THE
WRIGHTTIMES
April - June 2017
2017 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
I See Me: Reflections in
Black Dolls inspires selfesteem, extended by popular
demand through June, 2017
- Page 3
Letter from the President
“I counted everything. I counted the steps to the road, the steps up to
church, the number of dishes and silverware I washed... anything that
could be counted, I did.”
~ Katherine G. Johnson, African American physicist, mathematician
and “human computer” who calculated flight trajectories for NASA
missions during the Space Race
The Academy Award-nominated film Hidden Figures has been a phenomenal success, having grossed over $180 million at the box office
and earning critical acclaim. Not only is it a story of unsung African
Americans, it is a story of African American heroines – ideal for viewing during Black History Month, Women’s History Month and all
throughout the year.
Hidden Figures is a fitting metaphor for history, which is filled with
great achievements and the achievers who made them possible.
Likewise, The Wright Museum is filled with hidden figures that have
indelibly impacted the present and paved the way for even greater
possibilities in the future. These individuals abound in our exhibitions,
awaiting your discovery...
Like Martin R. Delaney, abolitionist, organizer of the Massachusetts
54th Regiment and the first African American major in the army.
He can be found in our core exhibit, And Still We Rise: Our Journey
Through African American History & Culture.
Supporter Spotlight:
Brunetta Vinson, a
Stalwart Friend of
The Museum
April - June 2017
Upcoming Events
- Pages 4-5
- Page 6
Like Leo Moss, the African American doll maker whose works are
highly sought after and now sell in the thousands of dollars. The largest collection of his dolls ever assembled is on display in our current
feature exhibit, I See Me: Reflections of Black Dolls.
Like Dr. Marjorie Lee Browne, one of the first black women to receive
a doctorate in mathematics and featured in our exhibit, Inspiring
Minds: African Americans in Science & Technology. Dr. Browne was
my math professor at North Carolina Central University.
These and so many more “Hidden Figures” can be found in The
Wright and its many exhibitions. They, like their stories, are countless and unforgettable. I invite you to discover them.
National Volunteer Week
In honor of National Volunteer Week, April 23 - 29, I’d like to
recognize our wonderful volunteers, including the museum’s Friends
Committee, Women’s Committee, and The Wright Angels. We are
truly blessed to have such a committed corps
of caring individuals in our corner, and are
ever grateful for their selfless contributions.
Volunteers have been a mainstay since our
opening in 1965, and there wouldn’t be a
Wright Museum without them.
Juanita Moore,
President & CEO
Exhibit inspires self-esteem,
extended by popular demand
through June, 2017
Picture two little girls, ages six and eight, growing up in a
metropolitan Detroit neighborhood. The population of their
school is diverse but predominantly white. They are just like
other girls: they love dressing up, dancing, drawing and playing
with dolls. The oldest has a birthday coming up and her mother
plans accordingly: she organizes a tea party for her daughter’s
friends, orders a pretty pink cake, and plans a shopping trip to a
popular doll store.
Her mother tells each of her friends to pick out the doll of their
choice. They all make selections; one little girl picks a red headed doll
with freckles, another grabs a blue-eyed doll with blond hair, and the
birthday girl selects a Caucasian doll with dark hair.
All of these little girls are black - and none of them
chose a black doll. The mother was distraught. She
was afraid that her daughter and her friends didn’t view
themselves as beautiful because they weren’t picking dolls that
looked like themselves.
This is an example of a story with parallels to the doll experiments
conducted by Doctors Kenneth and Mamie Clark.
In the 1940s, the Clarks performed studies to show the psychological effects of racism and
segregation on African American children. The experiment’s subjects were children between
the ages of three and seven, and were asked to select a doll they’d prefer between a black doll
and a white doll. The majority picked the white doll. CNN performed a study designed
by renowned child psychologist and University of Chicago professor Margaret Beale
Spencer in 2010 with similar results, indicating the very same issues of selfesteem spanning almost sixty years.
The exhibition, I See Me: Reflections of Black Dolls, on display now
at The Wright Museum, aims to empower people of color and
show they are indeed represented in dolls within and beyond the
mainstream. I See Me includes an array of black dolls from local
and national collectors dating from the 19th century through the
present day. Included are dolls from the late 1800s reflecting the
sadness of famous doll maker Leo Moss, to Pretty Brown Girl
dolls created precisely to uplift young girls and their self-esteem.
There’s a world of wonder contained in the exhibition that will
entice children, families and doll lovers everywhere.
I See Me: Reflections of Black Dolls is on display at
The Wright through June 25, 2017 and included with
museum admission.
Upcoming Events April – June 2017
APRIL
Links to Science presented by the Renaissance Chapter of
The Links, Inc. (youth program)
Saturday, April 1 at 12 PM
The Police and the Black Community in the Trump Era | John
Bennett, Kenneth Reed, Ralph Godbee, Doug Merrimann, and
Dr. Sundiata Cha Jua. #67Rebellion
Saturday, April 1 at 2 PM
In Love and Struggle: The Revolutionary Lives
of James and Grace Lee Boggs | Author
Dr. Stephen Ward with Dr. Robin D.G. Kelley.
#67Rebellion
Sunday, April 2 at 2 PM
Mahogany @ The Museum: National Poetry Month
Celebration ($)
Friday, April 7 at 8 PM
Links to Science presented by the Renaissance Chapter of
The Links, Inc. (youth program)
Saturday, April 8 at 12 PM
Alvin Ailey Community Movement Workshop presented in
partnership with Michigan Opera Theater
Wednesday, April 19 at 6 PM (doors open at 5 PM)
Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers ($)
Friday, April 21 at 8 PM
Meet the Scientist Saturday with David Head & Dr. Terrance
Dillard (youth program)
Saturday, April 22 at 2 PM
BaddDDD Sonia: A Tribute to Sonia Sanchez
Speakers: Dr. Sonia Sanchez, Dr. John Bracey,
Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti and jessica Care moore.
Film, Poetry, Discussion. Sponsored by Ford
Motor Company. #67Rebellion
Saturday, April 22 at 2 PM
PitchBlack Is Back! Poetry Celebration ft. Dr. Gloria House,
Willie Williams, Wanda Olugbala, Wardell Montgomery, Art
Will, Mary’s Boy, Ivy Thomas Riley and more. #67Rebellion
Wednesday, April 26 at 6 PM
Detroit ‘67 Page to Stage | A staged reading
of Dominique Morisseau’s acclaimed play,
Detroit ‘67 directed by Billicia C. Hines.
#67Rebellion
Thursday, April 27 at 7 PM
Family Activity Series presents Stepping (youth program)
Saturday, April 8 at 1 PM
Afro-Cuban Rebellions: The Heart of the Struggle for Freedom
Professor and Author Dr. Abdul Alkalimat. #67Rebellion
Saturday, April 8 at 2 PM
DTE Energy Foundation Free Second Sundays (Free)*
*Excluding guided group tours
Sunday, April 9 from 1 - 5 PM
The Bella and Don Barden Children’s Interactive Storytime
(free book giveaway)
Sunday, April 9 at 2 PM
25th Anniversary of the 1992 Los Angeles Rebellion | Speaker
Dr. Akinyele Umoja #67Rebellion
Saturday, April 29 at 4 PM
MAY
Links to Science presented by the Renaissance Chapter of
The Links, Inc. (youth program)
Saturday, May 6 at 12 PM
U.S. Fascism 2017: An Attack on Human Rights presented
by the General Baker Institute | Moderator: Maureen Taylor
| Speakers: John Williams, Judy Williams, David Aspey and
Marian Kramer. #67Rebellion
Sunday, April 9 at 2 PM
Cuba: Through the Eyes of Afro-Cuban Filmmaker & Director
Gloria Rolando Casamayor | Screening: 1912: Breaking the
Silence. #67Rebellion
Tuesday, April 11 at 6 PM
Cuba: Through the Eyes of Afro-Cuban Filmmaker & Director
Gloria Rolando Casamayor | Screening: Dialog with My
Grandmother. #67Rebellion
Thursday, April 13 at 6 PM
Family Activity Series presents Stepping part 2 (youth program)
Saturday, April 15 at 1 PM
UHURU: The Birth of Black Revolutionary Nationalism in 1960s
Detroit | Moderator: Dr. David Goldberg | Speakers: Dr. Luke
Tripp, John Williams and Dr. Charles Simmons. #67Rebellion
Saturday, April 15 at 2 PM
Al Helm | African American and Palestinians’ Common Struggle
for Human Rights | Film and Panel Discussion | In partnership
with Progressive Arts, Jewish Voice for Peace - Detroit and
Arab American National Museum.
Tuesday, April 18 at 6 PM
The Transatlantic Slave Trade and Ocean Rebellions | Speaker
and author: Dr. David Eltis. #67Rebellion
Saturday, May 6 at 2 PM
Mildred Gaddis Health Program: Blasting The Sugar Out!
Speaker: Diet Dr. Ian K. Smith. Live Radio Broadcast WCHB-AM 1200.
Thursday, May 11 at 10 AM
Progress In Spite of Inequality | Speakers: John Green,
Dr. Michelle S. Johnson, and Dr. David Pilgrim, Founder of
the Jim Crow Museum. Sponsored by the Michigan
Humanities Council. #67Rebellion
Thursday, May 11 at 6 PM
Mahogany @ The Museum: Mother/Poet ($)
Friday, May 12 at 8 PM
Links to Science presented by the Renaissance Chapter of
The Links, Inc. (youth program)
Saturday, May 13 at 12 PM
Family Activity Series presents Healthy Choices: Mind, Body
and Spirit (youth program)
Saturday, May 13 at 1 PM
Rebel Music concert ft. Malik Yakini and Mollywop ($)
#67Rebellion
Saturday, June 10 at 7 PM
DTE Energy Foundation Free Second Sundays (Free)*
*Excluding guided group tours
Sunday, May 14 from 1 - 5 PM
DTE Energy Foundation Free Second Sundays (Free)*
*Excluding guided group tours
Sunday, June 11 from 1 - 5 PM
The Bella and Don Barden Children’s Interactive Storytime
(free book giveaway)
Sunday, May 14 at 2 PM
The Bella and Don Barden Children’s Interactive Storytime
(free book giveaway)
Sunday, June 11 at 2 PM
The Cultural Revolution and The Media ft. Dahveed Nelson
of The Last Poets | Film: The Original Last Poets in Right On!
#67Rebellion
Friday, May 19 at 6 PM
Social Media: Its Power and Pitfalls | Panel discussion with
Sara Nickleberry
Wednesday, June 14 at 10 AM
Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers: Monumental Mothers ($)
Friday, May 19 at 8 PM
Family Activity Series presents Healthy Choices - Part 2:
Mind, Body and Spirit (youth program)
Saturday, May 20 at 1 PM
Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers: Fathers ($)
Friday, June 16 at 8 PM
Family Activity Series Celebrates Black Music in Film
Saturday, June 17 at 1 PM
184th Anniversary of the 1833 Detroit Uprising
Speaker: Jamon Jordan of ASALH Detroit #67Rebellion
Saturday, June 17 at 2 PM
Mahogany @ The Museum: Five. A Night of Erotic Poetry ($)
Friday, June 23 at 8 PM
Meet the Scientist Saturday with David Head & Dr. Terrance
Dillard (youth program)
Saturday, June 24 at 2 PM
Malcolm X Day 2017 | Fidel and Malcolm | Speaker:
Rosemarie Mealy | Special Video Presentation.
Book Signing. #67Rebellion
Saturday, May 20 at 2 PM
Meet the Scientist Saturday with David Head & Dr. Terrance
Dillard (youth program)
Saturday, May 27 at 2 PM
JUNE
Links to Science presented by the Renaissance Chapter of
The Links, Inc. (youth program)
Saturday, June 3 at 12 PM
A Tribute to Grant Green - A Legendary Detroit Guitarist | Film
& Discussion. In partnership with the DIA
Tuesday, June 6 at 6 PM
Links to Science presented by the Renaissance Chapter of
The Links, Inc. (youth program)
Saturday, June 10 at 12 PM
Rebellion: An Artistic Dance Exploration
curated by Miryam Johnson | Featured
Dancers: Miryam Johnson, Audrey
Johnson, Shanice Rollins, Amani
Eggelston and Tyler Williams | Featured
Poets: Anthony Echols, Krystal Nikol, and
Darius Simpson.#67Rebellion
Saturday, June 24 at 6 PM
WEEKLY PROGRAMS
Freedom School at The Wright Museum (Free)
Saturdays at 10 AM (April only)
Brown Bag Film Series
Tuesdays - Fridays from 11 AM - 1 PM
30 Days to Lose It! Weekly Workouts ($)
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM
Hustle for History Weekly Dance
Lessons ($)
Sundays at 5 PM
Family Activity Series Celebrates Black Music in Film
(youth program)
Saturday, June 10 at 1 PM
Program dates and times are subject to change. Visit
TheWright.org for complete program listings and updates!
Black Detroit: A People’s History of SelfDetermination | Featuring renowned author
Herb Boyd with panelists. Book Signing.
#67Rebellion
Saturday, June 10 at 2 PM
#67Rebellion
Join the conversation as we commemorate the
50th anniversary of the 1967 Detroit Rebellion
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT:
Brunetta Vinson
A Stalwart Friend of The Museum
It takes someone special to be a volunteer and to give selflessly in the cause of something greater. Fortunately, from
its inception The Wright has been blessed with thousands
of such caring individuals including trustees; members of
the museum’s Friends, Women’s, and Gala committees;
and the ever-present Wright Angels who serve on a daily
basis with their warmth, wisdom and guidance.
A great example is Brunetta Vinson, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Brunetta has been a supporter of
The Wright since 1986, serving as a volunteer, member of
Dr. Wright’s Penn Center Support Group, and as treasurer
of the museum’s Friends Committee. Over the years the
committee has participated in countless activities ranging
from running museum programs to hosting the biennial
Awards for Legacy Dinner fundraiser, celebrated in honor
of museum founder Dr. Charles Wright’s birthday of
September 20.
Regarding Dr. Wright, Brunetta speaks with great admiration. “He was my inspiration... I got a chance to meet him
and he attended our volunteer meetings so we interacted
on a regular basis. He was a good leader and participated
in all our volunteer activities.”
What Brunetta loves most about being a volunteer is being
a part of the eye-opening moments visitors experience
when touring the museum. “I’ve served through the years
as a volunteer museum educator and it’s always inspiring
when tour groups learn something about our history that
they were not aware of.” Brunetta experiences first-hand
the power of that history to open minds and change lives.
She continues, “It inspires people to be more inclusive and
enlightened in the future.”
Brunetta not only hopes the museum continues its important work in the community; she’s helping to make it
happen. And once again, she refers to the example set by
Dr. Wright. “He was not just a person who would sit in
the office; he went out in the community to sell museum
memberships. He would gladly speak to people. It was a
wonderful experience working with him.”
Another inspiration is activist, actor, athlete, lawyer and
singer Paul Robeson. The Friends Committee recently
revived the Paul Robeson scholarship award founded by
Dr. Wright. “It is a wonderful program... If young people
would aspire to do just a few of the extraordinary things
[Robeson] accomplished, it would be a step in the right
direction for doing great things in their life.”
As much as Brunetta points to others, with over three decades as a museum supporter her example is just as much
an inspiration. “If young people visit the museum and
attentively listen and observe it will inspire them... They’ll
be more determined to get an education and to give back
to their culture so that they can inspire younger people to
take an interest in their culture. We can go on to be unified where all people can be judged by their potential and
not by the color of skin.”
Brunetta’s vision mirrors that of the museum: a world in
which an understanding of African American history inspires everyone toward greater acceptance and unity. With
the blessing and support of Brunetta and the museum’s
selfless volunteers, The Wright will continue to work
towards making that vision a reality.
Final meeting of the Penn Center Michigan Support Group in 1998
Sarah Giddens, James Howard, Brunetta Vinson, Tinnie Mormon,
Patricia Smith, Aurelio Baxter
From The Man and The Museum by Dr. Roberta Hughes Wright
Museum Donors During the Period December 1, 2016 - February 15, 2017
The museum would like to extend its sincere appreciation to those donors who have made gifts to support our exhibits, programming and special events. Listed here are the names of contributors who made gifts of $500 or more. Every attempt has been made
to list donors accurately; if there are errors or omissions, please call (313) 494-5872 so we may correct them. Thank you!
$100,000 +
$5,000 +
DTE Energy Foundation
Ford Motor Company Fund
John S. and James L.
Knight Foundation
JPMorgan Chase Foundation
McGregor Fund
Avis Ford
Ms. Kelli Coleman /
KMColeman Group
Mrs. Retha & Mr. Walter Douglas
Flagstar Bank
Judge Craig S. Strong’s
Membership Drive Committee
Marathon Petroleum Company LP
Michigan Humanities Council
Ralph L. & Winifred E. Polk
Foundation
Dr. Artie M. & Mr. Mark A. Vann
Ms. Carla Walker-Miller /
Walker-Miller Energy Services
Williams, Williams, Rattner &
Plunkett PC
$25,000 +
Women’s Committee of the
Charles H. Wright Museum
$10,000 +
Ally Financial
Mrs. Cynthia Batch-Perkins &
Mr. William Perkins
Denso International
America, Inc.
Detroit Recreation Foundation
Friends Committee of the
Charles H. Wright Museum
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Dr. Hanmin Liu
Michigan Council for Arts and
Cultural Affairs
Mrs. Maureen &
Mr. Roy Roberts
Mr. Jimmy Settles
Yazaki North America, Inc.
$2,500 +
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Brightmoor Christian Church
City of Detroit Employees
Giving Program
Comerica Charitable Foundation
Mrs. Eva & Mr. James Cunningham
Mrs. Jill & Mr. George G. Johnson
Ms. Emma Reaves &
Mr. Stacy Brackens
$1,000 +
Mrs. Thelma Kay &
Dr. George P. Barnes
The Bella and Don Barden
Foundation, Inc.
Black Family Development, Inc.
Mrs. Tanisha Blyther
Mrs. Barbara J. & Mr. Melvin E. Byrd
Estate of Mattie L. Cunningham
Mrs. Brenda & Mr. Matthew Davis
Mrs. Geraldine Ford-Brown &
Mr. Robert D. Brown
Ms. Allo M. Greer
Mrs. Alma L. & Mr. Edward L. Greer
Dr. Karl D. Gregory
Mrs. Joyce Hayes Giles
Hudson Webber Foundation
Mrs. Latonya & Mr. Mark Jackson
Mrs. Shirley A. & Dr. Darnell Kaigler
The Honorable Damon J. Keith
The Links, Incorporated
Detroit Chapter
Mrs. Kelly Major Green &
Mr. John Green
Ms. Juanita Moore
Palmer Woods Association
Dr. Bob Pettapiece
Mrs. Brenda & Mr. David Rudolph
Mrs. Kimberly & Mr. William Smith
Mrs. Robin & Mr. Myzell Sowell Jr.
State Farm Companies Foundation
Mrs. Marcia & Mr. Reginald Turner
Willis Towers Watson
$500 +
Ms. Asmara Afework
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Ms. Felecia J. Baker
Dr. Chacona Baugh
Ms. Lois E. Bingham
Dr. Melba J. Boyd
Mr. Jim Bridges
Mrs. Malaney L. &
Dr. Andrew Brown Jr.
Mrs. Delois Caldwell
Dr. Ronald A. Charles
Mrs. Sandra L. &
Mr. Lloyd F. Clemons
Mrs. Lynett & Mr. Willie B. Cooper
Ms. Paralee Day
Mrs. Laverne & Mr. Claude Ethridge
Mr. Dexter Fields
Ms. Stephanie Green
Mrs. Norma W. Hill
Mrs. Earline & Dr. Charles N. Inniss
Mrs. Amy W. Davis Jackson
Ms. Yvonne Johnson &
Dr. Arthur Jefferson
Dr. Charmaine Johnson
Mrs. Katherine S. King
Ms. Deneen Law
Mr. David B. Lewis
Mrs. Barbara &
Mr. Roderick MacNeal
Mrs. Jacque Nickerson
Mrs. Alesha & Judge David A. Perkins
Mr. Todd Russell Perkins
Mr. Bernard J. Price
Mr. Paul Sears
Mrs. Suzanne Shank Werdlow &
Mr. Sean Werdlow
Mrs. Brunetta Spears Vinson
Ms. Beverly A. Thomas /
Eternal Passion Travel
Mr. Claude J. Triplett Jr.
Mr. David Van Wie
Walmart / Sam’s Club
THE KRESGE FOUNDATION
YAZAKI
This newsletter and museum programming are made possible by the generous support of our community partners. Thank you!
JOIN US! To become a member, make a donation or volunteer, please call (313) 494-5800 or visit TheWright.org.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Membership Department
315 East Warren Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1443
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CURRENT & UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
I See Me: Reflections in Black Dolls
Now - June 25, 2017
Shaping the Vessel: Mascoll + Samuel
Now - August 1, 2017
The Music and the Times: Photographs by Leni Sinclair
Now - September 17, 2017
Transitions of Walter Bailey: An Artist’s Retrospective
Now - May 28, 2017
Membership (313) 494-5872 • Group Tours (313) 494-5808 • Facility Rental (313) 494-5884 • The Wright Museum® • TheWright.org