Bang. Click.

Those are the sounds you’d hear. The first, a judge’s gavel coming down, sealing your fate for life. The second, the sound of handcuffs going around your wrists, leading to a chain around your waist.

That’s what you’d hear if you were convicted of a felony. Maybe you’d be guilty. Maybe you’d be innocent. For sure, you’d be scared.

In cities all over the country, African-Americans—particularly men—face unbalanced rates of incarceration when compared to prison time served by Whites. In the book “The New Jim Crow,” author Michelle Alexander likens this travesty to slavery and more.

NEW YORK (AP)—Smokey Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown were among the music legends honored last week on the Apollo Theater’s new Walk of Fame in New York City.

Workers on May 11 began installing sidewalk plaques in front of the storied Harlem theater celebrating some of the artists who have performed there. Others include Little Richard, Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight and the Pips.

SOUL BROTHER NO. 1—In this file photo from Sept. 8, 1994, the late singer James Brown, known also as The Godfather of Soul, greet fans outside the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem.

“For me to have a plaque honoring me in front of the Apollo Theater is one of the proudest achievements in my life,” Robinson said. “I started out at the Apollo and it will always be a home to me.”

Thursday 27

Opening night

The University of Pittsburgh’s Kuntu Repertory Theatre presents “Radio Gulf” by August Wilson at 8 p.m. at Alumni Hall, 7th floor Auditorium, 4227 Fifth Ave., Oakland. This is the last play of the 2009-2010 Season and ends with the final play in Wilson’s 10-play Cycle chronicling Black life in the 20th century. The play is about successful entrepreneur Harmond Wilks, who aspires to become the city’s first Black mayor. But when his past comes to life, his campaign is put in jeopardy. The show will run through June 12. Admission is $20 for adults, $13 for senior citizens and $5 for students. For more information, call 412-624-7298 or visit www.kuntu.org.

That’s why the Chicago-based writer, and co-writer David Barr, were excited when the theater company decided to bring “I Gotcha! The Story of Joe Tex and the Soul Clan” to Pittsburgh.

The play tells the true story of soul singer Joe Tex and his journey as an innovative singer and his devout dedication to the teachings of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad, former head of the Black Moslems that later became the Nation of Islam

JOE TEX