Richard Smallwood’s 15th album, “Promises” did very well and debuted no.1 on Billboard’s Gospel/Christian Sales chart, a great accomplishment for the artist.

titled “Michelle O.” was painted by New York-based Mickalene Thomas, who is also African-American and is part of the “Americans Now” exhibition at the Smithsonian. Thomas is the first artist to paint an individual portrait of the country’s first African-American First Lady. The exhibition features portraits of famous names in business, government and the arts. […]