The First Book Published by an African-American: Poet Phillis Wheatley (ca. 1754-1784) Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division 515 Malcolm X Boulevard (917) 275-6975 Harlem Phillis Wheatley (ca. 1754-1784) was... Read More
ROUTES’ Roots
Ada ‘Bricktop’ Smith and Dorothy Donegan Ada ‘Bricktop’ Smith (August 14,1894-January 31st 1984). St. Louis Blues (1970) Bricktop and Dorothy Donegan–“Miss Otis Regrets” Interested in reading more about ‘Bricktop’: http://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/2012/10/bricktop-aka-ada-beatrice-queen-victoria-louise-virginia-smith/... Read More
Boston’s Trotter Institute: Looking to 2020 6 min read Boston is a port city with over fifty universities inside its borders, many of them world famous. This is a magnetic draw for the ambitious... Read More
“Who is Gil Scott-Heron?” plus Interview We learn why the “Revolution Will Not Be Televised” poet Gill Scot-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdqLAeyqVr8... Read More
Dorothy Donegan at the White House I remember seeing Dorothy Donegan several times performing a number of times (downtown NYC), in the 1990s — she was an aging super talented jazz... Read More
Photographer Gordon Parks 88 year old photographer, composer, and filmmaker Gordon Parks (November 30, 1913 – March 8, 2007) is interviewed by Charlie Rose.... Read More
Mahalia Jackson, Her Funeral and Interview Here are a couple of short stories from Mahalia Jackson (October 26, 1911 – January 27, 1972) and Her Funeral... Read More
Contralto Singer Marian Anderson (17 Feb. 1897-8 Apr. 1993) sings the Star Spangled Banner” 1942, Lincoln Memorial 1939. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXtjDx3u3Q&feature=youtu.be... Read More