Song: "Who are You" Written by Ms. Carla Cook from the CD " Connections" Produced by Mr. Tyrone Jefferson Copyright 1994 Diaspora Connections Music Publishers Brooklyn, New York Producer and Executive Producer Tyrone Jefferson
Artwork by Nikki Williams Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved
The Chocolate Scoop Celebrates the Creators and Innovators Who Put Their Art Where Their Heart Is - Thank You Beloved Child of God for Using Your Life and Your Light for the Beauty and Betterment of Human Kind
"... In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
MARCH 2026 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: MS. BARBARA CHIRINOS
A dynamic force in the arts and cultural sectors, recently joined Spelman College as the inaugural artistic director of the Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation and the Arts (CI&A) and the LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson Center for the Performing Arts.
With a career spanning over three decades, Chirinos has made her mark through groundbreaking programs, cultural preservation, and advocacy for underrepresented voices. From stage managing U.S. national theatrical tours of iconic Black plays by James Baldwin, George C. Wolfe and August Wilson, etc., working with New York City’s New Federal Theatre, to founding and curating Vancouver’s longest-running Black History Month film series to curating films for the "Drum is Calling," a vibrant, interactive festival of traditional and contemporary Indigenous and cross-cultural films and performances, celebrating Indigenous artists, to producing and managing one of Canada’s largest international music festivals to managing four theatres consecutively, she has championed authentic storytelling across North America.
With a career spanning over three decades, Chirinos has made her mark through groundbreaking programs, cultural preservation, and advocacy for underrepresented voices. From stage managing U.S. national theatrical tours of iconic Black plays by James Baldwin, George C. Wolfe and August Wilson, etc., working with New York City’s New Federal Theatre, to founding and curating Vancouver’s longest-running Black History Month film series to curating films for the "Drum is Calling," a vibrant, interactive festival of traditional and contemporary Indigenous and cross-cultural films and performances, celebrating Indigenous artists, to producing and managing one of Canada’s largest international music festivals to managing four theatres consecutively, she has championed authentic storytelling across North America.
FEBRUARY 2026 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: MS. JOSEFINA BAEZ
Author, Performer, Director, Storyteller, Educator, Producer, Visionary
ARTIST QUOTE (by Ms. Josefina Baez):
"Blessings Are The Accents to Every Good We Craft."
photo by Susurro Sonora
Josefina Baez (Dominican Republic/USA). Orphan. Celebrant. Creative expressions shared: Storyteller, ArteSana, performer, writer, theatre director, educator, devotee. Founder and director of Latinarte/Ay Ombe Theatre (April 1986). Alchemist of artistic/creative life process,Performance Autology© (creative process/live creating/creative life based on the autobiography of the doer in conscience; In life phases -youth, elderhood, illness and death). Joy is the vital element present in her narrative, practice and teachings.
Some of the books authored:
Comrade, Bliss ain't Playing, Como la Una, Latin In, Levente no. Yolayorkdominicanyork, Dominicanish (1999); Why is my name Marysol? -a book for children; Collaboreichion Series -dialogue with artists friends, mainly one book publishing on view at her archive.
Josefina Baez's archive is hosted at the Rare Books & Prints Library at Columbia University (to visit the archive write to: rbml@columbia.edu
The most important work I have done is the creation of Performance Autology -a practice for the wellness of the doer, based on autobiography. IT has three main parts: PAB -Performance Autology Base. Dealing with body alertness, physical training...etc
PAC-Performance Autology Conscience. Deals with, life skills, work with The Elements, Senses, emotional balance...
PAV-Performance Autology Vital Dealing with artists and general public getting older-sick-dyingorganizing, traveling these stages of life with knowledge...as possibility crafts.
Performance Autology has been-and it is being created as I have travel-as I ;m traveling a creative life/creative living/artistic creative living as an independent self-taught self-produced self-published artist.
JANUARY 2026 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: MR. TYRONE JEFFERSON
Trombonist, Composer, Arranger, Producer, Visionary
ARTIST QUOTE (by Mr. Tyrone Jefferson): "Music is more than sound —it is history, culture, and identity"
Mr. Tyrone Jefferson lives in North Carolina. He currently acts as Executive Director of A Sign of the Times of the Carolinas, a non- profit organization focused on reaching out to the community through music and educational programs that reflect the heritage of African Americans. In 2013 he was the recipient of the Harvey B. Gantt Center award. A Sign of The Times of The Carolinas preserves the legacy of the African Diaspora through music, dance, and spoken word. We educate, inspire, and unite communities with powerful performances and cultural programs. Join us in celebrating history, resilience, and the power of artistic expression!
Trombonist, composer, arranger, producer, and visionary, Tyrone Jefferson makes music that chronicles his journey, opens his heart and mind, and allows him to share his worldview.
Dexterous and inventive as a player and creator, his solid foundation in music theory and knack for the nuances of rhythm and melody shine through in his vibrant performances, arrangements, and compositions.
With a career spanning nearly 50 years, he stands firmly behind his artistic mission: to promote the rich and diverse history of those in the African Diaspora through music, dance, and the spoken word.
A Sign Of The Times of the Carolinas has embarked upon a 10-year Capital Campaign to build (or re-purpose an existing structure into) the Black Research and Performing Arts Center on Charlotte’s West Side.
The Black Research and Performing Arts Center (BRePAC) will provide educational programs on African American History prior to 1619. It will also provide opportunities for study and celebration of Black History and Culture from Ancient Africa to the present. We believe this will build the capacity and confidence for our shared futures.
TYRONE JEFFERSON CONTACT INFORMATION:
www.asignofthetimes.org ktjefferson@hotmail.com info@asignofthetimes.org
(704) 399-0243 Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MS. CARLA COOK www.carlacook.com