Convert

Modify. Transform. Adopt. Convert. All of them are simple words with often complicated implications. In the play The Convert written by Danai Gurira and directed by Michael John Garcés at Wooly Mammoth Theatre the complications are made clear and real.

Set in 1895 amid the colonial scramble for Southern Africa, the play follows Jekesai, a young girl who escapes village life and a forced marriage arrangement, ultimately discovering Christianity under the guidance of an African teacher. However, as anti-colonial sentiments rise to a boiling point, Jekesai must choose between her new European God and the spirits of her ancestors.

The Convert runs February 13 through March 10. In addition to performances, there is a series of discussions and activities to complement the show.

Emancipation: 1863 & 1963

The year 2013 marks two historic milestones in American history, the 150^th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and the National Archives are recognizing these events.

Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963, opens December 14, 2012 at NMAAHC’s temporary gallery on level two at American History. The exhibition, features historic photographs, paintings, new film footage and objects, that explores the historical context of these two crucial events, their accomplishments and limitations, and their impact on the generations that followed. The exhibit runs through September 2013.

The National Archives will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation with a free special display of the original document from December 30, 2012 through January 1, 2013. The Emancipation Proclamation is displayed only for a limited time each year because of its fragility, which can be made worse by exposure to light, and the need to preserve it for future generations. Other special programs marking the 150^th anniversary will be held throughout the year.

An Eye on “I” in September

The first sub-Saharan African to hold the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan has led an extraordinary life of service to the global community. Wednesday, September 5 at 7:00pm at the Sixth and I Synagogue he will share some of his experiences and knowledge that he has memorialized in his new book, Interventions: A Life in War and Peace in conversation with David Ignatius. Immediately following Mr. Annan will sign books for a limited period of time. A single ticket for the event is $36 and includes one book. Two guests may attend for $45 and receive one book. This signing is being presented in collaboration with Politics & Prose. There will be no walk-up box office sales.

Thursday September 20 at 7:30pm international recording artist, actor and activist Wyclef will also appear in conversation at Sixth and I promoting his memoir Purpose: An Immigrant’s Story. His Washington stop on the book tour is one of the very few in which he will also perform a set of his latest music before signing books. Tickets are $35 and include 1 copy of the book. Doors for this event open at 6:30pm.

Celebrate Freedom

Nine months before President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, on April 16, 1862, he signed the Compensated Emancipation Act, granting freedom to 3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia. The Compensated Emancipation Act was a significant step in ending the institution of slavery in the United States. Since 2005 the District of Columbia has commemorated this day with an official public holiday – DC Emancipation Day.  To mark the 150^th anniversary of the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act a number of educational and cultural events will take place throughout the city. Signature events taking place April 11 – April 16 include a parade, film screening, special exhibitions and a “Great Debate” Saturday, April 14 at the Lincoln Theater hosted by C.B. Homes and participants including Rev. Al Sharpton and the provocative thought leader, activist and author Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. Get more details about upcoming Emancipation Day events here.

Obama in Ghana

Thursday, March 22 travel through the lens of award-winning filmmaker Tony Regusters as he shares his Obama in Ghana: The Untold Story – a documentary that captures in detail the full pilgrimage of the first African American United States President to Ghana and the incredible reception he and the First Family received six months after his inauguration.  The President and First Family made their state visit to Africa in July of 2009, selecting the Republic of Ghana as the Administration’s first visit to Sub-Saharan Africa. According to press notes,  the film “explores the preparations, the pageantry and politics of a unique and transformational moment in African world history.” The film will be screened at 6:00pm in the Langston Room of the flagship Busboys and Poets at 14^th and V Street, NW.

Occupy the Vote

Wednesday, March 7th the National Urban League will release their 2012 State of Black America Report and have what they are calling one of the most important pre-election events of the year, a town hall style meeting in Cramton Auditorium at Howard University at 7:00pm. If you can’t be there in person, you can view the live webcast that evening at www.iamempowered.com.  You can also be a part of the national conversation on Facebook and Twitter (#SOBA 12, #OccupyTheVote).

 This year’s State of Black America report and town hall will launch a year-long campaign, “Occupy the Vote to Educate, Employ & Empower.” In addition to a fuller discussion of our “Occupy the Vote” campaign, this year’s State of Black America report and town hall will include a discussion of the Equality Index — a statistical analysis of the status of Blacks, Hispanics and Whites. The report will also contain essays by a host of political, business, and community leaders including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, singer John Legend, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, entrepreneur and author Steve Stouts, and others with prescriptions for the empowerment and education crisis facing the nation.

Seoul in the City

The evening of October 13 the Obama administration will open the doors of the White House to host a state dinner honoring the South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. This is the fifth state dinner hosted by the administration. If you didn’t get an invitation don’t be disappointed. Washingtonians have several other ways to learn more and to get a taste of the beautifully rich South Korean culture. For those with a literal appetite Mandu has been offering delicious traditional Korean food in DC since 2006. Both their original location on 18^th Street NW and their newest addition on K Street NW continue to get rave reviews.

If something more appealing to the eye than the stomach is what you seek, stop by the Freer Gallery of Art for a visit to the Korean ceramics exhibition. The collection includes ceramics made from 200 to 1900. Throughout November the Freer will hold a series of events including movies and live performances in celebration of the reopening of their Korea gallery. It kicks off Friday, November 4 at 7pm with a free performance by Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky.

The Embassy of South Korea is always a wealth of information on activities and programs that bring better understanding of culture and commerce between the US and South Korea all year round. Seoul meets soul in the District.

The Revolution Will Be Screened

The revolution may not be televised but the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the architects of the revolution were captured on celluloid from 1967 – 1975 in intimate interviews and quiet moments.  The compilation footage, with music by Michael Jackson and The Roots, along with commentary by sons and daughters of free thought like Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli is immortalized in the film The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975. The much talked about film will play a limited run in Washington, DC beginning Sept 30. You don’t want to miss this.

Prime Park(ing)

In honor of September 16 being International Park(ing) Day, Ward 6 Councilman Tommy Wells and his staff have made the traditional prime parking area designated for DC Council outside of the Wilson Building on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW a lot more interesting. International Park(ing) Day is an annual, worldwide event that invites citizens everywhere to transform metered parking spots into temporary parks for the public good.

From to DC to Tripoli

February 27, 2011

To my Brothers and Sisters of Libya,

I greet you in peace and open arms. I have never traveled to your country and quite honestly until the events of the past few weeks I knew not much about you other than the tales of your leader. Even the stories I’d previously been told about the man who heads your nation have been somewhat colored I’m sure. Nevertheless, I have seen the news. I have been reading. I have watched videos online. I am drawn to you and know that because we are all children of the earth and citizens of the world we are connected.

Years ago I was taught that freedom is not free and that in order to obtain it and keep it that people must work day and night. It appears as though you have been toiling for a long night, more than 40 years, and that perhaps your day may soon break. I pray your safe passage to dawn.

Tonight the evening news reported that those trying to hold on to power are hunkering down in Tripoli, the capital of Libya and those that are who wish to bring about change and freedom are consolidating their resources to march into the capital and claim it for what is just and of  and for the people. As I sat here watching the news in my home here in the capital of the United States of America, I thought about so many things.

First was my great respect for the men and women of Libya who are so thirsty for freedom and justice for themselves and their loved ones that they would be willing to sacrifice their lives today for a better Libya tomorrow. It made me sad for a moment to think of those who live in Washington, DC, who complain under their breath about ‘no taxation without representation’ who don’t so much as sacrifice a few moments of their time to pick up the phone and tell their family members in other parts of the country to pick up their phones and call their elected officials and ask for their help in granting more freedom to us.

Next, I thought about the current partisan rhetoric in our country right now. It saddens me. I am deeply disturbed that rather than work together the two dominant political parties appear to be more concerned with winning elections, favorability polls and pushing ideological agendas rather than focusing on issues upon which they can agree and most effectively move our country forward. Our elected officials should not only be grateful that we chose them to serve us in public office, but also that our nation provides such a beautifully written living document and infrastructure to help citizens and our country stand tall. We have a constitution. We have an infrastructure that includes separation of powers. And until recently, I thought we had grown ups in the House and Senate. We have the tools necessary to govern our great nation but the ones we are counting on to be models and do the governing in a responsible mature manner aren’t doing that. Many of them should be ashamed. The ills that are permeating our country, while far from perfect right now, still pale in comparison to what is happening in nations around the world.

Tonight, I also looked at the images of the men and women in the streets of your country and wondered where the children and elderly were. I wondered how a mother explains what is going in the streets to her children. I wondered what insight an elderly person who has lived in Libya his or her entire life would have to offer on where the country was, where it is and where it might be going – those essential voices of the nations past and future. I hold them up in light and love.

Because I am human, because I want what is best for my friends, family and loved ones, because I cherish freedom, security and the right to dream and make my dreams a reality, because I know so deeply what it is like to simply want to be heard – I stand with you my brothers and sisters.

Know that I am not there in body, but I am with you in spirit. I am with you and everyone in every capital city of every country on this earth. I am hopeful. I am prayerful.

One day every citizen of the world will know peace in this world.

May God bless and protect you.

Your Brother,

Substance & Style