Archiving African American History and Culture: SIUE Hosts Smithsonian's Community Curation 2024

Archiving African American History and Culture: SIUE Hosts Smithsonian's Community Curation 2024

August 26, 2024, 11:00 AM

Public programming to include gOD-Talk Documentary Screening and Miles Davis Exhibit & Project

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is set to become a center of cultural and historical exploration this September as it hosts the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) Community Curation 2024 program. This series of events in collaboration with The Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History, also known as The Smith Center, funded by Robert F. Smith is designed to bring national attention to the preservation of the rich tapestry of African American history and culture of the St. Louis and East St. Louis region.

The first of many public programs is the Thursday, September 5 screening of the documentary gOD-Talk, by executive producer Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History. The film will screen at SIUE's Dunham Hall Theater. This compelling documentary explores the intersection of religion and culture within African American history. The 6 p.m. event, which includes a 5 p.m. reception and filmmaker panel, is free and open to the public, though attendees must register. Complimentary parking is available in Lot E.

"As the only institution of higher education east of the river to partner with the NMAAHC during their 2024 St. Louis visit, our collaboration with the Smithsonian will have a critically important impact by expanding access to professional and educational opportunities for students and communities in southern Illinois," said Tisha Brooks, PhD, associate dean for anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of SIUE's NMAAHC Community Curation 2024 planning team.

"We are grateful to the Robert F. Smith Center for the opportunity to bring these resources to the varying communities we serve. We also look forward to extending our partnership with the NMAAHC into the future as we continue to work with their Center for Digitization and Curation of African American History to ensure that community members, especially our students, have access to and can preserve the rich legacies of African American history and culture here in our region."

Additional events to be announced in September include a panel discussion on Alternative Career Pathways in the Humanities for students, moderated by Smith Center Director Doretha Williams, and the Disappearing Black Communities series to be held on the SIUE East St. Louis Center. Visit the Community Curation 2024 website for event updates.

On October 2 from 4-6pm, SIUE and Smith Center events will spotlight the Miles Davis Exhibit & Project at the St. Clair County Historical Society. Irreducible and indescribable, Miles Davis was a complex individual whose groundbreaking music was continually evolving. This exhibit explores Miles' engagement with innovative musicians and new technologies, as well as Miles' personality rooted in his childhood in East St. Louis and tempered by the rapidly changing cultural milieu during the five decades of his musical career. Prince Wells III, Associate Professor Emeritus in the Department of Music at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, will provide opening remarks.

The Miles Davis Exhibit & Project is a collaboration between the St. Clair County Historical Society, the House of Miles, the SIUE anthropology department, and Lovejoy Library.

Throughout September, the NMAAHC's Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History will engage with local communities.For more information and to register for these enriching events, please visit the NMAAHC's website at NMAAHC Community Curation St. Louis 2024.

PHOTO: Film poster of the documentary gOD-Talk from National Museum of African American History and Culture