A Mid-Season Look From the African American Heritage House (AAHH)2023 Season Summary
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We have reached the halfway point in the season and by the time you read this, there will be more of the 2023 Summer Assembly Season behind us than in front of us.
Other than moving quickly, the season feels different from last year. As was the case last year, we have a new team in place led by our Program Director, Dr. Cecilia Griffin Golden, assisted by two Program Associates, Melanie Thompson and Sydney Smith. This year, we have provided the team with a bit more support than in the past and it has been personally satisfying to watch the team come together and grow into their responsibilities.
The Personnel Committee, led by Elaine Davis along with Deb and Ted First has provided both mentors and guidelines to the team.
The weekly rhythm has pretty much solidified:
Sunday:
1. The week starts at 12:00 pm in Bestor Plaza where the AAHH, along with many other support organizations, participates in the weekly Activity Fair where we staff an informational table, greet visitors and outline our activities for the coming week.
2. Our first formal event is the Porch Chat on the porch of the Athenaeum Hotel at 1:00 pm where Dr. Griffin leads a discussion on topics of the day. Given all that is going on politically these days, the chats have been robust and quite well attended. We are particularly pleased with the number of younger people and students who are attending and sharing their perspectives with the group.
Tuesday:
3. At 3:30 pm on Tuesdays, we hold our traditional Speaker Reception at our new home, 40 Scott Ave. As we have removed the wall between the living room and the dining room, both the acoustics and the sightlines have improved. Attendance continues to exceed our expectations.
Wednesday:
4. At 3:30 pm on Wednesday in the Hall of Philosophy, our Weekly Lecture occurs. Attendance continues to be robust with several differences. Questions are now submitted through the online system or by paper. While they are unique and sometimes amusing, the traditional Chautauqua speeches masquerading as questions are being avoided. Another sign of the times is that when we have speakers who may reflect a political position, there is now added and visible security present. Enhanced security does upset many of the traditionalists, but it reflects the times and is a welcome addition, from our perspective, We will continue to tell history both loudly and accurately.
Thursday:
5. While run by the Institution, a Chautauqua Dialogue takes place each Thursday at 4:00 pm expressly focused on the AAHH Wednesday lecture. These dialogues take place at our home, 40 Scott Ave.
Other Events:
6. Open Houses: Hours are posted weekly. The walls of the house are covered with storyboards depicting the lives of African Americans during the 1900-1914 period. These storyboards were developed by our archivist, Emalee Sanfilippo and follow the set covering the period 1874-1899 which were displayed last season.
7. Special Events: The number of these events continues to grow from barbecues to welcome the Homeboys/Homegirls to the property to joint receptions with the Women’s Club. What is clear is that the physical house has now become a required destination for many. Whether they come to read, to listen, or just to seek a place of comfort, they are coming,
8. Speaker Dinners: This year, we have turned an informal practice of the past into a formal program. Since our speakers are generally here for both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, the team is asking our friends and supporters to host the speaker for a dinner each evening. The response has been wonderful.
9. Outreach: While I don’t want to point to a specific event, I do want to note that our outreach efforts have increased across the board. As noted above, we are working with the Women’s Club as well as other support groups such as the Chautauqua Property Owner’s Association (CPOA) and the LGBTQ+ & Friends community to make this a better and more welcoming place for all.
While the programming is going well, we are not neglecting the future. The Strategic Planning Committee, led by Rebecca Pickens, has worked very hard over the last year and will soon unveil a new strategic plan to guide us into the future. You will be kept apprised.
I want to close by thanking you for both your interest and your financial support. As many of you are aware, we are entirely supported by contributions, and it is only with your support that we are able to continue the work that we do here.
The African American Heritage House (AAHH) at Chautauqua Institution is proud to announce its 2023 Leadership Team
The 2023 AAHH Leadership Team will be led by the new Program Director, Dr. Cecilia Griffin Golden, an accomplished educator and proven leader. Dr. Golden started her career in the Rochester, NY, City School district, where she progressed through the ranks from elementary school teacher to Deputy Superintendent.
Her background also includes higher education experience as Assistant Provost at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA as well as nonprofit experience as CEO of the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh.
Dr. Golden received her doctorate from the State University of New York at Buffalo, following an M.S. from the State University of New York at Albany and a BA in Spanish from the State University of New York at Geneseo. She has also studied at the Harvard Business School.
Dr. Golden will be assisted in her work by two Program Associates. Melanie Thompson is a fourth-year senior majoring in history with a minor in African-American Studies at the University of Buffalo. Her background and field of study complement the AAHH focus on getting the history of African Americans told correctly in America.
Sydney Smith is a middle school paraprofessional and a graduate of Jamestown High School. Her local contacts, coupled with her communication and social media skills will serve the community outreach goals of the AAHH well.
Please welcome the team and wish them luck as they pursue the goal of helping Chautauqua Institution become a more diverse and welcoming place for all.
The African American Heritage House (AAHH) Presents the 2023 Season of Activity
A wonderful “Hello” to all of our friends and supporters. The AAHH is pleased to announce its plans for the 2023 Chautauqua Assembly Season. The Board and the operating team are excited about all that is planned for you and all visitors to Chautauqua Institution this year. Our weekly rhythm will be as follows:
Sunday Activity Fair The AAHH will join other community groups each Sunday from Noon to 1:30 pm (except for Week One when it will be 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm) on Bestor Plaza for the purpose of explaining to visitors and friends who we are, what we do and why they should support our efforts to help Chautauqua Institution become a better and more welcoming place for all. If you are on the grounds, do stop by and visit our tent! You could be given a small treat for your efforts.
Sunday Porch Chats The AAHH Sunday Porch Chats will continue on the porch of the Athenaeum Hotel every Sunday from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. In a casual environment, we will discuss anything the participants want to discuss. Topics have ranged from the history of African Americans at Chautauqua Institution to the state of the world today. The discussions are informal, and all are invited to come and participate. Light refreshments are served.
Speaker Reception Each Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 pm, a reception in honor of our speaker of the week will be held at our “House” at 40 Scott Ave. The reception is an opportunity to meet our speaker for the week, to hear her/him tee up their remarks scheduled for the next day and answer questions from the attendees. All are invited and light refreshments will be served.
Weekly Speaker The AAHH invites its speakers to interpret the Institution’s theme of the week through the eyes of the marginalized. This, of course, leads to some interesting historical and current perspectives. You don’t want to miss it. The speech occurs every Wednesday at 3:30 pm in the Hall of Philosophy (HOP). The speech will be followed by a moderated Q&A period.
Chautauqua Dialogues These facilitated discussions occur during the week at multiple locations. Of interest to our supporters and friends is the one held every Thursday at 4:00 pm at the “House” at 40 Scott Ave. While the Dialogues address many topics, this particular one is designed to discuss the AAHH speech held the day before. So, listen to the AAHH speech on Wednesday at 3:30 pm and then come to the “House” at 40 Scott Ave. at 4:00 pm on Thursday to discuss it in the finest Chautauqua tradition. Preregistration is not required.
Open Houses Come visit us at the “House” at 40 Scott Ave. Due to staffing constraints, the House will be open only during selected hours which will be posted weekly in the numerous media outlets that serve Chautauqua Institution. When you visit, you will not only meet our 2023 team of enthusiastic young professionals under the direction of our Program Director, Dr. Cecilia Griffin Golden, you will also have the opportunity to see the second set of storyboards created by our outstanding archivist, Emalee Krulish Sanfilippo. Last season, the storyboards told the story of the African American experience at Chautauqua Institution during its first 25 years from 1874 – 1899. The storyboards were a clear hit with our visitors. This year’s storyboards covering the period 1900-1914 are even more magnificent and must be seen.
The AAHH is proud to have assembled the above program for your interest and your enlightenment. We invite our friends, supporters and visitors to stop in at one or more of the events every week. You will not be disappointed.
