The Formidable Intellect and Comprehensive Passions of Elizabeth Pochoda (1941–2025) The Formidable Intellect and Comprehensive Passions of Elizabeth Pochoda (1941–2025)
The former literary editor of The Nation brought her curiosity, wit, and singular editorial instincts to nearly every corner of New York media.
May 19, 2025 / Obituary / Gene Seymour
One Big Cookout: From the “Negro Press” to Black Twitter One Big Cookout: From the “Negro Press” to Black Twitter
We always suspected that whatever magazines and newspapers for white folks weren’t telling us, Black newspapers and magazines would.
Dec 12, 2023 / Feature / Gene Seymour
The Monumental Improvisations of Sonny Rollins The Monumental Improvisations of Sonny Rollins
Though his life had its ups and downs, Rollins never wavered in his determination to get things right, and often that meant reinventing himself and, along the way, jazz as well.
Jul 24, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Gene Seymour
Philadelphia’s Next Mayor Will Almost Certainly Be a Black Woman Philadelphia’s Next Mayor Will Almost Certainly Be a Black Woman
Yet, for all her claims to history, primary winner Cherelle Parker was the status quo candidate in a city where the status quo is badly broken.
May 18, 2023 / Gene Seymour
Pick ’Em: Making Sense of the Free-for-All Primary for Mayor of Philadelphia Pick ’Em: Making Sense of the Free-for-All Primary for Mayor of Philadelphia
For a job the current incumbent seems eager to leave, the contest has drawn a remarkably diverse field of candidates—and no obvious front-runner.
Apr 26, 2023 / Gene Seymour
How It Actually Sounded: Gene Santoro, 1950–2022 How It Actually Sounded: Gene Santoro, 1950–2022
A superb reporter whose journalism will remain a vivid and reliable record of its time.
May 20, 2022 / Obituary / Gene Seymour
It’s Woody Guthrie’s World. We Just Live in It. It’s Woody Guthrie’s World. We Just Live in It.
A new show at the Morgan Library illuminates the legendary folk singer’s jam-packed life.
Apr 25, 2022 / Feature / Gene Seymour
When Sidney Poitier Picked Up the Gun When Sidney Poitier Picked Up the Gun
Notes on a couple of native sons.
Jan 10, 2022 / Gene Seymour
Bad Henry’s Lesson: Henry Aaron 1934–2021 Bad Henry’s Lesson: Henry Aaron 1934–2021
For baseball’s Black superstar, being the best still wasn’t good enough.
Jan 25, 2021 / Gene Seymour
After Philadelphia Police Shot and Killed Walter Wallace After Philadelphia Police Shot and Killed Walter Wallace
The city erupted in the usual pattern of peaceful protest followed by looting. Then something strange happened.
Nov 3, 2020 / Gene Seymour