Cable Address:
CORACIWA, NEW YORK

The American Society of
African Culture

FIFTEEN EAST FORTIETH STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10016 / OREGON 9-9255

Officers:

John A. Davis
President

Calvin H. Raullerson
Executive Director

Executive Council:

Horace Mann Bond
William B. Branch
St. Clair Drake
William T. Fontaine
Zelma George
Adelaide Cromwell Hill
Frederick O'Neal
Saunders Redding
Charles H. Wesley

Staff:

James K. Baker
Director of
African Programs,
Lagos, Nigeria

Joseph C. Kennedy
Research Director

Yvonne O. Walker
Managing Director

Brooke Aronson
Publications Director

October 12, 1965

Dear Members and Friends:

The New York Regional Committee of AMSAC extends to you and your friends a cordial invitation to attend the premiere performance of a very exciting musical/dramatic program, *Echoes from Africa* - starring Vinie Burrows, actress, and Elma Adams, concert pianist. This program will be presented in the auditorium of the Brotherhood in Action Building at 40th Street and Seventh Avenue on Monday, November 8th from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Miss Adams and Miss Burrows have combined their superb talents to prepare a unique program which coordinates the music of famous Negro composers with a dramatization of the literary works of famous African writers. Their program is not only highly entertaining but educationally significant. For this reason, we are preparing a special souvenir program which will include biographical information on the African writers and American Negro composers whose works are being presented. In addition to distributing this souvenir program to our audience on November 8th, copies of this program will be sent to interested groups throughout the U.S.A. as a means of stimulating interest in AMSAC's cultural exchange services.

Since this is the initial activity of our committee this season, we are using this occasion to welcome and honor the African diplomats to the United Nations who have just recently come or returned to New York City. In addition, we are using this occasion to raise funds needed to give financial assistance to African student organizations in their presentation of programs designed to promote a better understanding and appreciation of Africa by the New York City community. We, therefore, will greatly appreciate your helping us at this time by doing one of the following:

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th>Minimum<br>Contribution</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1.</td><td>Reserving a seat for this performance.</td><td>$2.50</td></tr><tr><td>2.</td><td>Reserving a seat for this performance in the diplomatic section.</td><td>$5.00</td></tr><tr><td>3.</td><td>Serving as a sponsor for this program. (This entitles you to sit in the diplomatic section and be acknowledged as a contributor in our souvenir program.)</td><td>$10.00</td></tr></tbody></table>

SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL ON RACE AND CASTE IN WORLD AFFAIRS

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AFRICAN CULTURE

takes pleasure in inviting you to a

RECEPTION

in honor of the members of

LES BALLET AFRICAINS DE KÉITA FODÉBA

immediately following the Broadway opening
at the Martin Beck Theatre

MONDAY FEBRUARY 16TH

11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.

HOTEL ASTOR
CORAL ROOM

45th Street, Grand Ballroom Entrance

RSVP

On enclosed card

IS DEDICATED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CHAN-
NELS OF COMMUNICATION FOR THE RECOGNITION
AND DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN CULTURE. IT IS
BELIEVED THAT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT AFRICA AND
THE DISTINCTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICANS
AND THEIR DESCENDANTS IN LITERATURE, ART AND
THE SCIENCES WILL PROVIDE THE FOUNDATION
FOR WORLD-WIDE UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT
FOR ALL AFRICANS AND PERSONS OF AFRICAN
DESCENT. IN THIS MANNER, WE HOPE TO ACCEL-
ERATE THE UNIVERSAL MOVEMENT TOWARD IN-
DEPENDENCE AND EQUALITY FOR ALL MANKIND.

## Addresses

The Honorable I. Gikonyo Kiano

MEMBER, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, KENYA, EAST AFRICA

The Honorable John F. Kennedy

SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS

The Honorable Charles C. Diggs, Jr.

REPRESENTATIVE FROM MICHIGAN

## Entertainment

Camilla Williams and Todd Duncan

SOPRANO AND BARITONE

Harold Scott and
the A Cappella Choir

DRAMATIC READINGS WITH CHORAL BACKGROUND

Babatunde Olatunji and Group

AFRICAN DRUMMING AND DANCING

NEWS
AMS
AC

Press Release of

the American Society of African Culture
15 East 40th Street
New York 16, New York

For Release Friday, February 27, 1959

For further information call:
Miss Courtney - OR 9 9255

Lorraine Hansberry, author of the play, *Raisen in the Sun*, currently in its pre-Broadway run in Chicago, will give the closing address at the AMSAC Conference of Negro Writers at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 1st, at the Henry Hudson Hotel, New York City. Mr. Langston Hughes, who had originally been scheduled to give this address, will deliver a paper during the panel sessions on the first day of the Conference, February 28th.

The theme of the Conference is "The Negro Writer and His Relationship to His Roots" and will be under the chairmanship of the noted novelist and movie scenarist, John O. Killens.

The first day of the Conference will be highlighted by the keynote address delivered by Mr. Saunders Redding on the theme. Mr. Samuel Allen will also address the Conference at this time on the subject, "negritude". Four panel discussions will follow the opening speeches on the topics: "Materials Used by Negro Writers", "The Problem of Social Responsibility and the Role of Protest in Writings of Negro Authors", "Marketing the Products of Negro Authorship", and "Opportunities for Development of Negro Talent". All the proceedings of the first day will be limited to invited participants who are presently engaged in the writing field. The second day will be open to specially invited observers and the press.

The background and significance of the calling of this Conference was described by Dr. John A. Davis, Executive Director of the American Society of African Culture:

"Negro nations, new and old, and those still to emerge have produced an important group of Negro poets, novelists and playwrights who have written in the French and

MORE

- 2 -

English languages. Those who are interested may glimpse some of the significance of these writers of other lands by reading Leopold Sedar-Senghor's anthology of Negro and Malagasy poetry. A new world of kindred artists is now opened to the American Negro writer.

"The American Society of African Culture is sponsoring the Conference of American Negro writers in order to provide an opportunity for them to analyze and determine their role as Negro writers in America, and to assess their relation, if any, to writers of African descent elsewhere in the world."

The American Society of African Culture (AMSAC) is an organization of American scholars, artists and writers who are interested in cultural aspects of emergent Africa.

- 30 -

NEWSAC
AM

Press Release of

For Release Wednesday, February 18, 1959

"The Negro Writer and His Relationship to His Roots" will be the theme of AMSAC Conference of Negro Writers, the first conference of its scope to be held in this country. The Conference is scheduled for February 28 and March 1 at the Henry Hudson Hotel, New York City. Sponsored by the American Society of African Culture, an organization of American scholars, artists and writers who are interested in cultural aspects of emergent Africa, the conference will be held under the leadership of the noted novelist and movie scenarist, John O. Killens.

The first day of the conference will be highlighted by the keynote address delivered by Mr. Saunders Redding on the theme. Four panel discussions will follow the keynote on the topics: "Materials Used by Negro Writers," "The Problem of Social Responsibility and the Role of Protest in Writings of Negro Authors," "Marketing the Products of Negro Authorship," and "Opportunities for Development of Negro Talent".

All the proceedings of the first day will be limited to invited participants who are presently engaged in the writing field. The second day will be open to specially invited observers and the press and will feature the closing speech by Langston Hughes and reports for the four panels.

The background and significance of the calling of this conference was described by Dr. John A. Davis, Executive Director of the American Society of African Culture:

"Negro nations, new and old, and those still to emerge have produced an important group of Negro poets, novelists and playwrights who have written in the French and English languages. Those who are interested may glimpse some

(More)

- 2 -

of the significance of these writers of other lands by reading Leopold Sedar-Senghor's
anthology of Negro and Malagasy poetry. A New world of kindred artists is now opened
to the American Negro writer.

"The American Society of African Culture is sponsoring the Conference of American Negro Writers in order to provide an opportunity for them to analyze and determine their role as Negro writers in America, and to assess their relation, if any, to writers of African descent elsewhere in the world."

-30-

## Notes on the Panels and Conference Personnel

**Keynote Speaker:** Saunders Redding, author of *The Lonesome Road*, *An American in India*, *On Being Negro in America*, *Stranger and Alone*, *They Came in Chain*, *No Day of Triumph*, and *To Make a Poet Black*.

**Closing Speaker:** Langston Hughes, author of *Tambourines to Glory*, *Simply Heavenly*, *Street Scene*, *Not Without Laughter*, and numerous other works.

**MATERIALS USED BY NEGRO WRITERS.** The panel will consider subjects dealing with Negroes that have been used, abused, misused and not used.

**Chairman:** Loften Mitchell, author of *A Land Beyond the River*, *Young Man of Williamsburg*, and *The Cellar*. Guggenheim Award Winner, 1958-59.

**Panelists:** John Henrik Clarke, author of *The Lives of Great African Chiefs*, *Rebellion in Rhyme*, and *The Black Christ and Other Stories*.

*Alice Childress, author of *Just A Little Simple, Gold Through the Trees*, *Like One of the Family*, and *Trouble in Mind*.*

## THE PROBLEM OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE ROLE OF PROTEST IN WRITINGS OF NEGRO AUTHORS.
The panel will consider many questions of social responsibility and the relationship of this role to the development of the writer as an artist.

**Chairman:** Julian Mayfield, author of *The Hit* and *The Long Night*.

**Panelists:** James Baldwin, author of *Go Tell It on the Mountain*, *Notes of a Native Son*, and *Giovanni's Room*. Recipient of Ford Foundation Grant, 1959.

*Arthur P. Davis, author of *Isaac Watts: His Life and Works*, and, with Sterling Brown and Ulysses Lee, *The Negro Caravan*.*

## MARKETING THE PRODUCTS OF NEGRO AUTHORSHIP.
The panel will consider various aspects of the marketing of works by Negro authors in the fiction, non-fiction, dramatic and other writing fields in order to analyze and clarify the existing marketing picture and to formulate recommendations for effecting improvement.

**Chairman:** William Branch, author of *A Medal for Willie*, *In Splendid Error*, *A Wreath for Udomo*, and *Knight in the Southern Sky*.

- 2 -

Panelists: Robert Lucas, Radio and TV writer and editor.

Frank London Brown, Associate Editor, *Ebony Magazine*.

**OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NEGRO TALENT.** The panel will consider the obstacles faced by Negro writers in attaining artistic maturity and professional achievement in order to ascertain the specific role of Negro writers in eliminating these obstacles.

Chairman: Sarah E. Wright, author of *Give Me a Child*.

Panelists: John O. Killens, author of *Youngblood* and *Odds Against Tomorrow*.

Arna Bontemps, author of *God Sends Sunday, Black Thunder, Story of the Negro, and We Have Tomorrow*.

George Norford, Associate Producer, National Broadcasting Company.

15 EAST 40TH STREET, NEW YORK 16, N.Y. • OREGON 9-9255

HORACE MANN BOND
President

MERCER COOK
Chairman of Executive Council

JOHN A. DAVIS
Executive Director

WILLIAM T. FONTAINE
Secretary

JAMES W. IVY
Treasurer

JAMES T. HARRIS, JR.
Assistant Executive Director

October 30, 1961

Dear Mr. Hughes:

Ezekiel Mphalele, the South African author, critic, teacher, and presently Director of the Congress of Cultural Freedom in Paris, will be in New York for a few days. His sole concern is that he shall have the opportunity to meet or renew acquaintance with the Negro writers of the city and others who have interested themselves in Negro literature.

Our AMSAC Writers' Committee then is holding a Reception and Buffet Dinner on Friday evening, November 10, 6-8 p.m. at our headquarters, 15 East 40th Street, to which you are cordially invited and urged to attend. The Committee has purposefully arranged this affair in an informal manner so that you, your colleagues, and Mr. Mphalele, our honoree, may freely exchange comments, questions, criticisms.

With kindest personal regards and anticipating your joining
with us on November 10, I am,

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York, New York

JOK/cs

R. S. V. P. OREGON 9-9255

THE HOSPITALITY-SERVICE COMMITTEE

of

presents

ELTON C. FAX

Noted Artist, Teacher and Illustrator

in a

CHALK TALK

Saturday, March 2, 1963

at 3:00 p.m.

425 West 123rd Street
(Public School 125, between Morningside and Amsterdam Avenues)

This is the third in a series of events sponsored by the Hospitality-Service Committee of AMSAC to bring together African and American Negro families through social and cultural programs. This program will be of interest to children as well as adults.

Mr. Fax is noted for his chalk-talks during which he interprets his experiences, people he has seen and known, places he has visited, through an artistic blending of words with sensitive, skillful sketches. He has taught and lectured for student and professional art groups in South America and the Caribbean and at numerous schools and universities. For seven years he was a chalk-talk artist for THE NEW YORK TIMES children's Book Program.

His trip to West Africa in 1959 resulted in the publication WEST AFRICA: VIGNETTES, a second enlarged edition of which will be released just prior to and will be available at this CHALK TALK.

FIFTEEN EAST FORTIETH STREET, NEW YORK 16, N.Y. / OREGON 9-9255

Officers:

John A. Davis
President

James K. Baker
Executive Director

Executive Council:

Horace Mann Bond
St. Clair Drake
William T. Fontaine

Adelaide C. Hill

William B. Jones

Staff:

Calvin H. Raullerson
Associate Executive
Director, Lagos, Nigeria

Carmel Simmons
Program Assistant

AMSAC ANNOUNCES

ITS FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

SOUTHERN AFRICA IN TRANSITION

April 11 - 13, 1963*

Timely and pertinent information on the explosive nature of events in Southern Africa is expected to come out of the Fourth International Conference of the American Society of African Culture (AMSAC). This meeting will be held at Howard University April 11 - 13, 1963.

Entitled "Southern Africa in Transition," the Conference will deal with such troubled areas as the Portuguese territories of Mozambique and Angola, the Congo (Leopoldville), South Africa, Southwest Africa, Northern and Southern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, and the High Commission Territories. The Crucial problems faced by Africans in these countries will be examined and analyzed by African leaders and other Conference participants.

In addition to adding to the scholar's knowledge, it is envisioned that this Conference will supply interpretative information to both the policy-maker and the layman who interest themselves in the realities of African problems and the influence the United States can have in their solution.

*You will receive information on Conference Registration shortly.

Officers:

John A. Davis
President

Executive Council:

Staff:

May 31, 1965

Dear Member:

We will hold our Eighth Annual Membership Meeting at Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 24, 25 and 26. As you perhaps know, this will be our first major program in the South; therefore, we hope to make this a significant experience, not only for our membership but also for the Atlanta community. Enclosed is our tentative program and a registration form.

Our conference theme this year is *The Changing Role of the African and the American Negro*. We will be especially concerned with the development of a greater awareness on the part of the community at large of the relationship which exists between the cultural contributions of the black man and his quest for freedom and dignity.

In addition to our own well known educators, writers and musicologist, we expect to have as guest panelists from Africa the Ambassador to the United States from Uganda, His Excellency Dr. Solomon Asea; the outstanding Nigerian playwright, Mr. Wole Soyinka; Mr. Christopher Kolade, Director of Programs for Nigeria Television; Monsieur Charles Delgado, Secretary of Embassy, Economic Affairs, Senegal Mission to the United Nations; Mr. Sam Akpabot, a well known composer and musician from Nigeria; and Mr. Stanlake Samkange, politician, businessman and educator from Rhodesia.

We will have the honor of presenting at our banquet, Sir Wilberforce Nadiope, Vice President of Uganda. Also for the banquet program we have invited Mr. James Farmer, National Director of CORE, to speak and the internationally-renowned American Negro folk singer, Odetta, to be special guest artist.

All to say, our Atlanta conference shows great promise of being very entertaining as well as informative. We do hope you will join us.

Eighth Annual Membership Meeting
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AFRICAN CULTURE

Atlanta, Georgia
June 24 - 26, 1965

Conference Theme: **THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE AFRICAN AND THE AMERICAN NEGRO**

TENTATIVE PROGRAM

Thursday, June 24

<table><tr><td>10:00 a.m. - 4:00</td><td>Executive Council Meeting at Atlanta Americana Motor Lodge, Spring Street at Carnegie Way</td></tr><tr><td>6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.</td><td>Membership Meeting at Atlanta Americana Motor Lodge</td></tr><tr><td>8:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.</td><td>Welcome Party (Hostess: Mrs. Geneva Haugabrooks, 816 Woodmere Drive, N.W.)</td></tr></table>

Friday, June 25

<table><tr><td>9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.</td><td>Registration at Interdenominational Theological Center, 671 Beckwith Street, S.W.</td></tr><tr><td>9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.</td><td>Orientation at ITC</td></tr><tr><td>10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon</td><td>*Panel: <u>Teaching About Africa</u><br/>Mr. Wyatt T. Walker<br/>Mr. Arthur Alberts<br/>Dr. Tommie Lee Samkange<br/>Dr. Virginia Nyabongo<br/>Dr. Horace Mann Bond</td></tr><tr><td>12:00 noon - 1:30 p.m.</td><td>Lunch at ITC</td></tr></table>

* All Panel Discussions will take place at the Interdenominational Theological Center

["Eighth Annual Membership Meeting\nAMERICAN SOCIETY OF AFRICAN CULTURE\nAtlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia", "June 24 - 26, 1965", "REGISTRATION FORM\n***\n返國後六周以内寄回", "NAME: ______________________________________

15 EAST 40TH STREET
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10016

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York 35, N. Y.

**Officers:**

John A. Davis
President

**Executive Council:**

**Staff:**

June 29, 1965

Dear Member:

On July 15 the first issue of AMSAC's new journal, **African Forum: A Quarterly Journal of Contemporary Affairs**, will be off the press. The enclosed brochure will tell you all about the magazine in general and the first issue in particular. As you can see, the distinguished contributors to this first issue will make it an exciting and informative one, and we know that you will want to have a copy as soon as possible.

As we told you in our letter of May 10, paid up members of AMSAC will receive **African Forum** as part of their membership dues, and I am writing this to remind you that if you have not yet paid your dues, you should do so in the next two weeks in order to assure your receiving the journal as soon as it is available.

You may also want to send a gift subscription to your friends, or at least a copy of the first issue, which, because of the important contributors, will undoubtedly be a collector's item. If you do wish to send a subscription to others, just fill out the form on the brochure and return it to us.

**African Forum** is a new and challenging venture for AMSAC, and we hope it will be a successful one. We will be interested to have your comments and suggestions after you see the first issue.

JAD/egb
enclosure

Officers:

John A. Davis
President

Executive Council:

Horace Mann Bond

William B. Branch

St. Clair Drake

William T. Fontaine

Zelma George

Adelaide Cromwell Hill

Frederick O'Neal

Saunders Redding

Charles H. Wesley

Staff:

James K. Baker
Director of

African Programs,

Lagos, Nigeria

July 19, 1965

Dear Sir:

I have taken the liberty because of your interests to send you the enclosed complimentary copy of the first issue of *African Forum: A Quarterly Journal of Contemporary Affairs*, which is published by the American Society of African Culture, an organization founded in 1956 and composed of some 400 American Negro scholars, writers, and practitioners of the performing and visual arts. AMSAC is affiliated with the Société Africaine de Culture, which has headquarters in Paris and branches in Africa and the Americas.

This first issue of the magazine is devoted to "African Unity," and each subsequent issue will be devoted to a specific subject. The next issue will be concerned with the technical and political organizations dealing with various aspects of African unity. During the three subsequent annual quarters, issues will be concerned with African Socialism, South-West Africa, and the impact of Afro-Negro culture upon world culture. The last will be related to the Festival Mondial des Arts Nègres, which will take place in Dakar from April 1 to April 24, 1966.

Basically the magazine is concerned with the development of African nations and to some degree with the development of the American Negro. It will therefore encompass economic, political, social, and cultural aspects of this development. We hope, therefore, that the magazine will be of interest to students of African politics, economic and social development, literature, and the fine arts as well as to those who are concerned with the Negro in the United States.

Although each issue of the magazine will be on a single topic, there will be regular sections which deal with cultural developments in Africa and among American Negroes in the United States. In addition, there will be a

Officers:

John A. Davis
President

Executive Council:

Horace Mann Bond

St. Clair Drake

William T. Fontaine

Adelaide C. Hill

William B. Jones

Frederick O'Neal

Saunders Redding

Staff:

Director, Lagos, Nigeria

November 21, 1962

Dear Friend:

The American Society of African Culture invites you to attend a series of lectures on "The African Literary Scene." The first will be held on November 28 and will feature Saunders Redding, author of *On Being Black in America, To Make a Poet Black*, and others. He is the first appointee to the Johnson Professorship of Literature and Creative Writing at Hampton Institute.

Professor Redding completed last July a six-month lecture tour of African colleges and universities under AMSAC's auspices. As keynote speaker at the Conference of African Writers of English Expression in Kampala, Uganda, last July, he spoke on "The Writer: Communication and Response."

We feel that it is particularly appropriate that Redding give our first lecture on African literature in that he will give us the perspective gained by his participation at the above-named Conference; his interaction with students and faculty while lecturing at various universities and colleges in East and West Africa, and, of course, his extended contact and exchange of ideas with writers.

According to Redding, this is a sort of renaissance period in African literature. He says of the writers, "There is an exciting yeasting going on. They are finding their theme. They are finding their idiom. They are experimenting. And considering that in many cases they are being encouraged, though not directed, by their governments, it would seem to me that the prospects for a great future are very good."

Please see the enclosed brochure for information concerning other lectures in this series. We are sure you will find these lectures informative, interesting, and altogether worthwhile.

CS:rz
Encl.

The African Literary Scene

Wednesday, November 28

Eminent writer, SAUNDERS REDDING, professor at Hampton Institute, speaks on the dynamic changes occurring in contemporary African literature. Under AMSAC auspices Redding completed last July a six-month lecture tour of African colleges and universities and was the keynote speaker at the July Conference of African Writers of English Expression held at Kampala, Uganda. His publications include The Lonesome Road and No Day of Triumph.

Wednesday, December 5

H. BAGHDELLEH, formerly editor of "Mwafrik," speaks on East African literary trends. Baghdelleh is a member of Tanganyika Parliament, Central Legislative Assembly and TANU. He is presently a member of the Tanganyika Mission to the United Nations.

Wednesday, December 12

JOHN PEPPER CLARK, Nigerian writer, playwright, poet, delivers a lecture on the literature of Nigeria. His publications include Poems and Song of a Goat, both published by Mbari. He was formerly Information Officer of the Ministry of Information, Ibadan; feature editor of Daily Express, Lagos.

Wednesday, December 19

SAMUEL K. OPOKU, Senior Lecturer in English at Kwame Nkrumah University, renders a paper on imaginative literature in Ghana—its background, its present, its perspectives. Opoku is presently on leave doing research at Princeton University.

8:00 P.M.

15 East 40th Street, Room 200

New York 16, New York—Tel: ORegon 9-9255

Dates to be Announced:

HIS EXCELLENCY OUSMANE SOCE DIOP, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Senegal to the U.N., speaks on the productive literary milieu of Senegal. Ambassador Diop is a writer-poet of eloquence. His works include: Karim, Les Rythmes du Khalam, Contes et Legendes, D'Afrique Noire.

MARIO CARDOSO, Charge d'Affaires of the Congo-Leopoldville Embassy, speaks on creative literature in the Congo-Leopoldville. Cardoso's essays have appeared in "Revue Nouvelle," "Conscience Afri-caine," and "Het Volk." He was formerly President of the African Studies Circle at Louvain and partici-pated in the Second Congress of Negro Writers in Rome, 1959.

ROBERT RESHA, member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress of South Africa, will speak on South African literature. Resha is editor of the "Congress Bulletin," the official party organ, and Public Relations Officer of the party. He is presently concentrating on political activities. As a journalist, Resha has contributed articles to various South African newspapers, usually under a pseudonym.

Officers:

John A. Davis
President

Executive Council:

Horace Mann Bond

St. Clair Drake

William T. Fontaine

Adelaide C. Hill

William B. Jones

Frederick O'Neal

Saunders Redding

Staff:

Director, Lagos, Nigeria

December 28, 1962

To Members and Friends of AMSAC:

As you know, we have, following upon our last year's Lecture Series on "The American Negro Creative Artist and His Roots," been running a series on African literature, the lecturers of which are, with one exception, African.

These lectures frankly have been badly attended. I need not recite the obvious unfavorable imputations necessarily arising from small attendance. There is, however, another factor which, while not so apparent, is nonetheless extremely important. For, following the lecturer's presentation there is a question-and-answer period. Often this dialogue brings both speaker and audience to most productive heights. This otherwise desirable result cannot be obtained where, as in the present instance, the subject is literature but you who are the creative people or manifestly interested in, and knowledgeable about, the creative arts, are not present.

Your response to last year's series was gratifying, but it is a two-way street upon which AMSAC travels. This series on African literature will continue after the first of the year, and I would urgently suggest that each of you make an earnest attempt to be present for some or all of the ensuing lectures.

JKB:rz

#2- Dues Billing -#2

Date: October 16, 1958

Dues for Membership in AMSAC, September 1958-1959.

(Please check category)

| | |
| :--- | ---: |
| / / Membership including one year subscription to PRESENCE AFRICAINE | $ 8.00 |
| / / Membership including one year subscription to PRESENCE AFRICAINE, AFRICA WEEKLY, and AFRICA SPECIAL REPORT | 10.00 |
| / / Student Membership including one year subscription to PRESENCE AFRICAINE | 4.00 |
| / / Student Membership including one year subscription to PRESENCE AFRICAINE, AFRICA WEEKLY, and AFRICA SPECIAL REPORT | 6.00 |

Please enclose check for the amount checked
and return in the self-addressed envelope.

N.B. - This dues billing and the categories shown were approved by the Delegates to the First Annual Conference of the American Society of African Culture.

September 28, 1964

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 E. 127th Street
New York 35, N.Y.

Dear Mr. Hughes:

In our AMSAC **Newsletter** of April, 1964 you were informed
of the **Journal of Contemporary African Problems** which we are now
undertaking. The **Newsletter** stated, "The Journal will be part of
AMSAC's continuing program... We hope to have contributors who have
been directly involved with these (African) social, political and economic
problems." This will be a quarterly journal dealing with African problems
and their solutions. A rather unique and important feature of this journal
will be the similarities or parallelisms in development on the part of the
African and the American Negro. Certainly, the journal will draw heavily
from Africans who have been directly involved in dealing with their own
problems, just as it will draw heavily from American Negroes who have
had experiences in Africa.

We believe the publication of this journal will make a
significant contribution to the purpose to which AMSAC is dedicated. As
you well know, the success or failure of a publication, the extent of the
contribution it makes, is determined by the accessibility and the quality
of the material of the articles.

We are calling upon you, as a member of AMSAC, to help make
the AMSAC Journal one of the outstanding Africa-oriented publications.
This letter constitutes an invitation to you to submit an article. The
article should be from 3,000 - 6,000 words. The general format of the
journal calls for dealing with a single problem or a central theme in each
journal issue. In order that you can submit an article in your own field
of study or on a subject of special interest to you, some of the planned
problem areas and desired articles are outlined:

EMPLOYMENT OF YOUTH

Builders' Brigade Development: Ghana

Forest Conservation and Employment: Kenya

The Civilian Conservation Corps: United States

School Leavers: Nigeria

Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited (HARYOU)

Officers:

John A. Davis
President

Executive Council:

Horace Mann Bond

William B. Branch

St. Clair Drake

William T. Fontaine

Adelaide Cromwell Hill

Frederick O'Neal

Saunders Redding

Staff:

Director, Lagos, Nigeria

- 2 -

## SHIFTING POPULATIONS

- Dam Construction and Resettlement: Sudan

- Volta River Dam Project: Ghana

- Refugee Settlement Schemes: Tanganyika

- Urban Renewal and Slum Clearance: Lagos, Nigeria

- Urban Renewal and Slum Clearance: New York City

- Birth of a New City: Tema, Ghana

## EDUCATION: MEETING AFRICAN NEEDS

- Development of African Textbooks

- Problems of Creating New Universities: Nsukka, Nigeria

- Developing Utilitarian Education: Prairie View A. & M. and Liberia, or Hampton Institute

- New Textbook Development in the United States: The Role of the American Negro

- Graduates of African Universities: Can They Do The Job?

- African Graduates of American Universities: Can They Do The Job?

## COMMUNICATIONS

- Creating and Reaching an Audience in Africa

- Problems of Establishing Television: Nigeria; Ghana

- Financing of Mass Media: The Use of Advertisements

- Development of Educational Television: United States

- Training of Performers and Technicians in Television: Is There a Place for the American Negro?

## URBANIZATION: LIFE IN THE CITY

- School Achievement of Newcomers: Africa; United States

- Family and Tribal Disorganization Into New Social Groupings

- Juvenile Delinquency in the City

- The Unmarried Urban Male (African and Expatriate)

- Cultural Needs in Urban Cities: Libraries, Voluntary Organizations, etc.

- The Cinema: Westernization and Conflict

Some additional problem areas are: African Refugees: Unity and Disunity; African Boundaries: Unity and Disunity; Labor and Employment; African Nation Building; Minority Group Relations: Racism or Non-Racism; Urbanization: Meeting the United States' Needs of Expanding Population.

Again, I appeal to you as an AMSAC member, as a person dedicated to bringing about a better understanding of African and African descendant contributions to the world, to help make this new AMSAC undertaking a highly successful one. Would you consider contributing an article in your field? I am sure you appreciate the importance of deadlines and the meeting of deadlines to the success of any publication.

Officers:

John A. Davis
President

Executive Council:

Horace Mann Bond

William B. Branch

St. Clair Drake

William T. Fontaine

Zelma George

Adelaide Cromwell Hill

Frederick O'Neal

Saunders Redding

Charles H. Wesley

Staff:

January 4, 1965

Dear Friend:

We are pleased to announce that Léon Damas, poet, anthologist and exponent of the concept of "négritude," will lecture at the AMSAC offices, 15 East 40 Street, Room 200, on Thursday, January 14, at 8:30 P.M. The subject of his lecture will be "The Origins of Négritude: Some Recent Thoughts."

Mr. Damas has given particular attention to this subject as he has travelled through the United States, the West Indies, and South America for the last year under a UNESCO grant to collect material for an anthology and a bibliographic dictionary of English, French, Portuguese and Spanish-speaking authors of African descent. In 1947 Mr. Damas, a French Guianan by birth, edited an anthology of French-speaking poets of Africa and African descent entitled *Poètes d'Expression Française, 1900-1945*.

Mr. Damas' other published works include several collections of poems, among them, *Pigments* (1937), *Black-Label* (1956), and, in English translation, *African Songs* (1961), as well as a collection of short stories entitled *Veillées Noires* (1943).

Before undertaking his current project, Mr. Damas, who resides in Paris, was Cultural Advisor to the French Overseas Broadcasting Service. He has held several other governmental positions in France and was at one time Deputy from French Guiana in the French National Assembly.

We know that you, who are interested in African literature and writers of African descent, will particularly enjoy this lecture by Léon Damas, who has played such an important part in the history of this literature. We look forward to seeing you on January 14th.

Dugout of Langston Hughes

Officers:

John A. Davis
President

Executive Council:

Horace Mann Bond

William B. Branch

St. Clair Drake

William T. Fontaine

Zelma George

Adelaide Cromwell Hill

Frederick O'Neal

Saunders Redding

Charles H. Wesley

Staff:

December 10, 1964

Dear Friend:

On Thursday, December 17, at 8:30 p.m., Mr. C. D. Chindongo, Third Secretary and Information Officer of the Malawi Mission to the U. N., will deliver a lecture at the offices of The American Society of African Culture (AMSAC), 15 East 40 Street, New York City, Room 200. Mr. Chindongo, who is also an artist and a teacher of art, will talk on "The Contemporary African Artist: Problems and Possibilities." We hope that you will attend.

Before becoming active in the political life of Malawi (formerly Nyasaland) when he joined the Malawi Congress Party in 1958, Mr. Chindongo was an art master at the Government Teacher Training College in Domasi. He was trained at the Cyrene School of Art in Southern Rhodesia as a painter and a sculptor in stone and wood, and his works are in several private collections.

Mr. Chindongo came to the United States three months ago to join the Malawi Mission to the U. N. when it opened. Before then, in addition to holding several offices in the Malawi Congress Party, he was an Assistant Editor of *Malawi News*, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Malawi Museum and a member of the Board of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.

We know you will find Mr. Chindongo's talk interesting and look forward to seeing you on December 17th.

CHR/ba

15 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
OR 9-9255

"A great poet has been living in our midst for decades and is almost totally unknown, even by the literati, even by poets. Can this be possible in the age of criticism and of publication unlimited? It is not only possible but highly probable. Poetry today is an established institution which has many of the characteristics of a closed corporation. (One of the rules of the poetic establishment is that Negroes are not admitted to the polite company of the anthology.) Poetry as we know it remains the most lily-white of the arts. A novelist and pamphleteer like Baldwin is world famous; M. B. Tolson, easily the literary equal of any number of Baldwins, is less honored in his own country than the most obscure poetaster."

Karl Shapiro in *Book Week*, *The Sunday Herald Tribune*, January 10, 1965

The American Society of African Culture (AMSAC) is pleased to announce that Melvin B. Tolson will give a reading of his poetry on Monday, March 22, 8:30 p.m., at the AMSAC offices, 15 East 40th Street, New York City, Room 200. You are cordially invited to attend.

M. B. Tolson is, perhaps, best known for his poem, *Libretto for the Republic of Liberia*, written for the Liberian Centennial and International Exposition, of which he was designated poet laureate. Before that his poem, *Dark Symphony*, won the National Poetry Contest conducted by the American Negro Exposition in Chicago. In 1952 Poetry magazine awarded him the Bess Hokin Award for a poem called *F & O E*.

Educated at Fisk, Lincoln and Columbia Universities, Mr. Tolson is presently Professor of Creative Literature and Director of the Dust Bowl Theater at Langston University in Oklahoma. A long narrative poem by him entitled *Harlem Gallery* will be published by Twayne Publishers this month.

R.S.V.P. OR 9-9255

**Officers:**

John A. Davis
President

**Executive Council:**

Horace Mann Bond

William B. Branch

St. Clair Drake

William T. Fontaine

Zelma George

Adelaide Cromwell Hill

Frederick O'Neal

Saunders Redding

Charles H. Wesley

**Staff:**

January 25, 1965

Dear Friend:

We would like to invite you to a lecture on "Education and Values of Future Nigerian Elites" by Dr. Albert J. McQueen of Howard University on Thursday, February 4, 8:30 P.M., at the AMSAC offices, 15 East 40 Street, New York City.

Dr. McQueen is Assistant Director of Research at Howard University's Center for Youth and Community Studies and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry there. From 1962 until he joined the Howard faculty last fall, Dr. McQueen was in Nigeria, at the Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research, and in Kenya to study youth and urban problems under a Ford Foundation fellowship. Before that, while on leave from the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research where he was a research associate, Dr. McQueen had a Ford grant to study at the University of London's School for Oriental and African Studies.

Dr. McQueen is currently preparing a book on the problem of juvenile delinquency. He has done a number of studies on adolescence, including a paper entitled "Aspirations and Problems of Nigerian School Leavers," which was presented at a conference held by the East African Institute for Social and Economic Research in January, 1963.

We know that you will find this lecture informative and hope that you will be able to attend.

CHR/egb

SOCIETE AFRICAINE DE CULTURE

INFORMATION COPY

Paris le November 21, 1957

Dr. John DAVIS
25 Wood Place
New Rochelle, N. Y.

Dear Sir,

Let me thank you first for your kind welcome and
your friendly care in informing me of your problems.

I gave a report of my journey to my friends and
they were very interested with your activities and would like
to stand in closer relations with you.

Through the intellectuals who attended the first
Conference, contact with other men of culture from various
countries has already been ensured. But since admittance into
this society is available to any man of culture whoe candidacy
is approved by an executive council composed of personalities
coming from all regions and professing every variety of ideo-
logy, we should like the Society to be most widely known among
such Negroes of culture as are still ignorant of its existence
or; knowing it, expect much from the Society's action.

It occurred to us that you would be the person in
your country to be depended upon for providing us with the
information we should like to put together about all Negroes of
culture, be they writers or artists, jurists or doctors, archi-
tects or historians, scientists or theologians, economists or
research workers, etc.

Enclosed you will find some notes that will prove
helpful to you.

It is desirable that this work be done pretty early
the first general assembly of the S.A.C. having to take place
in 1958.

Thank you in advance for easing us of a part of the
common task and for quickly returning these notes to our
address together with your suggestions regarding their being
use by all.

With my best wishes, yours sincerely,

Alioune DIOP

15 EAST 40TH STREET, NEW YORK 16, NEW YORK

HORACE MANN BOND, PRESIDENT

JOHN A. DAVIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

INFORMATION COPY

December 5, 1957

Dear Professor Diop:

In answer to your letter of November 21, 1957, I am sending you under separate cover a copy of WHO'S WHO IN COLORED AMERICA, edited by G. James Fleming and Christian E. Bruckel, seventh edition, Yonkers, New York, U.S.A., 1950. I am also sending you the supplement to this edition. This volume and its supplement will give you the information about most of the Negroes of culture in the United States. I should warn you that pictures in the volume are no indication of status, for the editors published those pictures that were sent to them.

Your letter, however, seems to raise problems that we in this country had regarded as being settled between us. It was our mutual understanding that only the American Society of African Culture would solicit Americans for membership. It was our further understanding that should the American chapter refuse membership to a man of culture, the International Society of African Culture could offer membership to such individuals upon the action of the Executive Council of the International body.

We have very strong feelings in this country against the Society of African Culture's random solicitation of members here. The confusion that would result would destroy our organizational efforts. Indeed, two organizations of African Culture in the United States could result.

Our understanding of the Constitution of the Society of African Culture, of our correspondence with you last spring and of the action of the Paris Committee last spring is as follows:

1. The normal recruiting agency for the Society of African Culture in the United States is the American chapter.

2. If the Society of African Culture in Paris should feel that the American chapter has overlooked American Negroes of culture who should be members, it may suggest such names to the American chapter.

3. Upon receipt of such suggestions the American chapter shall extend invitations to the persons in question unless the chapter has serious objections.

4. If the American chapter raises objections, the members of the Executive Council of the Society of African Culture may extend

HORACE MANN BOND
President

WILLIAM T. FONTAINE
Secretary

JAMES W. IVY
Treasurer

February 6, 1958

Dear Member:

We are taking this opportunity to again welcome you as a member of the American Society of African Culture. We hope that you have received your first issue of PRESENCE AFRICAINE and have found it to be interesting reading. You may also find the enclosed copy of the November 1957 issue of THE AFRICAN AND COLONIAL WORLD to be of interest.

For your information, we are also enclosing recently revised copies of our "Constitution" and the statement on "The Origin and Nature of the American Society of African Culture." You will note that the statement includes an up-to-date list of current members.

Your attention is especially called to the fourth enclosure, our membership application blank. It is requested that you fill out this blank and return it to us _as soon as possible_ so that we may have this essential data for our files.

Hoping that our association will be a long and mutually profitable one, I remain

Enclosures - 4

HORACE MANN BOND
*President*

MERCER COOK
*Chairman of Executive Council*

JOHN A. DAVIS
*Executive Director*

WILLIAM T. FONTAINE
*Secretary*

JAMES W. IVY
*Treasurer*

JAMES T. HARRIS, JR.
*Assistant Executive Director*

January 23, 1959

Dear Mr. Hughes:

On Saturday and Sunday, February 28th and March 1st, the American Society of African Culture will sponsor a conference unique in the field of American literary development.

A committee of Negro writers and authors have developed a program of discussions around the theme "The Negro Writer and His Relationship to His Roots". Participants will include the outstanding Negro creative writers in this country.

The Conference Committee, in recognition of your literary contribution, is pleased to extend to you a very cordial invitation to be a participant.

You will find enclosed an information sheet with detail of arrangements and a registration form. We would appreciate your prompt reply since both facilities and remaining time are limited.

We are confident that you will find this an exciting experience and look forward to welcoming you on February 28th.

Members of the Committee: John H. Clarke, Julian Mayfield, Sara Wright, Lofton Mitchell, William Branch, John A. Davis and James T. Harris, Jr.

Enclosures - 3

HORACE MANN BOND
*President*

JAMES W. IVY
*Treasurer*

Please Reserve These Dates:

Friday, June 23, 1961
Saturday, June 24, 1961

for the AMSAC Annual Meeting

Place: The New School of Social Research
New York City

Note: In accordance with the decision of the last Annual Meeting, AMSAC will hold its next Conference in June, 1962.

The schedule of the meeting and other details will be sent to you within a few weeks.

April 6, 1961

MEMORANDUM

TO: Members of the AMSAC Advisory Committee on the Performing Arts

FROM: Yvonne O. Walker, Secretary and AMSAC Coordinator

SUBJECT: Report on Meeting of the Committee on March 21, 1961

On Tuesday, March 21, the second meeting of the AMSAC Committee on the Performing Arts was held at the AMSAC office, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Those present were:

Ellsworth Wright, Chairman
Yvonne O. Walker, Secretary and AMSAC Coordinator
William Branch
Irving Burgie
Dick Campbell

Ruth Jett
John Killens
George Norford
Brock Peters

Also present was Mr. Calvin Raullerson, the new Associate Executive Director for AMSAC.

The meeting was called to formulate a plan of action for AMSAC's cultural exchange program for performing artists. Attached is a copy of a memorandum sent to Dr. John A. Davis which is the result of discussion at the meeting and which represents the committee's recommendation for a plan of action.

Other matters discussed at the meeting were the committee's responsibilities. These were outlined in the report of the first meeting but were reviewed for members who did not attend that meeting.

The meeting was adjourned with an urgent request from our chairman that all members send in resumes on performing artists whom they are recommending for membership.

Attachment - 1.

April 5, 1961

MEMORANDUM

TO: John A. Davis, Executive Director

FROM: Yvonne O. Walker, Secretary and AMSAC Coordinator for the Performing Arts Committee

SUBJECT: Plan of Action for Cultural Exchange Program for Performing Artists

On March 21, the Performing Arts Committee met to outline a plan of action for the AMSAC Cultural Exchange Program for Performing Artists. Dick Campbell, who has managed and personally conducted tours in Africa sponsored by ANTA and the State Department for American artists, opened the discussion with a comprehensive report on problems which currently beset foreign entertainment in Africa as a commercial venture. To summarize, the African people are not ready, either psychologically or economically, to provide adequate financial support for imported entertainment because: (1) the goodwill entertainment tours of foreign governments and certain Africa-interested corporations have conditioned African audiences to expect free entertainment; and (2) the current income of the average African citizen does not enable him to pay even the lowest possible cost for a ticket of admission. In light of this situation, the committee agreed that AMSAC's Cultural Exchange Program for Performing Artists, to be realistic, must be defined as a "gratis educational and cultural service which provides only for transportation and living expenses of visiting artists."

This, of course, poses two problems: (1) How to secure money to defray the transportation and living expenses of visiting artists? (2) How to secure performing artists who are willing to participate without the regular fee? The committee proposes the following as possible solutions to these problems:

A. Sources for Travel and Living Expenses for Tours of Performing Artists

1. Tours in Africa

a. African Governments - Since some of the independent African nations have expressed an interest in cultural development as evidenced by the appointment of cultural attaches, it

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seems logical that they would be willing to provide
financial support for the proposed program in view of
the following advantages which such a program offers them.

(1) The development of an understanding and appreciation of the performing arts on the part of the masses in Africa.

(2) The inspiration of African youth who have potential as performing artists.

(3) The provision of live entertainment, which can serve as a model for the creation of their own productions, as well as, technical advice and special services to Africans engaged in the study and/or practice of the performing arts. (It is proposed that our touring artists make themselves available for consultation services and demonstration lectures for interested Africans. It is also proposed that our touring artists serve as talent scouts for African artists to participate in the Exchange Program.)

b. Africa-Interested Corporations - The sponsorship of tours of performing artists has already been recognized as a publicity media for African-interested corporations. This media is especially significant today because communication media such as television and radio are not available for the majority of the African masses. However, the sponsorship of a tour by one corporation, which by necessity would have to include salaries for artists as well as expenses, would be a big financial burden. The program we propose would eliminate salaries as such and would, in addition, provide for cooperative sponsorship on the part of several non-competitive corporations. It is believed that such a proposal will attract interest and financial support from a number of African-interested companies. The expenses for a given tour would be shared equally by each participating company.

## 2. Tours in the USA

a. Social, Civic and Religious Organizations - There are thousands of large Negro organizations throughout the United States which, from time to time, sponsor benefit shows. Some of these organizations have expressed an overt interest in Africa and our program. It is believed that we can secure the cooperation of an adequate number of organizations in the sponsorship of programs of African entertainment. Participating organizations would not only have the advantage of bringing to the public

- 3 -

new acts of entertainment which would serve as a public
drawing card and increase their sale of tickets, but also,
participating organizations would be making a distinctive
contribution in extending the hand of brotherhood to the
African nations. Financial arrangements for a given tour
would be contingent upon the following:

(1) A determination of the travel and living expenses of the African entertainers participating in a given tour. (This would include travel and expenses to, within, and from this country.)

(2) The selection of a sufficient number of participating organizations and the careful scheduling of performances for a given tour. (Scheduling would have to be done in the interest of travel economy.)

(3) A fixed fee from organizations based on a percentage of their anticipated net ticket receipts plus an agreement re a percentage of receipts over and above those antici-pated. The fees would depend on items (1) and (2) above and would have to be paid in advance to AMSAC prior to bringing the artist or artists to this country.

b. Colleges and Universities - Essentially, performances at colleges and universities would be a part of the master schedule for a given tour. It would be necessary, however, to make modifications in financial arrangements with these participants. It is not believed that this will present a problem because colleges and universities can usually provide housing and meals for guests without any additional cost. This reason, coupled with our objectives in the area of educational service, could justify our reduction of fees for colleges and universities to simply cover transportation costs to and from scheduled engagements. The schools could defray these costs either by sale of tickets to students or from budgets set aside for cultural programs.

B. Sources for Performing Artists to Participate in Tours

1. College Students - The precedent has already been established for American college drama and choral groups to participate in over-seas tours. However, tours for such groups would have to be arranged during the vacation months to avoid conflict with academic schedules. The advantages to African and American colleges would be enriched development of the participating student as well as public relations for the school.

- 4 -

2. Aspiring Professional Artists - Such a program offers good publicity and experience for artists who are trying to develop their craft. There are special advantages to African entertainers because a tour of this kind may very well lead to lucrative offers in the American entertainment field.

3. Top-Flight Artists - We have already received an enthusiastic response from several such artists. It is believed reasonable to assume that artists in this category can be motivated to participate for any one or combination of the following reasons:

a. Their interest in Africans or the American Negro and their desire to make a personal contribution in the universal struggle for integration.

b. Their desire to go to Africa or America to enrich their personal experiences.

c. The possibility of developing a new market for their recordings or film productions.

If the above plan of action is acceptable to AMSAC, the committee recommends that the initial step be the presentation of this plan to the cultural attaches or designated representatives of the African embassies to get their reactions and cooperation. It is proposed that a select group of committee members host the embassy representatives at an informal cocktail party in Washington - preferably in a private home. It is believed that such a gathering will establish the rapport we need to put this program into action.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Summary Minutes

Hotel Biltmore
Horace Mann Bond, President, Presiding

June 23, 1961

8:15 P.M.

Old Business

Executive Director, Dr. John A. Davis, presented AMSAC's Annual Report and financial statement.

AMSAC ANNUAL REPORT 1960-61

I. Publications, Communications & Information

A. **AMSAC Newsletter**. The first number of Volume III was issued September, 1960. A second edition of the English Newsletter was initiated for overseas distribution. The overseas edition differs only in the weight of the paper. The January and February (numbers 5-6) and March and April issues (numbers 7-8) were combined and published as one Newsletter each. Beginning with the January-February issue, a French overseas edition was published. The French edition carries the same material as the English and is published on lightweight tinted stock. The format is slightly different because of space requirements of the two languages. The French edition is translated by Mr. Jacques Leger, former Haitian Ambassador to this country.

B. **Pan-Africanism Reconsidered**. Under the general supervision of Dr. Davis with the assistance of Miss Courtney the proceedings of the 3rd Annual Conference were edited and translated by Mr. Samuel W. Allen who wrote a long analytical introduction. Mr. Gilman Park was the technical editor. The preparation of the volume began immediately after the Third Conference and was not finally completed until April. The volume will be published by the University of California Press this autumn.

C. **Previous AMSAC Publications**. AMSAC made arrangements with the Oxford University Press to distribute *Africa Seen by American Negroes* in Africa. AMSAC now has all existing copies of the volume and rights of distribution. *West African Vignettes* has been a steady seller. It is expected that all copies will be off our shelves within two months. AMSAC is investigating publishing or having published bi-lingual and tri-lingual editions of the volume for schools in this country and Africa, the languages to be in English, French, Hausa and Swahili. *Vignettes* would be published with inter-linear translations to facilitate their use as a teaching aid. All AMSAC publications have been on display at many major book exhibits during the year. A few advertisements have been placed in trade journals. The inventory of the AMSAC descriptive brochure was depleted by April.

D. **Radio Tape Series**. Two tapes were distributed: An interview with American and African students on the future of Negro Colleges and an interview with American and African students on American atti-

- 2 -

Old Business (Cont.)

tudes toward Africa. Plans were made for a series of tapes on the history of jazz.

E. **Bookshelf Program.** AMSAC made formal presentations of bookshelves containing 50 classical and contemporary works by American Negroes to Guinea, Sudan, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Two shelves were also sent to Nigeria, although formal presentation will not be held until the fall. In addition, AMSAC received a grant of $4,000 from an anonymous donor to present an American Law Library to the Ghana Law Library. Over 2,000 volumes have been shipped. Formal presentation will be made in Accra this fall.

F. **New York Library Services.** The AMSAC Library has been used by researchers, students, and scholars increasingly during the year. A significant number of research persons from the TV networks have made use of the facilities, including the record collection of African music. The Library was reorganized and completely catalogued during the summer.

G. **Information Services.** AMSAC has been called upon to supply information on Africa, African culture, and American Negroes in greater volume than in any previous year. In addition, members and staff of the Society have been guest speakers for a large number of organizations and educational institutions and have been interviewed frequently on the radio. The requests far outnumber the possible availability of the staff. Correspondence from all over this country and Africa has increased.

## II. Leadership Grants, Exchange and Placement Services to Africans

A. **African Visitors Program.** AMSAC cooperated with many public and private agencies in hosting and working with visitors from many areas of Africa during the year. In one case, AMSAC was the programming agency for the New York stay of the Nigerian labor leader, the Hon. M.P. Adolphus Mbah. AMSAC welcomed visitors from 25 countries and territories in the office. In some cases, these interviews included small luncheons, dinners, and tours in the City. AMSAC entertained the cast of the Ballets Africaine on the occasion of their second New York opening.

B. **U.S. Tours of Africans.** Immediately following the Third Conference, AMSAC organized a tour of certain Negro communities for four African guests of the Conference. The tour included Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Chicago and New York. In addition, individual tours for three other guests were arranged during the same period.

C. **Special Services and Contacts with Africans.** During the first two months of the Fifteenth General Assembly, the Society made its secretarial facilities available to understaffed African delegations. The Society also helped in finding living and office accommodations.

In October, the Society sponsored a boatride up the Hudson for members of African delegations and co-hosted a breakfast with

- 3 -

Old Business (Cont.)

Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt for the heads of delegations that day. In
December, the Annual Holiday Party was expanded and all African dele-
gations were guests of the Society for a party and dance. The Party,
held at the Riviera Terrace in New York City, was made possible by
the support of the membership and contributions from several Africa-
interested firms and distributors.

Sierra Leone Independence Celebration. The Society provided administra-
tive and secretarial services for the New York celebrations in connection
with the independence of Sierra Leone at the request of the Charge
d'Affaires.

D. **Language Courses - African Delegates.** In February, the Society encouraged an English language course for French-speaking African delegates to the U.N.

E. **Educational Grant Program.** AMSAC processed several grants for advanced scholars. One grant was awarded. A program for emergency aid to African undergraduates in the U.S. was initiated. Requests for scholarship aid from Africa increased. Applicants were referred to agencies presently administering such exchanges.

F. **Exchange Program.** A new program of exchange of performing artists from Africa and the United States was established. A committee of performing arts, headed by Ellsworth Wright as Chairman, held several meetings and established contact with the U.S. Embassies of African countries. Mrs. Yvonne O. Walker, Business Manager for AMSAC worked with the Committee. The program was given public support at a meeting and dinner party in May in Washington, D.C. which was attended by African Ambassadors and Cultural Attaches, members of the AMSAC Committee, and U.S. Governmental officials, including G. Mennen Williams, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.

G. **Grants to African Groups.** AMSAC awarded one grant to make possible the continuation and expansion of a Newsletter for students from East Africa in this country.

III. <u>Conferences, Seminars, Meetings.</u>

A. AMSAC-Sponsored.

1. **Third Annual Conference.** Minutes of the business session were distributed during the summer. Proceedings will be published by the University of California in a volume entitled _Pan-Africanism Reconsidered_.

2. **Fourth Annual Meeting.** The Meeting will be held at the Hotel Biltmore in New York, June 23-24. Arrangements to hold the Meeting at the New School of Social Research had to be dropped because of financial considerations.

3. Seminars and Lectures.

a. The New York Lecture Program included four speakers:
Hon. M.B. Adolphus Mbah, who spoke on the labor movement
in Nigeria; Mr. Joseph Coleman de Graft, who spoke on the

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Old Business (Cont.)

history of the theatre in Ghana; Mr. Hugh Tracey, of South Africa, who spoke on African music; and Mr. Calvin H. Raullerson, who reported on his tour of East and Central Africa.

b. **Regional.** The University of Pennsylvania and AMSAC jointly sponsored a lecture series on the social thought of African leaders during the spring semester. Lecturers were:
Dr. Richard Sklar of Princeton University; Dr. Immanuel Wallerstein of Howard University; Dr. Elliot Skinner of New York University;
Dr. Igor Kopytoff of Brown University; Dr. Hugh Smythe of Brooklyn College; Dr. Mae Edel of the New School of Social Research;
Dr. Channing Richardson of Hamilton College; and Dr. Gwendolyn Carter of Smith College.

B. **AMSAC Conference Participation.** AMSAC was represented by staff persons or members at the following conferences and programs:
U.S. National Student Association International Student Relations Seminar; Orientation Programs for the Crossroads Africa Program and the Kenya Airlift Program; ICA Training Seminar at Boston University; Atlanta University Summer Seminar; International Affairs Seminar in Washington, D.C.; The Fourth Conference on the Exchange of Persons, sponsored by the Institute of International Education; International Affairs Conference of Student Editors; Conference on African Resources; The American Committee on Africa's Conference on American Policy toward Africa; The National Conference of Negro Artists; African Freedom Day in NYC; African Research Foundation's Benefit; Emancipation Centennial Authority Dinner; Conference of Women in Africa.

C. **International Conference and Events.**

1. **SAC.** The Third Congress of Negro Writers and Artists was postponed from April 1961, to 1962, to be held in Dakar. The AMSAC Artists Committee has met once to discuss the plans for the participation of the Society and American Negro Arts which will be held in conjunction with the Congress.

2. Dr. Adelaide Cromwell Hill represented the Society at the Conference of Women of Africa and African Descent held in August in Ghana.

3. At the Independence Celebration of Nigeria, Dr. Mercer Cook represented the Society.

4. At the inauguration of the Governor-General of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. John A. Davis represented the Society.

5. Dr. Horace Mann Bond attended many Conferences and special celebrations in Africa including the Independence Celebrations in the Eastern Regions of Nigeria and the meetings of the International Advisory Council on Higher Education in Ghana.

IV. **African Center.** Plans and negotiations were initiated with

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Old Business (Cont.)

African representatives regarding the establishment of an AMSAC
center to serve the West Coast of Africa. The Associate Director,
Calvin H. Raullerson, left at the end of May for Nigeria to
continue negotiations and find a site in Lagos.

V. Headquarters - Administration. Staff. Mr. James T. Harris, Jr., Assistant Executive Director, resigned his position with the Society to assume the post of Secretary-General of the Institute of Law and Administration in Leopoldville, Congo in January. Mr. George E. Carter, Director of the Information Program, resigned in March to take up the position of Deputy Director of the African Division of the Peace Corps in Washington. Mr. Calvin H. Raullerson was appointed Associate Director of AMSAC, taking up his duties in June.

VI. Miscellaneous Programs

A. Art Exhibit. The Art Exhibit, organized in conjunction with the Third Annual Conference, was borrowed by the Museum of Philadelphia for the summer months. The Exhibit received good notice from the critics.

B. Writers Committee. A reception was held in May to honor the members of AMSAC who published books during the year: Elton Fax, Langston Hughes, Robert Kane, Philippa Schuyler, Ralph Smith and Mabel Smythe. In June, Julian Mayfield's new novel, *The Grand Parade*, was published.

C. Meeting on the American Negro and Africa. In May, the Society held a small meeting on questions regarding the American Negro and Africa pertaining to the U.S. Government, foundations, colleges and universities, the press and all media of communications. This meeting was suggested by the Executive Council as preparatory to the Fourth Annual Conference.

VII. AMSAC Internal Activities

A. Executive Council. At the Third Annual Conference, Mr. William B. Jones was elected to the Council as a member at large and Mr. James W. Ivy was re-elected. A meeting was held on March 4. The Council will meet again just prior to the Fourth Annual Conference.

B. Membership. Membership in the Society has increased in both the regular and associate categories. Members are urged to write in their recommendations for new members.

C. Société Africaine de Culture. SAC sponsored a Conference on Religion and Cultural Personality in Abidjan in April. Further Conferences on the African continent are planned. The Third Congress of Negro Writers and Artists and the First Festival of Negro Arts is scheduled to be held in Dakar in April 1962. *Presence Africaine* is now publishing an English edition of the journal.

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Old Business (Cont.)

D. Constitution. The referendum circulated during the summer to amend the AMSAC Constitution failed to receive a majority vote by the membership. The Constitution is therefore unchanged since amended in June 1959.

VIII. **Members.** AMSAC lost through death one of the founding members of the Society and of SAC, Richard Wright. In memorium, the Society published in the December **Newsletter** an evaluation of Mr. Wright's works by Saunders Redding.

Honors and recognition to members of the Society during the year were numerous:

Dr. Mercer Cook, Chairman of the Executive Council, became the first Negro appointed Ambassador to an African country by President Kennedy. Ambassador Cook will serve in Niger.

Among the other persons given special honors and recognition were:

Dr. Zelma George, only Negro member of the U.S. Delegation to the first session of the Fifteenth General Assembly of the United Nations.

Mr. Thurgood Marshall, President Kennedy's special representative at the Independence Celebrations of Sierra Leone in Freetown.

Mr. Langston Hughes, elected to the American Academy and to the National Institute of Arts and Letters.

Mr. Lester Granger, elected the first chairman of the Federal Advisory Council on Employment Security.

Dr. Wendell Jones, appointed to a three-year term on the Committee on International Exchange of Persons.

Dr. Samuel W. Westerfield, appointed Director of the Lagos office of the African-American Institute.

Several members of the Society have taken up residence in Africa. Among them are James T. Harris, Jr. and Albert Berrian, who are in Leopoldville. Dr. Berrian is teaching English to Congo government officials under an ICA contract. Among the many members who have travelled in Africa are: Mr. Arna Bontemps, Mr. Calvin H. Raullerson, Dr. Horace Mann Bond, Dr. Rufus Clement, Mrs. Etta Moten Barnet, Dr. Adelaide Hill, Mr. John O. Killens, Miss Louise Jefferson, Mr. Robert Kane, and Dr. Mabel Smythe.

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FINANCIAL STATEMENT

June 1, 1960 - May 31, 1961

Cash on Hand 6/1/60...................................................$3,693.69

Receipts

Grants...................................................$51,530.41

CORAC........................................20,000.00
Dodge........................................10,000.00
Rosenthal....................................10,000.00
Benton........................................7,500.00
Ghana Library..................................4,030.41

Membership Dues........................................2,257.70
Sale of Publications..................................1,844.95
Collections, 3rd Conference......................3,708.20
AMSAC Holiday Party..................................2,240.42

Total........................................65,275.37

Expenditures

Publications........................................6,007.53
Research Grants....................................1,000.00
Travel Grants........................................2,119.31
NY Lectures........................................257.04
Radio Programs....................................321.00
Regional Seminars..................................1,184.31
Conferences........................................1,235.58
African Visitors....................................1,953.34
Ghana Law Library..................................3,825.37
Holiday Party........................................2,673.85
3rd Annual Conference............................37,135.80

Total........................................57,713.13

Cash on Hand 5/31/61...................................................$7,562.24

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Old Business (Cont.)

After discussion Mr. Elsworth Wright moved that the Annual
Report and financial statement be accepted. Mr. Richard Campbell
seconded the motion. Motion passed.

II. Dr. Davis presented the proposed program and budget for 1961-62.

PROPOSED PROGRAM, AMSAC 1961-62

Section I. Publications, Communications and Information

A. **Pan-Africanism Reconsidered** (Proceedings of the Third Annual Conference) will be published by the University of California Press in October. AMSAC will cooperate in promotion in this country and especially in Africa.

B. Previous Publications. Promotion and distribution of all AMSAC publications will be continued. A new catalogue will be printed.

C. AMSAC Newsletter. Volume IV will be published in French and English. Three editions will be continued: domestic English self-mailer, overseas English on lightweight paper, and overseas French on lightweight paper.

D. New Brochure. A new brochure will be printed. AMSAC is investigating printing the brochure in French and English.

E. **Report of Fourth Annual Meeting.** A report of the fourth meeting will be published and circulated in the summer of 1961.

F. African Social Thought. This volume is to be published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in the spring, 1962. The book will include the lectures presented during the AMSAC-University of Penn. Lecture Series, spring, 1961.

G. Bookshelf Africa.

1. The bookshelf of 50 classical and contemporary works by American Negro authors will be revised and continued. Twenty new bookshelves will be made available for distribution to centers in Africa.

2. A special library service will be inaugurated for secondary schools and educational centers. This service will provide certain important reference works and texts for a limited number of African institutions. This service will enable AMSAC to answer some of the many requests for special library needs.

H. New York Library. The library in the New York headquarters will continue to acquire books, periodicals and pamphlets in the area of specialty: Africa, African Culture, the American Negro. New acquisitions will be published in the Newsletter. The research facilities of the Library will

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Old Business (Cont.)

continue to be opened to the public.

I. **Resources and Information Center.** AMSAC will continue to provide information or sources of information for institutions and individuals in the United States and Africa on many questions related to Africa, African Culture, and the American Negro. This service will continue to provide speakers and consultation for TV and Radio productions and organizations.

J. **Radio Tape Program.** This program will be continued and expanded to include African radio stations in East and Central Africa, if possible.

K. **Film Program.** AMSAC plans to provide films on the American Negro and his relation to Africa for African schools, organizations, and TV stations.

## Section II. Leadership Grants, Exchange and Placement. Services to Africans

### A. African Visitors

1. **U.S. Tours.** AMSAC will arrange special tours for guests invited from Africa for the Fifth AMSAC Conference and other activities, and help to arrange meaningful programs for other grantees as requested by governmental and private groups sponsoring tours of Africans. It is hoped that AMSAC will be able to entertain the Nigerian Prime Minister on his official trip to this country in July.

2. **Special Services.** This program will include providing services and materials requested by individuals within the limit of the budget and staff time.

3. **Language Courses for African Diplomatic Personnel.** AMSAC has offered group classes in English for French speaking delegates, and hopes to expand this program to include courses in French for English-speaking delegates.

4. **Secretarial Services.** This program will provide services for African nations in New York City in arranging receptions and other activities whenever requested.

### B. Educational Grant Program

1. AMSAC will award a limited number of scholarships to African students studying in the United States who have completed all work for their doctoral degrees and need some financial assistance in order to complete their dissertations. This program also is applied to post-doctoral and post-professional degree students. AMSAC will expand the program in order to award a limited number of grants to Africans to come to this country for short-term specialized study in such courses as public administration and public welfare.

2. AMSAC will award emergency grants to undergraduate and graduate students from Africa who have no other means of support.

3. AMSAC will cooperate with other agencies concerned with African students and help students to get desired aid through such contacts.

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Old Business (Cont.)

4. AMSAC will make a limited number of grants to African student groups and Africa-interested organizations on a non-continuing basis in order to help them initiate or implement a particular program.

C. Performing Arts Program

As a vehicle for portraying the way of life and the culture of the African and the American Negro, the media of the performing arts is readily recognized as having great value and appeal. AMSAC's program will seek to arrange tours of American artists in Africa and African artists in the U.S. The program will be on a non-commercial basis, with artists contributing their talents. The artists will have the opportunity through this program of appearing before audiences on both continents who are interested in the relationship of African and American cultures.

D. Correspondence Courses

This program will seek to encourage and aid American universities in serving youth and adults by providing organized study through correspondence courses on subjects of immediate importance not otherwise available to the student. The administration of the program will probably be for the AMSAC office in Africa which could provide the necessary educational materials.

E. Exchange Program

Under this program, AMSAC will continue to assist African governments and institutions in recruiting qualified persons for positions in Africa. It also will continue to assist American institutions—principally universities in recruiting qualified Africans for faculty positions.

Section III. Conferences, Seminars and Meetings

A. Annual Conference

The Fifth Annual Conference and Meeting will be held in the south, midwest or west. The probable theme will be "The Portuguese in Africa." Alternate dates suggested are June or December 1962.

B. Lecture Series

The New York lecture series will be continued. It is hoped that the dates and speakers will be arranged in advance so that a calendar can be distributed in September. A series of talks on each of the African countries by their representatives in this country is planned. It is hoped that such a series could be duplicated to some extent in other cities with the cooperation of groups of AMSAC members. This has been done in Philadelphia the past year. Lecture series and Seminars in cooperation with universities and organizations are also planned.

C. U.S. Conference Participation

AMSAC will continue to cooperate with other organizations in co-spon-
soring conferences and other activities when requested. In so far as possible,
the Society will be represented at the major conferences held on Africa. Many
AMSAC members in addition to staff are already scheduled to participate in
the UNESCO Conference in Boston this October.

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Old Business (Cont.)

D. International Conferences

SAC is presently scheduled to hold its Third Congress in April in Dakar, and to sponsor the First World Festival of Negro Arts in conjunction with the Congress. AMSAC will send a delegation to the Congress and will also be involved with American Negro participation in the Festival.

Section IV. African Center

In October AMSAC plans to open an office in Lagos, Nigeria, which will be a center of activities for the West Coast of Africa. It is hoped that a program on the Culture of African Cities will be developed from this office. AMSAC will also investigate the establishment of correspondence courses for Africans to be administered in part from the Center. All of AMSAC's programs and activities will be affected by the establishment of the office; in particular: radio tapes, films, and performing artists exchange.

AMSAC has already been successful in raising funds from three
foundations covering over half of the budget to this date.

BUDGET

June 1, 1961 - May 31, 1962

Cash on Hand 6/1/61...................................................$7,562.24

Income

Grants...................................................$50,000.00

CORAC..................................................15,000.00

For African Center..................35,000.00

Membership Dues........................................2,500.00

Sale of Publications....................................3,000.00

Collections, 4th Conference....................600.00

AMSAC Holiday Party..................................2,500.00

Performing Arts Exchange................................-0-

Total 65,162.24

Expenses

Publications...........................................10,000.00

Bookshelves Africa....................................2,000.00

NY Lectures............................................300.00

Radio Programs............................................300.00

Regional Seminars....................................1,200.00

Conferences and Seminars,
including International....................4,000.00

African Visitors....................................2,000.00

Special Services, Africans....................3,000.00

Holiday Party............................................3,000.00

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Old Business (Cont.)

Budget (Cont.)

<table><tr><td>4th Conference....................................</td><td>3,300.00</td></tr><tr><td>Performing Arts Exchange..........................</td><td>-0-</td></tr><tr><td>African Center....................................</td><td>52,000.00</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>81,100.00</td></tr></table>

Expenses over Income................................... ($14,937.76)

Dr. Davis informed the membership of the executive council's suggestion that the theme of the Fifth Annual Conference be changed from "The Portuguese in Africa" to "Undetermined Africa."

The membership discussed the location and date of the Fifth Annual Conference Mr. Burgie recommended holding the conference at an Eastern Negro university, arguing the importance of maximum participation by membership, most of whom are in the East. He urged also that members be given preference in financial aid distributions. Dr. George spoke in favor of going to the Midwest, specifically Cleveland, where support for the conference would be assured. Mr. Olatunji stated that to encourage membership growth and to make AMSAC more national in character the Society should meet in the Midwest. He argued that this would have an effect similar to going to Los Angeles, but would not be as expensive. Dr. Hill said that although geographical spread of membership is important, the impact of a Negro university is currently more important to AMSAC.

Dr. Davis explained that the staff and executive council had first suggested Howard for this reason; UCLA was proposed as an alternative. He explained that since the Society is opening an office in Lagos, thereby expanding its international activities, the membership must realize the importance of the national character of the Society.

Miss Jett urged an October meeting. The society could then invite the large number of Africans who would be attending the UN General Assembly. Dr. George added that although the presence of many Africans would be an advantage, the delegates could not know in advance if they would be free, since the General Assembly meets at all hours when necessary.

Dr. Davis explained that the June business session or annual membership meeting specified in the constitution would not have to be postponed if the conference were held at another time.

Mr. William Jones moved that the executive council be strongly urged to hold the Fifth Annual Conference at a Negro university; that the second choice be the Midwest (Cleveland); and that the third choice be the West (Los Angeles). Miss Ruth Jett seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Mr. Olatunji thought the expenses of an office in Lagos too high. He suggested that African governments be asked to contribute to the center budget. Dr. Davis explained that the budget figures represent initial, non-recurring costs. He also noted that the Nigerian government had already been helpful and that AMSAC looked forward to continued cooperation from officials and un- official African sources.

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Old Business (Cont.)

Mr. Crichlow questioned the relationships between AMSAC and SAC. He was disturbed to learn that SAC had been contacting individual artists for the Dakar festival without notifying or consulting AMSAC or the artists committee. Dr. Davis assured Mr. Crichlow that he was aware of such problems. The New York office is attempting to straighten out lines of communications. The associate director intends to call on the parent organization in Paris to discuss this and other problems. Motion was made to accept the proposed program as amended. The budget was adopted, subject to estimated income.

III. Elections. Dr. Bond presented the executive council's recommendations to the membership. The three-year executive council term of Mercer Cook expired in 1961. Because of possible policy differences between the U.S. government and AMSAC, Dr. Cook decided not to stand for re-election. Dr. William T. Fontaine's three-year term also expired. Dr. Fontaine was standing for re-election. The executive council nominated Dr. St. Clair Drake to stand for election in place of Dr. Cook.

Mr. Branch suggested that the executive council is too heavily weighted in favor of academicians. He believed the active New York membership was overlooked in filling important posts and representative functions. He recommended the executive council have a broader, more representative base.

Dr. Davis stated that nominations from the floor were allowed. He reminded the membership that the present executive council includes one creative writer and that the Society has had artists and writers in its delegations to the SAC congress in Rome and Paris.

Dr. Bond called for nominations from the floor. Miss Ruth Jett, Mr. Dick Campbell, and Mr. Irving Burgie were nominated. Mr. Burgie declined. The executive council nominees, Dr. Fontaine and Dr. Drake, were elected by secret ballot to three year terms.

NEW BUSINESS

I. Mr. Redding moved that the Society pay tribute to Mr. Richard Wright.

Mr. President:

During the past year, AMSAC has lost through death a valuable member. Richard Wright, renowned as an American writer, and respected as a member of the international intellectual community, one of the founders of AMSAC. It was through Richard Wright's good offices that the American Negro's contacts with French-speaking Africans matured into the cooperative Society of which we are now members.

His expatriation from his native land, though deplored by many who accused him of escaping from a parochial fight at home, resulted in the joining of what may be a far greater issue: the dignity of African-descended people all over the world. Perhaps too few of us realize the energies which Dick Wright poured into the idea of man's essential brotherhood. And I should therefore like to move that the American Society of African Culture recognize that the Society and the international intellectual community have lost a

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New Business (Cont.)

valuable member and friend.

The membership gave unanimous standing approval to the motion to have the
tribute to Mr. Wright permanently recorded and a copy transmitted to the family
of Mr. Wright.

II

Mr. Burgie requested information on the membership of the Society.

Dr. Davis stated that the membership had increased to 350.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 P.M.

Fifteen East Fortieth Street, New York 16, N.Y. / ORegon 9-9255

April 2, 1962

Dear Friend:

In the opening session of AMSAC's symposium on "The Negro Creative Artist and His Roots" Leonard De Paur, composer and conductor, had this to say:

I would be hard put to identify one serious or universally accepted musical development of this century which does not have its genesis in Negro creativity or folklore. The Negro product has created new and popular forms, it has pointed the way toward the freedom for older musical forms, and it has taken these forms and shaped them in our own cultural image. Conversely, it must be noted, we have failed spectacularly in attempting to bind our African rooted materials to fit the restrictive molds of the eighteenth and nineteenth century European music. This I think speaks volumes for the strength and virility of the African heritage, diffused and weakened as it is, because this heritage refuses to be forced into forms which were created in the first place to mask the paucity of ideas and imagination in the European composer.

To extend, amend, perhaps, refute this theme through discussion and demonstration a panel of musician-composers will meet on Wednesday, April 11th.

Mr. De Paur will act as moderator. The panelists will be Irving Burgie, a performer and composer of over thirty Calypso songs; Michael Olatunji, percussion expert from Nigeria who, for the past several years, has brought African rhythms to American audiences; Randy Weston, jazz composer and pianist, who has a special interest in incorporating African rhythms in his music.

Because there has been such a large response to our previous two sessions, we have decided to meet on April 11th in larger quarters than the AMSAC office. Our meeting place will be down the street:

THE WILKIE MEMORIAL BUILDING (FREEDOM HOUSE)
20 WEST 40TH STREET, in the
SECOND FLOOR AUDITORIUM.

We would appreciate your being in the Auditorium before 8:00 p.m., so that we can start the session promptly at 8 o'clock.

We look forward to your joining us.

BA:fg

15 EAST 40th STREET, NEW YORK 16, NEW YORK

1. Pan-Africanism Reconsidered. Papers of the Third Annual AMSAC Conference, June 1960. Edited by the American Society of African Culture with an introduction by Samuel W. Allen. Published by the University of California Press, April 1962. Available at AMSAC at a 15% discount. $5.95

2. Africa Seen by American Negroes, edited by John A. Davis and introduced by Alloue Diep; composite authorship. Published by PRESENCE AFRICAINE. 1959. 418pp. including illustrations. $3.14

3. The American Negro Writer and His Roots. Selected papers of the First Conference of Negro Writers, February, 1959. Published by AMSAC, March 1960. 76 pp., illustrated. $1.50

4. Report of AMSAC's Second Annual Conference. Includes annual report 1958-59, illustrated. 16 pp. Published by AMSAC, December 1959, $1.50

5. Summary Report - Fourth annual meeting. Summarizes discussions on African personality, economy and cities. Text of speech by Dr. St. Clair Drake: "The Relations of American and African Negro in the Context of Pan-Africanism." 20 pp. .50¢

6. AMSAC Newsletter. Monthly from September through June. Informs about activities of the Society and its members. Supplement deals with African culture. $2.00 per annum.

7. Descriptive Brochure. Illustrated. Gratis.

Concerning bulk orders and discounts for libraries, please inquire.

Tentative Program - 2

## II. Panel on African Education.

Dr. Mabel M. Smythe, Chairman
New Lincoln School
New York

Dr. Horace Mann Bond
President, AMSAC
Dean, School of Education
Atlanta University

"Contribution of American Education to Africa"

Dr. Edward W. Brice
Specialist in Fundamental and
Literary Education
Office of Education
Department of Health, Education,
and Welfare
Washington, D.C.

"African Education in the Contemporary
Societies South of the Sahara"

Dr. Wilton Dillon
Executive Director
Phelps-Stokes Fund

Dr. Leonard S. Kenworthy
Professor of Education
Brooklyn College

"Determining the Aims and Philosophy
of Education in Africa"

Mr. John Livingston
African - American Institute
Washington, D.C.

Dr. Chancellor Williams
Assistant Professor of Social Science
Howard University

"Toward an African University"

Dr. Assane Seck
Professor of Geography
University of Dakar, Senegal

To the Members of AMSAC

This packet contains very important information:

1. Agenda and Program of the Conference

2. Registration Form and reply envelope

3. Arrangement Information Sheet

4. April 30 NEWSLETTER

5. NEWSLETTER Supplement #3

Please read the information carefully.

Registration Form must be returned by June 15.
Conference facilities are limited and it may not
be possible to accommodate late registrants.

Late registrants will be penalized $2.00.

Arrangements Information Sheet

Second Annual Conference
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AFRICAN CULTURE

Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, N. Y. C.

June 26th - 29th, 1959.

## ROOM ACCOMMODATIONS.

Delegates will be housed in single or double rooms. For delegates electing double rooms, a preference for a room-mate will be respected as far as possible. We suggest your communicating with the person whom you select as a room-mate.

## CONFERENCE FUND.

The Executive Committee of the American Society of African Culture has approved the establishment of a Conference Fund for the Second Conference in order to guarantee maximum participation from members who would otherwise find it impossible to participate. The Fund will be used to reimburse a limited number of members in good standing* who make known their desire for assistance by June 15th.**

1. Members travelling a distance of 450 miles or more from any direction to New York will be entitled, if they petition now, to receive a reimbursement at the Conference equal to 1/2 the cost of first class return air transportation from point of origin to New York.

Notes: This arrangement permits members to defray all or most of the cost of travel with the grant by using cheaper means of transportation - for example, air coach.

2. Members who might be able to arrange travel but would have difficulty in paying the Conference fee are entitled to apply for assistance up to 50% of the total Conference cost. Because of the necessity of making definite advance commitments to the Hotel, it will not be possible to make refunds for banquet reservations and accommodations arranged for and not used.

## CONFERENCE FEE.

The basic Conference fee is $50.00 which includes the registration fee, reception, banquet ticket, papers, conference materials, and room rental. (or $17.00 without room.)

The cost of meals other than the banquet, will be borne by the delegates.

This fee should be paid in advance when registration forms are returned.

Deadline: Forms must be returned by June 15th.
Late registrants will be penalized $2.00.

*Member in good standing is defined as one who has paid 1958-59 dues.

**We will not be able to honor requests for assistance which are received later than June 15th.