[NEohioPAL] Langton Hughes to be inducted into Karamu Hall of Fame

[Vivian C. Wilson]

Contact:   Vivian C. Wilson

                  216.795.7070 x 215

                                    

 

KARAMU TO INDUCT LANGSTON HUGHES

DURING HALL OF FAME CEREMONY     

 

CLEVELAND - June 17, 2008 -  Karamu House will posthumously induct native
son Langston Hughes into its Hall of Fame on June 28 at 20/20 in the Flats.
Theatergoers may not realize Hughes wrote the critically acclaimed "Black
Nativity," which Karamu has produced for 24 seasons to enthusiastic crowds.

In 1961, Hughes was commissioned to create a gospel drama for Christmas. He
wanted to make African-American gospel music the heart and soul of the drama
and based his play, "Wasn't That A Mighty Day," on the theme of the Nativity
story. The musical later became known as "Black Nativity." 

The literary works of Hughes, a poet, writer and playwright, are studied and
discussed in high school classrooms and university lecture halls across the
country. Hughes, who attended Cleveland's Central High School from 1916 to
1920,  is one of the most popular and influential writers of the 20th
century.

For many years, Hughes was a familiar face at Karamu, where he taught art
classes while in high school. He wrote his first play at Karamu, "The Golden
Piece," in 1921. He wrote and debuted several other works at Karamu. Hughes
also became a member of the Karamu Players, a theatrical troupe. 

Although Hughes traveled the world and moved to New York's Harlem
neighborhood as an adult, he never forgot Cleveland or Karamu. He continued
to visit Karamu throughout his life as he sought inspiration for his
writings and even penned a poem celebrating his long-time special
relationship to Karamu founders, Russell and Rowena Jelliffe. Karamu's
library is furnished with two large wooden tables engraved with African
carvings. The tables were commissioned by Hughes.


Through his poetry, Hughes expressed the struggles and triumphs of black
life in American society and celebrated significant African-American
historical figures and social themes. Hughes' poems are excellent
supplements to history textbooks, which often overlook the contributions of
African-Americans.


Hughes attended Columbia University in New York for a while but dropped out
to pursue the more entertaining jazz and blues activities in nearby Harlem.
He enlisted as a steward on a freighter bound to West Africa and traveled to
Paris, where he worked as a doorman at a night club,  before continuing on
to Italy. 

After his return to the United States, Hughes worked in menial jobs and
wrote poetry, earning him a scholarship to Lincoln University in
Pennsylvania where he received his bachelor's degree in 1929. Karamu
presented the world premier of his "Little Ham" in 1936. 

 "If These Walls Could Talk" is the theme of this year's Karamu Hall of Fame
event , which will be held on June 28 at 20/20 in the Flats. James Pickens
of television's "Grey's Anatomy" and entertainer Kym Whitley, will serve as
event co-hosts. Pickens and Whitley are also Clevelanders and Karamu alums.

In addition to Hughes, Karamu will induct actors Al Fann, Jean E. Hawkins
and R. Joyce Whitley, musical directors Helmuth Wolfes and Benno D. Frank,
former executive director Kenneth E. Snipes and Congresswoman Stephanie
Tubbs Jones, a benefactor. Actor Katrice Monee Headd will receive the "On
the Rise" award, an honor reserved for the next generation of Karamu stars.

Prior to the induction ceremony, Hawkins, Fann, Headd, Pickens and Kym
Whitley will field audience questions during "Inside the Performer's
Dressing Room" at Karamu. NewsNet 5 anchor Danita Harris Pratt will moderate
the free event at Karamu. 

Hall of Fame sponsors include Medical Mutual of Ohio, The Cleveland Clinic,
National City Bank, Gross Builders, KeyBank, Positively Cleveland, the Plain
Dealer and the David Group.

Tickets are available by calling Vivian C. Wilson at 216.795.7070, ext. 215,
or by visiting Karamu's Web site at www.karamu.com. 

Karamu holds the honor as the country's oldest multicultural theater and can
trace its humble origins to 1915. The name Karamu is Swahili for "a place of
joyful gathering." Nestled in an urban community, the center offers
additional services, including an early childhood development center,
after-school programs, cultural and arts education outreach and senior
citizen activities.

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Karamu House has been an important part of the Cleveland community for
nearly a century. From a unique vantage-point within the African-American
community, Karamu has fostered true interracial understanding and
cooperation, an awareness of cultural diversity and an appreciation for the
rich African-American cultural heritage.

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