Community Forums

The evening started with Presentation of Colors by members of the 35th US Colored Troop Regiment and the national anthem. A choral performance by members of the Craven Community Gospel Choir was followed by an inspiring presentation of “The Story of the Emancipation Proclamation” by acting students J’Kahri Bryant, Sophie Oliver and Francine Robinson with Katherine Adolph. In his welcome remarks, AAHCC Board President Rick Fisher noted that “JUNETEENTH 2019 was chosen to publicly launch our new nonprofit because of its significance to African Americans throughout the country. JUNETEENTH is the national celebration of the emancipation of formerly enslaved peoples.

We'll travel through 'America's Classical Music' Jazz to present an historic glimpse into one of the musical genre's royals, "The Duke." Edward Kennedy (“Duke”)  Ellington traversed the early development of Jazz, and into its modernization, while greatly contributing to it as he mentored and promoted varied stylistic musical artists. We will illuminate some aspects of the USA musical soundscape during the Duke‟s lifetime, with an emphasis on North Carolina Jazz innovators connected to him.

At the September 14 Opening Reception in the Gallery, Lee Hood spoke with guests about his technique and presented over 24 original pieces for this solo exhibit. 

Lee Hood is a well-known New Bern artist who often participates in New Bern art events such as ARTcrawl, Mumfest, ArtWalk, and Bohemian Artists of New Bern. Hood has exhibited with Greater Good Gallery, Bank of the Arts, Next Chapter Bookstore, MJ's Raw Bar and the New Bern Library. He grew up in Eastern North Carolina off the Pamlico Sound. In several series, Hood focuses his painting within spiritual, military, portraits and urban themes. Lee Hood serves on the Craven Arts Council Board of Directors and is the Curator of art exhibits for the AAHCC COMMUNITY FORUMS.

Jaki Shelton Green’s collegiate and professional experiences include currently teaching Documentary Poetry at the Duke University Center for Documentary Studies, Visiting Professor for the Carlow University MFA Program, Lenoir-Rhyne University Writer-in-Residence, Duke University Teaching for Equity Fellow, Taller Portobelo Artist Colony in Portobelo Panama, University of Panama, Department of Cultural Resources for Brazil, North Carolina Turkish Association, Page 3 of 5 Alhambra Cultural Center in Marrakech Morocco, NC Symphony, NC African America Cultural Heritage Commission. She is the owner of SistaWRITE and co-partner with Dream Yourself Awake and Vertikal Creative Ventures providing writing retreats and travel excursions for women writers in Sedona Arizona, Ocracoke North Carolina, Agadir Morocco, and Tullamore Ireland.

The three presenters for the January 11th COMMUNITY FORUM are local artists. Chrystal Hood Fonville is a graphic artist who passion for art started as a child. Following graduation with a bachelor’s in Graphic Design, Chrystal settled in New Bern. She is featured in “A Brief History of Artists in Eastern North Carolina”. Diamond Nicole Campbell has been a private artist for 11 years doing murals, custom painted shoes, interior design and portraits. Crystal Isaacs discovered drawing as a fun way to express herself and be creative. Through the years,  she has used many media such as clay, yarn, plaster, acrylics, watercolor and wood burning. Acrylics have become her favorite medium

Presiding Elder Dr. Erlinda Dobson introduced guests to St.  Page 2 of 5 Peter’s Church Pastor Garry Slade who spoke of “hush harbors”, the secret and sacred places of worship for African American slaves pre-Emancipation. He spoke of St. Peter’s history as the first church in the South to join the AME Zion Church, its destruction during the Great Fire of 1922 and of its rebuilding, now being referred to as “The Mother Church”.

Leesa Jones will present this story and share how enslaved people in this area used common items including plants, nursery rhymes, songs, clothing, and dance to convey messages to abolitionists, ship captains, and others in obtaining their freedom. With its many rivers, creeks, and seaports, the Maritime Underground Railroad was active in eastern North Carolina. This version of the Underground Railroad was so effective that runaway slaves often ran to the coast instead of heading north to reach freedom through overland routes.