<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="country-region"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="State"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="City"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="place"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceType"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceName"/>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
h2
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:center;
page-break-after:avoid;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial;}
p.MsoBodyText, li.MsoBodyText, div.MsoBodyText
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold;}
p.MsoBodyTextIndent, li.MsoBodyTextIndent, div.MsoBodyTextIndent
{margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:.25in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Contact: Vivian C. Wilson<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>
216.795.7070 x 215<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>
</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>KARAMU TO INDUCT LANGSTON HUGHES<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>DURING HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
150%'><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><span class=style6><b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:
Arial;font-weight:bold'>CLEVELAND</span></font></b></span></st1:City></st1:place><span
class=style6><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:150%;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'> – June 17, 2008
–</span></font></b></span><span class=style6><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'> Karamu House
will posthumously induct native son Langston Hughes into its Hall of Fame on
June 28 at 20/20 in the Flats.</span></font></span><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'> Theatergoers may
not realize Hughes wrote the critically acclaimed “Black Nativity,”
which Karamu has produced for 24 seasons to enthusiastic crowds.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
.5in;line-height:150%'><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'>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.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><span
class=style6><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:
150%;font-family:Arial'>The literary works of </span></font></span><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:
Arial'>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 20<sup>th</sup> century.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyText style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-weight:normal'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoBodyText style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-weight:normal'>Although
Hughes traveled the world and moved to <st1:State w:st="on">New York</st1:State>’s
<st1:place w:st="on">Harlem</st1:place> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<h2 align=left style='text-align:left;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-weight:
normal'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h2>
<p class=MsoBodyText style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-weight:normal'>Hughes
attended <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Columbia</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> in <st1:State w:st="on">New York</st1:State>
for a while but dropped out to pursue the more entertaining jazz and blues
activities in nearby <st1:place w:st="on">Harlem</st1:place>. He enlisted as a
steward on a freighter bound to West Africa and traveled to <st1:City w:st="on">Paris</st1:City>,
where he worked as a doorman at a night club, before continuing on to <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoBodyText style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-weight:normal'>After
his return to the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>,
Hughes worked in menial jobs and wrote poetry, earning him a scholarship to <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Lincoln</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType>
in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Pennsylvania</st1:State></st1:place>
where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1929. Karamu presented the
world premier of his “Little Ham” in 1936. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><span
class=style6><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:
150%;font-family:Arial'> “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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><span
class=style6><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:
150%;font-family:Arial'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><span
class=style6><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:
150%;font-family:Arial'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><span
class=style6><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:
150%;font-family:Arial'>Hall of Fame sponsors include Medical Mutual of Ohio,
The Cleveland Clinic, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">National City</st1:City></st1:place>
Bank, Gross Builders, KeyBank, Positively Cleveland, the Plain Dealer and the
David Group.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><span
class=style6><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:
150%;font-family:Arial'>Tickets are available by calling Vivian C. Wilson at
216.795.7070, ext. 215, or by visiting Karamu’s Web site at <a
href="http://www.karamu.com" title="http://www.karamu.com">www.karamu.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'>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.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-indent:.5in;
line-height:150%'><span class=style6><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'>---</span></font></span><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:
Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><span
class=style6><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:
150%;font-family:Arial'>Karamu House has been an important part of the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Cleveland</st1:City></st1:place> 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.</span></font><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-indent:.5in;
line-height:150%'><span class=style6><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'>###</span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>