A connoisseur of literature, film and stage aims to change how the world views black men, one performance at a time.
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This time last year, Tony nominated actor, Mr. Colman Domingo, had to halt his plans to perform a run of shows at the Philadelphia Theatre Company in Center City Philadelphia because he was awarded the role of Mr. Ralph Abernathy in the movie Selma.
Mr. Domingo’s departure from Philadelphia, his hometown, to Atlanta for a month or so of shooting also meant that he would miss out on The Brothers’ Network annual fundraiser, which he was billed to appear.
Mr. Gregory Walker, Creative Director, The Brothers’ Network, of which Mr. Domingo is a board member, wasn’t sour that his celebrity comrade wouldn’t be able to lend his star power to the event, as he saw the bigger picture: a Black man being elevated for their greatness.
Despite Mr. Domingo’s inability to attend last year’s fundraiser, Mr. Walker’s five star evening still managed to attract a level of celebrity cache: among the performers was renowned jazz pianist, Mr. Alfred Pollitt, and I.
This year, the marquee may not be able to fit the many names of those scheduled to receive the coveted Brother of the Year Award.
The goal of the evening, as is the mission of the organization, is to use art and culture to eradicate the idea that all black men are thugs, and more importantly, that black men are monolithic.
“There’s a singular narrative for Black men, said Mr. Walker, “and if you fall outside of that, people don’t know how to qualify and quantify you and your actions, your behaviors, thoughts and ideas… that must change. If you’re White and you like opera, you’re still White. If you’re White and like skateboarding, you’re still White. If you like NASCAR, you’re still White. But in our context, often times the larger community doesn’t see the full humanity of who we are. We can be ballet dancers; opera singers and stage actors. Everything is possible and everything has been possible.”
Among those being honored on Saturday, May 16th at the Philadelphia Theatre Company is Mr. Jon Gosier, who Mr. Walker describes as a “leader in technology;” Mr. Kahiga Tiagha, an attorney; and Mr. Tayyib Smith, an entrepreneur who serves as one of the Principal owners at Pipeline Philly, a premiere co-working space in Center City Philadelphia.
“The Brother’s Network is the only arts and culture organization amplifying the brilliance of African-American men,” touted Mr. Walker, who, during his exclusive interview with Techbook Online, spoke multiple times about art and culture’s ability to change how people see themselves, and in this context, how they see Black men.
As we talked in front of the Philadelphia Theatre Company on Philly’s famous Avenue of the Arts, an older woman approached Mr. Walker, a 6’5 bearded black man, and asked if he had saw “brownsville song: (b-side for tray).” He said that he did and a brief conversation ensured.
The woman admitted that after seeing the play she now views black men differently.
“Normally when I’m on the street, people rarely don’t approach me,” said Mr. Walker. “But she saw me in front of the Theatre… that’s the power of art.”
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The post The Power of Art to Illuminate Black Men’s Humanity appeared first on The Good Men Project.