by John Reid

Yesterday at the Open Space Arts Center at Stonebridge Town Center in Woodbridge, Supervisor Margaret Franklin hosted the 4th annual Black History Month “African Americans & The Arts” presentation. Joining Franklin for the panel was Denise McPhail, Executive Director of The Creative and Performing Arts Center, Herb Williams, Director of the Prince William County Arts Council, and PWC Poet Laureate Emerita Kim B. Miller. The panel discussion was to discuss how the Black Arts Movement of the 1960’s has grown within the county, giving more spaces for the influences of African, Caribbean and spiritual works to be displayed, as well as the rise of Afro futurism.

“We’ve been looking to host these events in the district for quite some time,” said Franklin to the audience. “

She addressed the optics of the country’s 10th largest minority-majority county for providing spaces for Black creatives. “[Prince William County] has fought perception issues,” she continued, “but I believe we’re on our way.”

Miller talked about how the county can assist in the evolution of promoting Black artists. “The county needs more of a focus on centralization so more Black artists can participate,” she said. “Too often, we have to go through rabbit holes in order to find out about these programs that are being hosted. Let’s have a concrete way to let people know when these programs are taking place and how to be a part of the process.”

McPhail, whose CAPAC organization was inspired by the works of author Langston Hughes, discussed how the organization has thrived to provide opportunities for creatives. “Although the arts in the county are under funded,” she said, “we have made the most with what we have.”

She talked about how the key is to getting younger students involved. “We work with the public schools in the area and it has opened a door for them to express their talents,” she said. “We host a ‘Full Steam Ahead’ STEM camp for middle school students so it gives them an opportunity to find more avenues for creativity.”

Miller was asked about why it was important for more events to feature Black artists. “Black perspectives are the Black experiences behind it,” she said. “It’s as the old African proverb goes, ‘Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero.”

“Silence will speak if no one does,” she said. “We need to have more events other than in February. Black history is everyone’s history.”

She also had a message for those who speak on social media about the lack of opportunities. “Stop hash tagging and go to work!”

Williams was asked how can more allies help Black creatives within the county. “Talk with us, and get our input,” he said. “If we want to see more growth happen, we have to be included so the next generation is ready to step in.”

After the panel concluded, Miller delivered a poem on the importance of Black history with a clarion call for more creatives to share their voices.

Later this month, CAPAC will host auditions for the gospel musical Crowns. It is the story of a Chicago teenager who, sent to live with her grandmother in South Carolina, finds connection among a community of resilient African American women in their church hats. Please visit their website for more details.