April 2010 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
The first three months of 2010 have been
exciting ones for the Museum and we expect
nothing less for the next quarter.
Excitement
January witnessed the opening of our
Crowning Glories: Status, Style and SelfExpression exhibit with an exclusive member
preview. Those in attendance were abuzz
about the beautiful head adornments that
have been worn by African American women
over the centuries. The day following that
preview signaled the celebration of Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day and the Museum was
alive with school children, parents and
special speakers.
As one can imagine, February brought
its Black History Month energy and
expectations and, from all indications, the
Museum did not disappoint. From Salsa and
Hustle dance lessons to films, book signings,
panel discussions and community health
programs, members and visitors were offered
a rich menu of cultural choices from which
to choose.
Awareness
February also saw the Museum move into
hyper awareness mode as it took the unique
step of joining Detroit urban radio station
MIX 92.3 in a radiothon to “Support
Our Museum.” The idea was to expose
the Charles H. Wright Museum of African
American History and its programs to a
broader demographic slice of the Detroit
metropolitan area.
The culmination of the three-day event took
place on a Saturday and featured the radio
station broadcasting live from the Museum’s
Rotunda and performances by recording
artists K’Jon and Ledisi.
The radiothon was augmented with a 12page tabloid insert in the Michigan Chronicle
newspaper, which has a predominantly
African American readership of more than
42,000 persons. For your reading pleasure, a
truncated version of the tabloid makes up a
majority of this newsletter.
It is our belief that we reached the intended
audience with this event and now many
more people have a greater understanding
of just who we are and what we do for
the community.
Performance
As we moved into March, live performances
from nationally known theatrical artists
Daniel Beaty and Sarah Jones made quite
an impression on attendees as did the Afro
Jazz Extravaganza and Black Women Rock!
concerts. March also signaled the run of
the highly anticipated “30 Days to Lose It!”
program that will hopefully inspire us all to
better health. Our coach is former “Biggest
Loser” contestant Carla Triplett. This fiveweek program contained valuable health,
fitness, and nutritional information.
Looking forward, we’re excited about our
growing Children’s Music Workshops and
the momentous steps we are taking in the
315 East Warren Avenue • Detroit, MI 48201
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development of our Underground Railroad
project with Eastern Michigan University.
There will be more to come on that.
Relevance
I want us all to remember that one of the
greatest assets of the Museum is our ongoing
exhibit, And Still We Rise: Our Journey
Through African American History and
Culture. When people go through the slave
ship, they’re moved to tears. It’s a moment
of great reflection. It’s a place to pay
homage. But it’s also an opportunity to be
introspective and learn.
In Memoriam
I take this opportunity to pay homage to
the late Mr. Robert Shannon, who was a
life force in this community. Mr. Shannon
worked diligently alongside Dr. Wright
forming the vision of the institution. It is
because of his efforts, coupled with that of
others that the Wright Museum has become
an international jewel.
Until his death, he continued to have
a significant presence here. His lifelong
commitment and dedication to the
Museum and the people it serves will be
greatly missed.
Juanita Moore,
President/CEO
www.CharlesHWrightMuseum.org
Museum’s Actors
Bring History
to Life
Members and visitors taking advantage of the
guided tours of the Charles H. Wright Museum of
African American History’s core exhibit, And Still
We Rise: Our Journey Through African American
History and Culture, not only get to see a worldclass presentation on the slave trade journey from
Africa to the United States, but also get to experience it through the eyes, ears, hearts, and minds of
someone who seemingly lived through it.
Whether you call them re-enactors, interpreters
or guides, the actors situated along the tour give a
chillingly realistic insight into what it was like to
live and survive along the arduous trip. They may
be representing an archeologist taking us through
the ancient civilizations of Africa; an African marketplace vendor from Benin showing the bustling
trade in weapons, beads, precious metals, food and
human beings; a dockworker in the United States
quietly moving escaped slaves through the Underground Railroad using hushed and secretive tones;
a factory worker talking about the great migration
north; or a churchwoman describing her involvement in religious celebrations, Civil Rights rallies,
and protests.
time that makes the tour exciting and relevant. According to Carla Thomas McGinnis, the Museum’s
coordinator of Educational Programs and Services,
“The reason that the presentations come off so
authentically and dynamically is that our actors are
professionals with film and stage training.”
In addition to playing their tour roles, members
of the educational department write many of the
in-house plays offered by the Museum as well as
design and make the sets, and participate in the
various areas of stage production.
Whoever they are representing, the actors bring a
first-person perspective to a specific snapshot in
Schedule Your Tour
The Charles H. Wright
Museum of African American
History provides a variety of
group and guided tour options
to make your visit the very best
it can be. Options can be tailored to the group size and ages
of attendees. For example, our
Living History Museum Learning Experience includes a tour
of the permanent exhibition
And Still We Rise: Our Journey
Through African American
History and Culture with actors
portraying characters of the
time periods they are traveling through. These include
archeologists, African vendors,
self-emancipated persons, civil
rights activists, and more.
Additionally, guests can tour
the Museum with a trained
Museum Educator, who will
impart important information
from each gallery and answer
any questions. Finally, extend
your tour plans to include a
museum workshop. Children
enjoy learning about African
culture with one of the several
workshops we offer for kids of
all ages. Subjects range from
African flags & jewelry making
to music & writing.
A full-day Underground Railroad interactive experience is
available at an additional cost.
Museum tours are available
Wednesday through Saturday,
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
For more information, please
call (313) 494-5808 or email
[email protected].
Museum, Detroit Radio Station MIX 92.3 and Recording Artists K’Jon and Ledisi
Joined Forces to Raise Money, Awareness
In February, the management and staff of the Charles H. Wright Museum
of African American History and the well-known voices of MIX 92.3 radio
personalities Frankie Darcell and Oneil Stevens turned up the volume on the
Museum’s first-ever Radiothon.
The only way to do that is by capturing people’s imagination and attention
through well-designed exhibits, top-notch educational programs and timely
and informative artistic presentations. However, these things cost money and
that is why we were involved in this wonderful Radiothon,” she added.
According to KJ Holiday, MIX 92.3/WJLB operations manager, “The station
was excited about partnering with the Museum for this Black History Month
fundraiser. After all, this national jewel is located in Detroit and
it’s critical that we raise awareness of the importance of supporting it.”
MIX 92.3 voices Darcell and Stevens urged the listening public to call and
make donations to the Museum during their Thursday and Friday shows.
Things kicked into high gear on Saturday, February 20, when the station
broadcasted from the Museum’s Rotunda.
Juanita Moore, president and CEO of the Museum, notes that she was
“thrilled” to be partnering with a radio station that not only reaches the
right demographics, but, like the Museum, is intimately connected to the
community and has on-air personalities that share the same educational
and leadership goals of the institution.
During the broadcast, the station awarded concert tickets, gift items, and
special giveaways to participating listeners. A special benefit performance by
Universal Republic recording artists K’Jon and two-time Grammy nominee
Ledisi took place on Saturday during the live broadcast. Tickets were sold
in advance on The MIX 92.3’s web site, and the proceeds were donated to
the Museum.
“The Museum is dedicated to educating as many people as humanly possible
about African American culture, experiences, and contributions to society.
Photos clockwise starting from top right: K’Jon and audience; Juanita Moore,
Ledisi and Oneil Stevens; Radiothon volunteers; K’Jon and fans.
The Museum:
A Great Place For A Reunion
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History not only
recognizes the accomplishments of the past, but is very active in celebrating
the events of the present. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Museum’s
Facility Rental Department.
According to Drake Phifer, the department’s manager, “Our aim is to offer the
people of the Detroit Metropolitan community the opportunity to conduct an
event complete with a unique atmosphere, personalized service and one-stop
shopping in a venue that is considered one of the region’s crown jewels.”
As the weather warms with the summer season, the Museum is also seen as a
perfect venue for family reunion gatherings. “Having reunions at the Museum
gives people the opportunity to connect and reconnect on two levels - one
with their family and the other with their culture. It’s an experience they
never forget.” notes Phifer.
In addition to reunions, Phifer notes there are multiple facilities available
for rent in the Museum, including a 317-seat state-of-the-art theater, a large
banquet room, two classrooms, a computer lab, and a majestic Rotunda area
situated beneath a breathtaking ornate glass dome.
The Museum is often used by the members of the community for weddings,
receptions, bridal showers, graduations, proms, birthday parties, and a variety
of church-related functions.
For educational programs, the Museum provides classroom space complete
with audio-visual and distance learning applications, as well as laptop computers that can be used by participants ranging from early education students to
senior citizens.
Businesses have also found a home at the Museum and are taking advantage
of large reception and meeting areas to conduct seminars and conferences.
The location in Detroit’s mid-town cultural center area and the proximity to
nearby Wayne State University are also considered pluses.
Phifer points out renting the GM Theater and the Multi-Purpose Room for
musical and stage productions have proven to be very popular. He states that
the stage in the theater is ideal for panel discussions, dance presentations,
chorales and bands. “The acoustics are fantastic and there are no interrupted
sight lines.”
No special function is complete without great food service and the Museum
has a roster of caterers who can prepare foods to fit any taste and budget.
For those seeking more information on rental space and fees, contact:
Drake Phifer at (313) 494-5801
Darren Matthews at (313) 494-5828
Sametra Seay at (313) 494-5893
Tina Tinsley at (313) 494-5831
Emails can be sent to [email protected].
Imagine Hosting your next Family Reunion here!
Come and experience the affordable elegance of the Charles H. Wright Museum.
For more information about packages or to schedule a site visit, please contact an event sales coordinator.
(313)494-5828 v (313)494-5831 v (313)494-5893
Crowning Glories:
Status, Style, and Self-Expression
Now through September, 2010
Crowning Glories is a tribute to the beauty, style, and
self-expression of black women, and a historical survey
of their hat-wearing traditions from the late 1700s to the
present. The tradition of African American women adorning themselves with extraordinary headwear goes back
generations. Wrapping one’s head with cloth, for example,
finds its roots among West African women. This practice,
which survived the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, continues
to be part of black women’s cultural heritage in the United
States and throughout the Americas.
Crowning Glories features vintage drawings, photographs,
and a variety of exciting hats loaned from the collections
of local hat queens, including the renowned Martha Jean
“The Queen” Steinberg. Also presented are hats created
by locally and nationally recognized hat designers, such
as Mr. Song, designer of the internationally renowned
“Aretha Franklin” hat. From enslaved African American
women, whose head coverings often doubled as protection
from the elements during the week and subtle fashion
statements on Sundays, to the extraordinary hats worn by
Queen Mothers in the Red Hat Society, to the elaborate
headwear that has evolved into symbols of high social status, viewers will gain insight into the culture surrounding
the hat wearing traditions among black women.
Sponsored in part by The Detroit News, Masco and the Erb Family
Foundation. Photo: Gosden, GVPSTUDIO2
Current Exhibitions
Membership
Crowning Glories: Status, Style, and Self-Expression
through September 2010
Join the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the
largest African American Museum in the world!
Members receive:
• Personalized Membership Card
• Free admission to the galleries
• 10% discount in Museum Store
• Invitations and notices of special events
• Members’ discount on selected programs
Joe Louis: Hometown Hero
through October 2010
Who Am I: My DNA Diary
through October 2010
And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American
History and Culture (ongoing)
Calendar of Events - April 2010
(all events are free unless accompanied by $)
Every Sunday, 5 - 7 pm
Hustle for History dance lessons ($)
Free for Members, $7 for non-members - purchase 5 lessons and
receive a membership!
April 3 at 2 pm
Man-Up: The Exploration of a Fatherless Nation (film & panel discussion)
April 7 at 6 pm
Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes (film)
April 8 at 6 pm
Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop (panel discussion)
April 10 at 11 am
Second Saturdays Children’s Music Workshop
April 13 at 6 pm
Scarred Justice: The Orangeburg Massacre 1968 (film)
April 14 & 28 at 7 pm
How are YOU standing up today? Poetry Contest
Two nights, two sets of prizes!
April 17 at 11 am
How to Get Your Book Published Workshop
April 20 at 6 pm
The Eyes of Me (film & panel discussion)
Corporate Partners Play a
BIG Role at the Museum
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History could not
present the programs or build the exciting and captivating exhibitions that
it does without the aid of corporate partners. To date, those partners for
2010 are:
• Aetna Insurance Foundation
• Bank of America
• DTE Energy Foundation
• Erb Family Foundation
• Ford Motor Company
• JP Morgan Chase
• Masco Corporation Foundation
• Yazaki
Foundation
April 21 at 6 pm
Copyright Criminals (film)
April 22 at 6 pm (rescheduled from 2/25)
Bernice Johnson Reagon & Toshi Reagon in Dialogue & in Concert ($)
$10 Members / $15 non-members
YAZAKI
April 23 at 6 pm The Michigan Heart Gallery 2010 Grand Opening
April 25 at 6 PM
“All in the Hattitude!” - A Gala of Inspiring Red Hatters ($)
Advance tickets $15 Members / $25 Non-Members, $30 at the door
May 1 at 3 pm
Tribute to Naomi Long Madgett ($) $15 Members / $25 non-members
May 1 at 6 PM
Charles H. Wright Vision Awards Dinner ($)
$75 includes Dinner, Concert & Afterglow; $25 for Afterglow only
For information on these or future events,
please visit www.maah-detroit.org/events or call (313) 494-5800.
The Museum’s Radiothon was made possible by generous donations
from metro Detroit businesses, which include John Hope Franklin
sponsors Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and Pepsi, and E. Franklin
Frazier sponsors Burger King, Lewis & Munday, Metro Cars, St. John
Health System and UAW Region 1A. The Radiothon also received
great support from our partners--George Johnson and Company, The
Michigan Chronicle/Front Page, WMXD-92.3 The MIX and WTVS-Channel 56. Night on the Town incentive sponsors included
some of Detroit’s finest hotels and restaurants: Detroit Marriott
Renaissance, MGM Grand, Greektown Casino, Hilton Garden Inn,
Andiamo, Detroit Fish Market, Seldom Blues, Tom’s Oyster Bar and
The Whitney.