Claudine is a 1974 American romantic comedy-drama film, directed by John Berry. Claudine was written by Lester Pine and Tina Pine, starring James Earl Jones, Diahann Carroll and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. The film was released on April 22, 1974, grossing about $6 million, a modest hit for the times. It was praised for showing a new dimension in black cinema during the height of blaxploitation. Continue reading
Category: Black Facts
1/21/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Ronald K. Brown /Evidence
By Walter Rutledge
Ronald K. Brown /Evidence presented their 2024 New York season January 16 through 21 at the Joyce Theater. The nine-member ensemble offered two works Walking Out the Dark (2001) and Torch (2012). The program provided an overview of the range and diversity of choreographer Brown and his company in what is best described as an American artist’s declaration of his diasporic roots. Continue reading
1/17/24 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: That’s Ludacris!

We all understand that Donald Chump Trump, the former president , is not known to waste time on spell check. And rapper/actor Ludacris sets the record straight. But this is ludicrous! Continue reading
1/15/24 O&A NYC INSPIRATION TUESDAY: How Lenny Kravitz Discovered He’s Black
Lenny Kravitz shares that he never thought about his parents being of different ethnicities until a pivotal moment in first grade. From that day forward Lenny realized he was Black, and that society would see him as only that. Continue reading
1/6/23 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Cynthia Erivo Live- The Royal Albert Hall London (August 2022)

Cynthia Erivo said she was “overwhelmed” by the audience’s ecstatic response during her 2022 concert at Royal Albert Hall, London. “I’ve done the Hollywood Bowl, the Grammys, but this was the biggest, here in my home town,” Continue reading
12/15/23 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a British cellist who won the 2016 BBC Young Musician award. He was the first Black musician to win the competition since its launch in 1978. On May 19, 2018, at age 19, he played at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (under the direction of Chrisopher Warren-Green). As of 2021, Kanneh-Mason plays a Matteo Godfriller cello that was made in 1700. Continue reading
11/27/23 HOLLYWOOD MONDAY- REVIEW: RUSTIN
By Alex Smith Jr.
I went to an advance screening of the film RUSTIN last night (Oct. 12, 2023). It was opening the 35th Anniversary of the LGBTQ+ Annual Film Festival here in NYC. This film is a triumph plain and simple. I am trying to hold back from using to many superlatives to lavish on this film. Continue reading
10/6/23 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Alvin Ailey’s “Mary Lou’s Mass” and “Hidden Rites” Excerpts
Mary Lou’s Mass (1971) with John Parks, Dudley Williams and Clive Thompson and Hidden Rites (1973) with John Parks and Judith Jamison. Continue reading
9/16/23 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WALESTYLEZ: Joshua Maponga on Africa and the Bible
Joshua Maponga (born in Zimbabwe) is a popular motivational speaker, social entrepreneur, and musician. The renowned personality is also a philosopher and leader. He is passionate about community development which has led him to work with several big organizations.
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9/8/23 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Empathy (Part One)- A Conversation with Debbie Allen
By Walter Rutledge

In 2015 O&A NYC Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge interviewed Debbie Allen at the Faison Firehouse Theater for Dance Noir Magazine (DNM). The print article would discuss her relationship with Katherine Dunham. The video was produced as visual notes for the upcoming Dunham article. When the magazine suspended publication, out of respect for DNM Founder/Editor-in-Chief Carol Lloyd, we held the material with hopes of eventually printing the article for DNM. After eight years Ms. Allen’s words remain relevant, inspiring and informative and should be shared. We call this first installment Empathy. Continue reading















