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Black Governors Ball Saturday

April 25- May 2, 2007
By The Hartford News

The John E. Rogers African American Cultural Center and the Black Governors’ Committee will hold its 2007 Black Governors’ Ball this Saturday, April 28, at the Artists Collective, 1200 Albany Avenue (corner of Woodland Street, from 7 pm - 12 midnight. A procession of 15 outstanding community leaders depicting the historical Black Governors elected in Connecticut from 1749-1856 will be led by the 2005 Black Governor, Eric Crawford of Hartford.

Consistent with the tradition established in the 2004 and 2005 Black Governors’ Balls, gala attendees will don period dress and contemporary formal attire.

This year's ball begins with a reception with music by Artists Collective student and pianist, Damian Curtis. There will be a slide show presentation of the John E. Rogers Center ’s work and Black Governors’ activities while Wild Bill Taylor provides his artistry with caricature drawings.

The program will open with the Artists Collective African Connection followed by the Governor's Foot Guard presentation of the colors. There will be period music for the Black Governors’ first dance provided by harpsichordist, Elizabeth Martin, accompanied by Katwren Anderson on violin. Representative Kenneth Green will serve as Master of Ceremonies. State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier and Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez will deliver welcoming remarks. The band Tony Harrington & Touch will provide the music throughout the evening.

This year’s change of venue to the Artists Collective reflects the Center’s and Black Governors’ desire to bring attention to and celebrate Hartford's emerging nexus of Black culture, education and commerce in the Woodland Street, Blue Hills and Albany Avenue area. The John E. Rogers Center is attempting to be a part of the North Hartford renaissance by working to restore the Old Northwest School Building, next to the Artists Collective. The John E. Rogers Center , researchers and volunteers have been working to recover and restore the legacy of the Black Governors as part of Connecticut's storied history past.