The written word and performance art can be powerful forces for social change, protest, inspiration, reflection, insight into the lives of others, and self-expression about personal experiences and perspectives. When read aloud, beautifully written words reach their height of power, as they did at Saint Mary's 11th annual African American Read-In Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, during a special assembly, 11-11:30 a.m., in historic Pittman Auditorium.
This year's African American Read-In at Saint Mary's was planned and produced by students who chose this project for their Martin Luther King Jr. Day workshop, Jan. 21, working in collaboration with Saint Mary's Black Student Union and the Bookmark Club.
The 2019 student-led African American Read-In was dedicated to the memory of Aretha Franklin, singer, songwriter, actress, pianist, and civil rights activist. The program will include readings of poetry from the 1920s to today and performances by the Ladies in Blue and Orchesis Dance Theatre. The school community was invited to wear red, black, and green to honor the colors of the Pan-African flag. A celebratory lunch with music and dancing followed the Read-In.
"There is a good amount of literature by African American authors that many of us, including myself, are not exposed to everyday or have knowledge about," says Naomi Thombs '19, one of the lead organizers of the Read-In. "My goal for the African American Read-In is to aid in the exposure of African American literature and music. Along with this, I hope that the Read-In helps others build an understanding of how these messages reflect upon the black community. The dream is to inspire the desire to make a difference in and outside the gates of Saint Mary's School."
The African American Read-In is a national program in which people across the country read literature by African American authors in celebration of African American literacy. The goal is to explore the vastness of the African American experience through literature. The National African American Read-In is the nation's first and oldest event dedicated to diversity in literature. It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. This initiative has reached more than 6 million participants around the world. The Saint Mary's African American Read-In is an opportunity to set aside time to appreciate the musical and literary accomplishments of African Americans. This assembly was filled with many of the groundbreaking and legendary voices of past and present.
In 1989, the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English accepted the Issues Committee's recommendation that the Black Caucus sponsor a nationwide Read-In on the first Sunday of February. At the request of educators, the week was designated for educational institutions. It was envisioned that following a decade of rigorous campaigning for participants, the African American Read-Ins would become a traditional part of Black History Month celebrations. The commitment for nationwide promotion extends from 1990 to the present. In 1990, the National Council of Teachers of English joined in the sponsorship of the African American Read-In Chain.
"Through African American literature, we hope to highlight the connections between members of Saint Mary's community, connections to our greater Raleigh and Triangle community, and connections to the greater world," says Diana Williams, one of the faculty coordinators of the African American Read In. "Our goal is to increase the understanding of the many experiences of those who are part of the African American community by exploring the various perspectives of the works of artists and writers."
The Program:
Master of Ceremonies – Naomi Thombs '19
Ladies in Blue – I Say a Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin – Ladies in Blue members: Pearce Burlington, Ellie Carroll, Laura Chen, Katharine Collie, Caroline Crouse, Caroline Dixon, Cammie Griffin, Annie T. Ham, Ana Horton, J'Lah Johnson, Gwyn Jones, Yubin Kwon, Lucy Liang, Emma Lias, Lindsay Anne McCall, Matilda McCard, Stephanie Prestage, Naomi Thombs
1920s: The Way-side Well by Joseph S. Cotter, Sr. – Olivia Hodge '21
1940s: Dark Symphony IV – Tempo Primo by Melvin B. Tolson – Saylah Rogers '21
1960s: second daughter's second day on earth – selection from brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson - Ellie Wall '20 and Tommi Wilder '22
Orchesis Dance Theatre – A Celebration of Life– choreography by Michelle Pearson, Lisa Yount and Dancers – music by Aretha Franklin. Dancers: Cokie Daniel, Riley English, Rebekah Elam, Lilly Beth Glenn, J'Lah Johnson, Chloe Lias, Emma Rose McCune, Lys Metina-Belknap, Rim Metina-Belknap, Sims Roberson, Frances Williams, Ashley White
"Inspired by the joy, strength, and respect for humanity that springs forth from the life and work of Ernie Barnes."
1980s: Love After Love by Derek Walcott – Chloe Lias '22
1990s: Sisters by Lucille Clifton – Keithia Robinson '22
2000s: A Place to Rescue our Youth by Maya Angelou – Ti-Shawn Wellington '21
Ladies in Blue – Girl, Put Your Records On, by Corinne Bailey Rae
2019 AARI Planning Committee: Naomi Thombs and Ti-Shawn Wellington (Co-Leaders), Annie T. Ham, Izzy Kempson, Emma Lias, Matilda McCard, Jane Caroline Minchew, Isabel Moran, Hannah Perry, Ellie Wall, Sylvia Yates, Advisors: Ms. Jennifer Moran, Ms. Diana Williams, Ms. Lou Catania, Chaplain Ann Bonner-Stewart
Black Student Union: Tori Seymore (President), J'lah Johnson (Vice President), Naomi Thombs (Secretary), Olivia Hodge, Alyssa Manning, Jala McCormick, Lola Olagbegi, Saylah Rogers, Keithia Robinson, Laila Watley, Ti-Shawn Wellington, Stephanie Woods, Tommi Wilder, Ciara Wingfield
Bookmark Club: Emma Lias (President), Liz Benton (Vice President), Julia Allen, Riley Benson, Toriah Bostian, Sarah Burke, Emma Cline, Caroline Crouse, Grace Dai, Josie DeRonja, Riley English, Vivienne English, Gracey Falk, Genevieve Fougerousse, Ella Glover, Audrey Goldfield, Bowen Gordon, Jennie Ho, Olivia Hodge, Kendall Jennings, Eliza Johnson, Juliana Kuhno, Chloe Lias, Emily Manning, Lindsay Anne McCall, Aoife Nugent, Pipi Pi, Ashlee Rasmussen, Rosemary Raynal, Carly Rein, Keithia Robinson, Lillian Seck, Chloe Shen, Ilse Grace Thomas, Naomi Thombs, Mindy Yao, Sylvia Yates, Serena Zhou
Aretha Franklin, Artist: Grigorita Martina – 2016