Black Orators: By Word and By Pen

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The Museum of African American History presents Black Orators: By Word and By Pen, a program dedicated to Samuel Allen (1917-2015), former Museum Board Member and renowned African American poet. The Black Orators for the evening will be Maria Stewart and David Walker.

Maria Stewart was the first woman to speak to a mixed-gender audience in public. David Walker wrote and published An Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World. As orators and publishers, both contributed to the African American literary canon. Maria Stewart and David Walker were good friends and neighbors on Joy Street. After David died, Maria often quoted him and his efforts to unite black people.

Samuel Allen, whose pen name was Paul Vesey, began his literary career in Europe where he was a contemporary of Richard Wright and James Baldwin. First recognized in Europe in the late 1940s and early 1950s, his reputation spread to the U.S. in the 1960s. His poetry books include Ivory Tusks and Other Poems and Paul Vesey’s Ledger. Allen served on the Board of the Museum of African American History for over ten years.

Black Orators: By Word and By Pen  takes place at the Museum of African American History on September 28, from 6 – 8 PM.  Tickets $10.

SCHEDULE

6:00 pm Black Orators: Maria Stewart and David Walker

History Talk by L’Merchie Frazier, Director of Education, Museum of African American History, 81 Joy Street, Beacon Hill

6:15 pm Reception

African Meeting House, 46 Joy Street

7:00 pm From Classical to Hip Hop: The Music of Black Composers

Castle of Our Skins String Quartet

A Tribute to Black Orators Maria Stewart and David Walker

Spoken Word by Regie Gibson