7/19/20 O&A NYC LOCKDOWN LEARNING: Rep. John Lewis’ Speech at the 1963 March on Washington

 At 23 years old John Lewis was the youngest member of the Big Six; which was comprised of the leaders of the six most prominent civil rights organizations. These leaders included Martin Luther King Jr., James Farmer, A. Phillip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, Andrew Young and Lewis; who Dr. King referred to as “That young man from Troy”. Continue reading

7/8/20 O&A NYC ENTERTAINMENT: Noah’s Arc Reunion Q&A: Darryl Stephens, Jensen Atwood, Rodney Chester, More

The cast and creator of Noah’s Arc discuss the show and their lives with ‘Queer Eye’s’ Karamo Brown. Continue reading

6/21/20 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Goin’ Up Yonder Virtual Choir

Deborah Joy Winans, Erica Campbell, Keith David and more join gospel legend Tramaine Hawkins for a special rendition of the gospel classic, Goin’ Up Yonder.
Continue reading

6/20/20 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Deitrick Haddon- I Can’t Breathe

Gospel singer Deitrick Haddon performs I Can’t Breathe, a powerful musical tribute to George Floyd and a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Continue reading

6/20/20 O&A NYC LOCKADOWN LEARNING: Greenwood and the Tulsa Race Riots

In the early 1900s, Greenwood was home to a thriving, independent “Black Wall Street” until the violence of the Tulsa Race Riots changed the community’s legacy forever. Continue reading

6/19/20 O&A NYC LOCKDOWN LEARNING: I Am A Slave- The Roots Meet Schoolhouse Rock (black-ish)

The Roots reenact the history of the end of the slavery in “I Am Slave,” from the black-ish Season 4 Premiere.
Continue reading

6/18/20 O&A NYC EVENTS: Sneak Preview of Hanging Tree- Juneteenth is African American Independence Day

By Walter Rutledge

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This observance should hold the status of an African- American Independence Day. Juneteenth 2020 will take place on Friday; and to commemorate the 155 anniversary of independence Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Company of Brooklyn and NYC Summerstage with present a virtual celebration entitled Hanging Tree. This virtual event will take place on Friday June 19, 7pm on Summerstage YouTube.

The production brought together the talents of dancer James “Banks” Davis, musician Talu Green, vocalist Marcelle Davies Lashley, poet Carl Hancock Rux, choreographer/director Jamel Gaines and members of the Creative Outlet family. Mothers and fathers performed with sons and daughters, brothers and sister, nieces and nephews, and present and former company members brought love, creative, reverence and community to the steps, plaza and base of the Doric styled Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument in Brooklyn’s Fort Green Park. Immediately following the performance there will be a panel discussion lead by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer/choreographer Hope Boykin. 

 O&A NYC attended the filming of the presentation and brings you a sneak preview of Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet’s Hanging Tree.

Preview Hanging Tree: A Juneteenth Celebration

On June 19th, 1865 a regiment of Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas. One of Granger’s first order of business was to read to the people of the city a document entitled General Order Number 3. The proclamation began:

“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”

Juneteenth honors the memory of all people who have broken the chains of  oppression and dehumanizing servitude. It is celebration of those who have the obtained  freedom, either through the joys of emancipation or the unfortunate inevitability of death. On Friday June 19 we wish you all a joyous Juneteenth and a happy African- American Independence Day.

6/9/20 EXTRA!!! O&A NYC IN MEMORARIUM: Reverend Al Sharpton Delivers Eulogy At George Floyd’s Funeral In Houston

Reverend Al Sharpton delivered a powerful eulogy for George Floyd at his funeral service in Houston. “God took an ordinary brother from the Third Ward, from the housing projects… and made him the cornerstone of a movement that’s going to change the whole wide world,” Sharpton said.
Continue reading

6/4/20 O&A NYC EXTRA!: Reverend Al Sharpton Eulogizes George Floyd During Minneapolis Memorial

The Rev. Al Sharpton was among those who eulogized Floyd, acknowledging the meaning of Floyd’s life and death for his family and community. Continue reading