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Damon Brown Unveils Vibrant Drinkware in Starbucks Collaboration, Celebrating Black Culture Beyond Boundaries
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Jan. 29, 2024 (Houston Style Magazine) — Renowned artist Damon Brown infuses his signature style into the latest Starbucks drinkware collection, celebrating Black culture and community with each inspired piece. From his early days, enthralled by the vivid world of cartoons and superheroes, through the dynamic storytelling of Japanese anime and the raw energy of urban art, Brown’s creative journey has been as colorful as his palette. Educated at Washington State University, his return to Seattle marked a renaissance of public art and design, notably his mural at the city’s heart and his commemorative design for Starbucks’ 50th anniversary.
In his latest venture, Brown joins the Starbucks Artist Collaboration Series, bringing to life a collection that transcends Black History Month and enriches the everyday. His drinkware collection, available from January 30 in Starbucks stores across the U.S. and Canada, is a homage to community. The pieces feature pedestrians in a shared space, inviting the viewer to join in their journey.
Brown’s color choices—a calming blend of pale blue, green, and cream—nod to the 60s while subtly shifting from the traditional Black art palette to a contemporary vision. His designs marry modern shapes and movement with cultural hairstyles and textures, offering a fresh perspective on classic imagery.
The collection showcases three unique drinkware items, each branded with ‘Creative Lou’—a nod to Brown’s childhood moniker. They are not just vessels for coffee but symbols of representation, connection, and the shared spaces of our communities.
Starbucks’ commitment to celebrating Black voices year-round resonates with Brown’s artistic mission. Through their Black Partner Network and other initiatives, Starbucks supports the African American Mayors Association, National Forum for Black Public Administrators, NAACP, and the National Urban League, all while advancing civil rights and economic growth. The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program, propelled by partner nominations, has granted nearly $1.7 million, supporting over 1,000 nonprofits that enrich communities across North America.
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Zimmerli Celebrates Black History Month With Thursday’s SparkNight
In addition, The Rutgers Club is hosting Rutgers alum and artist Alonzo Adams and musicians from the Hub City Jazz Festival for an event Saturday afternoon
The Zimmerli Art Museum is involved in two events this week at Rutgers University–New Brunswick celebrating Black History Month.
On Thursday, the Zimmerli hosts SparkNight, a free monthly art party that will include tours of exhibitions featuring works by Alonzo Adams, a Rutgers alumnus; Didier William, a Rutgers assistant professor of expanded print at the Mason Gross School of the Arts; and the late Paul Gardère, a Haitian American mixed-media artist.
“We are thrilled to welcome visitors for our first SparkNight of 2024, celebrating the start of Black History Month,” said Zimmerli Director Maura Reilly. “The evening’s programming and activities will inspire visitors to explore the entire museum with friends and family, while also engaging with the Zimmerli’s exhibitions that showcase the work of Black artists.”
SparkNight, which also will feature step and stroll performances by Zone de Oriente and Sigma Lambda Gamma, an interactive art making workshop, raffles and music by The IZM (a music artist, producer and DJ), is set from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Zimmerli, 71 Hamilton St., New Brunswick. Complimentary light refreshments will be available at the event, which is free and open to the public.
In addition to SparkNight, The Rutgers Club is collaborating with the Zimmerli and Hub City Jazz to present another Black History Month celebration, The Griot and Jazz, on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The event will feature Adams and musicians from the Hub City Jazz Festival, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Organizers said the event will include a brief tour of the Zimmerli followed by a reception at The Rutgers Club, 85 Avenue E, Piscataway.
Born in Harlem, New York, and raised in Plainfield, Adams earned his bachelor of fine arts degree from Mason Gross in 1984. He was one of the first inductees of the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance Hall of Fame in 2004. The artist – whose exhibition at the Zimmerli, Alonzo Adams: A Griot’s Vision, runs through Sunday, Feb. 25 – discussed the upcoming Black History Month events, fellow griots (storytellers) who inspire him and what he’s been working on lately.
What does it mean to be a part of these events celebrating Black history month?
It is a great time to see friends and fellowship with the community, to share my artistry and my journey.
Who are some of your favorite Black artists in the U.S.?
My life was impacted by Charles White. Upon seeing his work in 1979, it changed my world. I was also inspired by Henry Ossawa Tanner, Edward Bannister, Aaron Douglas and Romare Bearden.
What have you been working on lately?
A few new series are in the pipeline. Finishing the Code Blue series. Working on Back In The Day series.
What stirs your artistic fire?
Life and travel fuel the fire and feed the soul.
Author, poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou was a mentor. What advice did she give you back in the day?
“Go out in the world. Soak it up like a sponge. Return to the studio and wring it out.”
You’ve maintained strong ties with your alma mater. Why is that important?
My years at Rutgers were the beginning of my life-learning years, my growing years. The time I spent there makes me smile. When I can inspire and give back, I do.
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Historic Black church in Delaware County reformed and reopened after 27 years
CONCORD TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) – A historic Black church in Delaware County is seeing new life after being destroyed in a fire more than 25 years ago.
This church on Spring Valley Road in Concord Township was once a focal point of the Black community. It’s been closed for 27 years, but now its doors are back open.
“It’s really, really, really a wonderful thing to happen. Unbelievable,” Pandora Anderson said.
Anderson said she, her daughter and her mom all attended Spring Valley African Methodist Episcopal Church until the family moved to Chester County.
In time, congregation numbers declined and the church became abandoned.
Then, in 1997, it was destroyed in an arson.
“Couldn’t believe it. I thought it was gone,” Anderson said. “I thought, you know, history was gone from that church.”
Concord Township bought the land and spent years trying to find enough money to restore the church.
“I would like to see it as a museum type of building,” John Gillespie, the co-vice president of the township council, said. “A museum of some sorts to display some of the African American artifacts and maybe a program with the local school district to bring the children in.”
The church has a new parking lot, new windows, refurbished hardwood floors, pews and even a new roof.
The upgrades include a monument to memorialize the eight to 10 people buried in a cemetery next to the church.
“People came from Chester, Media, Kennett Square, Oxford, just to worship at Spring Valley,” Anderson said.
Anderson said seeing the church at the same spot where it’s always been, and the cornerstone with the names of the ministers, brings back so many memories.
“Older people and older African Americans in West Chester will remember it and they will come visit it. I mean, because it was a pillar to the community,” Anderson said, “And I’m very proud to see it back and standing.”
The township will celebrate the reopening of the church with a ribbon cutting on Saturday.
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NBC 5, Telemundo Chicago and NBC Sports Chicago to commemorate Black History Month
Beginning Jan. 30, NBCUniversal Local Chicago’s trio of properties — NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago and NBC Sports Chicago — will commemorate Black History Month with a robust lineup of dedicated content, including profiles on local business and civic leaders who are not only making an impact in their respective communities, but a deeper impact focused on societal change and awareness.
In addition, NBCU Local Chicago will provide expanded digital coverage celebrating Black History Month, which will include videos of all feature stories that can be viewed 24/7 on any device at NBCChicago.com, TelemundoChicago.com and NBCSportsChicago.com.
“In conjunction with NBCUniversal’s ‘Discover Black Heritage’ campaign, we are proud to share new stories celebrating the achievements and impact of Chicago’s Black community across our three local properties,” Kevin Cross, president and general manager for NBCUniversal Local Chicago, said in a statement. “It is our responsibility to educate our viewers on the progress and continued challenges of our diverse community, which is a year-round focus for our entire team.”
Please note NBCUniversal Local Chicago’s “Discover Black Heritage” featured content details below:
NBC 5 CHICAGO
Tuesday, January 30 – Common discusses new book at Chicago Public Library
Chicago-born musical artist, actor, activist and Oscar/Grammy/Emmy award winner Common will chat with NBC 5 News arts & entertainment reporter LeeAnn Trotter about his new mental & physical wellness book, And Then We Rise: A Guide To Loving And Taking Care of Self.
Thursday, February 1 – Erik Blome, renowned sculptor of African-American art
Charlie Wojciechowski profiles Eric Blome of Woodstock, Ill., the distinguished sculptor of the Jean Baptiste Point du Sable statue on the Michigan Ave. bridge. Blome discusses his passion in honoring African-American leaders and difference makers through his art.
Thursday, February 1 – The Food Guy visits Cleo’s Southern Cuisine in Bronzeville
On this edition of “The Food Guy,” Steve Dolinsky heads to Cleo’s Southern Cuisine in Bronzeville to sample the expanding restaurant’s acclaimed southern-style offerings, which are drawing in massive crowds throughout the city and suburbs. NOTE: “The Food Guy” airs Thursday nights on NBC 5 News at 10pm.
Friday, February 2 – ‘Faith Ringgold: American People’ MCA exhibit
Chicago Today co-host Cortney Hall visits Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) for an in-depth tour of legendary artist Faith Ringgold’s “American People” exhibit. An artist, author, educator and organizer, Ringgold is one of the most influential cultural figures of her generation, with a career linking the multidisciplinary practices of the Harlem Renaissance to the political art of young Black artists working today.NOTE: Chicago Today airs Friday mornings on NBC 5 Chicago at 11:30 AM.
Friday, February 2 – Local Olympians give back to the community
Alex Maragos profiles two local Olympians who excel beyond their respective sports and give back to their communities. Lincolnwood native Jewell Loyd is already an Olympic gold medalist and WNBA All-Star, who also uses her platform to push for greater awareness and acceptance of people with dyslexia. Team USA Triple Jumper Tori Franklin, born in Evanston and raised in Downers Grove, is a 3x national indoor champion who recently started a non-profit called Live Happii, empowering youth through travel, mental wellness and movement.
Monday, February 5 – Historian Glennette Tilley Turner discusses her new book
Chicago Today co-hosts Cortney Hall & Matt Rodrigues speak to renowned author, historian and Wheaton native Glennette Tilley Turner about her new book A Man Called Horse,as well as her recent Lifetime Achievement recognition from the Illinois State Historical Society for her standout, historical research of the Underground Railroad. NOTE: Chicago Today airs Monday mornings on NBC 5 Chicago at 11:45 AM.
Monday, February 5 – The birthplace of Black History Month
LeeAnn Trotter will take viewers on a guided tour of the famed Wabash YMCA (a.k.a. the “Wabash Y”) on Chicago’s southside, a venue where the origins of Black History Month were created in the early 1900s.
Tuesday, February 6 – Underground Railroad Task Force
NBC 5 Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern will deliver a special feature on the recent findings of the Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force. The Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force was created through Senate Bill 1623 last year with a goal of developing a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, while bringing forth new educational and tourism opportunities.
Wednesday, February 7 – Robin Rue Simmons, founder, FirstRepair non-profit
Cortney Hall & Matt Rodrigues will hold an in-depth discussion with local/national reparations awareness leader Robin Rue Simmons. Simmons, founder of the non-profit organization FirstRepair, will discuss the importance of breaking down and educating the masses on the topic of reparations. NOTE: Chicago Today airs Wednesday mornings on NBC 5 Chicago at 11:45 AM.
Thursday, February 8 – Evanston reparations program
NBC 5 Chicago’s Christian Farr takes a deep dive into Evanston’s current reparations program via discussions with local organizers, along the detailing evidence if the program is effective in its goal of aiding local residents of need.
Tuesday, February 13 – Jonathan Eig discusses new MLK biography
Jonathan Eig, acclaimed biographer and author of King, A Life, joins Cortney Hall & Matt Rodrigues in studio to discuss his landmark MLK biography, which was named one of the “Ten Best Books of 2023” by The Washington Post. NOTE: Chicago Today airs Tuesday mornings on NBC 5 Chicago at 11:45 AM.
Tuesday, February 13 – Chicago’s Hip Hop Museum
NBC 5 Chicago anchor/reporter Evrod Cassimy takes viewers on a walk-through of the Chicago Hip Hop Heritage Museum. Located in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, the Hip Hop Heritage Museum opened in the summer of 2021 and focuses on celebrating and honoring the community that nurtured collective talents and creative energies with the elements of Hip Hop.
Thursday, February 15 – Ayodele Drum & Dance
LeeAnn Trotter visits with Chicago’s multi-talented Ayodele Drum & Dance team. Ayodele, a Yoruba word meaning “joy in the home,” is a diverse sister-circle of performing artists committed to studying and performing drum and dance as a wellness modality. More than twenty artists perform African drum and dance to educate and motivate young women and children through performances and enhanced community engagement.
Tuesday, February 20 – Little Black Pearl Workshop
The Little Black Pearl workshop has been a fixture in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood and is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024. LeeAnn Trotter visits the esteemed arts center that continues to transform the lives of Chicago’s inner-city youth and their families.
PLEASE NOTE: Unless noted otherwise, all NBC 5 Chicago “Discover Black Heritage” feature stories will air during NBC 5 News at 6pm CT. In addition, viewers can also watch NBC 5 News on the NBC Chicago News 24/7 live streaming channel on Peacock, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Fire TV, Xumo Play, Google Play, Freevee, TCLtv+ and Local Now. Link on how to find each here: http://nbcchi.com/SCIhuKM. Fans can also watch NBC 5 News on NBCChicago.com and the NBC Chicago app.
TELEMUNDO CHICAGO
Telemundo Chicago’s nightly news program, Noticiero Telemundo Chicago, will also deliver dedicated “Discover Black Heritage” content over the next month including the following highlighted feature stories (airdates TBD):
Afro-Cuban business owner guides young Latino entrepreneurs – Noticiero Telemundo Chicago profiles Clemente Nicado, an award-winning journalist who helped launch Chicago’s first daily Hispanic newspaper, Hoy, is the founder of Nicado Publishing Co. and its acclaimed publication Negocios Now, which is committed to guiding and aiding Hispanic entrepreneurs of all ages.
National Museum of Mexican Art – Noticiero Telemundo Chicago puts a spotlight on the acclaimed public venue’s new program geared towards enhancing the creative skills of emerging Afro-Latino artists.
NBC SPORTS CHICAGO
Throughout the month of February, NBC Sports Chicago will showcase “Discover Black Heritage” content and conversation on a number of its live programs, including Coors Light Bulls Pregame Live (feat. Jason Goff, Kendall Gill and Will Perdue), Blackhawks Pregame Live presented by Toyota (feat. Pat Boyle, Tony Granato and Caley Chelios) and Football Night in Chicago (feat. Laurence Holmes, David Haugh and Ruthie Polinsky). Additional “Discover Black Heritage” content will also be featured Sunday nights at 10:30 PM on NBC 5 Chicago’s weekly sports roundup, Sports Sunday (feat. Leila Rahimi and Mike Berman).
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Celebrate Black History Month 2024 with these events in Jackson County
JACKSON COUNTY, MI – People looking for ways to celebrate Black History Month can do so at these events in Jackson County.
Black History Month is celebrated nationally in February each year. These are some events scheduled in Jackson County in 2024 to honor the art, history and culture of African Americans.
Jackson College
Jackson College is hosting a special luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the Bert Walker Hall Community Rooms, 2111 Emmons Road.
The event is free for all students, faculty and residents. It will feature a tribute to the significance of Black History Month from African American Community Liaison Sade Grant, officials said.
Food will be available for attendees, along with performances by musician Larry Sumner Jr. and his band, Big L & Code Blue. More information is available on the college’s website.
Black Excellence Community Awards Banquet & Gala
Robert and Yvette Wilkie, owners of RJ’s Metropolitan Ice Cream Co., are hosting the fourth-annual Black Excellence Community Awards Banquet and Gala at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the American 1 Credit Union Event Center, 128 W. Ganson St. at the Jackson County Fairgrounds/Keeley Park.
Every year, the event brings people together to celebrate their achievements and dedication to making a positive impact in the community, according to the event’s website.
The formal event is being catered by KeniKakes & More, photographed by Shar Ronnie Garrett Photography, LLC and décor will be provided by Luvone’s Beautiful Occasions, according to the website.
Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased here.
The event will feature keynote speaker Jemal King. King and his wife Camille run four multi-million-dollar companies. King is full-time Chicago Police Officer and is also the newest member of the personal development brand Eric Thomas & Associates, according to the website.
Jackson District Library
Join the Jackson District Library and celebrate Black History Month by creating art inspired by African American artists.
Art creation days will take place in the Meijer Branch community Room, 2699 Airport Road, from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, and 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 9, according to the event’s Facebook page.
Artwork created will be on display from Monday, Feb. 19, to Friday, March 1, during the library’s open hours. The Meijer Branch is open 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Art can be messy, so patrons are encouraged to dress accordingly when attending the art creation days, officials said. Those who would like to create their own piece of art at home can submit their work at the Meijer Branch by Friday, Feb. 16, to be included in the display.
Did we miss something?
If you have information on a Black History Month event in Jackson or the surrounding area that we have missed and would like to have added to the list, email reporter Chloe Miller at cmiller@mlive.com
Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Jackson” daily newsletter.
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