Reviving the Bethel Literary and Historical Association in the 21st Century

FAIN: AB-264285-19

Howard University (Washington, DC 20059-0001)
Dana A. Williams (Project Director: July 2018 to July 2023)
Elsie Scott (Co Project Director: January 2019 to July 2023)

A project to digitize the archives of an important early African American literary and cultural society and to carry forward its legacy through interdisciplinary public lectures and forums.

Collaborating with the Howard University Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (MSRC) and Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church (MAME), the Department of English at Howard University requests funds to support “Bethel 21,” a project that revives and reimagines the Bethel Literary and Historical Association in the 21st century. Like the original society, this project will consist of lectures from scholars and public figures and literary and cultural arts presentations from authors and performers. This iteration of the Bethel, however, as a collaborative project in the humanities between a historical society and a university, will also include critical engagement with the archives of the Bethel Literary and Historical Association’s collection at MRSC and will organize public forums for the community to promote civil, civic discourse as a life skill.