Ofori Brothers’ Ginger-Infused Wine Brings Ghanaian History And Pride To Beverage Industry
Ofori Brothers offers luxury and Ghanaian pride in every pour.
Pouring a glass of Ofori Brothers is like taking a sip of Ghanaian history. The wine not only holds flavors of ginger, but also tells a story of a family that found success from the ground up.
According to their descendant, and the brand’s founder, Francis Kumi Arhin, the Ofori Brothers are credited with pioneering cocoa production in Ghana. Their entrepreneurship helped the West African nation grow as a leading producer of the crop.
The wine is a tribute to the visionaries and incorporates another native ingredient, Ghanaian ginger, in its making. Crafted in the Lake Erie region, the crisp Riesling boasts bright fruity notes. Combined with the spice and zest of the ginger, it creates a unique experience in each glass.
The dive into his ancestry led Arhin to this business idea. The partner engineer at YouTube took the time to learn about his heritage as much as the art of winemaking. The journey resulted in Ofori Brothers creating a wine that brings a taste of Africa to the U.S., while remaining true to its Ghanaian roots.
“[Ofori Brothers] is supposed to be a taste of tradition,” explained Arhin to BLACK ENTERPRISE. “What that means is that, by drinking it, you’re supposed to feel a sense of connection to something, maybe far away, but that still lives within you. And that’s how it feels for me.”
Launched in late 2024, the brand has since skyrocketed to new heights and acclaim. It was introduced to tastemakers within the fashion and media sphere at the 2025 Met Gala Black Excellence Dinner.
Then the hype carried over to NYFW, where it was the official wine partner for Tia Adeola’s 10th Anniversary Show. Deeply rooted in its cultural upliftment, Ofori Brothers featured at Kwasi Paul and Afrofuture’s Ghana Independence Day Celebration.
While word of mouth carries its unique story, the wine can also speak for itself. Ofori Brothers won the 2025 Crafted For Action Pitch Competition. The honor, bestowed by beverage industry leaders, comes with an $8,500 grant for expansion efforts.
Now, Ofori Brothers will continue to build upon its name and ancestral legacy, becoming the VIP sponsor at Sip & Slay NYC before heading to the Fine Wine Festival in September. As Ofori Brothers make space for a Black-owned and West African-inspired wine, Arhin emphasized the pride he feels in taking part in this historic legacy.
“I think it instilled me with a really deep-rooted sense of pride and connection. It made me feel like I was part of a story that was bigger than myself,” explained Arhin.
He continued, “And a lot of the values that the Ofori Brothers demonstrated went beyond just commercial success. It was also philanthropy…It was community engagement. A lot of these values are things that I aspire to do myself as a business leader in the future.”
As a solo founder with no outside capital raised, his nearly six-figure sales is a considerable feat. Selling out twice as fast as projected, the entrepreneur has ramped up production to meet demand.
As a Black-owned entity establishing its place in the premium wine sector, Ofori Brothers is a new staple for inclusive, culturally defined luxury.
“There’s this rising class of Black, middle-class professionals who are really engaging and indulging in experiences that are their own version of luxury,” emphasized Arhin. “Luxury doesn’t just have to be rooted in European antiquity. It could also be rooted in something that stems from a place as rich as Ghana.”
For those wanting a taste of African tradition, Ofori Brothers is now available to ship throughout the United States.
California Congressman Launches New Pipeline To Get HBCU Students In Tech Industry
The program has already widened the job market for HBCU students.
A congressman from California aims to provide HBCU students with job opportunities in the tech industry.
Rep. Ro Khanna has partnered with Jackson State University to promote technological fields for students across the HBCU community. The initiative will educate students on emerging and established roles within the tech industry, such as AI and advanced technology.
Khanna shared the news Aug. 7 during a conference at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson, Mississippi.
“There are ambitious students at our HBCUs, but we need to provide the capital to them so that they can realize their dreams,” Khanna said, as covered by WLBT.
He is primarily working on connecting students and people from the Black Southern region with the skills needed to pursue these careers. At Jackson State, experts will come to teach students through this transformative program.
“I represent Silicon Valley — $14 trillion of market value. I’ve got Apple, Google, Tesla, Nvidia, and Broadcom — all trillion-dollar companies in my district,” Khanna emphasized. “And we need to create opportunities for the Black South to have high-paying technology jobs.”
Khanna spearheaded a Google-funded workforce program called Techwise, which provides students with a stipend to work on tech development projects. The program’s first cohort at JSU consisted of 35 students, each of whom received a $5,000 stipend to complete a 10-month version of the course.
“What we did was create a program to create technology jobs and training across the country, and we partnered with about 15 different HBCUs,” explained Khanna, per the Clarion Ledger. “The students participate in a 10-hour per week, 18-month course, and then those kids get a $65,000 to $85,000 job in technology, but they also learn and are able to be mentors to future students in the program.”
Another 12 students have already begun the next cycle. They will also engage in project development and presentations, with additional mentorship helping them as they potentially earn new opportunities.
“Those students end up getting some high-paying tech jobs,” said JSU Research and Economic Development Vice President Dr. Almesha Campbell to WLBT. “They have skills they won’t necessarily get in the classroom. So, it’s more of a workforce development opportunity that will prepare them for those tech jobs immediately after graduation.”
Khanna plans to expand this venture to more HBCUs, wanting to increase the number of Black people making it to Silicon Valley. He especially wants to help Black professionals secure a greater share of the venture capital opportunities growing in the U.S. Understanding how Black Americans have been historically and systemically excluded from workforce opportunities and growth, this initiative is one way to bridge the gap for future leaders in tech.
“We’re producing more wealth than we ever have in the history of this country, and only 1 or 2% of Black Americans are getting venture capital,” added Khanna. “We excluded the Black community from the agricultural revolution. We excluded the Black community from a lot of the Industrial Revolution. Shame on us if the Black community is excluded from the digital revolution.”
This project also seeks to introduce even more HBCU students to STEM, as diversity still lags in the tech sector. According to 2021 data from the Pew Research Center, Black people make up only 9% of all jobs in the tech field. With this in mind, Khanna and JSU are leading a new pipeline for Black talent to grow.
Simi Valley Teen Assault Sparks Calls For Hate Crime Charges
Michael Robinson said of the incident, "Honestly, I thought I was going to die."
A violent attack on an 18-year-old Black teenager named Michael Robinson in Simi Valley, California, has prompted community outrage and demands for hate crime charges after cellphone footage showed several white teens chasing and beating him while shouting racial slurs.
The assault occurred around 11 p.m. on Aug. 1 outside a Regal Cinemas theater. Police identified the victim as Michael Robinson, along with an 18-year-old white teen who was also targeted.
In the viral video, Robinson is surrounded, punched, and kicked before fleeing through the parking lot. At one point, he attempted to defend himself with a chair as the group continued hurling racial slurs at him.
“They end up pushing my head into a trash can, and they start hitting me in the back of my head,” Robinson told Fox 11’s Gina Silva.
“Honestly, I thought I was going to die. Because I know what happens when you get hit on the back of your head. You could have internal bleeding. You could have brain damage.”
Robinson suffered a concussion, bruises, cuts, and a chipped tooth. He stated he didn’t know the attackers, though they had past issues with his friend.
Police later arrested four teens, charging them with battery before releasing them to their parents. According to Fox 11 reports, one suspect is the son of a Simi Valley police officer, and his father will not be involved in the investigation.
“The identified suspects are all juveniles,” the Simi Valley Police Department said in a statement. “The four juveniles have been contacted and were arrested for battery. This investigation is continuing and will be presented to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Additional charges may be filed.”
Brittany Martin, Robinson’s guardian, condemned the assault: “He was hunted down, and it was very disgusting. This is not the first time that these kids have actually done this.” She claimed the same group has also targeted other Black and brown teens.
Robinson, despite the attack, said, “I don’t hate those kids… I pity them… what they just did was… sick, it was evil, and it was not right.”
At a city council meeting, residents urged prosecutors to treat the case as a hate crime. “This wasn’t a fight. It was a hate-driven attack,” said Robinson’s friend, Jared Jasson. His attorney, Jamal Tooson, agreed: “It is crystal clear what transpired.”
New Orleans Marks 65 Years Since School Integration By Honoring the Courage Of The New Orleans Four
New Orleans community leaders announced the 65th New Orleans Four Legacy Weekend to be set for November 14–16.
Sixty-five years after four six-year-old girls shattered the color barrier in New Orleans public schools, the city is preparing to honor their courage with a weekend of remembrance and renewed activism. On Tuesday, August 5, community leaders, educators, and civil rights pioneers gathered at Basin Street Station to announce the 65th New Orleans Four Legacy Weekend, set for November 14–16.
The commemoration will pay tribute to Gail Etienne, Ruby Bridges, Leona Tate, and Tessie Prevost, who in 1960 bravely entered McDonogh 19 and William Frantz Elementary Schools, facing jeers, death threats, and racial slurs.
According to 4WWL, the actions of the New Orleans Four helped reignite the Civil Rights Movement, paving the way for landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Organizers say the anniversary takes on added urgency this year, following the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision in May to end federal desegregation oversight in Louisiana.
“This is a new chapter,” said Diedra Meredith, co-founder of The New Orleans Four Legacy Commission alongside Cyndi Nguyen. “I want New Orleans to really know the power of this history [and] exercise the rights that were there for our people.”
The press conference featured reflections from Etienne and Tate, alongside remarks from civic leaders including Cyril B. Saulny, president of Tremé For Tremé; Anwar Nasir, executive director of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; and Adrinda Kelly, executive director of Black Education for New Orleans.
A poignant moment came from 94-year-old Dorothy Prevost, the last surviving parent of the New Orleans Four. Her daughter, Tessie Prevost, died in July 2023 at age 69.
Calling on a new generation to continue the fight for equality, she urged, “Black girls, women of color, and allies” to carry the torch forward and remain steadfast in the pursuit of educational justice.
The November event will not only honor history but also confront present-day challenges, with speakers and organizers underscoring the need to defend the progress secured by Gail Etienne, Ruby Bridges, Leona Tate, and Tessie Prevost 65 years ago.
Zendaya Kicks Off Debut Shoe Campaign For On With Long-Time Collaborator Law Roach
The two helped co-design the latest sneaker for On.
Zendaya is expanding her creative partnership with sportswear company On, bringing her long-time stylist, Law Roach, into the design process.
The “Euphoria” actress revealed the shoe for the Swiss company, calling the sneaker the “Cloudzone Moon.” According to Women’s Wear Daily, the design is Zendaya and Roach’s take on the brand’s original Cloudzone sneaker. It features three colorways, including its signature ivory white with red laces, as well as a lilac and black “dew” color.
The 28-year-old also helped co-design the initial launch for the company’s Spring 2024 line, the same year she began her brand partnership. She showed off the new iteration for On’s Fall campaign in a promotional video.
True to On’s vision of footwear, the shoe features a breathable mesh upper, a supportive heel, and forefoot padding for easy wear. Its midsole incorporates On’s signature CloudTec cushioning as well.
The new shoes also accompany a “Zendaya Edit,” with new apparel pieces from the two-time Emmy winner. Complete with track suits, jumpsuits, and bomber jackets, the complete collection showcases an array of neutral sportswear befitting the stylist and his muse.
Zendaya also brought in reinforcement with Roach, the self-proclaimed “image architect,” to help bring this new campaign to life. To promote the launch, the two starred in a humorous skit where Zendaya showed off her acting chops to Roach.
In the commercial, Roach challenged Zendaya’s acting skills by having her perform multiple lines in different accents, from British to New York, and even by Roach himself.
“I’ll definitely keep you in the reel,” said Roach sarcastically after her impression of him.
The two have taken on styles from other brands before, yet are further establishing themselves as a creative force in fashion with this joint partnership. The collection is now available, featuring the edit’s standout shoe for $200 at On.
While Zendaya will most likely not star in any biopics about Roach, the two continue to blossom in their respective careers while still supporting one another as a creative team.
How Much Do These Pastors Gross Preaching The Gospel?
Many pastors have increased their wealth beyond church
Many pastors have expanded their reach beyond church settings by engaging with communities through books, broadcasts, live events, and online platforms. A number of influential African American pastors have found success in leading their congregations and attaining stability through their ministries. Many have amassed great wealth spreading the gospel and preaching prosperity. BLACK ENTERPRISE highlighted seven pastors for their dedication to serving their communities. The positive impact they make in matters of faith, leadership, and community growth.
Pastor Noel Jones, from the City of Refuge Church in Gardena, California, is widely recognized in the community for his work and leadership roles over the years. In a span of ten years under his guidance and stewardship at Greater Bethany Community Church, the congregation saw growth from 1,000 members to an impressive 17,000 members. Jones’s financial standing reflects his success and influence, with an estimated net worth of around $5 million. This wealth stems from the prosperity of Jones’ thriving megachurch, the achievements of a Billboard-topping gospel choir that he leads, and his significant presence across media platforms. His reputation precedes him for his talents during worship services, his captivating speeches that resonate deeply with audiences, and his pivotal role in nurturing the historic evolution of one of the country’s most esteemed Black congregations.
David Oyedepo is known as the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (also known as Winners Chapel), which has expanded its reach globally with more than 300 branches across the United Kingdom and the United States. His ministry was established in 1981. Oyedepo founded the Faith Tabernacle in 1998. Both of which have experienced growth over the years. With a reported worth of around $150 million, Oyedepo has accumulated his wealth through investments in jets, global real estate holdings, and his successful publishing and media ventures. Oyedepo is widely acknowledged for his vast religious organization, which encompasses universities and publishing firms, while focusing on spreading the message of global prosperity.
Sarah Jakes Roberts is a well-known female pastor who serves as a co-pastor at The Potter’s House in Los Angeles and Denver alongside her husband, Touré Roberts. In 2017, Jake Roberts established the Woman Evolve movement and has been actively involved in ministry since the mid-2000s. Her net worth is estimated to be between $5 million and $15 million, with most sources agreeing on a range of $6 million to $10 million. Jakes Roberts is recognized for her role in promoting women’s empowerment through her books and highly sought-after speaking events that range from $20K to $50K. Roberts’ personal stories resonate with a diverse audience that extends beyond conventional religious communities.
Dr. Jamal H. Bryant
Dr. Jamal Bryant is a preacher who is actively involved in politics and has a background as a civil rights activist. Pastor Bryant has been serving in the religious community since the 1990s. The famed pastor is currently at the helm of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, and is known for his blend of Baptist sermons and contemporary topics that resonate with younger members of the congregation. Prior to his role at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Bryant led the Empowerment Temple in Baltimore. His current estimated net worth is $500,000, although he has claimed he has never received a salary from the church.
Juanita Bynum is a known preacher who has been involved in independent evangelism since 1995. Bynum is also a singer and writer who often speaks at conferences and uses media to spread her message and the gospel. Her teachings, music, and popular books highlight themes of empowerment, healing, and spiritual guidance, making her a key figure in religious circles. Bynum is highly recognized as an influential Black female TV evangelist. Her reported net worth is approximately $10 million.
Creflo Dollar is widely recognized in the prosperity gospel realm for his ministry and megachurch. He serves as the head of World Changers Church International (WCCI), located in College Park, Georgia, with a congregation of 30,000 individuals attending services. The church was established back in 1995 at the World Dome facility with an estimated value of $27 million. Known to generate revenue surpassing $70 million historically, Dollar’s earnings are not publicly disclosed. Nevertheless, his assets, including a jet, real estate holdings, and various luxury vehicles, have not gone unnoticed by the media.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chapter Gifts $35K To HBCU At Annual Sisterhood Retreat
The local chapter has helped its city's HBCU with a check that will go toward student scholarships.
A Georgia chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. exemplified its mission of serving the community at its sisterhood retreat.
At the annual event, the Savannah-based Gamma Sigma Omega chapter gifted its local HBCU with a $35,000 check. The money was presented to Savannah State University during the Aug. 9 event for the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
The money will go toward Savannah State’s Scholarship Endowment fund. One of the HBCU’s leaders told WSAV about how the money will help seniors reach the finish line for graduating.
“Our students have various needs,” said Adrian L. Scott, vice-president of University Advancement and executive director of SSU Foundation. “This will fill the gap for many of them who are close to graduation, for those who may have small financial needs as they’re getting ready for this semester or semesters to come.”
Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc. has also stood as the oldest Greek-letter organization established by Black collegiate women. Founded at Howard University in 1908, the sorority aims to be of “Service to All Mankind.” Additionally, one of its core tenets seeks to “cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards.”
According to its website, the international sorority has over 380,000 members across over 1,000 chapters around the world. Its Gamma Sigma Omega chapter has served the Savannah community since 1943, continuing to uplift scholars in the area through this latest donation.
“I hope they will look back and think that the members of Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter were for them to encourage them to uplift them through their academic journey,” said Nicole Williams, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter. “Know that we’re there for them for whatever they need.”
The Savannah members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. support the local community while launching other events, as detailed on their website. These range from learning sessions for women entrepreneurs to supporting Black women authors by hosting a stop on a Black Bookstore Tour.
AfroFuture Festival Brings Global Celebration Of Black Culture To Detroit
Chief Operating Officer Akosua Ayima told press, "there’s enough space for everybody. So everyone should pull up"
AfroFuture Detroit is set to make its highly anticipated U.S. debut August 16–17 at Bedrock’s Douglass Site, promising a weekend that fuses music, food, fashion, and community connection — with a full week of events leading up to the main festival. Chief Operating Officer Akosua Ayim and Bedrock’s director of business development, Addofio Addo, opened up to the Detroit Free Press about the event.
Founded in 2017 in Accra, Ghana, AfroFuture has become known for celebrating the African diaspora through large-scale cultural experiences. Chief Operating Officer Akosua Ayim said Detroit was a natural choice for the festival’s U.S. launch.
“We chose Detroit because of the richness of Black culture, the influence that Detroit has on the world when it comes to music, and just the innovation and creativity of the city,” she explained. “AfroFuture is a cultural entertainment platform with the goal of really bridging the gap of the diaspora from the continent with the rest of the world.”
The two-day festival will feature a lineup of international stars including Asake, Ludmilla, Davido, Kaytranada, and Gims, alongside an eclectic mix of DJs and performers. But organizers emphasize that the event is much more than a concert.
In the week leading up to AfroFuture, Detroiters can participate in free community activities such as restaurant and bar crawls, pitch competitions, film screenings, spoken word performances, and panel discussions. “We don’t want to just show up and do a festival and leave,” Ayim said. “We really want to make sure that we’re touching on a lot of important facets for people from Detroit.”
Addofio Addo, Bedrock’s director of business development, described AfroFuture as “more than just a concert,” calling it a “lifestyle experience” that blends music, art, food, and fashion with a marketplace showcasing vendors from across the diaspora. “You’re going to get a showstopping experience onstage, but you’re also going to get that same feeling onsite,” Addo said.
The festival has previously drawn crowds of more than 30,000 in Ghana, and organizers expect a similarly global turnout in Detroit. AfroFuture performances will span genres including Afrobeats, Amapiano, hip-hop, and electronic music. Attendees, Addo promised, will leave “uplifted in so many special ways — through music, through scent, through food, through fashion, through conversation.”
“There’s enough space for everybody,” Ayim added. “So everyone should pull up!”
From The Ground Up: Gerald Washington’s Rebirth Is Redefining Black Ownership And Legacy
He’s has marked a powerful return
As Gerald Washington stepped into the spotlight for his digital relaunch on July 30, he didn’t just celebrate another birthday—he marked a powerful return after five years of silence, transformation, and strategy. The Emmy-winning producer-turned-CEO and founder of Momentum Capital Investments has built a multimillion-dollar empire while quietly recalibrating his personal life, business model, and definition of legacy.
“I’ve always been successful,” Washington tells me during our sit-down. “But this time, I’m focused on the work—not the things.”
Prior to founding Momentum, Washington carved out a name for himself as an entertainment executive, but Washington is clear that this digital relaunch isn’t about nostalgia or name-dropping. Though his credits include Celebrity Family Feud, The Steve Harvey Show, and multiple Emmy wins, he’s no longer interested in standing behind a celebrity brand. “Momentum has nothing to do with Steve Harvey,” he says. “I don’t have anyone to stand behind now. I have to be the person in front so my daughter has someone to stand behind.”
At 45, Washington speaks with the clarity of someone who’s been through it—loss, evolution, and the kind of internal recalibration that therapy, fatherhood, and reflection demand. He describes the last five years as a cocoon phase, a necessary dark period where he stripped away ego and armor to emerge fully aligned with purpose.
“I had to be willing to submit,” he says. “To therapy. To not having all the answers. To being vulnerable. When I finally saw myself clearly, I didn’t like what I saw. But I was committed to becoming somebody different internally.”
That emotional renovation ultimately shaped his leadership style—and allowed him to build a company culture rooted in clarity, honesty, and mutual respect. “Now, I negotiate with margin,” he says. “I want the people I do business with to win, too. I didn’t care about that before.”
Under the Momentum Capital Investments umbrella, Washington has been quietly growing a diverse business portfolio that includes operations, workforce development, talent management, nonprofit mentorship, and a budding media division. But the crown jewel of his holdings is Clean & Protect Global Solutions, the commercial cleaning company he launched in 2020 at the height of the pandemic.
“I had never even been in the cleaning industry,” Washington admits. “But the world shut down. We needed to eat. I figured it out, or we wouldn’t survive.”
Today, Clean & Protect operates in 17 states with plans to expand to 45 over the next 18 months. And while the scale is impressive, the deeper impact lies in Washington’s commitment to growing other Black and brown entrepreneurs through the model.
“We took someone from $900 a month to $250,000 a year,” he shares. “Because she trusted the system, did the work, and we built her up.”
One of the most distinct elements of Washington’s strategy is his intentionality around investment. He doesn’t chase trends. He only operates or acquires businesses in industries he loves—or is so good at, he can’t afford not to. Momentum’s core ventures include entertainment, service-based business operations, cleaning, restaurants, and real estate. And yes, he’s producing again.
Through Momentum Management and Dreamer’s Institute, Washington is developing original content, managing talent, and building media platforms to tell the stories of underrepresented voices—many of them women and single mothers working within his companies.
“There are moms cleaning five to seven banks so their kids can go to private school,” he says. “They matter. Their stories matter. That’s the legacy I want to amplify.”
That perspective shift, from high-powered producer to intentional legacy builder, sits at the heart of Washington’s renaissance. His journey isn’t just about business; it’s about ownership of his story, healing, and impact.
“I want people to see that even when things fall apart, if you do the work, you can come back,” he says. “I want to be the five-year example for someone who’s still in year one.”
As Washington reintroduces himself across platforms this month, what stands out isn’t the scale of his success; it’s the intention behind it. This next chapter isn’t about returning to who he was. It’s about honoring who he is now.
The Junkyard Band And DC Take Over Miami To Celebrate 50 Years Of Go-Go
The unique sounds of Go-Go music took center stage at the Bandshell.
The 17th Annual Miami Beach Takeover wrapped a four-day cultural festival at the end of last month that celebrated community, art, and the vibrant rhythms of Washington, D.C.’s native Go-Go music.
The event, produced in collaboration with the City of Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Visitor Convention Authority (MBVCA), featured a diverse lineup of events, including a lively Go-Go and R&B concert at the iconic Miami Beach Bandshell.
Local and visiting crowds were treated to a range of experiences, from daytime events at Art Deco hotels to a community service beach sweep clean-up morning.
The festivities culminated in “The Art of Go-Go Culture Fest,” a concert showcasing performances by bands– Black Passion, Top 5, and the legendary Junkyard Band.
Photo Courtesy of Savory PRPhoto Courtesy of Savory PR
At the festival, visual artist Demont Pinder created a live painting to memorialize the late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Pinder, along with Miami Takeover co-owner Wylie Konard, posed with the finished artwork, a poignant tribute to the community and culture the event celebrated.
Photo Courtesy of Savory PR
The unique sounds of Go-Go music took center stage at the Bandshell. Junkyard Band members Gerald Lattimore, James Jasper, and manager Moe Shorter discussed the genre’s history and evolution in an interview. Shorter explained how Go-Go adapts to stay current.
“Go-Go is kind of… it goes with whatever is hot,” Shorter said. “It’s still Go-Go, but it’s influenced by whatever is kind of hot at the time.”
Lattimore elaborated on this idea, drawing a comparison to jazz music. “Early days, like with Chuck Brown, it was kind of like more like disco, funk style,” he said, before noting how it evolved to become more “bass-heavy, drum-heavy” in the 1980s as rap gained popularity.
The band members also shared their personal favorites, with Lattimore mentioning Air Raid as a top choice.
“They were very dynamic in their performance… they got a lot of energy,” he said, recalling the band’s powerful but short-lived heyday.
Jasper cited Rare Essence as his favorite band, noting that hearing their music as a child from older family members is what made him fall in love with the genre. He used Rare Essence as a prime example of Go-Go’s stylistic evolution.
“Listen to ‘Body Moves’ and listen to ‘Work The Walls,’ and you’re going to be like [they’re not the same band],” he said. “Because ‘Work The Walls’ is like a rap song,” a stark contrast to the earlier disco-funk sound of “Body Moves.”
The Movement
The band members also reflected on how Go-Go, born in D.C., expanded its reach. They noted that the genre’s spread was not a planned effort, but rather an organic process fueled by college students.
“When people would like to come to D.C. to go to school, they pick it up, they take it back home to their city [and] town, and it grew from there,” Jasper said.
Go-Go’s longevity was also a central theme. The genre has survived challenges such as gentrification and even a period when it was banned from specific venues. The Junkyard Band took a political stance against the ban, fighting for the music’s right to exist.
“It kind of fuels you in the sense of, ‘they don’t want me to do this.’ And just for that reason, I’m going to do it,” Lattimore said. “The government doesn’t want it, but the people want it.”
The band members concluded that what makes Go-Go so powerful is its unique, deeply felt rhythm that can’t be taught.
“It’s a feel,” Shorter said. “You can’t even say, ‘put the minor nine on it.’ You got to feel it.” He added that a Go-Go band can get an audience moving in a way that even highly skilled musicians in other genres cannot, describing the music as “spiritual.”
The Junkyard Band plans to celebrate its 45th anniversary with a private soiree.
“The Ultimate Celebration Is Finally Here! Junkyard Band, Moe Shorter & Street Records Presents…#JunkyardBand#45th#Anniversary!! Saturday, August 16, 2025… 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. ALL THE INFORMATION IS BELOW & ON THE FLIER ℹ️.”
The Beat Don’t Stop, a feature-length documentary by TV One, traces the founding of go-go music in D.C. to a formative moment in a club called the Maverick Room in the city’s Edgewood neighborhood sometime around 1974. A musician named Chuck Brown was grooving with his band, the Soul Searchers, and decided he wanted his percussionists to continue playing in between songs so the dancing never ceased.
In time, Brown became “The Godfather of Go-Go” (although bands like Black Heat and the Young Senators also deserve credit for laying the foundation) and created the “pocket,” which is the signature groove of the music, connotating the rhythmic interplay between the drummer, conga players, and additional percussionists. While the beat ebbs and flows, the vocalist then begins a call-and-response with the crowd, allowing for an array of shout-outs and creating a wholly communal atmosphere.
Inside its grooves, go-go contains multitudes: the smoothness and sexiness of soul and jazz, the slap-bass of funk, the powerful rhythm of R&B, and the call-and-response of gospel. It is a music of celebration and participation, as go-go truly thrives with a crowd to dance to the groove and respond to the singer’s proclamations.
In 1978, Brown released “Bustin’ Loose” as a single, and soon, the song hit the Billboard charts.
Over the next few years, a vibrant go-go music scene emerged across the District. Brilliant Black musicians, many of whom had attended local high schools and participated in epic marching band competitions, formed large groups featuring keyboards, horns, and strings, in addition to the essential percussion instruments.
However, aside from brief moments in the cultural limelight, including an unsuccessful 1986 studio film entitled Good to Go starring Art Garfunkel (of all people), singles like the aforementioned “Bustin’ Loose” and Experience Unlimited’s (EU) “Da Butt” (featured in Spike Lee’s 1988 film School Daze) and the 1987 Go-Go Live concert in front of a packed Capital Centre (a venue in Landover, Md. usually reserved for national acts), D.C.’s go-go music never captured the attention of the masses the way it could have thanks to an array of factors.
During Go-Go’s initial surge, the city embraced its potential. Mayor Marion Barry’s Summer Youth Employment Program inspired teens to bring instruments and bond over the music. At the same time, D.C.’s Department of Parks and Recreation even drove bands around in “Showmobiles,” allowing groups to perform free go-go concerts in multiple neighborhoods during the summer months.
Unfortunately, as the 1980s wore on, drug use and violence became part of the District’s story, as the crack epidemic ravaged the region, which led to confrontations at concerts that would spill over into the streets. Although broader systemic issues were at play, lawmakers began to openly blame go-go concerts for the city’s strife. Curfews were instituted, clubs refused to let go-go bands perform, and gradually, hotbeds for the music were shut down. School budgets in the city also shrank, causing music education programs to be cut, which in turn cut off a vital breeding ground for the city’s go-go musicians and the sense of community they were able to build. Instead of embracing an art form that served as an outlet for those troubled by the streets, critics made Go-Go music a scapegoat.
Even in the face of criticism and governmental interference, D.C.’s bond with the music has never ceased. Local radio stations still play marathon late-night go-go sessions, “Bustin’ Loose” has become a mainstay at local sporting events, and acts such as Chuck Brown (who passed away in 2012) and Rare Essence are iconic institutions. And in 2019, another vital chapter was added to Go-Go’s story.
A Metro PCS store in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood had been known for years for its embrace of go-go, with the distinctive music playing throughout the day. However, thanks to the complaint of a resident at a nearby luxury apartment complex, the store’s owner was forced to mute the music. Washingtonians responded en masse with rallies and live music, leading to the coining of the #DontMuteDC hashtag by a Howard University student. The store unmuted the music just days later, and by February 2020, Mayor Muriel Bowser had signed a bill that made go-go the official music of D.C.
The mayor’s office has committed to implementing programs and even opened a museum in November 2024 that will preserve and perpetuate go-go music, along with the incredible culture and history the music has built.
