Vernon Park – Philadelphia – 12pm-8pm

Join the Black Writers Museum on Saturday,
August 23, 2014 at Vernon Park, 5800 Germantown Avenue, as we honor Poet, Civil Rights Activist and Black Arts Movement Icon, Askia Toure’.  Receiving the prestigious  “Living Legend of Poetry” award, Toure’ will share his poetry and life experience as one of America’s leading literary figures during the civil rights era.  Also featured at this free outdoor festival is the great Oliver Lake Organ Quartet and the Dahi Divine Quartet. African Dance, Drumming and a robust vendor marketplace will fill the day with uplifting spoken word and jazz like “there is no tomorrow.” There is nothing like Poetry and Jazz in the Park, in the Summertime!

“Give Him Your HeART” Father’s Day Card Making Workshop (Youth ages 8-14) with Keisha Whatley

A Philadelphia based visual artist and entrepreneur, Keisha Whatley is the founder of “from the heART” Hand Crafted Card Gifts. She brings to the Black Writers Museum her experience as an art instructor, portrait artist, and youth mentor.  Serving non-profits and students from across the Delaware Valley, Keisha facilitates an interactive workshop that brings out the innate creativity of her students and pours it into the design of a take-away greeting card.  This time we will honor Fathers, with a one-of-a-kind Father’s Day Card. For only $10, covering all materials, instructions, and completed gift card, participants will love their creations and show love for their dad! To register your child or more information, call 267.297.3078.

SAVE THE DATE! – Saturday, June 21, 2014, 9pm until 2am,The Black Writers Museum Fundraiser Cabaret at Treasures Banquet Hall, 5549 Germantown Avenue. Proceeds from this event will benefit the (James) Baldwin Cafe Building Fund.

The BWM is currently developing a section of its home, the Vernon House, into the (James) Baldwin Cafe.  In the beautiful Vernon Park, the Baldwin Cafe will provide internet access and feature a selective menu of seasonal exquisite refreshments and foods, hot and cold drinks including unique coffees, tea, smoothies, a variety of healthy baked goods and snacks, sandwiches and tasty eatables to be partaken inside or outside under the natural park canopy. Visitors will be able to tour the exhibits, get a bite to eat, relax and read a literary selection from the Ida B. Wells Library, all in a beautiful and sacred space.

Please support our efforts by purchasing tickets to this worthy cause. Tickets are only $20 and can be purchased at the Black Writers Museum or by calling 267.297.3078. SAVE THE DATE! – Saturday, June 21, 2014.

Thank you for supporting the Black Writers Museum.

On display throughout 2015, this comprehensive look at two dynamic eras in American history depicts a story of love, struggle and change. Take a tour and view rare books, documents, photographs and historical narrative that presents an up close and personal view of times when the world was watching. The Black Arts Movement and the Harlem Renaissance were two explosive periods of time in which Black people claimed and embraced their cultural identity and penned masterpiece compositions that let the world know what was going on in the minds and lives of the people, and in the cities and neighborhoods across America. Authors, songwriters, activists, scholars, professors, poets, playwrights and prophets were cultivated and grew out of two movements that brought the world into the lives of Black folk. Take a tour and feel the power and presence of the Black Arts Movement and the Harlem Renaissance.

America has a long way to go in reaching the righteous pinnacle of equality for all, particularly Black people; therefore, we need a new generation of readers and writers that will pen the story of our love, struggle, life and progress. It is the duty of all adults to model and inspire our youth to read and write well. Reading expands one’s vocabulary, enhances writing skills and provides a venue of relief from the present “chaos of now.” Writing for many is transformative, channels innovation and creativity, and forges relationships and understanding. We, that is, adults, owe this gift to youth, to ourselves, and to those who don’t have the knowledge, resource, or wherewithal to appreciate the value of writing and reading.

There was a time in American history when Black people were denied the human right to read or write. But, because of the innate drive to satisfy the unquenchable thirst for self determination, our ancestors taught themselves how to read and write in righteous defiance of the law, and in the face of fatal repercussions. Now, in 2013 we struggle with our youth to get off facebook and instagram and pick up a book, or write a loved one a letter. As the world evolves, we must not allow our values to become extinct. Proper grammar and sentence structure are paramount in lucid communication. Slang, cultural vernacular and poetic license can be effective means of communication, and the value of such must be respected. Yet, in this day and age of urban under and mis-education it is imperative that our children are prepared in the highest regard to be successful contributing world citizens. And, writing and reading are fundamental tools necessary to achieve personal, soulful and career success.

If we don’t write our feelings, our dilemmas, our predicament, our struggle, our history, who will? Who can we trust, other than ourselves to chronicle our place in world history? To whom shall we leave the task of writing truth to those in power? How can a people survive without this venerable tool of communication? For millennia Black people have utilized writing for not only a means of self expression, but of self introspection, therapy, self control, preparation, and protest. We can’t stop now! We must plant the seed, cultivate another thought, and raise another giant. Raise not one, but many that will contribute to the one giant story of our people. Black people are a people of substance, ingenuity, and architecture. We live a story of accomplishment, credential, grandeur and greatness, stress and struggle, resistance and resilience. We live in the present as proof of the aforementioned and we must prepare our children to continue along the path cleared by literary giants who have commissioned us to blaze trails of change. Love our young and teach them to read better. Embrace our youth and teach them to write well. It is our duty and obligation, for “Writers are the Narrators of History.”

Supreme D. Dow
Executive Director
Black Writers Museum

Oldies in the Park, 2014

The Black Writers Museum in collaboration with Philadelphia City Councilwoman Cindy Bass, PA State Representative Stephen Kinsey, Gary Shepherd of Third Floor Media and GTown Restoration CDC put on the hits every Wednesday evening in Vernon Park, 5800 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA. In front of the Black Writers Museum, neighbors, family, friends, business owners, old heads, youth, and elders gather every Wednesday in July and August  to spend time together, network, dance, reminisce and listen to the oldies. DJ Darryl Taylor and host Gary Shepherd move the crowd with melodies of the past and discussion of the present and future. Door prizes and gifts are raffled and food vendors are available.

From 7pm until 10 pm poets from across the Delaware Valley will once again share the open mic and stage, this time in honor and memory of our recently transitioned warrior, Amiri Baraka.  Join us on Friday the 18^th as we kick off the 10th Anniversary of the Black History and Culture Showcase to be held on Sat. 4/19 and Sun. 4/20/2014 at the PA Convention Center. Start the Easter weekend off with some powerful spoken word from some of the best poets in the Philadelphia region. Lamont Steptoe and Ewuare X. Osayande are just two of the evening’s special guests reading some of Baraka’s classics. This event is free to the public.  To register for the open mic or for more information call, 267.297.3078.

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