October 2011 Member Newsletter - Charles H. Wright Museum of

Rejoice • Relive • Reconnect
The
Wright Times
Charles H. Wright Museum
of
African American History
Membership Newsletter
Letter from the President
Our summer was filled with dances,
concerts, lectures, poetry, workshops,
films and camps… whew! Now we
enter autumn, the season of vivid colors,
crisp air, and above all, change. At The
Wright Museum we will quickly “turn
a new leaf ” and focus our attention
on implementing upcoming schedules
and planning new ones. Much of the
upcoming programming will focus on
our children as they return to school.
Recently, my mind was filled with
thoughts of our children as I, like
many of us, rejoiced at the news of the
unveiling of the Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Memorial. It was a momentous
occasion that honored the man and
the Movement. I found it important
to reflect on the impact of the Civil
Rights Movement that changed all of
our lives to this very day. Sadly, though,
the children of that movement, and all
the children of this great nation, are
today faced with circumstances that are
nothing less than tragic: 34% of African
American children live in poverty
today, the exact same percentage as
when Dr. King died over 43 years ago.
I admit that I am deeply saddened
when confronted with statistics such as
this. I know that I am not alone. So
the abyss before us should arouse our
October 2011
ire and embolden our actions to do
the work that is most important to our
future. The accomplishments of the past
several months, as well as the debates
being held around the country on policy
issues of all stripes pale in comparison to
this urgent need: to provide meaningful
opportunity for our youth. We have
to insure that the bloody battles and
valiant victories of the Movement trickle
down to today’s children. It’s simply not
enough that we’ve created institutions
of this museum’s stature, and achieved
success in every human field of endeavor,
and attained the pinnacles of power and
prestige, so long as children continue
to face the perilous prospect of poverty,
which insidiously robs them of every
form of progress; in health, in education,
in body, mind and spirit.
7,000 of them into this world, as well as
having founded the largest museum of
its kind to give pride, courage and hope
to the young and old. What would Dr.
Wright do? What would he demand of
us?
As we enter autumn and this season of
change, we all must commit to changing
the course being laid for our children.
Our past, as always, can be a guide, and
a bastion of strength. We have always
made a way. Now it’s time to make a
way for this most precious resource, that
of our very future.
Juanita Moore,
President & CEO
At the core of this museum’s mission
is education, and so we certainly must
be a part of the solution. But this isn’t
about any one group, organization or
institution, or even the arms of influence
in business and government. The
poverty level for children is rising. To
combat such an awesome adversary,
every single one of us has to have a role
to play.
Dr. Charles H. Wright certainly cared
about children, having delivered over
315 East Warren Avenue • Detroit, MI 48201
p.(313) 494-5800
f.(313) 494-5855
www.TheWright.org
True to form, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African
American History held a variety of outstanding events this
summer, including concerts, festivals, film screenings, lectures,
performances and parties. Here’s a brief synopsis of the past few
months in words and images.
Making of a Firebird Member Reception – July 31
On National Dance Day, Museum members received
a private tour of the Dance Theatre of Harlem: Forty
Years of Firsts exhibit with Christina Johnson, a
former principal dancer of the renowned dance
company. Johnson brought the exhibit to life by
explaining the evolution of Dance Theatre of Harlem
and sharing her favorite personal moments as a ballet
dancer. “I loved to dance, but I never had the fantasy
ballerina dream,” Johnson said. “That’s why I say
dance chose me.” A panel discussion followed the
tour during which Johnson answered questions from
audience members and gave tips to those interested in
ballet dancing.
Concert of Colors Opening Night – July 14
For the first time in its 19-year existence the annual
diversity-through-music festival Concert of Colors
premiered at The Wright Museum. The standingroom-only event featured an international musical
revue by MIKE-E & AfroFlow with special guests
Amp Fiddler, soul-rocker Steffani Christi’an,
Bombarica, and Omowale African Drum & Dance
Ensemble. “I’ve been attending Concert of Colors
for at least 10 years now,” said A’Isha Mu’Min, 23,
of Detroit. “Our family looks forward to seeing
different cultures here because music has a tendency
to bring people together.” Over 80,000 people
attended the four-day festival which included partner
institutions ACCESS, the Arab American National
Museum, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit
Symphony Orchestra, New Detroit, and Scarab Club.
29th Annual African World Festival – August 19 - 21
Once again, hundreds of thousands of sun-loving souls made the pilgrimage to Hart Plaza for the 29th annual
African World Festival, made possible by support from Ford Motor Company. Authentic African garb, handmade
jewelry and pottery, artwork, music, books and toys were all on display. When visitors weren’t engaged in buying,
they flocked to one of the many stages to see performances by Rachelle Ferrell, Roy Ayers, jessica Care moore’s
Black Women Rock! and many others. Detroit’s own “America’s Top Model” Naima Mora held a clinic for those
interested in pursuing modeling and acted as a judge in the Detroit Rocks the Runway fashion competition. “I’ve
enjoyed being back in Detroit; I’m seeing a lot of familiar faces which is really cool,” Mora said. “To be able to
come back and be a part of the festival and have something to offer right now in my life is really rewarding.”
African World Festival is produced by The Wright Museum and will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2012.
Grandparents Day Celebration – September 11
The Women’s Committee of the Museum in
partnership with AARP once again sponsored a
successful Grandparents Day Celebration, with
hundreds of visitors of all ages in active attendance.
Health screenings, games, activities and family
history interviews were included, as well as a solemn
recognition of the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and
remembrance of those that have served with honor
and in sacrifice. “We were the only institution in the
cultural arts area to celebrate Grandparents Day and
9/11,” said Annivory Calvert, third-time chair of the
event and member of the Women’s Committee. “It
was a grand day for the Museum & a grand day to
honor grandparents.” Dance
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Upon arrival, guests were offered champagne and hors d’oeuvres before walking the red carpet and having their photos taken,
many of which were subsequently featured on the websites of Hour Detroit, Uptown Magazine and After 5 Detroit. After
entering the Museum, some chose to view the Dance Theatre of Harlem exhibit while others were seated in the Museum’s
General Motors Theater for the first of two performances by the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble. The ensemble was
introduced by its Artistic Director, Virginia Johnson, and then performed their signature pieces “New Bach” and “Return,” the
latter incorporating the use of Aretha Franklin and James Brown songs.
HOST COMMITTEE
Yvette Bing
Jo Coleman
Jennifer Fischer
After the performance, the rotunda was open for dinner that was prepared by Opus One and a performance by hip-hop violinist
and Grammy Award winner Miri Ben-Ari. The after party began an hour later and guests were treated to a variety of desserts,
dancing, and music by the Miami-based DJ JP Rigaud. The tented (Grey) “Goose Lounge” adjacent to the rotunda was
equipped with a private bar and separate entertainment for those who chose to mingle there.
Cynthia Ford
This sold-out event was made possible by the support of dozens of generous sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Ford
Motor Company, Exhibition Sponsor General Motors Foundation, and Choreographer Sponsors Bank of America,
General Motors, and Levitation. Through the efforts of the tireless host committee, these and other sponsors and event
attendees, over $400,000 was raised, the proceeds of which will benefit the Museum and its ongoing educational programming.
Additional sponsors included Classical Ballet Sponsors Mayor Dave Bing & First Lady Yvette Bing, Serena & Kieth Cockrell,
Jo Coleman and The Culinary Studio, Detroit Medical Center & Vanguard Health Systems, DTE Energy, Jennifer & David
Fischer and The Suburban Collection, Cynthia & Edsel Ford and Pentastar Aviation, Grey Goose, the Richard & Jane
Manoogian Foundation, MGM Grand Detroit, and Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC.
Serena Cockrell
On behalf of the Museum, its Board of Trustees and staff, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone that helped
make this an absolutely unforgettable event!
Kim Reuss
Betty Brooks
Peggy Daitch
Retha Douglas
Linda Forte
Mary Anne Gargaro
Sharon James
Marion Jones
Florine Mark
Sharon Madison Polk
Vivian Pickard
Sandra E. Pierce
Glenda Price, Ph.D.
Suzanne Shank
Lorna Thomas, M.D.
Roberta Hughes Wright, Ph.D.
Recent Acquisitions
Contemporary Artists Donate Works
By Gregory Lucas-Myers
As a cultural institution, it is part of the Museum’s mission to preserve and shine the spotlight on works of art
produced by African Americans of the past and present. That is why we are proud to announce the acquisition of
works from two artists recently featured in our Contemporary Artist Program and gallery.
From Carmen Johnson, the Museum received “Pretty Parlor,” a triptych, or three-paneled work. “I donated the
pieces to the Charles H. Wright Museum,” states Johnson, “basically [as] an appreciation gesture to the museum
staff for their professionalism and hospitality. Also the piece was a good representation of my work.” She is currently
working on a series of ten paintings of black men, as well as getting into print media.
A few of Jerome Wright’s paintings have also found a permanent home at the Museum: “Gifts of the Magi,” “The
Agony of Christ,” “Christ on the Cross,” and
“Woman Reading a Bible.” For Wright, it’s “about
the commitment to the mission that I found so
refreshing. I have had other offers for permanent
homes for some of my paintings.... at your museum, Pretty Parlor (excerpt) by Carmen Cartiness Johnson
I feel I am actually contributing to its mission.”
Lancaster Arts patron Doug Weidman will sponsor a solo show for Jerome Wright in fall of
2011, and the Lebanon Valley Council for the Arts will sponsor a second solo exhibition of
Wright’s work in October 2012.
Carmen Johnson and Jerome Wright are part of a long, continuous line of black voices
giving voice to color, shape, line, movement, texture, and feeling on canvas.
Gifts of the Magi by Jerome Wright
And From the Louise Lovett Wright Library and Robert L. Hurst Research Center…
New and exciting donations are constantly flowing into the Museum’s Archives & Research Library.
The Archives recently received a wonderful collection of books and art from a local couple. The
collection features seventy books that cover an assortment of topics in African American culture,
such as Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America and Men of Color: Fashion, History,
Fundamentals. The art in the collection includes two African masks - one made by the Songye people
from the Democratic Republic of Congo, two framed photographs of prominent African American
activists, and four beautiful paintings by former local artist James Spearman.
One of the commissioned paintings, entitled El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, features Malcolm X, who
changed his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz after his pilgrimage to Mecca, with a piercing gaze
looking directly at the viewer, exuding the confidence of a man who stood face to face against the
injustices of his day. These new items are welcomed educational assets to the Museum’s collections.
Additionally, the Museum recently acquired the Willie Williams & Family Postcard Collection.
Collector Willie Williams, known in the Detroit community as a poet, photographer, writer, and
activist, has made several contributions to The Wright Museum. His most recent donation includes a
collection of over 200 African American
postcards, dating from circa 1900 to the
late 1950s. The images may be placed
into three categories: African Americans
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz by James Spearman
performing agricultural work, portraits of
individuals or families, and blatantly stereotypical images. Williams has collected these bits
of American history over several years of travel. The Willie Williams & Family Postcard
Collection exemplifies the rich use of postcards as historical records that tell of foregone eras.
To learn more about the Museum’s Archives & Research Library, please email
[email protected] or visit us online at TheWright.org.
Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
Perceptions: The Art of Barbara Brown King
and Carole Morisseau
Now through January 8, 2011
This exhibition features the work of two extraordinary, multifaceted women who
are career artists based in Detroit, Michigan. Barbara Brown King’s and Carole
Morisseau’s works of art are presented together in this exhibition because of their
natural proclivity to observe and record
their perceptions of life in paint.
Both artists draw upon their skills,
experiences, and imaginations to
portray their subjects with beauty,
Jijora by Carole Morisseau
dignity, and wonder. They combine
intriguing themes with subtle details such as the glint in a subject’s eye, a turned down lip, or a slightly
raised brow, daring the viewer to interact with the creations and to form their own perceptions - thus, the title
of the exhibition.
This exhibit was organized and presented by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History’s
Contemporary Artists Program.
Elderly Man by Barbara Brown King
Moving to His Own Beat – Fela: The Man, The Movement,
The Music
Opening December 15, 2011
Created in partnership with Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, this exhibit
will examine the impact of the life of Nigerian superstar Fela Kuti in the realms of
music, culture, and politics, and preludes the arrival of the off-Broadway smash
musical, Fela!, to Music Hall in February, 2012.
This exhibition celebrates the life and music of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, a dynamic
figure that transcended the boundaries of political expectation and culturally coerced
standards of morality. His undying passion for African peoples, understanding of
the power of art and politics, and unyielding struggle against the colonial forces in
Nigeria during the 1950s and 1960s, solidified his legacy as a shimmering agent
of change against the status quo. Born into a family of profound social activists,
he observed his parents organize successful social movements, his brothers champion democracy and medicine, and his cousin develop into a Nobel winning
author. Thus, Fela’s view of politics and social activism was ingrained. He spoke out against the ruling government,
returned to African traditions that had been interrupted during Colonialism, and brilliantly used his music as a medium
for social change.
Always pushing the envelope, Fela infused traditional African highlife music with classical jazz and funk, which evolved
into a unique sound that he called, “Afrobeat.” This extra-sonic music, structured for bands composed of up to 50 pieces,
was paired with politically challenging lyrics and lengthy, theatrical stage performances. Through his band, whose name
evolved from Koola Lobitos, to Africa ’70, and Egypt ’80, Fela constructed a sound that would become synonymous with
pride. The powerful music and social commentary found throughout his vast catalogue of recordings is indicative of his
desire to help end oppression among African peoples everywhere.
While some considered him recalcitrant, others saw him as a beacon of light and inspiration. What is certain is that the
music of Fela will forever be a catalyst of hope for the oppressed and downtrodden.
The Kresge Foundation
This newsletter and museum programming are made possible by the generous support of our community partners. Thank you!
JOIN US! To become a member, make a donation or volunteer, please call (313) 494-5800 or visit TheWright.org.
Rejoice • Relive • Reconnect
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Membership Department
315 East Warren Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1443
Current & Upcoming Exhibitions & Events
Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40
Years of Firsts
Now - December 31, 2011
Heidelberg 25
Now - November 27, 2011
The Chris Webber Collection:
Exceptional People During
Extraordinary Times, 1755Present
Now - April 2012
Perceptions: The Art of Barbara
Brown King and
Carole Morisseau
Now - January 8, 2012
Moving to His Own Beat Fela: The Man, The Movement,
The Music
December 15, 2011 - April 1, 2012
Family Performing Arts Series
w/Mexican Dance Ensemble
Chicago ($)
Saturday, October 8 at 11 am/1 pm
Rhapsody in Boop: A Jazz
Celebration of the Music of
Betty Boop ($)
Saturday, October 15 at 8 pm &
Sunday, October 16 at 3 pm
Great Michigan Read Author
Tour featuring Kevin Boyle’s
Arc of Justice
Thursday, October 27 at 7 pm
20th Anniversary of Daughters of
the Dust featuring Julie Dash ($)
Sunday, October 30 at 3 pm
A Night To Dream Harvest Fest
Monday, October 31 from 3 - 8 pm
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