| Thursday February 13, 2003 the African American Museum Awakenings Series presented a panel discussion featuring delegates from Cleveland, Ohio to the World Conference Against Racism, WCAR, held in Durban, South Africa August 31 to September 7, 2001. The moderator was Ione Biggs of Women Speak Out for Peace and Justice, WSOPJ. The topic was "Report on the World Conference Against Racism". The panelists were: |
| David and Renate Jakupca, Directors of International Center for Environmental Arts |
| Deborah White, Minister for Anti-Racism and Conflict Resolution, Racial Justice Ministry Team of United Church of Christ |
| Ken Brown, Associate for Youth and Young Adult Empowerment, Racial and Justice Ministry Team of United Church of Christ |
| Diana Gurley, Ph. D. Behavioral Science of United Church of Christ |
| Beryl Khabeer, MA Philosophy, Cultural Racism and Health Care |
| Stephanie Tolliver, member of Women Speak Out for Peace and Justice and member of Greater Cleveland Reparation Mobilization Committee |
| The discussion began with a greeting, an overview of WCAR, and introductions of the panel by the moderator Ione Biggs. David and Renate Jakupca shared information about their organization's activities. Deborah White briefed the audience on the United Church of Christ's Racial Justice Ministry Team's preparation for the conference and the focus on reparations for slavery. Ken Brown spoke concerning the objectives of the Youth delegation. Dr. Diana Gurley shared perspectives of her conference experience. Beryl Khabeer spoke of observation and inquiry at the conference. Stephanie Tolliver, member of the delegation nicknamed the Durban 400, seeking reparations for slavery, one of the largest delgations attending the conference, reported on the departure of government officials. |
| Excerpts from panelists reports concerning the events in Durban are presented here. The excerpts are presented in the order in which the panelists are listed above beginning with Deborah White of United Church of Christ. The presentation ends with an answer from Ken Brown, United Church of Christ, to a question from a member of the audience. |
| On Friday January 31st and Sunday February 2nd, the African American Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, Kicked-Off its First Annual conjoined Black History Month Celebration and Membership Drive. On Sunday, along with the Black History Month Celebration and Membership Drive Kick-Off the museum hosted an Open House. The activities of each date included a special HBO Sneak Preview of "Unchained Memories" Readings From The Slave Narratives and a Living Exhibit skit performed by friends and members of the museum as a prequel to the sneak preview. Both dates were well attended |
| At the African American Museum Black History Month is twelve months a year with the museum telling OurStory Past, Present, and Future. The call to membership is ongoing, encouraging individuals, families, organizations, churches, and businesses to support the musuem's mission to preserve and disseminate information regarding the contributions of individuals of African descent. |
| The links below access audio visual interviews of the museum director Nancy Nolan-Jones and consultant for special projects James Spriggs. |
| Additionally, there is a link presenting audio and visual excerpts from the living exhibit skit . |
