DISCOVERING ROBESON'S LIFE THROUGH MAPS

From Princeton, NJ to Philadelphia, PA, Paul Robeson was a Renaissance man who traveled across the country and the globe to promote justice, liberation, and peace. In honor of Robeson’s global activism, the Paul Robeson Alliance is developing a mapping project to represent the significant locations that Robeson lived in or traveled to over the course of his life. We hope by developing this mapping resource, we can introduce the next generation to the global legacy Robeson left behind. The working project is linked in the heading. 

WHO WE ARE

The Paul Robeson Alliance is a coalition of organizations that have been formed independently over the years to acknowledge and celebrate the legacy of Paul Leroy Robeson, Esq., a 20th-century Renaissance man who advocated for freedom, peace and brotherhood. Robeson fought for, suffered for, and believed in these ideals, and it has become the duty of the Robeson Alliance to continue Robeson’s activist mission and grant recognition to a man who lacked the proper appreciation during his own lifetime.

 

 

Individually, the groups that comprise the Robeson Alliance have maintained his legacy through theater; community, university and library programs, youth involvement, art exhibitions, cultural experiences and more.  In 2022, more than a dozen Robeson-inspired groups came together to form the alliance to bolster his life and vision through their combined efforts. Through joint initiatives and cross-organization collaborations, the Alliance has created an ever-expanding, international network of Robeson-inspired entities whose collective work will allow people from around the world to learn about the life and legacy of Paul Robeson and its importance in our contemporary day.

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Robey Theatre’s “The Talented Tenth”

The Robey Theatre Company in Association with The Los Angeles Theatre Center Presents 
 
THE TALENTED TENTH By Richard Wesley 
 
Directed by Ben Guillory 
 
Richard Wesley’s play The Talented Tenth portrays graduates of Howard University who have succeeded (the big house, the new cars, the lavish vacations, the families). Bernard, in particular, feels conflicted about betraying his original principles. Bernard is a hard-driving executive at a small chain of Black radio stations. His programming decisions have boosted the stations’ ratings and significantly increased its commercial value. Now, the chain owner, Griggs, is considering selling the chain to an international white corporation, which would ravage Bernard’s plans for the company. Bernard’s life outside of work is becoming problematic, too. He has a beautiful, capable wife of many gifts who has borne him four children. He also has a smart, hot, younger mistress who is increasing demands on him. Bernard has had plans for the Black radio stations that would serve and uplift his community. What will happen to them now? What will Bernard do about the two beautiful women in his life? 2 hours including a 15 minute intermission The Talented Tenth is recommended for ages 13 and up.
 
Get tickets here.

ROBESON'S 125TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT, OCTOBER 15, 2023

A Musical Tribute

Join us on October 15, 2023 @3:00pm-5:00pm EST for an extraordinary evening as we celebrate the 125th birthday of Paul Robeson. This event is more than just a concert; it’s a tribute to a legacy, a gathering of community, and a beacon of historical preservation.

Headlined by Kevin Maynor, Renowned Bass Soloist 

Kevin Maynor, acclaimed for his rich and expressive voice, will be gracing the stage to perform a selection of Paul Robeson songs. His performances have enthralled audiences across the globe.  Westminster Jubilee Singers 

Composed of students selected by audition, the Westminster Jubilee Singers is modeled after the historically acclaimed Fisk Jubilee Singers. Its specialized and select repertoire is very diverse and focuses on solo and ensemble artistic expressions from its singers. Part of Westminster Choir College’s Sacred Music Department, the ensemble performs literature that includes African-American spirituals and folk songs; classical music by African-American composers; gospel music and secular songs by musical greats. 

Special guest: Susan Robeson 

We are immensely privileged to welcome Susan Robeson to the Robeson Anniversary Concert. As a beacon of her grandfather’s legacy, she will grace us with the opening remarks and guide us through the event as our esteemed moderator. VIP ticket holders will have the exclusive honor of joining Susan Robeson at the event’s VIP reception. 

Special guests: Patricia Smith and the Witherspoon Church Verse Speaking Choir 

We are thrilled to have Patricia Smith, Princeton’s esteemed poet laureate, joining us. The Witherspoon Church Verse Speaking Choir will be performing Smith’s newly commissioned Paul Robeson poem. A printed version of the poem will be shared with ticket holders.

PAUL ROBESON'S BIRTH, PART 2, JUNE-NOVEMBER 2023

Paul Robeson 125th birthday events at Rutgers.

DISCOVERY MUSEUM AND WALKING TOUR
SOMERVILLE, NJ, JUNE 17, 2023

The Ubuntu Cultural Pavilion Inc. in Somerville, NJ, is holding its first event as a newly formed non-profit organization on Saturday, June 17, 2023. This was the day in 1915 that Paul Robeson graduated from Somerville High School. For more information: ucpavilion@gmail.com 

125TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
APRIL 8-15, 2023

Born to a North Carolina freedom seeker and Presbyterian minister, William Drew Robeson, and a Quaker schoolteacher and descendant of one Philadelphia’s oldest Black families, Maria Louisa Bustill, on April 9, 1898, Paul Robeson led a life that was both selfless and fearless. Robeson and his siblings placed a high value on education, as Robeson attended Somerville High School, graduating in 1915, Rutgers University as valedicctorian, graduating in 1919, and Columbia Law School, graduating in 1923. 

While in law school, Robeson played professional football for the Akron Pros and the Milwaukee Badgers. However, his talents did not stop just there. In addition to being a world-class thespian with his most notable leading role being in Othello in London in the 1930s and ’40s, Robeson was also a movie star, starring in several top-billed roles in movies like Emperor Jones (1993), Proud Valley (1940), and Show Boat (1951).

 

However, Robeson is most commonly known as an early civil rights activist who used his magnificent bass-baritone voice to protest through the language of oration and song. Robeson was an international figure who embraced the struggles of oppressed people in his own country and abroad. In many ways, Robeson was a talented artist who traded the stage for the real world and sacrificed his career for standing up for what he believed in.

Please join the Alliance in honoring Paul Leroy Robeson, Esq. and his achievements for his 125th Birthday. The Robeson Alliance will be hosting events during the entire month of April and beyond, with most events occurring during Robeson Week on April 8-15, 2023. Here is our full Robeson 125th Birthday event calendar.

                      

                        PAUL LEROY ROBESON

                     April 9, 1898 – Jan. 23, 1976

PAST 125th ACTIVITIES

Black Quaker Lives Matter Film Festival & Forum on April 8 @1:00 pm ET


The American Friends Service Committee
& The BlackQuaker Project – Virtual

Paul Robeson Institute’s Jazz Music Concert on April 16 @2:00pm ET


Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership, and Social Justice in Branchburg, NJ

"The artist must fight for freedom or slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative." - Paul Leroy Robeson

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ALLIANCE MEMBERS

 

Arts Council of          Princeton

Located in Princeton, New Jersey  

Represented by Adam Welch 

 

Black Quaker Project

Located in Wellesley, MA

Represented by Dr. Hal Weaver and Cooper Vaughn

 

 

New York City Labor    Chorus

 Located in New York, NY

Represented by Jeff Vogel

 

Paul Robeson Cultural Center

 Located at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ Campus

Represented by Jakora Thompson

 

Paul Robeson House & Museum              

Located in Philadelphia, PA: the city of Robeson’s death    

Represented by Janice Sykes-Ross, Vernoca Michael, Sherry Howard, Margaret Livingston, Joyce Mosley

 

Paul Robeson House of Princeton 

Located in Princeton, New Jersey: the city of Robeson’s birth 

Represented by Denyse Leslie, Shirley Satterfield, Ben Colbert, Martha Sword, Dr. Joy Barnes-Johnson

Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership, and Social Justice 

Located at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, NJ

Represented by Rhonda Stewart

 

The Robey Theater Company

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Represented by Ben Guillory and JC Cadena

 

Rutgers African American Alumni Alliance, Inc

Based at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ 

Represented by Simone Mack-Bright

 

 

 

 

Rutgers Class of 1971

Located at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ

Represented by Jim Savage

 

A Song for Freedom by Andrew Norman

Author from the United Kingdom

Represented by Andrew Norman


Ubuntu Cultural Pavillion

Located in Somerville, NJ

Represented by Kendall Hall

 

Paul Robeson Cultural Center

Based at Penn State University in University Park, PA

Represented by Evan Williams and Maryness Castillo Espinoza

 

CONTACT US

If your Robeson organization would like to join the alliance, please contact the Paul Robeson House & Museum in Philadelphia at sophia@paulrobesonhouse.org or 215-747-4675.