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Press Release: May
18, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
18 May 2004 BEFORE “BROWN.” THE BATTLE FOR FIRST CLASS EDUCATION AND FIRST CLASS CITIZENSHIP PRE-DATES “BROWN V. BOARD OF ED” BY ALMOST 400 YEARS. As significant as it was, the “Brown” litigation and its outcome was but another round in the constant, never-ending struggle African Americans have waged for freedom and first-class citizenship in North America since the 1600s. As chronicled in EVT Educational Productions’ 13-part radio documentary series “THEN I’LL BE FREE TO TRAVEL HOME - THE LEGACY OF THE NEW YORK AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND,” this ground-breaking Project provides an unique opportunity for exploring a major but neglected part of American history. Says Executive Producer Eric V. Tait, Jr., “The Series uses the discovery and legacy of the New York African Burial round to tellingly capture the significant impact and contributions African-Americans have made to the social, economic, and political development of the United States in their almost 400-year battle against slavery and for full, first-class citizenship. It’s a battle that involves all people and all races.” This landmark series is arguably the first time such an in-depth historical exploration of what a diverse, multi-ethnic, multi-racial society we have always been, has been done for Public Radio. From the first African arrival in the early 1600s even before New Amsterdam existed, to the founding of the African Burial Ground, through the Revolutionary War and up to the New York Draft Riots of 1863 (plus a concluding “modern coda”), we chronicle the life and times of those first Africans, their descendants, and others who followed. The culture of these ancestors comes alive for those who journey on the documentary through the poetry, music, dance, folklore and storytelling. Rituals and religious practices enrich the experience. We witness the emergence of a culture solid and distinct in its traditions, yet intricately linked to the Native American, Dutch, and English inhabitants with whom the early Africans interacted. Before there was a Chinatown or a Little Italy, there was Little Africa and The Land of the Blacks. Before there was a public education system in this country, there were African Free Schools educating Black youngsters, and some Native American and Black adults. We chronicle factual stories about ordinary citizens and larger than life people of all backgrounds who made this nation what it is today. The Series is produced by EVT Educational Productions, Inc., in association with Station WBGO/Jazz 88.3FM, Newark, NJ. Thurston Briscoe, WBGO Program Director is Host and Narrator. Musical Arranger, Composer and Performer - Daryl M. Waters, with musical solo performances by Noel Pointer, Ebony Jo Ann, Diana Solomon-Glover and Andre Solomon-Glover. Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PRI, Public Radio International, “Then I’ll Be Free To Travel Home” is being distributed by Public Radio International® and began airing nationally February 2004. PRI is the Minneapolis-based public radio network and audio publisher that supports and distributes programs, many of which are created by leading national producers and are broadcast by its 745 public radio station affiliates. PRI programming also is available on locally-branded public radio station web sites, internationally through the World Radio Network, and nationwide via Sirius Satellite Radio. For more information about this landmark series, contact: Creative PR: (888-233-5650; info@creativepublicity.com), or visit the EVT Educational Productions web site at www.evted.org, or call us at 212-281-2456. Read the January 23, 2004 Press Release. Read the February 12, 2004 Press Release. Read the March 31, 2004 Press Release. Copyright © 1999-2006 by EVT Educational Productions |
