101ST ANNUAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE 2016 BLACK HISTORY THEME
OCTOBER 5 - 9, 2016 • RICHMOND MARRIOTT • RICHMOND, VA. We thank our 2016 Annual Meeting and Conference Sponsors OFFICERS Dear Conference Participants: Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham President Harvard University Professor Welcome to the 101st annual convention of the Association for the Study of African Ms. Greer C. Stanford-Randle American Life and History! As your new national president, I bring greetings on behalf Vice President for Membership Antioch University of the officers and the entire Executive Council, and with them proudly proclaim this Dr. Jim C. Harper momentous occasion in Richmond to be the first conference in ASALH’s second century. Vice President for Programs North Carolina Central University We commemorate the 2016 national Black History Theme, “Hallowed Ground: Sites of Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead African American Memories,” by recognizing that African American history unfolds Secretary Loyola University across the landscape of America. Thus, we gather in Richmond to pay homage to the Mr. Gilbert Smith profoundly meaningful ways that particular places symbolize persons and events. We Treasurer Washington, D.C. associate those sites with our heritage as a people, as distinct communities, and as families Ms. Sylvia Y. Cyrus and individuals. Executive Director I can hardly imagine a city more appropriate for discussing the role of place in history and EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS memory. For me, Richmond holds special meaning in this way, affording the opportunity CLASS OF 2016 to reflect upon the city where my own grandparents and great grandparents lived, worked, Dr. Cornelius Bynum and worshipped as slaves, and where they ultimately won their freedom. ASALH’s 2016 Dr. Monroe Little theme also honors the centennial of the National Park Service, with which we have worked Mrs. Gladys Mack Mr. Moses Massenburg closely over the years. Featured in the opening plenary, as well as represented on several Mrs. Susan Sims Marsh, Esq. panels, officers of the National Park Service call attention to their role in preserving and Dr. Alicestyne Turley fostering greater knowledge of African American historic sites. With more than 200 sessions, the Academic Program Committee has provided you with CLASS OF 2017 a wide array of opportunities to learn about the fascinating work being done by scholars, Dr. Thomas Battle Dr. Martha Biondi community leaders, and ASALH branches throughout the nation. At the luncheons and at Mrs. LaNesha Debardelaben our Saturday evening banquet, you will feast on the inspiring words of the leading social Dr. Bettye Gardner justice voices of our time. Your conference experience will be enriched by an amazing Mr. Corneilius Scott Film Festival, tours, and other activities. Dr. James Stewart Dr. Nikki Taylor The ASALH leadership extends its deepest gratitude to the co-chairs and members of the Dr. Gladys Gary Vaughn Academic Program Committee, the Film Festival coordinator, the Local Arrangements chair and many volunteers, and the entire ASALH staff. All that is illuminating and CLASS OF 2018 fulfilling in this 101st conference can be attributed to their long hours of service. With Mr. John Ashley, Esq. heartfelt appreciation, we thank the individual donors and corporate sponsors, whose Ms. Dorothy Bailey generosity helps ASALH to assert with confidence every year that the story of this nation Mr. Jeff Banks cannot be truthfully told without referring to the places where African Americans have Ms. Barbara Spencer Dunn made history. Dr. Sharon Harley Dr. Edna Greene Medford Sincerely, Dr. Annet Palmer Dr. Janet Sims-Wood
Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham ASALH National President About ASALH
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community.
OUR VISION
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History is to be the premier Black Heritage learned society with a strong network of national and international branches and partners whose diverse and inclusive membership will continue the Carter G. Woodson legacy.
ASALH Former Presidents
1916-1917 George Cleveland Hall 1984-1985 Jeanette Cascone (acting) 1917-1920 Robert E. Park 1986-1988 William Harris 1921-1930 John R. Hawkins 1989-1990 Andrew Brimmer 1931-1936 John Hope 1991-1993 Robert Harris, Jr. 1936-1951 Mary McLeod Bethune 1993-1995 Janette Hoston Harris 1952-1964 Charles Harris Wesley 1995-1997 Bettye J. Gardner 1965-1966 Lorenzo J. Greene 1997-1999 Edward Beasley 1966-1967 J. Reuben Sheeler 1999-2001 Samuel DuBois Cook, Sr. 1968-1970 J. Rupert Picott 2001-2003 Gloria Harper Dickinson 1971-1973 Andrew Brimmer 2004-2006 Sheila Y. Flemming-Hunter 1974-1976 Edgar Toppin 2007-2009 John E. Fleming 1977-1980 Charles Walker Thomas 2010-2012 James B. Stewart 1981-1982 Earl E. Thorpe 2013-2015 Daryl Michael Scott 1983-1984 Samuel L. Banks Current Evelyn Brooks Higgenbotham
4 101ST Annual Meeting and Conference Richmond Marriott | Richmond, Va | October 5 - 9, 2016 ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY, INC. 2225 Georgia Ave., NW, Suite 331, Washington, DC 20059 Phone (202) 238-5910 Fax (202) 986-1506 Website: www.asalh.org • Email: [email protected]
Officers of Executive Council September 24, 2014 Dr. Daryl Michael Scott President Howard University Dr. Janet Sims-Wood Dear ASALH Convention Participant: Vice President for Membership OFFICERS Dear ASALH Conference Participant: Prince George’s County College Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham Ms. Zende Clark On behalfPresident of the Executive Council of the Association for the Study of African American Harvard University Professor Welcome to the 101st Annual Conference and Meeting of the Association for the Study of Secretary Life and History, we welcome you to our 99th Annual Convention. As we explore this year’s Fordham University Ms. Greer C. Stanford-Randle African American Life and History. For many reasons, it is fitting that we enter our second Mr. Troy Thornton national Black historyVice President theme, for Membership Civil Rights in America, we hope to inspire you to reflect on the Antioch University century by reflecting on the 2016 Annual Black History Theme, “Hallowed Grounds: Site Treasurer struggle for equality in America. Goldman Sachs & Co. New York, NY Dr. Jim C. Harper of African American Memories.” First, we celebrate the centennial of the National Park Vice President for Programs Ms. Sylvia Y. Cyrus North Carolina Central University Executive Director As W.E.B Du Bois wisely stated, “ThereService, is no such the forceprotector in the ofwo America’srld as the force parks of aand monuments including those that reflect the person determinedDr. Karsonyato rise. WiseThe Whitehead human soul cannotcontributions be permanently of Africanchained.” American While the brutalhistory and culture. Second, we focus on the work Secretary Class of 2014 dehumanizationLoyola of African University Americans was continuallythat is beingused to done sever to black honor morale, and therestore united ASALH’s effort own hallowed ground, the Carter G. Mr. Roy Betts of black individualsMr. Gilbert around Smith the nation formed a Woodsonfoundation Homeof hope Site and locatedperseverance in Washington, that is still D.C. Last, we join the nation in the opening Treasurer Bowie, MD present in our communitiesWashington, D.C. today. To counteractof systems the National of oppression Museum people of Africanof African American descent History and Culture. Our members and Dr. Bettye Gardner formed organizationsMs. Sylvia such Y. Cyrus as the Colored Conventionfriends movement have supported and the Nationalthe concept Association of a nationalfor museum since our Association’s inception Coppin State University the AdvancementExecutive of Colored Director People (NAACP) that provided African Americans a platform to Ms. Kenya King and applaud our own Lonnie Bunch, the museum’s founding director, for ensuring that this Atlanta, GA share their lived experiences with the rest of the world. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS dream becomes a reality. Dr. Gladys Gary Vaughn th Cabin John, MD We areCLASS honored OF to 2016 hold our 99 AnnualWe Convention are pleased in Memphis, to return Tennessee, to Richmond a city for rich our 101st Annual Conference. When we were Dr. Carlton Wilson with African AmericanDr. Cornelius history. Bynum While the assassinationhere in of2011, Dr. Martinwe commemorated Luther King Jr. the dramatically sesquicentennial of the start of the Civil War, and North Carolina Central University altered the atmosphereDr. Monroe in LittleMemphis, it remains a thriving site of civil rights activism and economic this year we honor the memory of the over 180,000 African American troops and other opportunity for AfricanMrs. Gladys Americans. Mack As you explore these historic grounds, we encourage you to Class of 2015 African Americans who fought for freedom and equality. Could they have imagined that Ms. Dorothy Bailey reflect on the numerousMr. Moses musiciansMassenburg that began their careers on Beale Street (including W.C. Handy, Prince Georges County Truth Branch, MD the father of blues)Mrs. andSusan the Sims brilliant Marsh, Esq. hits that weretheir written legacy at the would Lorraine be aMotel, White the House, site of Dr.built with slave labor where an African American Dr. Sheila Flemming-Hunter Martin Luther KingDr. Alicestyne Jr’s death. Turley It is our hope thatpresident you are able(Barack to experience Obama) all and that his Memphis family hasreside? Black Rose Foundation to offer and that these historic surroundings deeply enrich your convention experience. Special thanks go to the Academic Program Committee led by Sundiata Cha-Jua and Dr. Lionel Kimble CLASS OF 2017 University of Chicago Lionel Kimble for their leadership and hard work to orchestrate a stellar program. Our We thankDr. Thomas the Academic Battle Program Committee for its leadership and hard work to Dr. Edna Green Medford Howard University orchestrate the participationDr. Martha Biondi of our presenters thisteam year. is We confident are confident that thatyou allwill who find attend our will many be panels, tours and discussions exciting. I enlightened and invigorated by the many expositionsalso hopeand dialogues that you that will will find transpire. this meetingA special motivational and that it moves you to motivate Ms. Gina Paige Mrs. LaNesha Debardelaben African Ancestry thanks to our HonoraryDr. Bettye CoGardner-Chairs and membersothers. of the Honorary To the members Committee of for the furthering Executive the Council, Advisory Board, staff, consultants and mission of ASALH in Memphis. To the Local Arrangements Committee, we extend a deep Dr. Annette Palmer Mr. Corneilius Scott volunteers, know that your timeless efforts are greatly appreciated. Morgan State University heartfelt thank you for many hours of dedicated service. Dr. James Stewart Mr. Randy Rice Finally, I extend special thanks to you for standing with ASALH during these challenging Farmers Insurance Dr. Nikki Taylor To the ASALH staff, consultants, and volunteers, know that your timeless efforts are Dr. Gladys Gary Vaughn times. The importance of our mission and vision have never been greater. Use this Dr. Paula Seniors greatly appreciated. We acknowledge and extend a special thank you to our corporate sponsors, Virginia Tech conference to spark your “ASALH passion” and commit to join or form a branch, join a media partners, and supporters who have helpedcommittee to make this and convention get more possible. involved in our work. We need you now more than ever. Class of 2016 CLASS OF 2018 Finally,Mr. we John thank Ashley, all Esq. attendees for standingI also with hope ASALH to see through you next a challenging year at the time. 2017 We Annual Conference in Cincinnati when we will Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham Ms. Dorothy Bailey Harvard University hope you find this meeting one that empowers youexplore to empower “The Crisis others, in an Blackd we hope Education, to see you which next will be held September 26 – October 1. year for our CentennialMr. Jeff Banks Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Cornelius Bynum Ms. Barbara Spencer Dunn Purdue University Dr. Sharon Harley Dr. Jim Harper Sincerely, North Carolina Central University Dr. Edna Greene Medford In the spirit of our founder, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Dr. Annet Palmer Dr. Monroe Little Indiana University Dr. Janet Sims-Wood
Mr.Gilbert Smith Washington, DC Ms. Greer Stanford-Randle Daryl Michael Scott SylviaSylvia Y. CyrusY. Cyrus Huber Heights, OH National President Executive Director ASALH Executive Director and ASALH Managing Editor To promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community...ASALH Mission T T A STA and T S Special Thanks ST A A M M TAT T 101 t A A M T C C AM