On Thursday, Feb. 20, The Hippodrome Foundation, in partnership with Disney’s The Lion King, hosted a celebration of Black artistic excellence at The Exchange inside the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore’s Bromo Arts District.

The event, held in honor of Black History Month, welcomed over 300 students from Baltimore area schools, including young people from grades six through 12 and college students.

Cast members from The Lion King, including Baltimore native Keith Bennett (Resident Director), Mukelisiwe Goba (Rafiki), Erick D. Patrick (Simba), and Thembelihle Cele (Nala) performed songs from the musical and participated in a Q&A session moderated by Downtown Partnership’s Shelonda Stokes. The discussion focused on Black excellence in the arts, the cast members’ careers, and their roles in the production.

The Lion King was performed at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center from February 12, 2025, through March 2, 2025. (Teri Henderson)

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Born and raised in West Baltimore, Shae McCoy is a photojournalist, author of the book “West Baltimore Ruins,” and an urban farmer. McCoy’s black and white portraits are visually striking, tender, and emotional, often featuring subjects that are close to her and always presenting the subjects in beautiful, resonant ways. 

These photographs are on view in “Portraits by Shae McCoy,” a solo exhibition of black and white portraits from the artist collection, on display at Jubilee Arts from February 9 through March 1, 2024. McCoy works at Jubilee Arts, a nonprofit organization that uses arts education to build community and create change.

These three photographs, which feature a subject named Reese Jones, were taken at Miami Beach Park in Middle River, Maryland, in 2023. 

“It’s one of my favorite places to shoot.” McCoy told Baltimore Beat. For her, during the winter months, the location provides an uninterrupted and quiet space to make photographs without distractions. “I like to do photoshoots on the beach during off season because it’s calm and there is no one around to distract your thoughts and creativity.”

There wasn’t a particular theme for the shoot; McCoy said that her only aim was “authenticity,” which is a recurring theme throughout her practice. (Teri Henderson)

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