ASALH's Authors Event and 89th Annual Black History Month Luncheon, Washington, DC

On Saturday, February 28th, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) held it's Authors Event and 89th Annual Black History Month Luncheon at the Marriott Wardman Hotel in Washington, DC.

MISSION OF ASALH: Established on September 9, 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, we are the Founders of Black History Month and carry forth the work of our founder, the Father of Black History. We continue his legacy of speaking a fundamental truth to the world–that Africans and peoples of African descent are makers of history and co-workers in what W. E. B. Du Bois called, “The Kingdom of Culture.” ASALH’s mission is to create and disseminate knowledge about Black History, to be, in short, the nexus between the Ivory Tower and the global public. We labor in the service of Blacks and all humanity. http://asalh100.org/

                                                                                                
This 100 year-old organization is a treasure! ASALH has given me the opportunity to share Staging Migrations at this event and to present another project at their annual convention. Many thanks to Howard University Bookstore for handling the sales, as the authors signed the books. I imagine this was a major undertaking for Howard and ASALH. I shared a table during the Authors Event with historian Jeffrey T. Sammons, who is the co-author of Harlem's Rattlers and the Great War.

 

Following the Authors Event, the guest entered the ballroom for the luncheon. The photo can not really capture the scale of this event. The highlight for me was Sonia Sanchez, who wrote a moving poem just for ASALH. I'm sure it has been placed on Youtube.

 

 

I could sense that audacious Ida was there the entire time. Before I left the hotel, saw Ida B. Wells on an easel. Makes sense to me that she would be watching over, along with Carter G.  

Finally.... Reflections from the Holiday Book Event at Ponty Bistro in Harlem

 It's taken awhile, but I have finally managed to post pictures from my Holiday Book Event at Ponty Bistro in Harlem on December 22nd. I am so grateful to the friends, family members, colleagues, and even strangers who came out to help me celebrate the release of Staging Migrations at such a wonderful spot in the community. When you are in Harlem, stop by Ponty Bistro: http://www.pontybistroharlem.com/. The food is phenomenal and the wait staff was so attentive to our party throughout the evening.

Michael Dinwiddie stopped by. He is an extraordinary playwright, past president of the Black Theatre Network (BTN) and NYU professor. Plug: BTN's 29th Annual Conference is in Winston-Salem, NC this summer: http://www.blacktheatrenetwork.org/

I know some really talented people . . . seriously. And they all came out to lend their support. I'll start with my husband Rudy Crichlow, a master pan player, who's somewhere in my collection of pictures. I've known Monica Ellis for nearly thirty years. She is pictured with Jeff Scott. They are members of the brilliant Imani Winds quintet: http://www.imaniwinds.com/index.php. 





  Dear friend, professor, jazz pianist and composer James Gordon Williams: http://www.jamesgordonwilliams.com/, pictured with Jeff also joined the party. 






 
 My family members designers Mattia Davis and Marie Lee Carter (seated) chat with one of my closest and oldest friends Tiffany Ellis-Butts. If you want something promoted or a book party organized, Tiffany is the person to call.





 
 


Also, there are some people who are simply born to be resources. Terry Power is this kind of person (thanks to her, I have most of my photos for this event).   She is so gifted and her partner Thomas Piper, Jr. photographed me for my book jacket and other promotional photos: http://www.thepeoplesrepublicofsound.com/.

 

Two of the reasons I'm still standing and smiling!