American contralto, Marian Anderson, 1897-1993, was one of the most globally celebrated singers of the 20th century and yet the panel on What’s My Line in 1957 felt ashamed when they couldn’t guess who she was… Ms. Anderson sang at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday in 1939 after she was refused a performance at… Continue reading Marian Anderson on “What’s My Line” 1957
Author: Anita Gail Jones
Ten Years Without a Comb
For a host of reasons, the river called Hair runs deep. And wide. After a decade of wearing my hair “locked”—only one of many versions of its natural state—I continue to bear witness to the triumphs and mysteries of the choice. And also the outright weirdness that happens largely because non-black people are curious, having… Continue reading Ten Years Without a Comb
It’s Peach Season!
Georgia, The Peach State, is 2,000 miles from California, The Golden State, but this time of the year, my birth home and current home have a lot in common ~ glorious, juicy ripe peaches.
Headlands Open House Gallery
Still riding high after my first Open House at Headlands Center for the Arts on Sunday, July 29th. Thanks to my husband, daughter and ten friends (three not down here) for gracing me with their presence, making for wonderful day. Keep going to see the gallery of photos from my studio installation based on themes… Continue reading Headlands Open House Gallery
Writing in The Headlands
Been a while since I posted. Glad to see you’re still out there! Busy, exciting time. Much to be grateful for: As of July 1, 2018, after years of applying, I finally landed in an enchanted place — The Headlands Center for the Arts in the hills above the Golden Gate Bridge. This Affiliate Artistship… Continue reading Writing in The Headlands
Juanita Harris Gardner—They called her “The Governor”
“During the Albany Civil Rights Movement, our house was a freedom house; the white SNCC students slept on the floor, they ate here…” AGJ: Today is September 20, 2017 and I’ve just finished a delicious soul food lunch with Mrs. Juanita Harris Gardner, a retired elementary school teacher and civil rights activist. We are sitting… Continue reading Juanita Harris Gardner—They called her “The Governor”
Empowering Night for Camron
SAN RAFAEL, CA: On Wednesday evening, February 28, 2018 as a much needed rain fell beyond the window panes framing Rebound Bookstore, poetry paid Camron McDonald back in a big way. Joining authors Margaret Stawowy and Doreen Stock, Camron, who is only 13, read four poems from his debut chapbook: Hero: and other new poems… Continue reading Empowering Night for Camron
Welcome Wakanda!
‘Bout time! As Whoopi Goldberg said on The View, I have been waiting 25 years for this movie. And then along comes Black Panther, satisfying yearnings I didn’t know I had until seeing them realized in 3-D splendor. If you skip the trailer, there are no spoilers in my homage to director Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale… Continue reading Welcome Wakanda!
POTUS & FLOTUS Official Portraits Unveiled
History was made today at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery with the unveiling of the official portraits for POTUS Barack and FLOTUS Michelle. As the first black artists to paint the first black US President and First Lady, artists Amy Sherald and Kehinde [ke-HEN-day] Wiley—like their subjects —are the epitome of power, grace and cool.… Continue reading POTUS & FLOTUS Official Portraits Unveiled
Camron ~ Invest in a Young Poet
It’s my pleasure to introduce you to fledgling poet, Camron McDonald: the 13-year old son of my former Little Sister, Alette. (When she was ten years old, she and I were matched for eight years through Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Marin and we’ve stayed in touch.) Now I’m thrilled to work with Camron. Once a… Continue reading Camron ~ Invest in a Young Poet