The African-American Heritage House (AAHH) is an organization informed by the African American Experience, committed to strengthening Chautauqua by encouraging and welcoming diversity, fostering honest conversations, and adding new voices to the programmatic mix. The AAHH is proud to bring quality programming with unique perspectives to the Chautauqua Institution.

A Special Message from the President

To all the Friends and Supporters of the African American Heritage House at Chautauqua (“AAHH”)

It’s with gratitude for a life incredibly well-lived, and with sadness at the loss of a giant, that I write to tell you of the death of our friend, leader, and colleague, Joan Brown Campbell.  Joan passed peacefully – in fact, her daughter Jane described it as “serenely” – on Saturday, March 29.

 Joan was a force of nature in all facets of her life.  She was a long-time leader of the quest for racial justice, helping Clevelanders elect the first black mayor of a major American city, the Honorable Carl Stokes, in 1967. She was also dedicated to ecumenical interfaith work. When Joan was 49, she was ordained by the National Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s denomination. Soon after, the Disciples of Christ recognized her ordination. Joan subsequently became the first woman to serve as the executive director of the US office of the World Council of Churches. She was the first ordained woman to serve as the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. She was also the first woman to serve as the director of religion at the Chautauqua Institution, and in that role was one of the founding visionaries of the AAHH. It’s not a stretch at all to say that, but for Joan’s inspiration, advocacy and commitment, the AAHH would not exist.

While Joan’s heart was firmly in Chautauqua, working tirelessly to make it more inviting, more welcoming, and more inclusive, her energies and vision were global.  She led a delegation to meet with Pope John Paul II, presenting him with a copy of New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. She was part of the delegation led by President Bill Clinton to attend the funeral of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel. Along with her friend, Reverend Jesse Jackson, she traveled to Belgrade during the Balkan wars and negotiated the release of imprisoned American soldiers. She and Carl Sagan, the renowned astronomer, helped cofound the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. She served as an election observer when Nelson Mandela was elected as the first black president of South Africa. She was the only woman in the procession of over 200 clergy at the enthronement of Desmond Tutu as the archbishop of the Anglican Church in South Africa. Archbishop Tutu later called Joan “a woman of courage and compassion,” adding that “she helped put an end to the evil of apartheid.”

Joan lived a life that was, to quote her well-known phrasing, “rich and full.”  And, indeed, our lives are richer and fuller as a result of her passion and ministry.  Fittingly, Joan’s family has requested that, in lieu of flowers or gifts, her mourners direct their generosity to two places – a Geriatric Medicine endowment through the MetroHealth Foundation named in honor of her son,  Dr. James W Campbell, and the AAHH.  In that way, and in so many others, Joan’s life will continue to be a blessing to the ongoing work of the AAHH.

We all pass away twice. Once when we physically expire, and a second time when friends and history forget about us. The Rev. Joan Brown Campbell will pass away only once.

In Faith,

Erroll Davis

President,

African American Heritage House (AAHH)

An End-of-Season Summary From the African American Heritage House (AAHH) 2024 Season

The beautiful summer season has come to an end and the autumn has found us. We'd like to share some end-of-the-season memories. It was an eventful time with nine weeks of incredible speakers, community connections, in-depth discussions, and many moments of celebration. This was made possible by our many supporters and financial contributors.

We deeply thank you for believing in the AAHH’s ability to bring value to the Chautauqua community. We will continue to light a path through history to show respect to those that came before us while we forge new relationships and community through increased outreach and quality friendship. 

Let’s take a look at a few bright spots of the 2024 season!

We had a special visit from a diverse group of high school students that joined us for a history scavenger hunt and a creative exploration of African art patterns. Come visit our stone walkway next season to see the students’ art!

Bridging Music and Cultures 

We connected across cultures as a part of Chautauqua's series of events celebrating George Gershwin’s Rapsody in Blue anniversary, organized by his descendants, Bob and Nancy Ross. This collaborative session entitled Bridging Music and Cultures was a rich discussion about the intersection of Jewish and Black culture coming together through Jazz music. The conversation explored Gershwin’s enduring legacy of Porgy and Bess and the continued complexity of its history. 

Visit with Reverend Otis Moss III and Trinity Unity Church of Christ Choir

We also were honored by a special guest. In the midst of a busy week with Wynton Marsalis’s band on the Chautauqua grounds, AAHH had the pleasure of accommodating at the house the warm and gentle spirit of Reverend Otis Moss III, one of the founders of the AAHH. We were also blessed by Rev. Moss’s talented and exuberant choir that was on the grounds to perform.

We were doubly honored by welcoming an incredible group of ministers from Buffalo in the same week.

We were proud to be a place of celebration, hospitality, and support to all the visitors that came through the Chautauqua community.

A special thanks to Ms. Olivia Hill, our Executive Director, for the excellent and creative stewardship of our nine-week summer program. Never before have we done so much in such a concentrated period of time. She was assisted by our two program assistants, Adar Abdi and Miles Sandler. We were also magnificently assisted by a cadre of volunteers who did everything from hosting our speakers for dinner to staffing our activity fair tent to physically modifying the AAHH House at 40 Scott Ave. Without their dedication and commitment, we would have accomplished far less than we did.

Again, thanks to you all. It was a truly great year! Now, we will start planning for an even bigger and better 2025 season. Stay tuned, and be sure to visit AAHeritageHouse.org for periodic updates. 

African American Heritage House