National Geographic Live, National Geographic’s touring speaker series that brings to life the awe-inspiring and remarkable stories of National Geographic Explorers, and the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center in Benton Harbor present “Greenwood: A Century of Resilience” with archaeologist Dr. Alicia Odewale. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.
A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, archaeologist Odewale is uncovering stories of resilience in the one hundred years since the attack on Black Wall Street in the city’s historic Greenwood district. Considered one of the worst episodes of racial violence committed against Black people in American history, the Tulsa Race Massacre left a devastating toll on generations of survivors and their descendants and impacted the very footprint of the district itself.
In support of her new research project, “Mapping Historical Trauma in Tulsa from 1921-2021,” Odewale has been re-examining historical and archaeological evidence of the period – focusing not on the attack itself, but instead on the community’s trauma and triumph in its aftermath.
From documenting the personal stories of Greenwood’s residents to mapping the evidence of their resilience, Odewale’s work illuminates a new perspective on the impact of racism and racial violence in America, through the lens of a community that continues to survive against all odds. Join her to discover how archaeology can be used as a tool for recovering lost stories, reclaiming a narrative, and pursuing restorative justice.
Odewale’s engaging, one-of-a-kind presentation is part of National Geographic Live’s amazing collection of events happening throughout the United States and abroad. National Geographic’s broad roster of talent, including renowned photographers, scientists, authors, filmmakers, and adventurers, share their behind-the-scenes stories from the front lines of exploration alongside stunning imagery and gripping footage.
Reserved seating tickets starting at $30 for National Geographic Live: Alicia Odewale “Greenwood: A Century of Resilience” are on sale now at www.TheMendelCenter.com, by calling 269-927-8700, option 1, or by visiting The Mendel Center Box Office in person. The box office, located in the Grand Upton Hall Lobby, is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and one hour before events. The box office is accessible via parking lot 3 off Yore Ave.
For more information on National Geographic Live and other National Geographic events, visit www.natgeolive.com.
This event is part of the Mendel Center’s Discovery Series. It is locally funded in part by the Gast Young People’s Performance Endowment.
This activity is supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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About the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center
The Lake Michigan College Mendel Center raised the curtain on its first Mainstage season performance in the fall of 1992. Since then, it has presented Mainstage season performances to more than half a million patrons in the 1,559-seat Mendel Center Mainstage Theatre. Grand Upton Hall, first opened in 1979 and fully renovated in 2019, is a 13,700-square-foot venue serving the community as the host site for meetings, banquets, trade shows, weddings, and other celebrations. The 229-seat Hanson Theatre, which was renovated in 2020, hosts numerous Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department performances as well as a variety of community events.
The Mendel Center is 30 minutes from Niles and 40 minutes from the Kalamazoo and South Bend areas. It is located on the Lake Michigan College campus at 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan, one mile east of I-94 (Exit 30) and one mile west of the US 31 Bypass (exit 24). Its GPS mapping address is 1100 Yore Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI.
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Mendel Center 2022-2023 Season Sponsors
Stage Side Sponsors: 1st Source Bank, Honor Credit Union, Huntington National Bank, Kruggel Lawton CPAs, Meijer, Silver Beach Pizza, Silver Harbor Brewing Company, Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council, Sturgis Bank, TPC Technologies, Wales Wealth Management Group, Whirlpool Corporation.
Platinum Sponsor: Brookview Montessori School, CK Catering, Hungerford Nichols CPA + Advisors, Imperial Furniture, Insurance Management Services, JVIS USA, Pier 33, Siena Heights University, United Federal Credit Union, Wolf Financial Advisory.
Media Partners: 97.5 Y Country, 98.3 The Coast, The Herald Palladium, The Lake 95.7 MailMax, News/Talk 94.9 WSJM, Rock 107 WIRX, Sunny 101.5, SuperHits 103.7
Preferred Partner Hotels: The Inn at Harbor Shores and The Boulevard Inn & Bistro
Posted December 09, 2022