WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, PhD

The lyrics of Deniece Williams rang out across the auditorium of the High Point Museum on Saturday, Feb. 22, when the Just Dance Studio crew gracefully performed a ballet presentation to the song “Black Butterfly.” Their style and craft were unified as they moved together across the floor. 

“Black Butterfly, sail across the waters / Tell your sons and daughters what the struggle / brings.  Black Butterfly, set the skies on fire / Rise up even higher / So the ageless wings of time can catch your wings / oooh  ooooh ….” 

The members of the Just Dance Studio, under the tutelage of Sandy Alston, Sarah Wiseman, and Mama Donna, were pleased to highlight and recognize the journey and transformation of some of the Triad’s Black Butterflies.  The dancers were Olivia Richardson, 13; Kylie Dickens, 12; Triniti Stevenson, 11; and Ryann Robinson, 11. Alston wanted the dancers to participate in the exhibit. 

“It was important for them to be a part of this exhibit because they are Black ballet dancers. It is very appropriate that they have chosen the responsibility to dance in recognition of local contributors. They have come together to work together,” said Alston. 

Wiseman, 23, had never heard the song “Black Butterfly” before. 

“Even though I heard the song for the first time only a few months ago, I think it is a great song. The dance came easily with flow and style. The song is very empowering,” Wiseman said. “It is like rising up, like a butterfly; they come out of the cocoon. They are grand and beautiful.” 

In honor of these proud and beautiful contributors of African American history and culture, Effley Howell, the founder of the Thankful Heritage Museum, took the time to weave a rich tapestry of homage and dignity to recognize such kings and queens as Harriet Tubman, Maya Angelou, Frederick Douglass, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Simon Green Atkins, Henry Frye, Shirle Frye, Sarah Lou Harris, George Black, Chris Paul, and Fantasia. 

The Aggie Sisters group was here today to volunteer to assist with tours and such. Akila Freeman came forward to recognize the names of the inspiring women who have been included in the Barbie Doll collection of African Americans. They include Ella Fitzgerald, Maya Angelou, Katherine Johnson, Bessie Coleman, Ida B. Wells, Tina Turner, and Rosa Parks. 

“My staff has worked diligently to get everybody through the tours. I want to thank all of you who have come out to support our efforts,” said Howell. “I have been the president and CEO of the Thankful Heritage traveling museum for 31 years. We are not trying to find a permanent home for the museum,” Howell said. “Our motto is that Thankful Heritage is a wonderful opportunity for children to see the history that their parents talk about, and a fine way for seniors to take a stroll down memory lane. Last year, we did an exhibit of Jet and Ebony magazines, but this year we have more than 500 dolls to share.” 

“When I was a little boy, three voices dominated the landscape. One voice said, ‘I’m a bad man, and I can beat anybody.’ That was Muhammad Ali. Another voice said, ‘I will declare my rights by any means necessary.’ That was Malcolm X. Another voice spoke on the radio and said, ‘I have a dream that one day my four little children will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.’ That man was The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I learned to value history. My wife Frankie and I have been married 40 years. Our son Effley Jr. and daughter Amber are working with us in this project,” said Howell.  

The 500 dolls in the collection come from a diversity of types.  For example, they date from 1892 to the present. Some of the dolls relate to history and advertisements, cloth dolls, such as Cabbage Patch dolls or Campbell’s Soup dolls, paper and standup dolls, marionettes and puppets, entertainment dolls, such as the MC Hammer doll, the Shindana Dolls which developed after the Watts Riot and were made as realistic figures from 1968 – 1983, sports figures, military dolls, Disney dolls, and The World of Black Barbies. 

Howell mentioned an upcoming program for June 11 when a new stamp will be rolled out from the U.S. Postal Service. It will consist of the faces of Charlotte Hawkins Brown and Simon Green Atkins. 

“One day youth who are not yet born will need to know about those who had to sit at the back of the bus. Their freedom did not come without someone suffering and sacrificing,” said Howell.  “They stand on proud shoulders. We give God the credit and the praise for allowing us to pursue our own building after these 31 years.” 

The admission to the exhibit is free, and it will close on March 1. For questions, call 336-995-5146, or for more information, visit thankfulheritagemuseum.org.