Donna Summer By Casablanca Records. License: Public domain Donna Summer: From Mission Hill to the Blueprint of Modern Black Dance MusicBy: Anytza Delgado Before she was the Queen of Disco, before Studio 54 and global superstardom, DonnaSummer was LaDonna Adrian Gaines, born December 31, 1948, in Mission Hill, Boston, andraised between Mission Hill and Dorchester…
Every year on the unofficial holiday on September 21st, we sing the unforgettable song by the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire. Decades later, their music still makes people get up and dance no matter what generation you are a part of. They are one of the most musically accomplished, celebrated, and commercially successful pop-funk…
Roberta Flack’s background as a singer songwriter is unmatched. She inherited a rich musical heritage from her parents; her mother was a church organist and her father was a jazz pianist. Roberta gained early musical experience accompanying her family’s church congregation in North Carolina. At the young age of 15, she attended Howard University on…
In recognition of Black History Month, here’s a few words and some history on the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. During a time when Black people were the subjects of racial discrimination and a time when there was significant unrest from social and political tension, James Brown transcended the racial divides through his incomparable and…
“Timbs,” “Butters,” or “Wheats”—whatever you call them—are a staple in New York fashion and footwear. What many people don’t realize, however, is that these iconic boots originated in Boston, Massachusetts. The legacy of Timberland began in 1952, when Nathan Swartz acquired a half-interest in the Abington Shoe Company, located in South Boston. After years of…
Stage performance’s Stokely & Martin Director/Write Najee Brown @najeevisuals Actor/Singer Simone Alyse @Salyseofficial sit down with Mo Wilks @mowilk7 inside @WERS889 Studio 8-8-9 prior to their stage debut MLK Weekend at Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center @multiculturalac. The upcoming production of Stokely & Martin playing at Cambridge’s Multicultural Arts Center, January 16th thru January 18th just…
On October 14th, 2025, the world lost a monumental figure in modern music — the man widely regarded as neo-soul’s king and pioneer, D’Angelo. Born Michael Eugene Archer on February 11th, 1974, in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo was more than just an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He was a visionary who redefined the…
Empowering Kids Through Cultural Learning Mo Wilks interviewed Keeana Saxon, founder of Kidogo Productions, an educational tech startup focused on creating culturally rich learning experiences for children aged 4-8. Keeana explains how Kidogo’s name, meaning “little” in Swahili, reflects their mission to empower children to explore and learn. She discusses her background, including her education…
photo credit to Hannah Miller by Alexandra PaulI attended Emerson Urban Dance Theater’s dress rehearsal for their SWEAT performance. The biggest thing I learned about EUDT is its deep emphasis on community and connection. Emerson Urban Dance Theater was founded in 2010 by Michael Love, an Emerson graduate. The company was created to give students of…
Editing courtesy of James ‘JB’ BarnesMo Wilks rewinds plus recaps his experience at Berklee College of Music’s annual Celebration and Hip Hop Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include the McClain brothers, who’s on stage name is The Wonder Twins. Berklee’s ceremony also brought to the Boston stage Golden era microphone fiend, the ‘God MC’…