On June 27th of 1872, Paul Laurence Dunbar was born in Dayton, Ohio. For this special Dunbar 150 year milestone the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park along with numerous community partners will honor him by showcasing his contributions to poetry, the arts, music, dance and culture.
The commemorative “Dunbar 150” flagship event will be held on the evening of Saturday, June 25, 2022, from 5-7pm at the Victoria Theatre, and will feature recitations of Dunbar’s works by several world-renowned poets, spoken word performances, musical selections, and more! Tickets are on sale now for just $6-10 and can be purchased here.
Honored Guests include Nikki Giovanni, a prominent literary figure, and activist who has experienced longevity in her career as a prolific poet, speaker, and contributor to the literary arts, along with an entire Dunbar community of entertainers and performers. These include, Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin, Ms. Laverne Sci, Ted Lange, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, University of Dayton Department of Music, the Tuskegee University Golden Voices Choir, and other special guests will come together for ensemble performances of his masterful work and moving compositions.
National Historical Park is in a unique position to bring national prominence and 21st century schools and community organizations including the Ohio History Connection (OHC), the National Aviation Heritage Alliance (NAHA), Planned2Give, Woodland Cemetery, the University of Dayton, Dayton Live, the Paul Laurence Dunbar branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the Wright-Dunbar Neighborhood Association, and the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio.
“Community engagement has been a key part of the process throughout this multi-year celebration. Paul Laurence Dunbar’s giftings have created a lasting impact on people. His words have maintained relevance and have inspired generations of people to use their voice. Through the act of coming together and supporting the expression of creativity sparked by Dayton native Dunbar, we celebrate,”says Park Ranger and Dunbar 150 Project Manager, Angela Stewart.
Donations can be made to the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site via the web.
