THE BLACK MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM
Volume 134 No. 38
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APRIL 18, 2026 - APRIL 24, 2026
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, Amy Harris, Kim D. Johnson, Elke Bruhn-Hoffmann
This November, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will induct the late Celia Cruz (front, left), the late Luther Vandross (front, center), Sade and members of Wu-Tang Clan.
By AFRO Staff
Sade, Wu-Tang Clan and Luther Vandross selected for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Members of the Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah, Sade and the late Luther Vandross are all on the list to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. Other Black inductees include Fela Kuti;
Celia Cruz and MC Lyte. The announcement was made on April 13 during an airing of “American Idol.” The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame splits inductees into the following four categories: • “Performers: artists who have created music whose originality, impact and influence has
changed the course of rock and roll. • Early Influence Award: artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired, and evolved rock and roll and music impacting culture. • Musical Excellence Award: given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose
originality and influence have had a dramatic impact on music. • Ahmet Ertegun Award: non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and Continued on A3
Levi Henry Jr., founder of the Westside Gazette, dies at 94 By Bobby R. Henry Sr. Publisher, Westside Gazette
afro.com
Levi Henry Jr., publisher emeritus of the Westside Gazette, has died at age 94. Henry founded the publication with his wife, Yvonne Henry, who is also deceased, and is remembered as a man whose vision gave voice to a people and whose purpose helped shape a community. More than five decades ago, when the stories of Black communities were too often
“If we do not tell our stories, no one else will tell them correctly.”
overlooked, misrepresented, or ignored, Levi Henry Jr. dared to create something different. He founded the Westside Gazette in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. in 1971 as not just as a newspaper, but as a mission—a platform to inform, uplift and empower. He understood then what
we must never forget now: If we do not tell our stories, no one else will tell them correctly.
A paper with a purpose
From its earliest editions, the Westside Gazette stood as Continued on A3
Instagram / Rep. Frederica Wilson
Levi Henry Jr. is remembered as the founder of the Westside Gazette, whose decades of leadership helped shape and uplift the Black community through dedicated, purposedriven journalism.
The AFRO’s Baltimore Tea returns
AFRO Photo / Stephen Hopkins
The AFRO’s 2026 Baltimore Tea will be held April 25 at Martin’s West from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Each year the event serves as a time to celebrate the Black community and bring together the best of Baltimore. Shown here, 2025 attendees Jade Madden (left), Michelle Johnson and Dikesha Robinson.
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