an exclusive preview of collections from emerging designers as well as the latest trends and innovative styles. The location’s structure encouraged guests to visit every floor with the opportunity to be up close and personal with designers. The event was very intentional, placing designers on specific floors, with swimwear on the rooftop level.
Vontélle Eyewear, a Black-owned luxury eyewear brand, was conveniently on the house’s third floor, amid all the networking attendees. Vontélle owner Tracy Green applauded the positive energy and dedicated space for Black people to be fashionable, connected, and enjoy themselves.
AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA explores ‘Afrofuturism through the Afropunk lens’ (8/29/2024)
AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA BKLYN’s electrifying two-day event provided enthralling entertainment, music, food, fashion, and much more. Afropunk was held at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park on Friday, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24. Celebrating 19 years, its legacy of expressing Black individuality, as well as providing a haven for Black excellence, was evident.
Attendees flaunted their best festival attire while embodying the freedom and theme for this year. Queen of Neo-Soul Erykah Badu headlined both evenings.
Afropunk started in 2005 and celebrates Black culture and diversity through art, food, fashion, music, and community. The meaning of the BLKTOPIA (pronounced Black-Topia) theme this year was to create a place in “the world where Black lives across the global diaspora embody freedom and are thriving; a place and movement where oppression and living in survival is in the past.”
ArtsConnection’s benefit event reinforces importance of arts (6/27/2024)
NYC is one of the best places in the world to experience art in its varying forms. ArtsConnection, an organization that recognizes the importance of arts education, has provided access to the arts in NYC public schools since 1979. Now operating as a full educational partner, the program held a benefit event earlier this month in NYC. They raised nearly one million dollars with benefit tickets, donations, and a silent auction.
Rachel Watts, ArtsConnection’s executive director, emphasized how much young adults need arts education, especially in their younger years. Watts doesn’t believe young people should find art only outside of school; it should be included in their education the same way a fine art credit is needed to obtain certain college degrees. “The impact of what we do with young people, it’s just so meaningful and powerful,” said Watts. “Every time I go to a school, I’m like, ‘I’m drinking the Kool-Aid’—I’m just in love with all of it.”
Vontélle x DEEMED eyewear inspire ‘A Different World’ of opportunities (6/6/2024)
The popular early-90s sitcom “A Different World” revolved around characters attending an Historically Black College or University (HBCU), higher learning institutions created to provide a safe space primarily for African Americans. One of the show’s central characters, Dwayne Cleofis Wayne, showed along with his fellow classmates the progression of young Black people at an HBCU in a way not previously depicted on television. Kadeem Hardison, who played Dwayne, is thankful for those viewers who were positively moved and inspired by him.
The Brooklyn-born actor originally felt everything about Dwayne was “corny”—the way he dressed, spoke, and even his now iconic glasses. “When [the show’s executive producer] offered me the glasses, I just thought, ‘Anything I can have that’ll hide me, that people maybe [would] not recognize me,’” said Hardison.
He didn’t initially see “A Different World” as a potential TV hit.
‘Clearly Me’ vibrantly portrays psoriasis patients (5/30/2024)
AbbVie, a biopharmaceutical company that creates medicines and solutions for their patients, took a different direction recently with their new exhibit, “Clearly Me,” at the High Line Nine Galleries in NYC’s Chelsea district. The exhibit features four personal stories and lifestyles of people living with psoriasis. AbbVie’s goal is to enlighten the world about psoriasis through portraits by award-winning photographer Lindsay Adler.
“I think that’s the goal—to elevate people, give them the same treatment they’ll get if they were a supermodel,” said Adler. She said AbbVie approached her about how they wanted this executed. “When it came down to it, the discussion was, ‘We want you to create a project that feels like fine arts, that elevates these individuals, that tells their vibrant stories,’ and it was a combination of, ‘Yes, include your style, but let the subjects lead the way.’”
Public art enhances sounds in Lincoln Center’s Hearst Plaza (5/9/2024)
Accessible public art embedded with sounds is an enhancement for The Social Sculpture Project at Lincoln Center. Two Black women’s passions led to the creation of their works on display in the center’s Hearst Plaza. Ebony M. Burton’s “Ultramarine” and Sadah Espii Proctor’s “adrift: the bayou project” both incorporate blues, sounds, and deep dives into historical matters. Burton, an Oakland, California native, anticipates changing the narrative of art belonging to the “upper-class” through her outdoor pieces.
“Often, art is seen as something for the elite,” said Burton. “I knew I wanted to do something that felt big and that would stand out from the rest of the area.”
Likewise, Espii is delighted to have her art in an outside space. The proud Virginia Tech alumna, with a Liberian and Guyanese background, was influenced by the stories of those who lost their community, San Juan Hill. That community, once home for African American and Caribbean culture, was destroyed when Lincoln Center was created.
Sweet Catch BK expands menu beyond seafood (4/25/2024)
As Sweet Catch BK approaches its second year in operation, the possibilities for the Southern-inspired seafood restaurant continue to soar. On the heels of a successful “Dope Black Women” community event earlier this month, the establishment, owned by Kawana Jefferson, has upgraded its menu with new dishes inviting guests who typically aren’t seafood consumers.
The three new menu items are jerk short ribs and braised lamb shank with pomegranate red wine sauce and butter beans, both accompanied by truffle mashed potatoes and roasted carrots, as well as Sweet Catch moules frites—mussels in a coconut curry broth served with french fries.
Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” rides high while blending genres (4/11/2024)
Beyoncé forewarned the world, “this ain’t a country album, it’s a Beyoncé album!” She has stopped the world, again, with her highly anticipated, “Cowboy Carter.” Her new project, released on Friday, March 29, helped Beyoncé become the first Black woman to achieve a number one album on the Billboard country chart. She has also hit number one in 10 countries so far including Australia, Ireland, and Scotland.
Beyoncé’s resistance to only being pigeonholed as an R&B, hip-hop, or pop star is indicative of her new era. She blends genres while breaking barriers of how her music is “supposed to sound.” When accepting the Innovator Award at the iHeart Radio Awards on Monday, Apr. 1, Beyoncé said, “Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength.” The superstar continued, “My hope is that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions.”
‘Dope Black Women’ honored at Sweet Catch BK (4/11/2024)
Women’s History Month was the perfect time for the organization M.A.D.E (Meaningful Action Designed to Elevate) Community to honor and salute ladies who earned recognition. The organization’s founder, Blu Ellis, recently hosted “Dope Black Woman,” M.A.D.E.’s celebration dinner in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn at Sweet Catch BK with an event sponsored by Patrón Tequila.
According to their website, “M.A.D.E. unites professionals of color by instilling the value of network and cultivating net worth.” Sweet Catch BK’s owner Kawana Jefferson was excited to host this year’s event at her establishment. “20-30 Black women gathering in a Black woman-owned business for Women’s History Month is literally a no brainer,” said Ellis
Harlem Fine Arts Show’s Sweet Sixteen captivates dreamers (3/21/2024)
A live jazz performance serenades a crowd as visitors are in awe by colorful art everywhere. The exciting fusion of paintings, sculptures, photography as well as mixed media pieces highlight the history and journey of Blackness. Harlem Fine Arts Show’s three-day event took place Friday, Feb. 23 through Sunday, Feb. 25. Founded by Dion Clarke, the display of Black art, artists and galleries, referred to its sixteenth year as, “Sweet Sixteen.”
Clarke assured that the culture of Harlem is still embedded in the art show, no matter the location. “I’m excited, we’re at the Glasshouse again this year,” said Clarke. “This is the second year out of Harlem, but we never leave Harlem.” The art show was impressed with today’s talent, entailing those from various cities and countries. Over 80 artists and 10 galleries, the most ever, were showcased. According to Clarke, the show sold about half a million dollars of art this year.
Unieke Mode NY revamps for Autumn/Winter 2024 NYFW (3/7/2023)
Models and designers work in harmony at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) assuring the audience fully experiences their aurora and brand. A Black woman walking the runway may be met with discriminatory comments, yet models like Skxttles Wanders bask in the opportunity to shine with their strut. She’s very confident in Black models even when fashion shows aren’t, and said that these forums are “going to have [no] choice but to put us up there [on a runway]; that’s the mentality I keep every day.”
Wanders, real name Averi Higgins, enjoys romanticizing living life on a runway. The 20-year-old shared that when people utter, “Oh, she thinks she’s on a runway or something?” her response is, “Yeah, why don’t you?”
Freedom’s Stand’ pays homage to vintage Black voices, perspective (2/8/2024)
A trip down memory lane presenting archives from Black-owned and abolitionist newspapers has become an exhibition at the High Line. Observers at High Line Park can walk by and read the headline “Negro Should Be Proud of His Race,” from The Bystander. Newspapers like this one, published in the 1800s, provided Black Americans a distinct voice and perspective in the media.
Faheem Majeed, artist, professor, and curator from Chicago, debuted “Freedom’s Stand” at High Line Art in September 2022. This 15-foot-tall, repurposed wood piece resembles a vast newsstand, providing onlookers with an opportunity to learn about the importance of vintage Black voices in the U.S. This artistic work has gone over so well that its original one-year stay at High Line Art was extended.
The name “Freedom’s Stand” pays homage to Freedom’s Journal, founded on March 16, 1827, in Manhattan. This became the first Black-owned and -operated paper, according to pbs.org. Freedom’s Journal served as counter-racist commentary to that in the mainstream press, regional, national, and international.
‘Renaissance’ film unveils freedom, liberation during record-breaking opening weekend (12/5/2023)
The Renaissance prevails as Beyoncé Knowles-Carter brings her worldwide tour experience to the big screen. “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” captures the superstar as a hands-on master of her craft. Running 2 hours and 48 minutes, the documentary concert film reveals a Beyoncé tour that is more than a concert: it’s a culture. “We are pretty much creating our own world,” Beyoncé said in the film.
The BeyHive, the name of Beyoncé’s fan base, wore their tour-inspired silver outfits and Beyoncé apparel to theaters. The movie, written, directed and produced by the superstar, grossed over $11.5 million on its opening day, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo. It broke the record for the biggest post-Thanksgiving opening Friday of all time in the United States.
Strength and resilience on display at BK gallery (10/12/2023)
Giving a person their “flowers” has the significant, metaphorical meaning of verbally saying kind words to people while they can still receive them. Earlier this month, Tanya Weddemire Gallery presented Guy Stanley Philoche’s “Give Us Our Flowers” series at Art on Paper 2023. The art fair gave collectors, fellow artists, and other visitors the opportunity to speak with Philoche at the Brooklyn gallery. “This was my debut fair, and my gallery has been open for nine months,” said owner Weddemire.
This series, which features 20 works on paper, contains limited editions unavailable after the originals are sold. Philoche was unexpectedly inspired by a tragic loss to create “Give Us Our Flowers.”
The Haitian American mixed-media, abstract, and visual artist has been creating professionally for the past 22 years.
Afropunk returns home to woo Brooklyn with circus flair (8/31/2023)
Afropunk blossomed from its Brooklyn seedling back when the festivities were free and reserved for society’s outcasts. 2023’s Afropunk Brooklyn: Circus of Soul was held Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 at Greenpoint Terminal Park. Attendees showed off their best festival-meets-punk outfits with floral, gold, and pastel colors everywhere. Sunday’s big night brought out performances from Brooklyn’s own Joey Bada$$ and Harlem’s Teyana Taylor.
Afropunk, which began in 2005, is an organization that celebrates Black culture and diversity through art, food, fashion, music, and community. The unity of Black alternatives, now owned by Essence, has become a global success.
‘Playback’ personifies time during its Hip Hop Film Festival screening (8/24/2023)
The concept of time is something no person can escape. This continuous sequence of events is how humans differentiate between the past, present, and future. Director, writer, and producer P.R. Bryan personified time in his new feature, “Playback,” at the 8th annual Hip Hop Film Festival. The 22-minute short film premiered at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture during the festival on Saturday, August 19, where it won Best Social Horror Film.
Hip hop is at the core of the film. The feature was about an obnoxious recording artist, Kid Kay, being stuck in a time loop while trying to record an impressive hip-hop verse for a big-time record owner. The main character, played by Beyonca Banks, was baffled by the cause of the time warp and how she could stop it. A memorable quote from the film is, “You think you can outrun time; in the end, time always wins.”
“Sound of Southside” declares ‘jazz ain’t dead’ at 8th annual Hip Hop Film Festival (8/24/2023)
Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary is a perfect time to highlight jazz and its contributions to the world. The 8th annual Hip Hop Film Festival hosted screenings at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture from August 11 to 20. Novelist and director Tyrel Hunt’s film, “The Sound of Southside,” was one of the main featured presentations. The one-hour and eighteen-minute movie won Best Feature Film at the festival.
Hunt, 30, was thrilled to have his first visit to Schomburg Center during the preview screening of his film. The movie, produced independently by Gritty Vibes Studios, aimed to highlight jazz’s rich history throughout Queens. It’s a story of a young jazz musician named Maliki continuing his father’s legacy by reopening his famous jazz club. “I wanted to do something different because there’s a lot of hip-hop movies out there, but I wanted to go to the origins of it,” said Hunt.
Beyoncé’s BeyHive buzzes at MetLife’s Renaissance stop (8/3/2023)
New York and New Jersey were abuzz during Beyoncé’s Renaissance’s MetLife stadium stop. The megastar had the whole globe buzzing as fans anticipated her show on Sunday, July 30, in East Rutherford, N.J. The show brought out a huge, vibrant crowd to witness Queen Bey. Many BeyHive members took pictures and videos as they captured unforgettable moments before showtime.
The two-and-a-half-hour show officially started at 9:30 p.m. Oprah and Gale King were special guests in VIP seating, arriving shortly before its start.
“Renaissance,” the name of Beyoncé’s seventh album, represents the rebirth of herself as a woman and an artist. The tour further explores the theme of rebirth as the audience is taken on a journey into Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s youth, and includes flashback visuals and music from her previous albums. Another message from the “Renaissance” theme is for people to embrace their own stories and journeys.
Slutty Vegan owner redefines the “s” word during Harlem grand opening (3/14/2023)
Slutty Vegan employees have greetings using variations of the word “slut” when customers walk into the establishment. “Hey, slut, welcome!” is the first greeting heard on entering the vegan franchise. First-time visitors receive extra endearment by an employee shouting, “We got a virgin in the building” through a microphone while ringing a cowbell. Customers are told, “Thank you for being Sluttified, have a great day” as they exit.
The sexual connotations of the word “slut” are being challenged by founder and owner Aisha “Pinky” Cole. The CEO said the company is redefining the word to mean a term of endearment. “It’s like saying, ‘Hey friend,’” said Cole. “We do that because we want to show people that there is power in the tongue and as long as you can recreate negative narratives and make [them] positive, you will always win.”
‘Slutty Vegan’ Offers More Than Just a One Night Stand (9/29/2022)
Brooklyn has officially been “Sluttified.” The term was coined by restaurateur Aisha “Pinky” Cole, the founder of Slutty Vegan, the Black-owned vegan burger chain. The provocatively named restaurant had its grand opening in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, on September 18.
“My wildest dreams have come true,” Cole said, holding back tears as the crowd cheered her on.
Black Feminism: Path To Liberation
This episode defines feminism and intersectionality. This episode provides a deeper understanding of these terms with selections from the Combahee River Collective Statement and other related information. This episode also highlights issues that separate the white and Black feminism movements, as well as solutions for strengthening the Black feminism movement.
Chants of “no justice, no peace” and “prosecute the police,” continue from protesters across the United States. George Floyd, known as a “gentle giant” to his loved ones, is one of the latest African Americans to be killed in police custody. His wrongful murder, by the hands of white Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin, is the last straw for Black Americans, as well as many others fed up with systematic anti-black racism.
Human rights implications triggers nationwide protests
Protesters march in Fayetteville, North Carolina on May 30. Photo credit by Ramel Bocker
Caregivers of Seniors working during COVID-19 Pandemic
This podcast gives insight on the challenges caregivers of seniors face during this pandemic. Brenika Banks interviews Geriatrics Specialists and other health care workers in the U.S. for their perspectives on caregivers and seniors. This podcast is accompanied by a printed article published in the New York Amsterdam News.
Featured Posts
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.