q2K BHP
Black History Portal
THE BHP WIRE —
HIDDEN TRUTHS
GREENWOOD / BLACK WALL STREET WILMINGTON 1898 LITTLE ROCK NINE TUSKEGEE STUDY ROSEWOOD 1923 THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SENECA VILLAGE BLACK TOWNS GREENWOOD / BLACK WALL STREET WILMINGTON 1898 LITTLE ROCK NINE TUSKEGEE STUDY ROSEWOOD 1923 THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SENECA VILLAGE BLACK TOWNS
What's New!
THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
BHP HOME BEFORE AMERICA 1800–1936 1937–1957 1958–1980 1981–2000 2001–PRESENT

Explore Black History

Explore the people, places, events, achievements, struggles and stories that shaped our journey.

✊🏾

Civil Rights

Movements, leaders, victories and the continuing fight for equality.

⚙️

Black Inventors

Innovation, patents, science, technology and world-changing contributions.

🏆

Sports

Pioneers, champions, Negro Leagues, records, activism and excellence.

♟️

People

Meet the people whose lives, choices and achievements shaped the journey.

📍

Places

Black towns, communities, institutions and places where history happened.

📜

Events

Moments that changed communities, movements, institutions and the nation.

Enter a person, place, event, or topic.
MY'STORY

The MOVE Fire

This is a personal recollection on the Move fire on May 13, 1985 Philadelphia police fired thousands of rounds at the MOVE house, city officials approved dropping an explosive device on the roof, the resulting fire was allowed to burn, 11 people—including five children—died, and 61 homes were destroyed. Philadelphia City Council later called it a “brutal attack carried out by the City of Philadelphia on its own citizens” and acknowledged that no individual faced criminal consequences for the bombing. One timeline correction worth preserving for the BHP record: the major previous MOVE-police confrontation was August 8, 1978, about seven years before the bombing, not a year or two earlier. Officer James Ramp was killed, other police and firefighters were wounded, nine MOVE members were later convicted, and television cameras recorded police beating Delbert Africa during his arrest. The 1985 MOVE Commission later specifically criticized city planners for failing to adequately use lessons from that 1978 confrontation. And that actually strengthens the point you’re making: 1985 did not happen without precedent or institutional memory. There had already been a deadly confrontation with MOVE, years of conflict, negotiations and police involvement before Osage Avenue.

MORE →
BLACK FACTS
The Truths They Never Taught You...

Shirley Chisholm — Unbought and Unbossed

In 1968 Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. In 1972 she launched a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, breaking another political barrier.

MORE →
BHP gathered finds from its connected research sources. Showing the 4 strongest Black History matches.
← BACK TO RESULTS
NMAAHC

Negro Ensemble Company program for "Eden"

Date
1976
Published by
Negro Ensemble Company, American, founded 1967
Subject of
Steve Carter
Directed by
Robert Hooks, American, born 1937
Douglas Turner Ward, born 1930
Edmund Cambridge, American, 1920 - 2001
Description
A black-and-white paper program printed by The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. for “Eden”.
At center of program's front cover is a white circle with black text reading, [the/Negro/Ensemble/Company]. The background of front and back covers of program feature white type set against a black background. The type is displayed both vertically and horizontally in a jumbled manner. The letters [N], [E], and [C], are repeated in order throughout.
The inside of the program features a letter to attendees from the show's artistic director, Douglas Turner Ward, as well as cast and credit information about the performance of “Eden”.
On the interior left page is the Negro Ensemble Company circular logo and [St. Mark’s Playhouse, 133 Second Avenue, New York City 10003 / 677-3939 / Douglass Turner Ward / Artistic Director / Robert Hooks / Executive Director / Frederick Garrett / Administrative Director]. The page continues in letter form: [Dear Friend: / I hope that you have enjoyed seeing this Negro Ensemble / Company presentation. / I know that we are all called on by many worthy causes. / Nonetheless, I am asking you to make a special gift to / a very special cause. /
The NEC was created when concerned Black artists realized / how little opportunity they had to participate in the / commercial and non-commercial theatre. Our program, which / is designed to use existing and new Black talent, consists / of a professional theatre production group and a training / program for young Blacks in all areas of the theatre, / from acting to backstage crafts, management, press relations, / etc. /
This program should have every opportunity to continue as / a working reality, but it cannot do so without the contri- / butions of those friends who know and believe in our work. / No matter how successful we may be with our productions, / they cannot ever generate sufficient revenue to support / our completely tuition-free training program. /
I hope that you will join me and others who, through our / gifts to the NEC, are trying to have this unique program available to more artists and technicians who vitally need / the training opportunity provided by the continued / existence of the NEC. /
Cordially / Douglass Turner Ward / Artistic Director /
Your contribution is tax-deductible. Your check should / be payable to the Negro Ensemble Company, Inc., and sent / to use at 133 Second Ave., N.Y.C., N.Y. 10003].
On the interior right page is the announcement for the play, “Eden”. Featured are the Negro Ensemble Company logo and address to St. Mark’s Playhouse. Beneath the logo is: [presents / EDEN / by steve carter / Directed by Edmund Cambridge / Scenery by / PAMELA S. PENISTON / Costumes by / EDNA WATSON / Lighting by / SANDRA L. ROSS / THE AUTHOR / STEVE CARTER is a native New Yorker. An NEC staff member since 1968, he is Pro- / duction Coordinator, Workshop Coordinator, Director of the Playwright’s Workshop and / Coordinator of the “Seasons-within-a-Season” series. His one-act play, “One Last Look” / inaugurated the NEC’s Monday night series in 1968 and was seen on WABC-TC in 1970 / and 1971. “Terraces” was produced in 1974 as a part of the “Season-Within-a-Season”. / The taking of photographs or recording of this performance is strictly forbidden.].
Place used
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Actors
Advertising
Drama (Theatre)
Entertainers
Theatre
Theatre companies
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Sandra Austin
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2014.196.17
Type
programs
Restrictions & Rights
© Negro Ensemble Company
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on paper with metal
Dimensions
H x W x D: 9 × 6 1/16 × 1/16 in. (22.9 × 15.4 × 0.2 cm)
Title
Object Name • Negro Ensemble Company program for "Eden"
Record ID
nmaahc_2014.196.17
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
NEGRO ENSEMBLE COMPANY PROGRAM FOR "EDEN"
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1970s
Name
Negro Ensemble Company • Carter, Steve • Hooks, Robert • Ward, Douglas Turner • Cambridge, Edmund
Place
New York City • United States • North and Central America
Topic
Theatre companies • Actors and actresses • Entertainers • Drama (Theatre) • Advertising
Culture
African Americans
Geo Location
City • New York City • State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
Programs (documents)
Online Media Type
Electronic resource • Images
Online Media Rights
Use Restricted

Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution. Rights and restrictions shown above are supplied by the Smithsonian record.

No preview image
NMAAHC

Negro Ensemble Company program for "Eden"

Date: Date

Description

MORE →
No preview image
NMAAHC

Negro Ensemble Company program for "The First Breeze of Summer"

Date: Date

Description

MORE →
NMAAHC

Black cap with ribbon and veil

Date: Date

Description

MORE →
NMAAHC

Letter regarding the Birth of a Race Photoplay Corporation

Date: Date

Description

MORE →
TOPIC OF THE DAY

Greenwood / Black Wall Street

Before the 1921 destruction of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, Black residents had created a remarkable center of business and community life. The district included stores, professional offices, entertainment venues and homes owned by Black citizens. Understanding Greenwood means learning what was built—not only what was burned.

MORE →
TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE DAY

Who was the first African-American woman millionaire in the United States?

Madam C.J. Walker