On Essex Hemphill's birthday on April 16, 2020 CNP hosted a virtual reading of the artist’s work. Since the founding of CNP, we have honored the life and legacy of Essex. Our organization is a love letter to him. (Cover photo of Essex Hemphill by Dr. Ron Simmons © Ron Simmons TA2019.38.1.1.1.8)
On this episode of The Reckoning, we dive into the multifaceted legacy of civil rights icon Bayard Rustin, who was the visionary and chief organizer of the famed 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Joining Johnnie Kornegay is journalist Joseph Williams, who wrote a piece in The Reckoning entitled “Reconsidering Rustin: His Trailblazing Legacy 60 Years After the March on Washington.” In his piece, Williams argues that Bayard Rustin should be remembered as a leader ahead of his time.
Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs joined us to discuss her connection to Audre Lorde. Dr. Gumbs is currently writing a biography of Lorde called "The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde." During this conversation Dr. Gumbs discusses Lorde's connection to Joseph Beam and Essex Hemphill. She also discusses Melvin Dixon's 1992 keynote at the OutWrite Conference "I'll Be Somewhere Listening For My Name."
