"Warm" is a New Classic Brandon J. Marks returns with a new single titled Warm. Produced by Nathan Joseph, the song features Kathy Burrell, a Grammy nominated Stellar, and Dove Award-winning artist. The song holds intimacy, devotion, and the calm of being fully present with someone you care about. Read Article Upcoming Events Connect with like-minded individuals, network, build community, and discover new African artists. Friday, December 5th, 6pm - 9pm at The Gite Gallery RSVP Follow Mocha...
10 days ago • 1 min read
Thanksgiving Songs That Will Be Holiday Classics Unlike Christmas, Thanksgiving doesn’t have a soundtrack. Can you name one Thanksgiving song? Just one? No? That’s what I thought. No jingles playing in stores, no carolers singing about turkeys or gratitude—just the occasional sound of football commentators in the background. With the help of AI, I’ve taken matters into my own hands to fill this gap. I’ve composed three brand-new Thanksgiving songs that I firmly believe have the potential to...
17 days ago • 1 min read
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra delivered a brilliant concert that reminded us that jazz continues to evolve while staying firmly rooted in culture and tradition. Read Article “For Choirboys, Church Queens, and Those Whose Sundays Stopped Too Soon” at Project Row Houses Harrison Guy’s “For Choirboys, Church Queens, and Those Whose Sundays Stopped Too Soon” is a standout installation that confronts truths that the...
24 days ago • 2 min read
Carnival Celebrates 25 Years in Galveston The 25th Anniversary event marked a milestone not only for Carnival but also for Galveston. In 2000, Carnival became the first cruise line to homeport in the city. Since then, more than 10 million guests have sailed from the island, helping to elevate Galveston as a premier cruise destination. Read Article What to Do When You Visit Loudoun County, Virginia Loudoun County is a hidden gem that is sure to please any wine aficionado. Soil conditions,...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
D’Angelo Untitled, Yet Eternal When D’Angelo released Brown Sugar in 1995, I was mesmerized. His voice was smooth yet earthy, the grooves laid back but deeply intentional, and the instrumentation felt retro, but somehow futuristic. Brown Sugar, Lady, When We Get By, and his transformative version of Smokey Robinson’s Cruisin’ were invitations into a new world of sound where intimacy, vulnerability, and groove coexisted in perfect balance. Read Article Chayse Sampy’s “Who Feels It, Knows It”...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month Approximately 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 13%) will develop invasive breast cancer throughout their lifetime. Notably, breast cancer is more common in Black women under 45 years old than in white women, and overall, Black women are more likely to die from it. Read Article Mocha Man Music Moment Experience the magic of Brandon J. Marks as he delivers a soulful performance of “Lovely Day” with Majic 102.1 FM at Rockhouse in Houston. With his smooth vocals,...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Danny Simmons’ The Journey to Everything Danny Simmons brings his full creative force to the Houston Museum of African American Culture with The Journey to Everything. This exhibition fuses multimedia paintings with African artifacts from his own collection. Read Article “Makers of Legacy” at Mitochondria Gallery Makers of Legacy, the debut solo exhibition by Nigerian sculptor Ejiro Fenegal, is a show that celebrates African women whose resilience and strength have shaped communities across...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Mocha Man Style Concert Series: One Night in BrandonLand Houston has a way of blending art, culture, and music into unforgettable experiences. That spirit came alive at The Gite Gallery during One Night in BrandonLand, a special performance by Brandon J. Marks and the debut of the Mocha Man Style Concert Series. The Gite Gallery, known for its striking collection of African art, transformed into the perfect stage for Brandon’s world, which he calls BrandonLand. Surrounded by colorful...
3 months ago • 1 min read
A Night of HBCU Pride at the 2025 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands The sound of brass, the crack of drums, and the roar of the crowd filled NRG Stadium as the 2025 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) returned to Houston. Read Article As It Is: A Quiet Reflection in Houston I recently attended JajaH’s exhibition “As It Is” at the Community Artists’ Collective in Houston. The show was quiet yet full of meaning. His paintings slow you down and turn your attention inward. Read article...
3 months ago • 1 min read
