Acknowledgements
Nothing happens in a vacuum and this research project is no exception. I may have spent eight years, from 2016 to May 2024, working diligently on gathering and contextualizing the archival material that is the foundation of this research project, but it would never have come into existence without the support of so many...
Howard University
Dr. Ofosuwa Abiola, who served as the Associate Dean for Research and Creative Endeavors in the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. Until I shared my developing research vision with Dr. Abiola I still wasn't as confident as I needed to be when it came to executing research that wasn't traditionally categorized as "creative". With her deep knowledge of grant writing and how creative endeavors operate within the eco-system of educational and professional scholarly research, Dr. Abiola was patient and kind in continuously acknowledging the value and the benefit of the research I was undertaking. The workshop series she implemented for faculty in the College of Fine Arts was nothing less than life and career changing. The many conversations about how to use creative endeavors as a foundation for other forms of traditional scholarly research and the advancements of digital humanities have radically transformed and expanded the ways in which many faculty in the College of Fine Arts approach research endeavors. Dr. Abiola, please know that you are one in a million and I appreciate your support!
Nefertiti Burton, who served as department Chair of the Howard University Department of Theatre Arts from 2018 - 2020. During her tenure at Howard I shared a very early draft of this research project with her and her immediate support of the project was invaluable. Throughout my short time working with Nefertiti her knowledge, encouragement and support were immensely beneficial in strengthening my confidence and fine tuning my research vision. Her 2024 response: "Congratulations!! This work is a great contribution to Howard and the larger world of theatre. Best to you." Nefertiti, please know that you are appreciated!
Dr. Gwen Everett, current interim Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and former Associate Dean of the Division of Fine Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences. When I started this research in 2018 Dr. Everett was exemplar in her scholarly and leadership example. Her patience, encouragement and words of wisdom in supporting me as I learned to navigate the eco-system of grant submission will serve me well into the future.
Dr. Lisa Farrington, who served as Associate Dean of the Division of Fine Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences for two years. Under Dr. Farrington's leadership my research quickly accelerated. Dr. Farrington's wide breadth of knowledge across disciplines in the arts and humanities was an inspiration. Her perspectives caused me to push myself to study and learn more about disciplines like digital humanities and to fearlessly embrace cross disciplinary scholarly creative research. Thank you Dr. Farrington for your service and being a wonderful scholar mentor!
Phylicia Rashad, inaugural Dean of the reinstated Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. Dean Rashad completed her tenure as Dean just as the public facing digital repository went live. I thank her for her support of advancing scholarly and creative research endeavors during her tenure as dean.
Nikkole Salter, chair of the Howard University Department of Theatre Arts, Jan. 2022 to current. Shortly after Chair Salter arrived in the department I shared my preliminary research document with her and her words in response became the wind beneath my wings that I needed at that time... "knowing this information will be helpful to me (and I hope the whole department once it is published!)." Thank you chair Salter!
Dr. Sandra Shannon, former faculty member in the Department of English at Howard University. In July 2018, when I delivered my preliminary research findings at the Black Theatre Network conference, there was a visceral response after the presentation. Collegiate colleagues and theatre practitioners who attended my presentation session wanted to meet with me during lunch to discuss my initial findings and many, including Dr. Shannon, insisted that the outcome for the research would be me writing a book. Honestly, I was deeply flattered by these remarks from esteemed colleagues. However, hearing these enthusiastic words from the world renowned expert on the works of August Wilson, Dr. Sandra Shannon, helped me commit to the bigger vision I had for the research which is this research site and the additional research projects this research site is the foundation for. Dr. Shannon, thank you for always being such a light and wise counsel. You are greatly appreciated!
Sonja Woods, archivist in the Howard University Moorland Spingarn Research Center. When I first started down the path to develop this fledging idea. It had a different scope, shape and goal. Sonja has remained patient and immensely helpful with pointing me in the right directions for archival holdings at Howard University. Sonja, your significant knowledge and your ability to find the good stuff never ceases to amaze me. Know that you are also appreciated!
Howard University Moorland Spingarn Research Center & Founders Library, Thank you to every person I encountered including Celia C. Daniel, former Head Reference Librarian at Founders Library for providing me access to the invaluable Howard Players archives in the Channing Pollock Collection. JoEllen ElBashir, former Chief Curator of Manuscripts and Lopez Matthews, former Founders Library Digital Services Librarian. Starting in 2022, Lela Sewell Williams, former Curator of Manuscripts and Brea Johnson, Senior Manuscript and Oral History Librarian for Moorland Spingarn Research Center.
Emory University
Emory University and the Camille Billops and James V. Hatch Archives held at the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library. Lots of great archival holdings and a ton of support from everyone I encountered! Specific thanks to Kathleen E. Shoemaker, Reference Coordinator, Research Services at the Rose Library; Jina DuVernay, Collection Development Archivist for African American Collections at the Rose Library; and Gabrielle Dudley, Interim Co-Director Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library.
Alumni and Former Faculty of Howard University
Sheila Gregory Thomas (daughter of Thomas Montgomery Gregory) and every other person who granted me an interview via zoom or via the phone or email. Every person who listened as I prattled on about statistics and data and ideation about what this research could become and how it would serve both the public good and serve scholars and researchers. Every person who connected me with someone to interview or shared their knowledge and remembrances. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!