BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT: THE LIVING WORD

An annual event that promotes important Black artists, art movements and art genres, the NBAF Black History Month series focuses on bringing Black art history to life!

Every Black History Month, NBAF will host immersive programming that takes a deep dive into an aspect of African American fine art, placing it squarely into historical context while highlighting the contemporary artists moving the art form forward.

The inaugural NBAF Black History Month program, “The Living Word”, took place on Sunday, February 26th from 11AM to 6:30PM at the Woodruff Arts Center and celebrated the important legacy of African American Theatre through immersive and interactive experiences.

The multi-disciplinary event featured live performances, staged readings, pop-up monologues, interactive exhibitions, video projections, photo timelines, a 3D photo booth, NBAF memorabilia and cash bars!

The kick-off event to NBAF’s Black History Month program, Testify! Sunday Brunch: A Tribute to Black Musical Theatre, was presented by NBAF and the Fulton County Department of Arts & Culture.

Taking place from 11AM - 2PM, this upscale, ticketed celebration featured performances by 2022 Tony Award winner and Atlanta native, Joaquina Kalukango, as well as local and nationally recognized Broadway performers.

The Testify Sunday Brunch, co-sponsored by Fulton

County Department of Art & Culture, also honored Fulton County’s Black women artists, art advocates and icons.

Honorees included Camille Russell Love: Executive Director, City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Sue Ross: Photo-Griot, Artist & Cultural Worker, and Alice Lovelace: Poet, Playwright & Executive Director, ArtsXchange.

Immediately following the Sunday Brunch, the general public portion of The Living Word program began!

After exploring the multi-media theatre history exhibitions and enjoying pop-up monologue performances by Spelman and Morehouse drama students, the attendees moved into The Woodruff’s Rich Auditorium for an original production, From The Clay, a theatrical tribute to Atlanta’s pioneering independent Black Theatres.

True Colors Theatre then presented a staged reading of “In the Pocket,” by accomplished playwright Gabrielle Fulton Ponder. The reading featured R&B singer Algebra Blessett alongside a cast of seasoned theatre actors and a live band!

For more info on NBAF’s Black History Month program, visit: https://nbaf.org/black-history-month/