Join us as we continue to celebrate the history of DC. Focusing on the city's rich artistic legacy, we will examine the history of U St, known as "Black Broadway," and the infamous Howard Theatre. We will also discuss the impact of commercial development and gentrification on the U St. area.
Special Guests
Abdur-Rahim Muhammad is a native Washingtonian born in the old Freedman’s Hospital on Howard University’s campus only a few blocks from where he established the Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute (HTCMLI). Abdur-Rahim Muhammad experienced the glorious history of U Street from being raised by men and women who brought the arts and culture to U Street. Sifu (teacher/father) Muhammad has worked with youth for nearly 50 years; including 24 years as curriculum developer of HTCMLI programs which include free after school programs and summer camps for DC children and youth. The Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute uses the traditional folk-arts of Chinese Kung Fu, lion and dragon dance and Chinese and African drumming to keep DC’s youth healthy in school, and outside of the criminal justice system.
The leadership Institute produces the Paul Robeson “Here I Stand Award Gala” honoring individuals who have lived their life as Paul Robeson said “I make no separation between my work as an artists and my work as a human being.” Awardees have included Harry Belafonte, Dick Gregory, Dr. John Hope Franklin, Judith Jamison, Spike Lee, Rita Moreno, Common and Chuck-D (Public Enemy).
The HTCM Leadership Institute produced the Kennedy Center program Paul Robeson On My Journey Now.
Abdur-Rahim Muhammad is the author of Dragonz Rizing: Reclaiming My Time While Wandering Through The Valley and two graphic novels The Legend of Jow Lung Vol I and The Legend of Jow Lung Vol II The Path of Dragons. All available in print Amazon and e-book Kindle.
The Hung Tao Choy Mei leadership Institute is celebrating its 25th year at it’s historic U Street NW Washington DC location.
Abdur-Rahim Muhammad is a graduate of Hampton Institute and The University of the District of Columbia.
Derek Hyra is an associate professor in the School of Public Affairs at American University and the Founding Director of the Metropolitan Policy Center American University. His research focuses on neighborhood change, urban politics, and race. Dr. Hyra is the co-editor of Capital Dilemma: Growth and Inequality in Washington, DC (Routledge 2016), and author of The New Urban Renewal: The Economic Transformation of Harlem and Bronzeville (University of Chicago Press 2008) and Race, Class, and Politics in the Cappuccino City (University of Chicago Press 2017). He is working on his fourth manuscript, Roots of the Riots: Race, Policy, and Neighborhood Inequality(University of California Press).
Shellée M. Haynesworth of Indigo Creative Works is an award-winning multimedia maker, producer, storyteller and writer. She has filmed across the United States and internationally to produce compelling storytelling experiences and content centered on arts and culture, education, entertainment, humanities and social justice issues. Her clients include Smithsonian Institution, USAID, Gates Foundation, PBS, AD Council, Black Entertainment Television, TV One, Whitman Walker Health and HBO, among others. Some of her documentary, production and broadcast credits include “Fearless at 40 | The Whitman-Walker Story” (Whitman-Walker Health), “8 Wards of Joy” (The REACH at the Kennedy Center), “An Evening with Quincy Jones” (PBS), “An American Reunion” (HBO/Time Warner), “My Generation” (PBS), “Women’s Land Rights: A Ripple Effect” (USAID/Gates Foundation), “Black Excellence: School Choice” (TV One) and numerous nationally syndicated network programs such as “Latino Music Greats,” and “Latina Spirit.” Her latest multimedia endeavor, Black Broadway on U | A Transmedia Project, “a living digital history” platform that preserves and chronicles D.C.’s storied black U Street community once known as “Black Broadway.” Her recent honors include the D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment’s February 2019 Filmmaker of the Month and recognition as a local community influencer and culture leader by the Prince George’s African American & Cultural Center. She is a past fellow of the Black Public Media’s 360+ Incubator and past president of Women in Film and Video in Washington, DC. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park.
Venus Amadi is a Junior at Howard University, studying History and Political Science. Her passions include reading, conducting research, and writing. She currently works part-time with the history department at Georgetown University, and with the National Park Service of Shenandoah National Park, as a research assistant. Making the connections between time and space is the foundation of historical research and that is what Venus aims to do through her work, specifically, in the case of the stories that history tends to marginalize. Venus plans to attend law school post-undergrad and pursue a career in Law and historic preservation.
Alandro Valdez is a rising senior at Georgetown University, majoring in History and Government, with a minor in environmental science. Originally from Texas, Alandro is deeply passionate about conservation and original research, both environmental and historical. He works on the Remembering YoU DC research team, collecting and archiving oral histories from community members. When he is not studying or working on the project, he uses his student leadership position to fight for financial and campus life improvements for underserved students. He plans on pursuing either a law degree or a PhD.