The Wright Times - Charles H. Wright Museum of African American

Rejoice • Relive • Reconnect
The
Wright Times
Charles H. Wright Museum
of
African American History
Membership Newsletter
Letter from the President
At the time of this newsletter’s writing,
many of our cultural institutions face
a significant reduction in support from
the City of Detroit. We understand the
difficult situation faced by the City, and
that we all must make sacrifices. We also
believe that even in these difficult times,
our cultural institutions are the foundation
of our community. They create a sense of
pride that brings us together, tell stories of
strength and resilience while teaching us to
face and overcome insurmountable odds,
foster pride in our individual and collective
experiences, and provide significant
economic impact as tourist attractions.
YOUR SUPPORT
Dr. Charles H. Wright had a vision of
a museum supported directly by the
community, and it may be that, with these
new budgetary realities, we are simply
moving closer to his ideal. It certainly
makes community support, your support,
and the investment made by each and
every one of our members all the more
crucial at this juncture. It is important
that donors, whether giving time, energy,
money, or all three, continue to step up.
OUR GRATITUDE
We are thankful for the support the Wright
Museum receives from all sectors of this
community - friends, individuals, social
and civic groups, businesses, churches, and
foundations. Exceptional examples are
Dr. Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III of Hope
United Methodist Church and 3rd Circuit
Court Judge Craig Strong, both of whom
have led and continue to lead vigorous
July 2011
efforts aimed at increasing membership
and support for the Museum. Our
committed volunteers and tireless Women’s
Committee, which recently hosted
another successful Juneteenth celebration,
are stalwarts. Their efforts have been
supported by Oakland Church of Christ,
which for several years has donated and
installed equipment for Juneteenth. We
simply could not provide the breadth and
depth of programming and exhibitions
that we do without the talents and time of
the wonderful supporters who continue to
give of themselves, for the Museum and
the community in which it serves. We
thank you.
AFRICAN WORLD FESTIVAL
Summer in Detroit would not be complete
without the annual three-day ritual that
is African World Festival. Over the past
3 years it has brought well over 1 million
people to downtown Detroit and provided
entrepreneurial opportunities to nearly 500
vendors representing the African Diaspora. This, the museum’s largest annual
program, is a source of civic and cultural
pride. It entertains and brings together
the greater diverse community as well as
visitors from across the region and nation. The African World Festival has uniquely
represented the city of Detroit for the past
29 years. Join the Wright Museum and its
partners - International Caribbean Festival
Parade, Detroit Black Expo, Freedom
Institute, and AfricanAncestry.com - at
Hart Plaza for festival weekend, August
19 - 21.
315 East Warren Avenue • Detroit, MI 48201
p.(313) 494-5800
f.(313) 494-5855
DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM
On June 16, the Wright Museum opened a
stunningly beautiful exhibit on the Dance
Theatre of Harlem. As a visitor, you will
be dazzled by ornate original costumes,
breathtaking images, and the company’s
signature works. What will remain with
you is the story of how the arts and an
individual with a vision, pride, and the
will to make a difference changed the
lives of thousands, opened the hearts of
hundreds of thousands, and changed the
minds of millions. You can extend your
Dance Theatre experience by making plans
to attend the museum’s fundraiser - the
Dance Theatre of Harlem Gala and Dance
the Night Away After Affair on September
9, with the company’s founder, Arthur
Mitchell, and performances by Dance
Theatre of Harlem. It’s the party of the
summer; you will not want to miss it.
Juanita Moore,
President & CEO
www.TheWright.org
2011 African World Festival Partners
Come be among the 300,000 sun-drenched souls exploring
the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of African and African
American culture and music! Groove to four stages of global
music spanning the spectrum of roots, rock, reggae, R&B,
world, blues, jazz, hip hop and soul. 2011 headliners include
virtuoso vocalist extraordinaire Rachelle Ferrell, Black Women
Rock! presented by jessica Care moore featuring an all-women
band and a dozen special guest vocalists and performance
artists, and a tribute to Fela Kuti featuring the Odu Afrobeat
Orchestra and presented in partnership with Music Hall
Center for the Performing Arts.
Additional highlights include the “Detroit Rocks the Runway”
Fashion Design Competition hosted by Detroit native and
America’s Next Top Model winner Naima Mora, with original
designs on the theme, “Hip Hop gets Cultured.” And for the
family and children in all of us, a special Watoto Celebration
takes place opening day with performances by Ella Jenkins,
“The First Lady of Children’s Folk Songs,” along with talent
shows, games and fun.
This family friendly, three-day FREE event is one of the region’s
most anticipated summertime rituals! Be sure to visit the
festival website at www.awfdetroit.com for a complete schedule
of activities.
Release your spirit and senses at the 29th Annual African World
Festival! For more information please call (313) 494-5824 or
visit www.awfdetroit.com.
Hart Plaza, Detroit
August 19-21, 2011
The Second Annual PANDA Games:
Who Knew History Could Be So Much Fun?
by Gregory Lucas-Myers
The host reads the last question. The game hinges on the right
answer. Your team deliberates. One person is sure of one answer,
while another teammate thinks it’s another. The opposing team
could buzz-in and steal it at any second. Suddenly, months of study
come together, pulling the correct response from among every other
fact and figure engraved in your mind. Your hand shoots out for
the buzzer!
These are the sensations that students from participating schools
go through as they play in the PANDA (Pan-African Nurturing
Development Association) Games, a quiz show-styled academic
competition that completed its second year at the Charles H. Wright
Museum on May 12, 2011, in cooperation with Eastern Michigan
University and sponsored by the DTE Energy Foundation. The
games cover subjects from the African American experience,
including people, accomplishments, events, and locations in both
the U.S. and Africa. The four teams that participated included
students from Detroit School of Arts, Peterson-Warren Academy,
Inkster High School, and Pioneer High School. This year, the
games focused on the Underground Railroad and the Anti-Slavery
Movement. Teams competed in the PANDA Games in an all-day
affair, with a pair of Elimination games taking place before the
Championship between the two remaining teams.
The PANDA Games were brought to EMU by Dr. Deborah
Harmon after they were created by colleague Mr. Renae Raboune at
the University of Colorado-Denver. As the Director of EMU’s Office
of Urban Education and Educational Equity, Dr. Harmon brought
the PANDA Games to the Charles H. Wright Museum in 2009.
however, they must contend against a growing field of participating
schools. Plans are underway for Southfield high schools to take
part next year. “I see more high school - and eventually middle
school - teams participating in the PANDA Games,” Dr. Harmon
comments. With more participation, and with the aid of technology,
she hopes to get to a level where preliminary games are necessary
before the finals are held at the Museum.
Robert Smith, Vice President of Education and Exhibitions at
The Wright, adds, “One of the critical goals of the Museum is to
provide educational programs and services that make learning about
African American history and culture interesting and meaningful to
school age children in ways they can enjoy and appreciate. Young
people love games; they love being in non-traditional learning
settings with other young people, learning together as a community;
they love being challenged intellectually without the trappings
and pressures of receiving a grade but (with) instant recognition
of their achievement; and, they love being an important part of
something bigger than themselves. The PANDA Games provides
this and more. The PANDA Games are one more way the Museum
can accomplish its mission of being a center of learning about our
history and culture; its potential and reach is unlimited if properly
and aggressively developed, which we intend to do.”
Always one to shoot for the moon, Jennifer Evans muses, “I am
hoping that the PANDA Games will be implemented into schools in
the same way that sports currently are.”
The inaugural PANDA Games, held on April 28, 2010, featured
over 500 questions based on the museum’s then-running Joe
Louis: Hometown Hero exhibition. The Detroit School of Arts and
Peterson-Warren Academy of Inkster, MI each provided two teams;
the students were provided a packet of facts and figures to study for
four months prior. Each school’s two squads faced-off against each
other before facing the winning team from the other school, with
Peterson-Warren Academy taking the championship victory.
Instrumental to the PANDA Games’ success has been Jennifer
Evans. When not committed to her job as Production Coordinator
for the museum’s forthcoming online Underground Railroad project,
Jennifer has been key to managing tasks and training the student
participants for their roles on their teams. Of her experience this
year, Jennifer is very enthused with how everything came together.
“I enjoyed game day because the students really enjoyed game day,”
she states. “The students are extremely prepared and excited and it’s
really fun to watch. The PANDA Games are a lot of work, but to
see the students’ excitement really pays off. I hope that the PANDA
Games help the students retain the information that they learn
throughout the year and in the same way I hope that the games
help the audience learn some interesting facts about African
American history.”
After tackling many tough questions in a game Dr. Harmon could
only describe as “intense” due to how well-matched the opponents
were, Peterson-Warren Academy defeated Pioneer High School
to repeat as champions. If they are to retain their spot at the top,
2011 PANDA Game Winners, Peterson-Warren Academy
Runners-Up, Pioneer High School with DTE Energy Foundation
Vice President Karla Hall (center, back row)
SOURCES: OUEEE Newsletter, September 2009
Lake Union Herald Article: “Peterson-Warren students win P.A.N.D.A. championship”
Congratulations to Judges Constance Baker Motley and
Damon J. Keith, and the 2011 Essay Contest Winners
Thank you Ford Motor Company!
Photography by Monica Morgan Photography and Annistique Photography
Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40 Years of Firsts
g
The Exhibition
Now - December 31, 2011
The Gala
Friday September 9, 2011
•Private Exhibition Tours
•Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble Performances
•Dance The Night Away - A Private After Affair featuring music,
dancing and sumptuous after affair delights
Host Committee
Chair: First Lady, Yvette Bing
Co-Chairs: Jo Coleman | Jennifer Fischer | Cynthia Ford | Kim Reuss
Members: Betty Brooks | Serena Cockrell | 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 | Suzanne Shank | Dr. Lorna Thomas
Roberta Hughes Wright
Photograph by Eduardo Patino
For more information please visit www.dancetheatredetroit.com
Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events
•Thursday 7/14 @ 6:30 pm: Concert of Colors featuring MIKE-E & AfroFlow, Steffanie Christi’an, Amp Fiddler,
BombaRica & Omowale African Drum & Dance Ensemble
• Sunday 7/31 @ 6 pm: Making of a Firebird (member reception & panel discussion) with Christina Johnson, former principal dancer of Dance Theatre of Harlem; and Brianna Furnish, founder of Ballet Renaissance
•Friday - Sunday 8/19 - 21: 29th Annual African World Festival @ Hart Plaza | 12 noon - 11 pm daily | FREE
•Tuesday 9/6 @ 6 pm: 30 Days To Lose It! 2011-2012 Kickoff ($) with health screening, seminars & more!
•Sunday 9/11 from 1 - 5 pm: Grandparent’s Day with guided tours, family activities & more!
•Every Sunday @ 5 pm: Hustle for History dance lessons ($) NOTE: no class on 7/3 or 9/4
•Every Tuesday @ 7:30 pm: 30 Days To Lose It! Weekly Workout ($)
• Every Wednesday @ 10:30 am: Super Summer Storytime (July 13 - August 17)
•Every second Sunday of the month: Charter One FREE Family Second Sundays
•CAMP AFRICA: call (313) 494-5800 for details!
For more information please call (313) 494-5800 or visit www.TheWright.org
Support Our Museum
Your support is vital to helping the Charles H. Wright Museum
fulfill its mission to provide “learning opportunities, exhibitions,
programs and events based on collections and research that explore
the diverse history and culture of African Americans and their
African origins.”
Gifts from individuals are a vital source of operating support for the
Museum. Your gift helps fund and maintain the Museum’s ongoing
exhibits, programs and special events, and is an investment in the
viability of the largest African American museum in the world!
Become a Member
Join the Charles H. Wright Museum to receive these great benefits:
• Free admission to the Museum
• Free guest pass(es) (Children’s category excluded)
• Invitations to Members’ Only previews
• Subscription to The Wright Times quarterly newsletter and
monthly and weekly email updates
• 10% discount in the Museum store
(Children’s category excluded)
• Advance notice of special events
• Special pricing on select museum events
• 20% off meals at Union Street Restaurant
e
Your Nam
Here!
Our continued growth and vitality depends upon the support of
the entire community. Your contributions ensure the continued
success of our programs and exhibitions. Visit as often as you like;
several convenient membership categories are available. For more
information on membership please call (313) 494-5872 or visit
www.TheWright.org/membership.
Make a Donation
There are many ways to support the Museum by using various gift
designations and ways to give. Please contact us if you have any
questions regarding your contribution at (313) 494-5872.
Volunteer
The Museum couldn’t maintain its high caliber of service without
its dedicated volunteers! Call (313) 494-5826 to inquire about
volunteer opportunities.
Visitors’ Voices
On April 2, 2011, (I) was able to
bring a group of children from Jackson,
Michigan to visit the Charles Wright
Museum. The group of six graders have
insisted the museum tour was the best
one they have been to thus far.
The group of children I brought to the museum in 2010, are still thanking
me for bringing them there. The tour guide is (very) impressive; I think he
should earn an Nobel peace prize for the way he teaches the children during the tour describing each exhibit (and) etching the information in their
heads for the rest of their lives.
I applaud the museum’s staff professionalism and I want to give... a special
thank you for understanding the needs of our children and helping to make
the museum tour very pleasant.
With blessings,
Thomas K. Burke
The Kresge Foundation
This newsletter and museum programming is made possible by the generous support of our community partners. Thank you!
Rejoice • Relive • Reconnect
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Membership Department
315 East Warren Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1443
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
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, 1755-Present
Now - April 2012
Eyes on Africa and the African Diaspora: The Photography
of Asha Walidah and Bill Gosa
Now - July 24, 2011
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
DETROIT, MI 48201
PERMIT NO. 3832