Saturday, March 9, 2013

Kinsey Collection Creator tells his story

Bernard Kinsey wants to dispel what he calls "the myth of absence."

"The myth of absence is that African Americans are invisibly present," said the creator of the Kinsey Collection, an African American art exhibit currently on display at Epcot at Disney World in Orlando.

Kinsey was speaking to students at the Disney Dreamers Academy sponsored by Steve Harvey and Essence magazine. The four-day program is designed to inspire and motivate youth to follow their dreams.

"Lewis and Clark had a Black man with them,” Kinsey says. “We were there with Lincoln and Grant, but all of this has been left out of the history books or history. We're saying let's look at the narrative a little different."



That different narrative is a collection of 40 pieces of African-American art, artifacts, documents, and sculptures that were collected by Kinsey and his wife Shirley. The pieces have traveled the country including being on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

 The Epcot exhibit was unveiled at the Dreamers Academy on March 9.

"The Kinsey Collection is all about achievement and accomplishment,"Kinsey says. "We want to talk about the people who made a difference in building this country."


Bernard Kinsey talks about the Kinsey Collection.

A book is available about the history
  of the collection
This Bill of Sale is one of 40 pieces in the collection.


The pieces tell a story that Kinsey says is 'absent.'

Kinsey and his wife, Shirley have collected the pieces during their travel to 90 countries.

The exhibit features information about Blacks in all walks of life.


Celebrities share their stories at Disney Dreamers

Steve Harvey, Michelle Eubanks, president of Essence Communications, Grey's Anatomy's Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, Chef Jeff, and Motivational Speaker Jonathon Sprinkles are just a few of the celebrities participating in Disney Dreamers Academy in Orlando.

Steve Harvey is the host of the Disney Dreamers which is in its sixth year.


Grey's Anatomy's Chandra Wilson and James Pickens narrate the interactive portion of the Kinsey Collection exhibit at Epcot.

Michelle Eubanks is the president of Essence Communications.


Jonathon Sprinkles is a motivational speaker in Houston.

Chef Jeff hosted the Culinary workshops at the Dreamers Academy.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Kinsey Collection debuts at Disney Dreamers

The grand opening of the Kinsey Collection, an African American art exhibit featuring 40 pieces, was held at Epcot. It was part of the Disney Dreamers Academy that is underway. You have to check it out. Click here to learn more!


Sunday, February 24, 2013

I'm back!

I'm revamping my blog, Front Row. I started the blog when I was in Beaumont, Texas working as a communications consultant in 2009. The blog has been inactive since 2010 because I've changed jobs and relocated to my hometown of Baton Rouge, La. Now that I've made the transition, I'm ready to go again. The blog will cover news and events locally as well as across the nation. Stay tuned for more!

Monday, November 8, 2010

"Colored Girls" Draws Big Crowd






Genesis Beauty Salon sponsored a premier of Tyler Perry's "Colored Girls" Sunday afternoon at Hollywood Theaters and there was not an empty seat in sight. It was full of beautiful African American women from all age groups including myself. It was a beautiful sight to see. I really enjoyed the movie and I really enjoyed seeing it with the ladies! Thanks Alesha Wells for hosting us!

Christ's Debutantes Shine!






Twenty beautiful young ladies were presented Saturday night at the Class of 2010 Christ Debutantes Commencement Ball at the MCM Elegante Hotel. I was honored to serve as Mistress of Ceremony. The ladies completed a nine-month program in which they met weekly to learn how to be strong christian women as well as practical lessons on etiquette, career planning, and writing a business plan. The program is sponsored by Antioch Baptist Church. It is open to young ladies 14 to 17 years old. The debs were escorted by their fathers, stepfathers, godfathers, brothers, and uncle. They were crowned by their mothers and grandmothers. It was a beautiful ceremony. Congrats to the Debs, Lady Dorrie Adolph, and Minister Arlicia Albert. For more information on the program, contact the church.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Morehouse College Glee Club performing in Beaumont Thursday, Nov. 4


Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Dr. John R. Adolph Proudly Presents the internationally-acclaimed Glee Club of Morehouse College in concert at the church on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. The event is free.

Election Night 2010






The Republicans swept the three Jefferson County-wide positions (JP, County Assessor, and Country Treasurer) which mirrored what happened across the country during Tuesday night's election. I was with the Democratic Party at the Ticket watching election returns and it became clear early on that it wasn't going to be their night. Oh well. There's always next time. Kudos to all candidates who ran good hard campaigns. You should all be proud!

More Election Night 2010




Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Annual Beaumont Chamber Meeting






Hundreds attended the annual Beaumont Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday which was held at the Julie Rogers Theater. Singer Christopher Cross (Remember the song "Sailing take me away") whose debut album earned him five Grammy awards performed and Mason Construction was honored for its contributions to the community. Congratulations to Chuck and Becky Mason!

Monday, November 1, 2010

HBCU Alumni Mixer, Friday, Nov. 5


Calling all Black College Graduates. If you attended Southern University, Grambling State University, Prairie View, Texas Southern University, Howard University, Huston Tillotson, Jarvis Christian, and any other Black college, you don’t want to miss the HBCU Alumni mixer. The HBCU mixer will be held at the MCM Elegante’s Tradewinds Tavern from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5th. Donation $5. Appetizers will be served.
The HBCU Mixer is a chance for graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and those who support HBCU’s to get together and network with each other. Wear your school colors!

For more information, please contact Michelle McCalope, president of the Golden Triangle Southern University Alumni chapter at (832) 428-3461 or Kristyn Hunt, Membership chair of the Golden Triangle Southern University Alumni, at (409) 989-6160.

What: HBCU Alumni Mixer
When: Friday, Nov. 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: MCM Elegante Tradewinds Tavern
Who: Sponsored by the HBCU Alumni Association
Why: It’s open to everyone, especially HBCU graduates and those who support Black Colleges. The purpose is to network and to help recruit alumni and students.
Cost: $5 donation, appetizers will be served

"Colored Girls' Movie Premier in Beaumont


Watch Tyler Perry's Highly Anticipated movie "Colored Girls" on Friday Nov. 5 and support a good cause. Cush Magazine is sponsoring the movie premier to support the Cush Foundation. They're asking for a donation in lieu of admission. For information, call (409) 212-1111.

Debutantes for Christ, Saturday, Nov. 6


Join First Lady Dorrie Adolph of Antioch Baptist Church at the Second Annual Christ's Debutantes Commencement Ball on Saturday, Nov. 6 at the MCM Elegante Ballroom at 6 p.m. For more information, call (409) 842-3146 ext. 109.