Giving Voice: The Power of Words in African American Culture
Collection Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Introduction:
The 2009 Festival program Giving Voice, presented by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, showcased the many oral traditions and verbal arts that hold a special place in African American folk culture. Giving Voice focused on the word power and word play that shape, define, and transform human experience. These cultural expressions represent a living legacy for black Americans and ultimately for all Americans. Through the deep, rich strains of African American oral traditions, the Festival program explored and displayed the vital connections between the power of words in African American folklife and the attributes of American culture itself.
Giving Voice created a learning experience that provided audiences with a better understanding of the everyday language and expression inherent in African American folklife. For instance, Festival visitors were invited into simulated social sites and gathering places where African Americans traditionally have felt free to talk to one another beyond the gaze and financial control, or below the radar, of racial others. Settings such as restaurants and home kitchens, churches and meeting halls, playgrounds and street corners, barbershops and beauty parlors, community radio stations and the "soapbox" - recreated on the National Mall - provided a living context for demonstrating the power of words to shape the daily experiences of African Americans.
With this Festival program, the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture demonstrated its commitment to documenting and preserving the oral expressions of a people whose voices were muzzled, who were denied the opportunity to read and to write, and whose speeches and oratory often did not survive. A people's culture is inexorably linked to its language, and by helping to raise public awareness of African American linguistic creativity, the Museum highlighted a major aspect of black culture. In the process, the Museum moved closer to its goals of helping all Americans to learn more about African American history and culture, and to understand and appreciate how this history and culture provide a powerful lens for understanding what it truly means to be an American.
James Alexander Robinson was Curator, and Dianne Green was Program Coordinator. Diana Baird N'Diaye and Esther J. Washington were Curatorial Advisors for Children's Culture; John W. Davis II was Curatorial Advisor for Community Radio; Roland Freeman was Curatorial Consultant for Photography; Kenny Carroll was Curatorial Consultant for Poetry; and Tony Smalls was Curatorial Consultant for Drama.
The program was produced in partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Presenters:
Deborah Asante, Carmen Ashhurst, Jade Banks, Kenny Carroll, Lorne Cress Love, James Counts Early, Anthony Gittens, E. Ethelbert Miller, Bob Sumner, Eleanor Traylor, Esther J. Washington
Participants:
Children's and Youth Culture
Asante Children's Theatre, Indianapolis, Indiana
Schroeder Cherry, 1954-, Baltimore, Maryland
The Dr. Beverly Robinson Community Folk Culture Program, Bronx, New York
Hot Topic All Stars, Alexandria, Virginia
Ella Jenkins, Chicago, Illinois
Humor
James Hannah, 1968-, Coppell, Texas
Royale Watkins, Encino, California
Poetry
Toni Blackman, Brooklyn, New York
Kenny Carroll, Washington, D.C.
Thomas Sayers Ellis, 1963-, Brooklyn, New York
Tonya Matthews, 1974-, Cincinnati, Ohio
Sonia Sanchez, 1934-, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Radio
WPFW, Washington, D.C.
Storytelling
Charlotte Blake-Alston, 1948-, Landsdowne, Pennsylvania
Victoria Burnett, 1951-, San Juan Capistrano, California
Len Cabral, 1948-, Cranston, Rhode Island
Mitchell G. Capel, 1955-, Spring Lake, North Carolina
Diane Ferlatte, Oakland, California
Hugh "Brother Blue" Hill, 1921-, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Joni L. Jones, 1955-, Austin, Texas
Baba Jamal Koram, 1949-, Alexandria, Virginia
Onawumi Jean Moss, 1936-, Amherst, Massachusetts
Tejumola Ologboni, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dylan Pritchett, 1959-, Williamsburg, Virginia
Sankofa, 1930-, Rochester, New York
Valerie Tutson, 1966-, Providence, Rhode Island
Theater
Holly Bass, 1971-, Washington, D.C.
Roger Guenveur Smith, 1955-, Los Angeles, California
Anu Yadav, 1977-, Washington, D.C.
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Where a listening copy or viewing copy has been created, this is indicated in the respective inventory; additional materials may be accessible with sufficient advance notice and, in some cases, payment of a processing fee. Older papers are housed at a remote location and may require a minimum of three weeks' advance notice and payment of a retrieval fee. Certain formats such as multi-track audio recordings and EIAJ-1 videoreels (1/2 inch) may not be accessible. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at 202-633-7322 or rinzlerarchives@si.edu for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 2009 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Panama -- Just a closer walk with Thee -- On a cocoanut island --Maryland, my Maryland -- I believe I can make it by myself -- Eh la bas -- I can't escape from you -- When my dreamboat comes home -- Stingaree blues --Siboney.
Local Numbers:
FP-ARH-LP-1016
Arhoolie.1016
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
El Cerrito, CA Arhoolie
Participant or Performer Note:
Kid Thomas Valentine, trumpet ; Manuel Paul, tenor saxophone ; Louis Nelson, trombone ; Joe James, piano and vocal ; Creole George Guesnon, banjo and vocal ; Sammy Penn, drums and vocal ; Alcide "Slow drag" Pavageau, bass.
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded at the WDSO Radio Station, New Orleans, May 24, 1959.
General:
Program notes by Mike Slatter on container.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
WANN Radio Station (Annapolis, Maryland) Search this
Container:
Box 3, Folder 14
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
undated
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Researchers must use reference copies of audiovisual materials. When no reference copy exists, the Archives Center staff will produce reference copies on an "as needed" basis, as resources allow.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
WANN Radio Station Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Processing and encoding funded by a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources.
WANN Radio Station (Annapolis, Maryland) Search this
Container:
Box 3, Folder 32
Type:
Archival materials
Negatives
Date:
undated
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Researchers must use reference copies of audiovisual materials. When no reference copy exists, the Archives Center staff will produce reference copies on an "as needed" basis, as resources allow.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
WANN Radio Station Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Processing and encoding funded by a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources.
WANN Radio Station (Annapolis, Maryland) Search this
Container:
Box 3, Folder 33
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
undated
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Researchers must use reference copies of audiovisual materials. When no reference copy exists, the Archives Center staff will produce reference copies on an "as needed" basis, as resources allow.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
WANN Radio Station Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Processing and encoding funded by a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources.
WANN Radio Station (Annapolis, Maryland) Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
undated
1947 - 1999
Scope and Contents:
Materials include incoming and outgoing general communication relating to the daily operation and social events of the station dating from 1947-1999. In addition, there are also some reception reports dating from 1997-1998 found among these materials. The materials are arranged in chronological order.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Researchers must use reference copies of audiovisual materials. When no reference copy exists, the Archives Center staff will produce reference copies on an "as needed" basis, as resources allow.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
WANN Radio Station Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Processing and encoding funded by a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources.
WANN Radio Station (Annapolis, Maryland) Search this
Container:
Box 4, Folder 1
Box 4, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Negatives
Photographs
Date:
1982
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Researchers must use reference copies of audiovisual materials. When no reference copy exists, the Archives Center staff will produce reference copies on an "as needed" basis, as resources allow.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
WANN Radio Station Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Processing and encoding funded by a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources.
WANN Radio Station (Annapolis, Maryland) Search this
Container:
Box 4, Folder 2
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
1982
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Researchers must use reference copies of audiovisual materials. When no reference copy exists, the Archives Center staff will produce reference copies on an "as needed" basis, as resources allow.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
WANN Radio Station Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Processing and encoding funded by a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources.
Advertising on convertible for Hoppy Adams of WANN radio station in Annapolis, Maryland; a Ferris wheel is seen in the background. Photographer unidentified.
Biographical / Historical:
During the 50s and early 60s, Anne Arundel County was still segregated and the beaches for [African Americans] were Carr's Beach and Sparrow's Beach in Annapolis, and the beach communities of Highland Beach, Arundel-On-The-Bay, and Columbia Beach in the county. Carr's Beach was the most famous of the beaches and was affectionately called "The Beach". During the week "The Beach" was a place for day camp, church picnics, etc. But on the week-ends especially Sunday afternoons, Carr's Beach had the unique distinction of being a major stop on the "Chitlin Circuit". (Quoted from http://www.carrsbeach.com/.)
Local Numbers:
03080027.tif (AC Scan)
AC0800-0000005.tif (AC Scan No., duplicate)
General:
In Box 13.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Black print on yellow background. Undated advertisement.
Local Numbers:
AC0800-0000001.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Broadcast took place August, 1956. "Thomas R. Baden, Jr., Capital Hill Manor, Annapolis, MD, Telephone: 82239", stamped on back.
Biographical / Historical:
During the 50s and early 60s, Anne Arundel County was still segregated and the beaches for [African Americans] were Carr's Beach and Sparrow's Beach in Annapolis, and the beach communities of Highland Beach, Arundel-On-The-Bay, and Columbia Beach in the county. Carr's Beach was the most famous of the beaches and was affectionately called "The Beach". During the week "The Beach" was a place for day camp, church picnics, etc. But on the week-ends especially Sunday afternoons, Carr's Beach had the unique distinction of being a major stop on the "Chitlin Circuit". (Quoted from http://www.carrsbeach.com/.)
Local Numbers:
AC0800-0000002.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Man seated at a WANN microphone, five men in Naval uniforms and one in a suit are standing around him. Photographer unidentified.
Local Numbers:
AC0800-0000003.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Four teenagers singing around one microphone, and a younger teenager singing at the other microphone with a seated woman looking on. "Thomas R. Baden, Jr., Capital Hill Manor, Annapolis, MD, Telephone: 82239" stamped on the verso.
Biographical / Historical:
During the 50s and early 60s, Anne Arundel County was still segregated and the beaches for [African Americans] were Carr's Beach and Sparrow's Beach in Annapolis, and the beach communities of Highland Beach, Arundel-On-The-Bay, and Columbia Beach in the county. Carr's Beach was the most famous of the beaches and was affectionately called "The Beach". During the week "The Beach" was a place for day camp, church picnics, etc. But on the week-ends especially Sunday afternoons, Carr's Beach had the unique distinction of being a major stop on the "Chitlin Circuit". (Quoted from http://www.carrsbeach.com/.)
Local Numbers:
AC0800-0000004.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
During the 50s and early 60s, Anne Arundel County was still segregated and the beaches for [African Americans] were Carr's Beach and Sparrow's Beach in Annapolis, and the beach communities of Highland Beach, Arundel-On-The-Bay, and Columbia Beach in the county. Carr's Beach was the most famous of the beaches and was affectionately called "The Beach". During the week "The Beach" was a place for day camp, church picnics, etc. But on the week-ends especially Sunday afternoons, Carr's Beach had the unique distinction of being a major stop on the "Chitlin Circuit". (Quoted from http://www.carrsbeach.com/.)
Local Numbers:
AC0800-0000006.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
The broadcast took place July 15, 1956. Many people watch. "Thomas R. Baden, Jr., Capital Hill Manor, Annapolis, MD, Telephone: 82239" stamped on the back of the photograph.
Biographical / Historical:
During the 50s and early 60s, Anne Arundel County was still segregated and the beaches for [African Americans] were Carr's Beach and Sparrow's Beach in Annapolis, and the beach communities of Highland Beach, Arundel-On-The-Bay, and Columbia Beach in the county. Carr's Beach was the most famous of the beaches and was affectionately called "The Beach". During the week "The Beach" was a place for day camp, church picnics, etc. But on the week-ends especially Sunday afternoons, Carr's Beach had the unique distinction of being a major stop on the "Chitlin Circuit". (Quoted from http://www.carrsbeach.com/.)
Local Numbers:
AC0800-0000007.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Undated." Thomas R. Baden, Jr., Capital Hill Manor, Annapolis, MD, Telephone: 82239" on verso.
Biographical / Historical:
During the 50s and early 60s, Anne Arundel County was still segregated and the beaches for [African Americans] were Carr's Beach and Sparrow's Beach in Annapolis, and the beach communities of Highland Beach, Arundel-On-The-Bay, and Columbia Beach in the county. Carr's Beach was the most famous of the beaches and was affectionately called "The Beach". During the week "The Beach" was a place for day camp, church picnics, etc. But on the week-ends especially Sunday afternoons, Carr's Beach had the unique distinction of being a major stop on the "Chitlin Circuit". (Quoted from http://www.carrsbeach.com/.)
Local Numbers:
AC0800-0000008.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection is open for research. Researchers must use reference copies of audiovisual materials. When no reference copy exists, the Archives Center staff will produce reference copies on an "as needed" basis, as resources allow.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
During the 50's and early 60's, Anne Arundel County was still segregated and the beaches for [African Americans] were Carr's Beach and Sparrow's Beach in Annapolis, and the beach communities of Highland Beach, Arundel-On-The-Bay, and Columbia Beach in the county. Carr's Beach was the most famous of the beaches and was affectionately called "The Beach". During the week "The Beach" was a place for day camp, church picnics, etc. But on the week-ends especially Sunday afternoons, Carr's Beach had the unique distinction of being a major stop on the "Chitlin Circuit". (Quoted from http://www.carrsbeach.com/.
Local Numbers:
AC0800-0000010.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
WANN Radio Station (Annapolis, Maryland) Search this
Container:
Box 4, Folder 3
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1947
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Researchers must use reference copies of audiovisual materials. When no reference copy exists, the Archives Center staff will produce reference copies on an "as needed" basis, as resources allow.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
WANN Radio Station Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Processing and encoding funded by a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources.