Yadira Espinal

The Hollywood Bowl has been serving up a spectacular season of soul with its electric summer lineup in Los Angeles, starting with Wizkid and the Color of Noize Orchestra opening the KCRW Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, who delivered a breathtaking performance. Under the masterful arrangement of Derrick Hodge, Wizkid’s catalog took on a cinematic, even whimsical at times, quality.

Post-pandemic, our homes have transformed—from places of rest and leisure to spaces where we work, work out and do everything in between. The lines between labor and living have blurred. For many Black women, this shift has made it even harder to access stillness, but one way to reclaim that balance is by reshaping the environments we live in. Because for us, home isn’t just a place—it’s a sanctuary. A reflection. A reminder that we’re allowed to pause.

As DEI initiatives continue to face cuts and dismantling, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) stands as a radiant force in the chaos, a space where Black excellence is not just celebrated but revered. The ABFF Honors, held at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Feb. 17, was a testament to that mission, filled with joy, reverence and deep appreciation for the artists shaping our culture.