Onyx Magazine honored four trailblazing Jacksonville artists for their powerful impact on Black music at the historic Ritz Theatre on Wednesday night.

Lillian Young used words from advertisements and notices that described at least 100 different runaway slaves in the 1800s to create portraits of what she believed the people might have looked like.

Tasha Mack brought her play “Airing Grandma’s Laundry” to the Jacksonville community last spring garnering standing ovations and notoriety to share the place to areas outside of the River City. With so much love, she is bringing it back to Jacksonville with curtains opening at the iconic Ritz Theatre this Saturday for an encore performance. Those who know how family secrets can be buried, only to be exposed at the most inopportune moments will enjoy and relate to the topic. Rance met Tasha and one of her cast members inside the Ritz Museum to talk more about the play and why it connects with so many.

With Juneteenth on Sunday, several Jacksonville organizations found ways to celebrate the now federal holiday early on Saturday.

Florida author and playwright showcases her Award winning novel turned stage play Airing Grandma’s Laundry and Other Hush Hush Family Secrets will debut Saturday May 7, 2022 at the historic Ritz Theatre. Local actors are featured in a story that will resonate with most everyone when it comes to buried family secrets coming to light.

The Jacksonville Image Awards, an inaugural awards show sponsored by the Cochran Firm, celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of individuals whose efforts have had a positive impact on our community.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Time is running out to get your tickets to the Jacksonville Image Awards if you haven’t already done so. The inaugural event, sponsored by the Cochran Firm, recognizes outstanding achievements in the African American community. So far, over 200 of the 250 tickets available for this first-of-its-kind awards show have been claimed.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After weeks of growing anticipation, the Jacksonville Image Awards are finally upon us. They include the ‘Be the Change’ award, the Pinnacle award, the ‘One to Watch’ award, the Music Excellence award, the Innovator award, the Education Excellence award, and the Trailblazer award. Nominees include Donte Palmer, who launched the #SquattingForChange campaign, and MAD DADS Jacksonville President Donald Foy. Nominees include Brandon Stallings, an entrepreneur and founder/CEO of SmartBox, and philanthropist Taylor Richardson, who’s popularly known by the name Astronaut StarBright. The Trailblazer Award recognizes pioneers who inspire others to follow their path to greatness with innovative ideas that challenge the status quo.