Historically Speaking
Published
by The Afro-American Historical Association of the
Niagara
Frontier
, P.O. Box
63, Buffalo
NY
14207
Sharon
Holley and Madeline Scott, Editors
Volume 25 Number
1
April 2001
NEWSPAPER
ARTICLE FROM A FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH PROJECT
Madeline
O. Scott
The
following newspaper article was sent to me by John Mohr who located it in the
Washington
, Co. Md. Historical
Society records.
John had contacted me after being given my name by the Clear Springs, Md.
Historical Society. John was doing
research (for his book) about the African American Community of
Mercersburg
,
Pa.
, and in particular
its Civil War veterans. He had
discovered that a number of the veterans were likely descendants from freed
slaves of the Barnes/Mason estate (Montpelier Plantation).
Since my ancestors were descendents of that plantation, he thought I
might be interested.
The
veteran Samuel Molson from Lewistown (see news article below) was the husband of
one of my great-great grandmother’s sisters.
The sisters were the daughters of Daniel & Sarah Williams.
Molson & Daniel Williams donated the property for the first
AME
Church
to be built in
Lewistown
,
Pa.
, before the Civil War .
NOTE:
We invite others who are doing family history research to share some of
their special historical document finds with our readers.
Harrisburg
Daily Telegraph,
Nov.1, 1865
COLORED
SOLDIERS!
Welcome!
Welcome!
“He Who Defends Freedom is Worthy of All Its Franchises.”
The Capital of the Old Keystone Greet You Under The Auspices of The
GARNET LEAGUE of Harrisburg, many citizens of Pennsylvania, desiring to express
some recognition of the services of our brave Colored Soldiers, have contributed
liberally to give you a Complimentary Reception, a Free Dinner and an Oration of
Welcome in the city of Harrisburg,
on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1865. PROF.
WILLIAM HOWARD DAY, The Champion Orator of Colored Americans, will deliver the
Oration. REV. JOHN WALKER JACKSON,
of
Harrisburg
, an eloquent defender of Human Rights
will conduct the Religious Exercises of the Occasion.
REV. STEPHEN SMITH, of
Philadelphia
will officiate as President of the
Day.
Several other eminent representatives of our people, will be announced in
the order of exercises, will be present to contribute
to what will be one of the grandest demonstrations ever witnessed at the
capital.
The military will be under the command of some of the bravest of the
Colored Troops, who bear on their persons wounds still bleeding, received in
defense of the
Union
and the old flag.
HIS EXCELLENCY, GOV. A.G. CURTAIN will review the troops.
The troops are requested to come in squads if it is practicable and in
uniform with their muskets accouterments.
With the view of increasing this demonstration to the highest possible
grandeur, the prominent colored citizens in every locality, where there are any
returned Colored Soldiers who desire to be present, should immediately
communicate with the Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, in order that
they may receive such instructions as will be necessary to harmonize
difficulties and prevent embarrassment. The
Soldiers who are reported will have the preference.
Every preparation will be made to have the affair worthy of the occasion,
and the brave men whom it is intended to honor.
The colored people of
Pennsylvania
, either as organizations or as
individuals, are invited to be present. Colored
Men of Pennsylvania, crowd
Harrisburg
, and give your brothers in blue a
thrilling welcome. Come up from
cities and towns, from hillsides and dales, from mountain fastencases and valley
retreats out of respect to the memory of our lamented dead, and in recognition
of the services of the heroic living, in such swelling columns as will kindle a
blaze of enthusiasm in the old Capital, whose thundering echoes will be heard
all over the State, radiating the undying record of colored Soldiers with such
luster of glory, as will quicken our greatest enemies to do us justice.
Excursion tickets to Harrisburg at one-half the usual rates, will be
issued on the 13th and 14th of November, from all the
stations on the Pennsylvania Central, the principal ones on the Philadelphia and
Reading and the Northern Central railroads, good until the 20th.
Excursion tickets on the
Cumberland
Valley
will be issued on the 13th,
good until the 16th inclusive
COMMITTEE
OF ARRANGEMENTS
HARRISBURG,
T. Morris Chester, (Chairman) Rev. J.E. Price, Martin Perry, OLC Hughes, Simon
Chism, Joe B Pople, Solomon T. Jones, A.T. Harris.
PHILADELPHIA, Chas. B. Cofley, Joe C. Bustill, Thos. J. Bowers, St. Geo
R. Taylor, Wm D Forton, OV Catto, AS Casey, Dvid B Bowser, George B White, Thos
J Dorsey, James Purnell, Henry Jones, Daniel George, Joe W Cassey, Jacob C
White, Jr., Joshua B Kelley, David Telghman, Joshua Jones.
READING
, Aaron L.L. Still, Richard Ball, Henry
B Fry, George Fry.
PITTSBURG
, Rev. John Peck, Prof GB Vashkon, AJ
Billows, Wm Simpson. ALLEGHENY, Benj
F Pulproas, Edward R Parker.
ALTOONA
, William Nesbit, George Cooper.
HOLLIDAYSBURG, Moses Brown, Charles Ambrose.
WILLIAMSPORT
, Charles Kelly, William Elliot.
LANCASTER, Joseph Lebar, Chas Williams. WILKESBARRE,
Benjamin Wilson. BELLEFONTE, Mashach Graham. PITTSTON, James Davenger.
MIDDLETOWN
, Charles Harley, Thomas Lumm. SUNBURY,
James Washington. SELLNEGROV, John Chambers. MUNCY, William H. Bond. LEWISTOWN,
John J. Griffith, Samuel Molson.TOWANDA, Solomon Cooper. HUNTINGTON, JC
Chaplin. YORK, Merriman Cupit.
MAARIETTA;, James Armstrong.
COLUMBIA
, Wm Cleggitt. WRIGHTSVILLE, Reuben L.
Simpson. CARLISLO, Calvin Able, William Brock.
CHAMBERSBURG
, Henry Monks. SHIPPENSBURG, Levi Lee.
ERIE
, Henry Burley.
POTTSTOWN
, Joseph Hominger.
BETHLEHEM
, Enoch Emory. PHOENIXVILLE, Gilber
Commings. CATASAUQUE, Eilliam Welse.
ALLENTOWN
, Thomas Groves.
POTTSVILLE
, David Brown. PORT CLINTON, George
Santee.
EASTON
, Henry Prime.
24Th
ANNUAL CARTER G. WOODSON ESSAY CONTEST
The finalists in the Afro-American Historical
Association’s 24th Annual Carter G. Woodson Essay Contest presented
their essays at the North Jefferson Branch Library and Center for Local American
History and Research in a program on
February 24th , 2001
, The theme for this year’s
contest was “African American Artists in
Western New York
.” Contestants
presented essays in three age categories (grades 4-6, 7-9,
and 10-12).
It
seems significant to note that all nine of the finalists produced their essay on
a computer. (That was not a
requirement, it just happened). Mrs.
Sharon Holley (essay contest coordinator for the entire 24 years) presided, Mrs.
Sandra Bush (library branch manager) gave the welcome, and Mrs. Wanda Hackney
(President of the Association) gave out the awards.
Pre-schooler Dorian Shelton led in the singing of “Lift Every Voice and
Sing.” As usual, the program was
well attended. The co-sponsors
included the Black Educators of WNY, Lit-Mus Study Club, the North Jefferson
Branch Library, and the Dept. of Extension Services (Public Library).
The following are the place finishers in this year’s contest.
GRADES
10-12
1st
Place
Paasche
Nixon
Grade
10
St. Joseph
Collegiate Institute
African
American Artists in
Western New York
:
John
Baker
As
I look to the Lord to be my guide, I see people around me who have the same
vision and share that love. One such person I admire is John Baker. John Baker's
vision, his passion for art illuminates through the stained glass mural
embodying the pulpit of the
Mt.
Olive
Baptist
Church
, in the
city of
Buffalo
. It's as
if God spoke to Mr. Baker, opened his heart, saved his soul and blessed his
hands. His work speaks, draws you near, evoking the essence of beauty, life,
fulfillment, joy and peace.
A
graduate of Buffalo State College, holding a Masters' Degree in Art Education,
John Baker is instrumental in guiding numerous students into art concentrated
programs on the secondary and collegiate level. John Baker is a nationally
acclaimed artist who's participation in exhibits, solo and group have
sponsorship from accredited institutions and businesses. These are including but
not limited to; Rich Products, Nabisco Corporation, Buffalo International
Airport, City Without Walls, Simon Art Gallery, Hallwall Contemporary Art,
Burchfield-Penny Art Center, Langston Hughes Institute and
Gallery of
Cooperstown
NY
, home
also to the Baseball Hall of Fame. John Baker also involves himself with
community outreach programs for children, families and people with special
needs.
John
Baker’s more recent accomplishments include but are not limited to a 16ft x
32ft mural for the Buffalo Sabres Hockey Team, designing, and, crafting for the
heard about
Buffalo
.
Mr. Baker's exhibit detailing baseball paintings in the
Rotunda
Cannon
House
Building
at the
Capital,
Washington
D.C.
are
presently in negotiations for consideration a United States Postal Stamps,
commemorating the Negro
Baseball League. One public accomplishment is a declaration issued from the
Mayor, Buffalo Common Council, New York Legislature and other civic
organizations proclaiming March 21 "John Baker Day," (this was
initiated in 1998).
Admiring
John Baker is to admire God's gifts, talents, crafted by one man's hands, who's
passions are spiritual. Art. is John Baker’s consuming gaiety, exposing his
inner man to the masses. His work is birthed from his emotions, like newborn
offspring from his life experiences, continuously growing, unceasingly
revealing.
GRADES
7-9
1st
Place
TaNisha
Fordham
Grade 8
Sweet
Home
Middle School
African
American Artists in
Western New York
:
Dolores
Winters Ross
“When
I stop to think about all the artwork I was able to put out there, to the many
families and friends, I sincerely feel I have made many a person happy.
I have certainly accomplished the one thing I would like for people to
remember about me.”
Delores Winters Ross.
Many
people have had a great influence on the world.
The influence has sometimes started in the individual’s own hometowns.
Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B. DuBois, and Malcom X are great examples of
this. One person who has had a
tremendous influence in
Buffalo
,
New York
is Dolores Winters Ross.
Dolores
Winters Ross has had a great influence in
Western New York
in the field of art.
She decided to become an artist in the early 1950s when she discovered
that she could outline the faces of various movie stars, like Marilyn Monroe.
Her childhood brought many experiences that contributed to her excitement
about art and the joys it could bring.
In 1991, she turned her hobby into a business after she retired from work
and no longer had the demanding responsibility of motherhood.
A conversation with her revealed that she acknowledges God as her number
one influence in life, although, her teachers and her son greatly encouraged her
as well.
Dolores
Winters Ross could be called the unofficial artist of the
First
Shiloh
Missionary
Baptist
Church
. Many
of the members at
Shiloh
have a “Dolores Winters Ross”
portrait displayed in their home. She
draws pictures of families, individuals, and sometimes, Biblical scenes.
Her work has even been displayed at different church functions and in
various areas of the church. She
draws the Biblical portrait of the lesson for the adult Sunday School class
every week. It has been said that
you are “somebody” if you have an original Dolores Winters Ross portrait.
Her portraits have been given as gifts to many influential people within
the church community, including bishops, pastors, music ministers, etc.
Dolores
Winters Ross has a great sense of confidence within her, which has helped her in
many ways. When asked if she has
always been good at art, her reply was, “Yes, I guess I can say I was always
good at art even though I thought I enjoyed singing and listening to music a
little better than drawing.” One
of the most astonishing things about Dolores Winters Ross is that she never
studied anatomy (the study of the form of certain parts of the body of a plant
or animal). Anatomy is a class,
which is considered necessary for people who want to be serious portrait
artists. Yet, Mrs. Ross has mastered the drawing skills necessary to create a
life-like portrait of the human face on her own.
Most people would find it impossible to draw a realistic portrait of the
human face without having been trained. For
Mrs. Ross, it simply took a commitment to study, practice and work hard.
Mrs.
Ross also loves to sing. Her high
school music teacher tried to pressure her into becoming a singer.
She stated, “I have no regrets about becoming an artist in lieu of a
singer.” Instead, she followed her
heart, which took her down a great path. That
path has led her to a career where she has realized her greatest accomplishment:
being content with who she is.
Dolores
Winters Ross has definitely been a great influence in
Buffalo
,
New York
. Future
artists will look up to her and be inspired by her talent.
She cares a great deal about her friends and family, and most
importantly, about her relationship with God.
Her favorite scripture from the Bible is, “Do what is right; then if
men speak against you, calling you evil names, they will become ashamed of
themselves for falsely accusing you when you have only done what is good” 1Peter 3:16. She
is a great role model and a great person.
“I
am very concerned about the welfare and happiness of others and what I can do to
help them to be happy.”
Delores
Winters Ross
GRADES
7-9
2nd
Place
Mia
Kai Simonne Moody
Grade
9
Buffalo
Seminary
An
African‑American Artist In
Western New
York
:
Kenneth
Eugene Moody, Sr.
My
Grandfather, Kenneth Eugene Moody, Sr. is an African‑American artist,
living and creating in
Western New York
. Grandpapa, as I fondly call him is an
African‑American Renaissance man. He can communicate in a number of
different art forms. His art is very personal and intimate, and takes on many
forms. He is a painter, filmmaker, writer, poet, and versatile orator.
My
Grandpapa fondly refers to himself as a Black Revolutionary Artist. His roots
are tied deeply into Africa‑the Motherland. Many of his paintings and
writings speak to many aspects of African culture. His paintings tell wonderful
stories of African people, traditions and a culture most of us have never known.
He has even taken an African name, and uses it in his art. Birago
Gotommeli is his African name, which means Story
Teller From The Red Earth. His chosen name comes from Ibo people of
Nigeria
and from the Dogon people of
Mali
.
For
my grandfather, art is not a past time, or a hobby. It is who he is. "I paint to convey a truth. The media feeds us images that are
fictitious" says my grandfather, "my
images are meant to negate the fiction with fact, to show that we are more than
what they portray us as.
Birago
Gotommeli has a special gift to illustrate with both words and images. His work
sends a message about the human condition, and how it affects the fragile, yet
indomitable spirit.
My
Grandfather has been creating all of his life. Between having a large family to
support; between his local community work in the 60's as a civil rights
activist; between laboring at Bethlehem Steel, (which back in the day, was an
example of having a "good job”); between having to forgo painting
supplies, when the family dog was hit by a car, or one of his five children
needed shoes; between loosing several fingers in an accident at Bethlehem Steel;
between leaving home to work on a welding job 800 miles away, because the steel
plants were cutting back, and blacks were always the first to go; between
working for years for the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, between going
back to school, and earning a Master's Degree in Urban Planning; between all
these things, he held fast to the longing in his spirit, that must be satisfied.
My
Grandpapa has taken an early retirement, to spend the rest of his life creating,
nurturing and promoting his art. It is his time now. All of his children are
grown, and involved with their families and careers. He can be completely
selfish, and pursue full time, this yearning of his to create.
My
Grandfather says that inside of all of us, is something great, and that God has
given everyone, something of himself. For
my Grandpapa it is the ability to crystallize a vision in his head, and make it
into a finished canvas. It is taking passion, determination, and life
experiences and turning it into a printed record, a visual and audio snapshot of
a time that is fleeting.
My
Grandpapa has written a poem called A Poem
For Spring, which I just love, and would like to share it with you.
In
quiet stillness
I
marvel.... I dream
While
phantom thoughts dissipate
As I struggle to
dwell upon you
Your face ...
Your smile.... and the laughter
That now echoes
in this quiet PM
To the grinding
sound of a sweet, sweet jazz tune
Reminding me of
times gone by
... And the
moments that are now passing
Yet for a
moment....
I saw and
touched spring.
GRADES
7-9
3rd
Place
Shaylana
Munn
Grade
8
St. John
Christian
Academy
African
American Artists in
Western New York
:
Valeria.
Cray-Dihaan
Valeria.
Cray-Dihaan was born an artist. She is an exceptionally skilled artist, whose
work includes sculptures, ceramics, drawing, painting and woodworking. Recently
I had the honor of being able to interview her at her home where she has a lot
of her creations. I was overwhelmed to see the details in her masks and vase
sculptures. Mrs. Cray-Dihaan earned her Bachelor's of Fine Arts at S.U.N.Y.
Buffalo and her Master's of Fine Arts at Pratt Institute in
New York City
. Her work has been displayed all over
the eastern part of the country. She created three sculptures for the
New York
offices of IBM. She has also had shows
in
Buffalo
,
Syracuse
, and
Washington
. Her early art was portable because
she didn't have a car and needed to get her artwork to and from places. Her very
first pieces of artwork were created in 1973 while she was working on her
Master's. She calls these two wall sculptures "the mother and father"
of all of her work. When asked about a favorite piece of artwork, she replied
that she has many. Mrs. Cray-Dihaan has three favorite mediums for her artwork.
The first is clay. She likes it because it is relaxing and it's from the earth.
Her second is wood because it's natural, and it gives her a different feeling
and attitude when she works with it. The third are metal and plastic because of
the shapes they form and the fluid designs. She also makes quilts and dolls as a
hobby. The people who encouraged her to become a professionally trained artist
were her family and friends. She says that you have to have faith in what you do
and believe that God gave you the gift.
GRADES
7-9
3rd
Place
Marlin
T. Swain
Grade
7
Buffalo
Traditional
“African
American in
Western New
York
:”
“Rick
James”
Rick
James also known as James Johnson Jr. was born the third oldest child in a
family of eight in
Buffalo
,
NY
,
on
February
1, 1948
.
He was credited with establishing the "punk‑funk" style of
music. He was into rock and believed by changing the root of funk making it more
progressive and melodic, the music would be a hit. His mother who was a small
elegant woman of great dignity and strength raised him and his siblings.
James
Johnson joined the navy at age fifteen and went AWOL soon after he joined. He
ran to
Canada
, and it
was there, in
Toronto
, that he
founded his first group, the "Mynah Birds". It was at this point that
he became known as Rick James.
Being
the nephew of the Temptations Melvin Franklin, Rick James was no stranger to
Motown, and he and his band were signed to the label in the mid‑sixties.
Although the group recorded a couple of tracks, nothing was ever released.
When
he approached Berry Gordy in 1978, he had an entire record in hand. Impressed by
his tapes, Berry Gordy once again signed Rick James to Motown ‑ this time
to the Gordy subsidiary. The album was released later that year as "Come
Get It", and two of its songs immediately hit the charts. "You and
I" went gold in September and "Mary Jane," a barely disguised
hymn to marijuana hit US Rhythm & Blues #3 in October.
Rick
James released many albums such as , "Street Songs" which achieved
double‑platinum status, and stayed in the Top 100 Album chart for 54
weeks. Rick James also received a Grammy Nomination for the song "Super
Freak."
James
also an icon of drug use and eroticism, went further than anyone had gone
before. This reckless lifestyle took its toll on his health and he was
hospitalized several times between 1979 and 1984. He remained wild and crazy for
several more years until 1991 when he and his 21 year‑old girlfriend,
Tanya Hijazi, were arrested for various charges including aggravated mayhem and
false imprisonment. During the arraignment James' mother passed away due to
stomach cancer. Unfortunately he was arrested again for similar charges, and in
1994 he was sentenced to five years and four months for cocaine use and
assaulting two women. After serving less than two years, James has become a more
mello person trying to combat drug abuse, mostly by speaking to school‑age
children about the dangers of addiction. Now age 50, he has settled down with
dancer Tanya Hijazi whom he married in December 1997.
James's
rap and funk approach which now sometimes seems derivative, it's worth
remembering that he's one of the innovators from whom it was derived .
GRADES
4-6
1st
Place
Curtis
Gardner, Jr.
Grade
4
St. John
Christian
Academy
African
American Artists in
Western New York
:
Malcolm
Erni
One African American artist who was born, raised and still lives in
Buffalo
,
New York
, is Malcolm Erni. I searched for
information on Mr. Erni at the North Jefferson Library. My mother called the
African
Cultural
Center
and they told us where we could find
him. To my surprise, I was able to interview him at his house. The following
information I got from Mr. Erni, or from other materials I found.
Mr. Erni was born on
August 7, 1936
. He attended school #6 and
Buffalo
Technical
High School
. He was always interested in the
graphic arts and also had special talents in the visual arts. In his church he
was known as a "chalk artist". He attended school for the Ministry in
the state of
Georgia
, and
Houghton
College
in
West Seneca
,
New York
. Some of the jobs he has had in his
life include, working at the Buffalo Hilton Hotel, and working as an Assistant
Pastor of a church. He is a minister who still enjoys speaking to people about
his work in
Buffalo
, and about the importance of accepting
Christ as your personal Savior.
In the 1950's Mr. Erni thought about his people and decided that we were
"deprived" and needed some ways of expressing ourselves and our
culture. He came up with the idea of starting a cultural center where students
of all backgrounds could come together and learn more about African Americans
and develop pride in themselves. Since he was already involved in the arts and
had many talented friends, he knew people who could help him. He was able to get
lots of special people to come to
Buffalo
. People like Ramsey Lewis, the jazz
musician, and Dorothy Grant, the soloist, came out and worked with Mr. Erni.
Even my grandmother, Lurie Ford DuBois, who is a church music director, worked
with Mr. Erni singing in some of the many programs he gave in
Buffalo
. A model named Helen Williams gave
Fashion Shows to help with the work at the cultural center. A famous drummer
named Olantundi came and taught children how to play the drums. Mr. Erni used
every means necessary to bring our culture to our people.
Because of Mr. Erni, the
African
Cultural
Center
located at
350 Masten Avenue
got off to a good start. There are
dance and drum lessons still going on there and the Paul Robeson Theater is
inside. Lots of plays are performed there every year. Students even go there
after school for help with school work. I'm glad that Mr. Erni decided to start
the
African
Cultural
Center
. I'm also glad that he is still alive
and that I got a chance to talk to him.
GRADES
4-6
2nd
Place
Shannon
Banyi
Grade
5
Campus
West
African
American Artists in Wesern
New York
:
Karima
Amin
Karima
Amin is a famous African American storyteller. Karima came to my school, Campus
West, a few times. Each time she came, she impressed the students and faculty
with stories that were both fun to listen to and informative. It is easy to come
up with a great moral from any of Karima's stories.
Karima
uses her storytelling to teach about the history and culture of African American
people. She provides stories for both young and old. Amin is the author of the
children's book The Adventures of Brer Rabbit, one of the many great
stories she has read to my school. Karima co‑authored a book for high
school students entitled Black Literature for High School Students. For
those who enjoy hearing Karima tell her stories aloud, Karima produced an audio
tape which includes Karima herself retelling her favorite fables and folktales.
Also on the tape is the history of storytelling, the benefits of storytelling,
tips for future storytellers and much more. Adonis Productions chose Karima Amin
to be the featured storyteller in their video, "Kwanzaa: An African
American Celebration" For those who still cannot get enough of Karima's
stories, they can tune into 93.7 WBLK‑FM. on the local radio in Buffalo
and hear her share original and traditional tales.
Karima
Amin is one of the founding members of "Spin‑A‑Story Tellers of
Western New York", a group that promotes the art of storytelling in the
Buffalo
area. Amin has 24 years under her belt
as an educator along with over 15 years as an "artistically accomplished
storyteller." Currently, Karima is an active member of "We All
Storytellers", the "National Association of Black Storytellers"
and the 'National Storytelling Association." Right now she is working with
a group of local tellers who are organizing "Tradition Keepers: Black
Storytellers of Western New York." Karima is also a former member of the
Storytelling Committee of the "National Council of Teachers of
English." Working out of the Buffalo Board of Education's Department for
School Integration as a Home/School Coordinator, Karima used her storytelling to
educate about the African American culture.
Karima
has quite an impressive resume'. While working as a teacher of Secondary
Language Arts, she used storytelling as a valuable teaching tool, connecting
literature with Social Studies. Serving as the Multicultural Literature
Specialist assigned to the Reading Department of the Buffalo Public Schools is
also part of Karima’s accomplishments. Amin's education includes a B.A. in
English/Secondary Education and a M.Ed. in Urban Education/Curriculum
Development from the State University of New York at
Buffalo
. You can find Karima Amin's biography
in Who's Who Among African Americans,
GRADES
4-6
3rd
Place
Andrea
Drayton
Grade
5
Catholic
Central
African
American Artists in
Western New York
:
Lucille
Clifton
Lucille
Clifton (Sayles) was born
June 27,1936
and raised in
Depew
,
New York
(a suburb of
Buffalo
). She attended
Howard
University
from 1953 to 1955 and graduated from
the State University of New York College at Fredonia (near
Buffalo
) in 1955. In 1958 she married Fred
James Clifton. She worked as a claims clerk in the New York State Division of
Employment,
Buffalo
(1958‑1960), and as literature
assistant in the Office of Education in
Washington
,
D.C.
(1960‑1971). From 1971 to 1974
she was poet‑in‑residence at Coppin State College in
Baltimore
, and in 1979 she was named Poet
Laureate of the state of
Maryland
.
Named
after her great‑grandmother who, according to her father, was the first
Black woman to be legally hanged in the state of
Virginia
, she was raised with two
half‑sisters and a brother. Her parents were Samuel L. and Thelma Moore
Sayles. Her father worked for the
New York
steel mills; her mother was a
launderer, homemaker, and a vocational poet. Although neither parent was
formally educated, they provided their large family with an appreciation and an
abundance of books, especially those by African Americans. At age sixteen,
Lucille entered college early, as a drama major at
Howard
University
in
Washington
,
D.C.
Clifton
was awarded a scholarship to
Howard
University
, becoming the first person in her
family to finish high school and consider college, entering as a drama major.
After two years she lost her scholarship and told her father, "I don't need
that stuff. I'm going to write poems. I can do what I want to do! I'm from
Dahomey
women!" It was at this point that
Clifton
's writing began.
Frequently
inspired by her own family, especially her six young children,
Clifton
's early poems are celebrations of
African American ancestry, heritage, and culture. Her early publications praise
African Americans for their historic resistance to oppression and their survival
of economic and political racism.
Clifton
has been likened to other great
writers such as Gwendolyn Brooks, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson in her
style.
Clifton
's books for young people reflect the
same themes and views as her poetry.
Clifton
addresses the fears, joys, and pain of
children, reassures them, teaches them self‑reliance,
self‑acceptance, and the assumption of responsibility for their actions.
Her writings help them understand their black heritage link with the past.
Her
children's books now total over 20. Besides appearing in over 100 anthologies of
poetry, she has come to popular attention through television appearances on the
"Today Show", "Sunday Morning", with Charles Kuralt,
"Nightline,” and Bill Moyers' series, "The Power of the Word."
She
has been the Distinguished Professor of Humanities at St. Mary's
College
of
Maryland
from 1991 to the present, and lives in
Columbia
Maryland
and has raised six children.
Her
African roots and her personal history have become the basis of her writing. She
says, "the proper subject matter for poetry is life," and "that
the reason to write poetry is to stress the importance of being human."
Clifton
writes that she hears characters
speak, including family members and mythical figures.
GRADES
4-6
3rd Place
Andriana
Bails
Grade
6
Buffalo
Acad.
for the Visual and Performing Arts
African
American Artists in
Western New York
:
Marvin
Askew
In 1972 at the age of 14, there was a young man by the name of Marvin
Askew that started to dance. He
didn’t like to dance at first, but after going out to see various ballets he
grew to liking it. He has been
dancing now for about 3 years. Marvin
has been dancing professionally for over 25 years.
Marvin has won a number of scholarships from the most prestigious dance
schools like New York City Ballet,
Alvin
Ailey
Dance
Center
, and American Ballet Theater, which
were the top companies that were around at that time,
He developed and trained under those schools.
Marvin has danced with the top ballet companies like Pittsburgh Ballet
Theater and Maryland Ballet for about three years each.
Also Capital Ballet for one year. He
has traveled with these companies to
South Carolina
,
Tennessee
, and
Chicago
. As
a guest artist he has traveled to many different states with smaller dance
companies. He even danced in
Jamaica
.
When Marvin Askew returned to
Buffalo
he started teaching at Buffalo Inner
City Ballet (BICB) for two years until he decided to take over.
It is now his seventh year and BICB continues to grow.
About 5 years ago, Marvin received a choreographer’s grant from the New
York State Council on the Arts
decentralization program to create several works for the BICB.
This grant was to develop new choreography for a fairly new company. It
was a component to the training school. That
grant allowed him to come in and work on some new performances using dancers of
different races.
In 1994 he represented
Buffalo
at the National Medal Arts Award
Ceremony hosted by the National Endowment for the Arts held
at the White House Washington, D.C. Unfortunately
he never met former President Bill Clinton or Senator Hillary Clinton
personally. It wa such an honor to
represent Buffalo at the National Medal of Arts Awards Ceremony and to be
surrounded by so many famous dancers, actors, choreographers, and movie stars.
It was a great experience!
Marvin was really proud to be elected into the Western New York Dance
Hall of Fame for his outstanding work with children through ballet.
He was glad to see that people locally are beginning to recognize artists
that developed and trained to move on from this area.
To be one of the first few people honored for this award was great.
The Western New York Dance Hall of Fame induction is held annually at the
Rivera Theater in
North Tonawanda
.
The Buffalo Inner City Ballet annually performs the Nutcracker in
December. They will be performing a
February-mixed concert and
Swan
Lake
. Next
year Buffalo Inner City Ballet is doing their first Halloween ballet in October,
Dracula and Cinderella.
I am very proud to say I just started ballet this past September with the
Buffalo Inner City Ballet. Ballet is
hard work but it is very fun to be in this dance company.
Afro-American
Historical Association’s
23rd
Annual Family History Dinner
When:
Friday, May 4th, 2001
Where:
New Golden Nugget,
2046 Fillmore Ave.
Presenter:
Florence
Hargrave Curtis
Family
Names Researched: Arrington,
Austin/Alston, Barnes, Briggs, Drummond, Dunn, Eppes, Epps, Hargrave, Joyner,
Jones, Powell, Robinson,
Richardson
, Turner, Whitehead, Williams, Weaver.
Locations
Researched: Halifax,
Weldon, & Raleigh, North Carolina; Petersburg, Sury County, Albermarle,
& Spotysville, Virginia; Columbia, South Carolina; Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania; Jeaneretta, Louisiana; Los Angles, California; and Buffalo, New
York.
In
Addition: One
of the student winners from our 24th
Annual Carter G. Woodson Essay Contest on local history will read his/her
essay.
Advance
Reservations are required
Enjoy a delicious dinner and an interesting program.
Send in your reservation today. Tickets
are $20 per person.
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