First annual African American Read-In a success
February 9, 2000

The phenomenal success of the African American Read-In 2000 on Sunday, February 6, is evidence that Dallas wants and needs more of these kinds of community-building events. The theme of the free event, which was presented by Dallas Community College District (DCCCD) and GTE Reads, “Readin-ing Brings Dallas Together,” came to life as the multi-cultural crowd filled the Majestic Theatre to capacity.

The audience came for multiple reasons:

• To honor Mr. George Dawson, the 102-year-old Dallasite who learned to read at 98, and to receive a free copy from Random House of the book he co-authored with Richard Glaubman, Life is So Good.
• To see local Dallas luminaries and prominent actor Levar Burton (Roots, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Readin-Ing Rainbow) read and perform significant works by Black authors.
• To hear Dallas Cowboys player Daryl “Moose” Johnston talk about his role as a GTE Reads Literacy Champion and how literacy is the key to success in life.

The audience was entertained before the event by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Young Strings and the Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s Second Company and during the intermission by the Dallas Black Dance Academy’s Junior Performing Company and the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico Children’s Ensemble, who performed an Afro-Hispanic number called “El Negrito del Batey.”

In addition to the Readin-Ings, the multi-media performance called “Ancestral Journeys” included song, dance, drumming and colorful costuming. The program was written and directed by Dallas’ own Cheryle Y. Washington. The piece chronicles the Black Diaspora (dispersion of Blacks from Africa throughout the world) by dividing history into four chapters – Before time to Antiquity; Middle Passage, Antebellum and Freedman; Renaissance, Enlightenment and Jim Crow; and 1960s to the present. Each chapter featured works written by Black authors during that particular time period.

The honorary Tri-Chairs of the event, George Dawson, DCCCD Trustee and Texas Instruments Community Affairs Director Gerald Borders and Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, performed in the show as well as presided over it. The cast list read like a Who’s Who of Dallas’ community leaders and included the following people:

• Dr. Beverly Mitchell Brooks, Dallas Urban League;
• Norm Lyons, Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars;
• Eva McMillan, poet and community activist;
• Ruth Sanders, Texas Silver-haired Legislature; and
• The Dallas Morning News columnist Norma Adams Wade.

Many local African American actors and artists contributed their time and talents as well:

• Pamela Johnson Angeles, Dallas Black Dance Theatre;
• Tisha Crear, Dallas Slam/Reciprocity;
• Destani, gospel artist;
• Anyika McMillan, Soul Rep;
• Djore Nance, vocalist;
• Cynthia Dorn Navarrette, New Arts 6;
• Monique Ridge-Williams, actress;
• Vickie Washington, actress;
• Third Eye Drummers; and
• producer Cheryle Y. Washington, Q. E. i Productions.

The event at the Majestic was the kickoff for smaller African American Read-Ins that will be held around Dallas County throughout the month of February. To learn how to host your own, visit the web site at www.Readin.dcccd.edu/ or call 214. 860.2005. The nationwide sponsor of the African American Read-In, the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English, is trying to document one million readers of Black literature during February, which is also Black History month.

"The only regret we have about this event is that we didn’t have enough room for all the people who wanted to attend," said DCCCD Community Development Director and African American Read-In 2000 producer Carla Ranger. “Next year,” she continued, “we’ll move to a space that accommodates more people.”

For more information or program updates, contact: Carla Ranger at 214-860-2005; Allison Neal, event manager, at 214-616-2965; or Ann Hatch, DCCCD office of marketing and communications, at 214-860-2478.

For more information, call 214-860-2005 or visit www.readin.dcccd.edu.