Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during the "Eyes of the Storm" interview with artist Claude R. Fiddler. The footage shows Fiddler speaking on the role of his lived experience and the city of Los Angles in his work on display in the James E. Kemp Gallery for the summer of 1997. Fiddler places his work in the greater context of society and minority cultures.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during the 1997 summer youth arts institute production "It Takes a Village". The performance was held on June 14th, 1997. The footage shows a room with a low stage and the audience seated in folding chairs. The children perform as a group in white shirts with blue logos by dancing and singing. At the conclusion of the performance, adults thank volunteers and hand out certificates.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during the 20th anniversary season event entitled "Black Preaching in the Literary Tradition" held on March 1st, 1997. The footage shows the first three hours of the event including the opening remarks, brief musical performances, statements of intent, and various pastor speakers. The event covers the influence of the Bible and its literary style on the spirituality of the black community.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during the reception of "Nommo" held on September 20th, 1997. The footage features the live performances of drummers, DJs, other musicians, and poets all dressed in traditional African clothing.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during actor Akin Babatundes "Louis Armstrong: Before the Second Set" performance on November 14th and 15th 1997 at the Clarence Muse Café Theatre. The footage shows Babatunde portraying Louis Armstrong in a one man show. The play is set in an old jazz club in Newark New Jersey.

Video recording from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during their Symphony with the Divas: African-American Women in Congress Tribute event in 1997. This video shows a clip of celebrating African-American women in Congress, including Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, as a start to the Symphony with the Divas gala in Washington, D.C.

Recording of Symphony with the Divas, performed at the Black Academy of Arts and Letters.

Video footage provided by The Black Academy of Arts and Letters shown at a Symphony with the Divas concert in honor of Black women who have served as part of the United States Congress. The footage serves as a tribute video and names important women and the states they have served along with their terms.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded the Seraphim Dance Theatre company's performance of "River Niger" held on February 8th, 1997. The footage shows a dance studio set up with folding chairs around a central area where dancers perform various contemporary dance sets to music.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during a writers showcase performance entitled "Word Warriors" featuring poetry, music, and dance in celebration of the spoken word of African American writers. The footage shows featured Dallas poet Peggy Jones, The Zawadi Writers, and the music group Faithfulness.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during the 20th anniversary season event entitled "Black Preaching in the Literary Tradition" held on March 1st, 1997. The footage shows the last 50 minutes of the event which includes the closing session and summary. The event covers the influence of the Bible and its literary style on the spirituality of the black community.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during the 1997 James E. Kemp summer exhibition featuring artist Claude R. Fiddler entitled "Eye of the Storm". The footage shows the gallery space along with shots of the individual paintings. The video is narrated by the artist as he places his work in the greater context of society, black culture, and his lived experience. Fiddler explains the role of the strength of black women to his work as well as a contrasting male voice of rejection and anger.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during the 20th anniversary season event entitled "Black Preaching in the Literary Tradition" held on March 1st, 1997. The footage shows the second half of the event including various pastor speakers on the poetical and metaphoric language in the Bible and sermons. The video begins with pastor Wright Lassiter of Saint John Missionary Baptist Church. The event covers the influence of the Bible and its literary style on the spirituality of the black community.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during the 20th anniversary season of a writers showcase lecture held on February 8th, 1997. The footage shows the featured speaker A. Peter Bailey. Bailey speaks about his personal experience with Malcolm X and as an activist writer.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters of an animated slideshow video showing work shown in "Nommo". The footage shows still shots of paintings and drawings transitioned with a page-turn animation.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during the showing of Shelly Garretts' play "What Kind of Love is This?". The footage shows a stage with 8 actors acting out a story about the trials and tribulations of romantic and familial relationships.

Video recording from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during behind the scenes of the 1997 production of Symphony with the Divas. The footage shows performers such as Esther Rolle speaking into the camera for multiple takes. The footage includes informal interviews held in the Naomi Bruton Theatre.

Video recording from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during behind the scenes of the 1997 production of Symphony with the Divas. The footage shows performers such as Esther Rolle speaking into the camera for multiple takes. The tape also includes informal interviews held in the Naomi Bruton Theatre.

Video footage provided by The Black Academy of Arts and Letters featuring a clip produced by the Screen Actors Guild for African-American actor Banks B. Banks. The footage shows clips from Discovery Channels "Escape from Death Row", a play, and a modeling banquet. All clips feature Banks.

Video footage from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded in Umunze Africa of the Igbodiegwu Cultural and Acrobatic Dance Troupe of Nigeria, in October of 1997. The footage shows acrobatic dancers performing in an outdoor plaza surrounded by a wall. The dancers wear traditionally clothing and perform dances, tricks, and musical instruments in various groups.

Video recording from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during their rehearsal for a concert event with Curtis King directing in 1997. The Betacam footage shows a large choir, gospel singers, and orchestra participating into a combined rehearsal on stage.

Video recording from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during their Symphony with the Divas event in 1997. This video features a press conference prior to the gala event that shows Curtis King speaking to an audience about Symphony with the Divas in Washington, D.C.

Video recording from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during their Symphony with the Divas event in 1997. This video features the rehearsal for a gala event with musical performances to celebrate black women in Congress live on stage at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. This video is the rehearsal tape of the event.

Video recording from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during their Symphony with the Divas event in 1997. This video features a gala event with musical performances to celebrate black women in Congress live on stage at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. This video is Tape 1 of the event.