Educators in Wilmington during the 20th century. Images are from issues of the Willistonian, the yearbook for Williston Senior High School. Courtesy of the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science.

The performance Lost in Transition is a prelude to an exhibition of portraits of educators from Wilmington, N.C. who instructed generations of Black learners in the 20th century. Consultant and founder of Black On Black Project  Michael S. Williams presents this performance and conversation to highlight how Black educators cared for and taught their students. Theatre students from the University of North Carolina Wilmington will perform excerpts of oral histories that share the impact and experiences of Black educators. The event takes place Saturday, May 7, at 3 p.m. at The Garage at 901 Fanning Street (next to DREAMS Center for Arts Education).

Addison Hamlet, Malik Fowler and Khori Talley perform the words of longtime Wilmington educators, diving into their experiences to pull forward strands that are relevant today. Following the performance, there will be a discussion with Wilmington native Cynthia J. Brown, who was educated in segregated and desegregated schools, about her experience and the principles that have carried her throughout life. Mrs. Brown has deep roots in Wilmington which trace back to Alfred Augustus Howe, a local builder in the 19th century and a member of the Wilmington Board of Aldermen in 1869. He was the father of educator Mary Washington Howe, who was principal of Williston Grammar School for more than 20 years in the late 1800s.

Oral history excerpts were sourced from the Randall Library Oral History Collection at UNCW and the Behind the Veil series from the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

This project is funded by the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust.