Portsmouth, NH – The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is thrilled to announce its partnership with Northeastern University and the Reckonings Project for the 17th Annual Black New England Conference: I, Too, Sing: Art, Music, and Writing in Our BIPOC Communities.
Scheduled for October 20th and 21st at Northeastern University’s Fenway Center in Boston, the conference focuses on how BIPOC artists use the transformative power of the arts for empowerment and social change.
Robin S. Is Black New England Conference Keynote Speaker
Portsmouth, NH — Known for 1990s house singles like “Show Me Love,” Robin S. is the keynote speaker at the awards dinner of the Black New England Conference (BNEC). Held at Northeastern University’s Fenway Center on October 20, the dinner includes presentation of the Black Heritage Trail New Hampshire (BHTNH)’s Citizen of the Year award to Napoleon Jones-Henderson for his achievements championing Black Art nationally and globally.
The conference theme, “I, Too, Sing: Art, Music, and Writing in BIPOC Communities,” celebrates the vibrant and transformative power of creativity – within, between, and among communities of color. The conference is an annual event where scholars, artists, and activists share insights and research on Black experiences, past and present, in New England and beyond.
The career of legendary house diva Robin S. spans decades. Last year when Beyonce’s Renaissance album sampled “Show Me Love,” Oprah’s Daily declared that single “one of the most definitive house tracks of all time.”
“Robin S. has entertained millions while serving as a rallying cry for positive change, transcending boundaries, and resonating with audiences of all backgrounds,” said JerriAnne Boggis, Executive Director of BHTNH. “Her contributions to the world of music and her unwavering commitment to empowering BIPOC communities make her the perfect choice to inspire our conference attendees as we explore the transformative power of art, music, and writing.”
A lifelong artist-activist, Jones Henderson is currently Executive Director of the Research Institute of African and African Diaspora Arts, Inc. In Roxbury, Massachusetts. He is one of the longest continually active members of AfriCOBRA , a significant force within the Black Arts Movement in the sixties and seventies. A recipient of numerous awards and honors, his art is in museums, distinguished private collections, and numerous public art commissions.
This year, Northeastern University and Reckonings, a local history platform, partnered with BHTNH in offering the conference. Major sponsors include: Keene State College, TD Bank, Northeast Delta Dental, Eversource, The Hartford Foundation, and Brown University.
Besides panels as diverse as folklore from past millennia and the global ricochet of hip hop today, there are two pre-conference tours on Thursday, October 19. One tour visits a master artists’ studio and the other visits little-known sites of significance to Boston’s jazz history. Find out more information about the conference, registration, panelists, and event schedule here.
About the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire
The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire promotes awareness and appreciation of African American history and life in order to build more inclusive communities today. We work to visibly honor and share a truer, more inclusive history through exhibits, educational programs, curriculum development, and tours that can change the way our country understands human dignity when it is free of stereotypes. Building on the success of the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail that started more than two decades ago, the statewide Black Heritage Trail connects the stories of New Hampshire’s African heritage by documenting and making visible many of the historic sites that testify to this rich history. The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is an independent, nonprofit organization. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit; Taxpayer Identification Number 81-3921917.
For media inquiries and interviews, please contact:
Terry Robinson
Marketing Specialist
(603) 570 – 8469
terry@blackheritagetrailnh.org
Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire