What hath Monteverdi to do with Motown? On castrati, R&B, and the fight for free expression
Alexander Walton on the European divos of old and Black heartthrobs of the present, both of whose musical abilities bring awe and aspersion.
Black men
Fr David Andrew Fisher, African-American Maronite academic, dead at 67
The longtime academic, writer, and seminary professor was educated in Rome and transferred to the historic Eastern Catholic church in the 1990s.
Fr William Cross, second Black Catholic priest in Cincinnati, dead at 79
A longtime educator in Catholic schools, he was the first Black pastor in the archdiocese, having been ordained in 1974 after his conversion.
Meet the Black Catholics joining the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage
Cheyenne Johnson, a returnee who will help lead this year's route, will be joined by Marcel Ferrer on the six-week journey along the East Coast.
Campus of Martin University, cofounded by Black Catholic priest in Indianapolis, up for sale
The predominantly Black school, linked to the late Boniface Hardin, OSB, closed in December after a decade of financial turmoil and low enrollment.
Fr Bill Norvel, SSJ, first African-American male superior general, dead at 90
The Mississippi-born priest combated racism, spread Black Catholic liturgy, and served as the first Black male superior general in U.S. history.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford wins Illinois congressional primary to succeed U.S. Rep. Danny Davis
The crowded race saw millions in ad spend against Ford from the Israel and crypto lobbies, though it was not enough to boost his main opponent.
(Podcast) Discovering Dédé: How OperaCréole helps bring Black opera back to life
Givonna Joseph and Aria M. Mason discuss OperaCréole and their premiere of the long-lost opera "Morgiane" by the late Black composer Edmond Dédé.
Nashville Black Catholic advocated for education, sparked lasting mission
Jim O'Hara highlights the man behind the plea that led St. Katharine Drexel to found numerous Black Catholic institutions in Middle Tennessee.
Maryland attorney general sues Trump administration over planned $102M detention center
Anthony Brown, a Black Catholic, is the first AG to sue the White House over its plans to convert warehouses into immigrant holding facilities.
Norman C. Francis, first lay president at Xavier University of Louisiana, dead at 94
The former civil rights lawyer led the school for nearly 50 years, from the Civil Rights Movement through Hurricane Katrina and beyond.
Former 2 Live Crew rapper Luther 'Uncle Luke' Campbell running for Congress
The 65-year-old musician is primarying Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida, who faces federal fraud charges as she runs for reelection.
Inaugural Tolton Symposium will honor nation's first openly Black Catholic priest
The 3-day event on Venerable Augustus Tolton will feature speakers from around the country specializing in history, ministry, and catechesis.
Black Catholics sign onto congressional Democrats' call for immigration enforcement reform
Hispanic Caucus chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat and Rep. Gabe Amo joined a statement on how Catholic social teaching can help guide policy changes.
Wynton Marsalis to step down from Jazz at Lincoln Center
The widely celebrated trumpeter and composer helped popularize jazz as a standard American art form and has led JALC since its founding.
'Real musicians': Black Catholics shine at 2026 Grammy Awards
Jon Batiste, Cynthia Erivo, and FKA Twigs were big winners on music's biggest night, along with several honorees in non-competitive categories.