Tribute to Paul Robeson Wed, May 20, 1987 8:00 P.M

7--6/27 i1 I A TRIBUTE TO PAUL ROBESON WED, MAY 20, 1987 8:00 P.M. AT BAM

BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC

30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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4. 5. The artist must elect to fight for Freedom ' or for Slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative. Paul Robeson, 1937 "A TRIBUTE TO PAUL ROBESON"

Paul Robeson, Jr. - Host and Narrator GUEST ARTISTS Vinie Burrows Ruby Dee Colleen Dewhurst Geraldine Fitzgerald Alpha Floyd Bill Hardman Shirley Knight Bill Lee and Susan Lee Benjamin Matthews Gil Noble Edward Pierson Randy Weston Charles Williams Peter Yarrow Thomas Young David Maiullo and Wayne Sanders Accompanists

Sponsored by the Pratt Area Community Council, Inc. in cooperation with the Paul Robeson Archives

Producer/Coordinator: Roi Crouch Consultant to the Producer: Madeline Lee Gifford Co-Directors: Perry Bruskin and Paul Robeson, Jr. Script by: Paul Robeson, Jr. Production Consultant: William Greaves Production/Stage Manager: Don Christy Associate Coordinator: Kathy Reeder

Program Material Courtesy of: Film: "Paul Robeson: A Closer Look" produced and directed by Gil Noble Script Material: Paul Robeson, Jr. and the Paul Robeson Archives 1. Speaking against 1. discrimination in baseball, 1943. 2. Robeson in the early 1920's. 3. The Song of Freedom, World premiere, London, 1936. ; 1436ErS0t, \ ;1, -

PAUL ROBESON ... a man ever surprising: one of the world's foremost singers and actors ... a scholar who learned more than 20 languages and 2. 3. produced some of this century's most perceptive writings on the cultures of the East, West, Africa Paul Robeson was also the first ... a celebrated student-athlete in Black film actor to depart his younger days at Rutgers significantly from the caricatures University ... all this from the son and racial stereotypes which held of a runaway slave who was born complete sway in American film. at Princeton, NJ., and who lived a Between 1933 and 1942, he full 77 years from 1898 to 1976. brought dignity and new content to the screen as the star of nine major films, of which The Emperor Jones and Showboat are the best known. At the forefront of the Civil Rights and Black Awareness movements, Paul Robeson challenged the it cultural foundations of racism in

America. He was, and he remains, it the symbol of the Black American who uncompromisingly insists on full equality. As he put it, "I am looking for freedom-full freedom, not an inferior brand." Robeson personified human dignity to people around the world, and he linked the struggles of Black Americans to the struggles of the oppressed everywhere.

"Othello", London, 1930 r PAUL ROBESON ARCHIVES The extraordinary achievements and impressive nobility of Paul Robeson have made an indelible imprint on the history of our time. His unshakable belief in the oneness of humankind has in- 1 spired people all over the world. During the past thirteen years, the Paul Robeson Archives has con- ducted research on a global scale PRATT AREA in order to assemble a body of COMMUNITY COUNCIL, materials which would provide INC. access to information in the "The purpose of this Council is to United States about Paul Robeson. initiate, coordinate, and otherwise The collection documents furnish leadership for the activities Robeson's accomplishments as an of individuals, organizations, and athlete, scholar, singer, actor and institutions in the community who fighter for the freedom and dignity seek to improve the welfare, pro- of man. The Archives also has mote the feeling of neighborliness, gathered materials which docu- and in general make the commu- ment the life and work of nity a source of pride and safety Robeson's wife, Eslanda Goode for its residents." Robeson. PACC has been involved with In 1978, the Archives' Board of housing, education, safety, Directors selected the Moorland- libraries, parks, recreation, and Spingarn Research Center of commercial revitalization in Howard University in Washington, Brooklyn's historic areas of Fort D.C. as the permanent repository Greene, Clinton Hill and for its collections, and the Center Wallabout since 1964. is currently processing them. Dr. Michael R. Winston, Vice Presi- The Pratt Area Community Coun- dent of Howard University, has cil, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 stated that the Robeson Collec- organization, with a membership tions "... mark one of the most comprised of block and tenant significant milestones in the associations; civic groups; educa- historical documentation of Black tional, religious and cultural Americans. No comparable effort institutions; as well as individual has ever been undertaken." members. The organization is supported by membership dues and The Paul Robeson Archives, Inc. is fundraising events. PACC also a not-for-profit corporation that is maintains a community office supported by tax-deductible con- funded by grants from government tributions. agencies, foundations and banks. HONORARY CO-CHAIRMEN Arthur Mitchell Joseph Papp

INITIATING SPONSORS Edward Asner Colleen Dewhurst Richardson Pratt, Jr. Bradley Backus Elinor Gtiggenheimer Franklin Thomas Ted Barnett Dorothy I. Height Douglass Turner Ward Jay Carrington Chunn, II Harvey Lichtenstein Kathryn Wylde

BENEFIT COMMITTEE Howard Weiss, PACC Chairperson Linda Patterson, Benefit Chairperson Maurice Ambrose dorris gaines golomb Betsy Kissam Emerson Atkins Elizabeth Grant Howard Pitsch Edgar Brabham Natasha Harsh Adele Premice Betty Brown Consuelo Hudgins Anne Romasco Robert Cranford Thelma Jack Ruby D. Williams Robert Evans Earl Johnson

EXHIBITION IN THE BAM LOBBY: A TRIBUTE TO PAUL ROBESON To mark this special celebration, school children in Brooklyn's School District 13 were asked to create Robeson-related poems, artwork and essays. Following a series of assemblies with a slide show presentation by Paul Robeson, Jr., about his father, close to 100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders submitted works. The win- ners of "The Life of Paul Robeson" Contest sponsored by the Pratt Area Community Council, Inc. are:

ESSAY POETRY ART SONG Rasheda Patton Andre K. Rhooms Evan Bernard Mai-Ling Valentin Janet Pico Laval Bass Genesis Jackson Jennifer Parker Alwin Evers ly Laretha Jackson Dimitri Gibbs

BROOKLYN UNDERGROUND EXHIBITORS Leroy Campbell Onnie Millar Julia Gonzalez Stephen Mohney Freddie Jackson Nasha Jackie Johnson Willie Torbert William Joiner Robert Walker Richard Leonard Nevin Washington

Brooklyn Underground is a self-funded project of the Arts Commit- tee of the Pratt Area Community Council. An artists-collective, its purpose is to showcase and promote art and culture of and within the neighborhood. PATRONS Rita Foley and Peter Buckley Ronald S. Bertrand Mr. and Mrs. Citibank Seymour Glasgow Sonya Binkhorst Graphic Art Mart, Inc. New Barbara and Elmer G. Bracey, Jr. York Telephone Company HarriS and Pratt Institute McGaughey Brooklyn Sporting Goods Marc Crawford Leavitt, Esq. Time Tibby Brooks Equities, Inc.-Sponsor Senator Velmanette Montgomery at Clinton Hill Co-ops Carlton Liquor Store Nkiru International Laura E. Clayton Wallabout Management Corp. Book Enterprises, Inc. Sondra and Howard Weiss Bernard Connor Wallace and Ruby Nottage Sandra V. Crooks BENEFACTORS Delores Nowlin Vickie Davis and Family Dime Savings Bank PACC Office Elly's Supermarket Pfizer, Inc. Howard Pitsch Fulton St. Decorating Center Pohani Associates, Inc. Henry Hanna SUSTAINERS Prospect Drug Co., Inc. Hunter Cleaners Elsie and Sheldon Bitkower Renaissance Properties, Ltd. Esther and James Jackson Jinny and Ernie Bitzer Clara Rockmore Velma Johnson-Studio 14A A Cumberland Pharmacy Bob and Maggie Rubenstein Lucy Koteen District Council 37, AFL-CIO Save.Mor Copy Center Martha's Deli & Ice Cream The Phoenix Sheila's Evelyn Meadows SUPPORTERS Smollens and Guralnick Mercantile Gallery Advance Graphic/John Crow Robert J. Spontak, C.P.A. Annette and Martin Meyers Nedda and Igou Allbray Telephone Pioneers of America- Ragnar Dixon Naess Carl Whitmore Chapter John P. Barry Realty Octagon Hardware, Inc. Brooklyn Arts and Culture Therma Seal Windows Perry's Supermarket Melba Tolliver Pratt Electronic Repair Service Association United Best Federation of Teachers Pratt Liquor Corp. Housekeeping Industries The Village Voice Bill Blizzard Loris P. Primus, Esq. Harry Wartell (In Memoriam) Kathy Alton A. Burton, P.E. Reeder Weeksville Young Ambassadors Delores Richards Cellar's Willoughby Cino's Walk Cooperative Sarah Braphart and Restaurant Apartments, Inc. Citibank-430 Myrtle Ave. Aston C. Sparkes Bill and Sibylle Roi Crouch Young Selena's Sweet Stop South Portland Antiques Vashti R. Cur lin, M.D. FRIENDS Dr. and Mrs. Daniel D. Epstein Sterling Grocery Store Adami Hardware, Inc. Sudina's-The Essence Communications, Inc. Lynda and Ray Downtown Barber Natural Food Experience Ferrybank Restaurant Grace Holmes Barbey Two Steps Down Restaurant Fine, Finklestein, Olin and Marie P. Basti Philip S. Anderman Behren's Pharmacy Van Hook E.S. Underwood, Col., USAF Ret. Special thanks extended to: Brooklyn Deputy Borough President Bill Thompson for Ossie Davis for his assistance in promoting presiding over the Contest the Tribute. Awards Ceremony. Madeline Lee Gilford, Joe Yaccarino, owner of Joe's Place Gregory Gardner, Burl Hash, Dallas Restaurant, host of a pre-show dinner for Thompson, Susan O'Malley, the cast. Sam Sills, Alexa Birdsong, Debbie McGee, Carmen Smith, Joanne Adami Limo, Inc. and Grant, and Janus Films for assistance in Player's Limousines, Inc. developing the program. for contributing transportation services for the performers. The PACC Office staff-especially Tee Beveridge and Shirley Cooper-plus Ideal Hallmark Shop, Midtown Florists, volunteers Kim Weeks, Joan Shapiro, and Preyor's Gourmet/Deli for contribu- Vickie Davis, Maureen O'Toone, Michael tions to backstage hospitality. Butler, Rita Foley, Diana Basch, and Girl Brooklyn School District 13 Superinten- Scout Troops 7-13 and 2-632 for their dent Dr. Jerome Harris for his cooperation tireless efforts and support services. with PACC's Paul Robeson education The BAM staff for their cooperation and project. good humor. Language Arts Supervisors Michelle Morais Printed Materials Designed by: Lucy Sikes and Janet Marcus without whom "The Life Printed by: Grieco Printing Co., Inc. of Paul Robeson" Essay, Art and Poetry Champagne Reception Catered by: Contest could not have occurred. Claudia Sanford Catering Reception Pianist: Walter Stafford 1

The printing of this program courtesy of The Brooklyn Union Gas Company