Kinship and Community: The Harlan Renaissance Meets Black Wall Street

3816 Caroline Street,Houston TX 77004

01 April, 2023

Description

Dr. William H. Turner, author of the critically acclaimed memoir, “Harlan Renaissance: Stories of Black Life in Appalachian Coal,” retired as Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Studies and Regional Ambassador from Berea College. Dr. Turner also worked as a research associate with Alex Haley on the production of “Roots” and serves as co-author of the soon to be released e-book, "Black to the Future: Lessons from Black Wall Street for Community and Economic Prosperity" with Dr. LaRachelle Samuel-Smith. Dr. Samuel-Smith, co-founder of the Table SALT Group – which consults with small businesses and organizations offering tools, tips, and resources for growth and leadership development, is an educator dedicated to researching entrepreneurship in underserved communities and the progress of historically Black universities in the Southern land-grant educational system. This event was made possible by a generous grant from the 400 Years of African-American History Commission Act, which was signed into law January 8, 2018, establishing a 15-member commission to coordinate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in the English colonies. The Commission’s purpose is to plan, develop, and carry out programs and activities throughout the United States that Recognize and highlight the resilience and cultural contributions of Africans and African Americans over 400 years;Acknowledge the impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination had on the United States;Encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, and economic organizations to organize and take part in anniversary activities;Assist states, localities, and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration; andCoordinate public scholarly research about the arrival of Africans and their contributions to the United States.Platinum Sponsors