MARIO A.J. BENNEKIN
“The Harlem Renaissance: Roots & Reach”
Feb. 15-19, 2021
WITH EDUCATION COMES TOLERANCE
KEYNOTE SPEAKER - DR. HERMAN ``SKIP`` MASON JR.
Dr. Herman “Skip” Mason Jr., author, historian and pastor, is a native of Atlanta. He matriculated and graduated from Morris Brown College and continued his education at Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University) and earned a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science with a concentration in African American Studies and Archives/Museum Management. He is also a graduate of the Phillips School of Theology of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta where he obtained the Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Ministry degrees, respectively.
Dr. Mason, a seasoned educator for more than 25 years, has served as professor of history, college archivist, director and dean of students and Vice President of Student Services at both Morris Brown College and Morehouse College in Atlanta. Currently, he is the Director of Library Service and Assistant Professor of African-American History and Religion at Voorhees College in Denmark, S.C.
Dr. Mason has curated major exhibitions and is the author of numerous books on the history of African Americans’ experience in Atlanta, Georgia and the South and has published more than 10 books, including Going Against The Wind: A History of Black Atlanta; Black Atlanta in the Roaring Twenties, Black Entertainment in Atlanta, African American Life in DeKalb County, Politics, Law and Civil Rights in Atlanta; Black American Series: East Point, Georgia and In Their Own Words: 150 Years of Wisdom from the Bishops of the CME Church (to be released in 2021). He is also the creator of the Vanishing Black Atlanta Facebook Page, with over 43,000 members, and the Vanishing Black Atlanta Book Club.
Dr. Mason served on the National Board of Directors of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C. which led to the completion and dedication of the monument on the Mall in Washington, D.C in 2011. He is a member of numerous fraternal, social and civic organizations and was the 33rd General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
An avid genealogist, Dr. Mason enjoys reading, local and international traveling, collecting Black memorabilia and photographs and listening to music. He is the father of two wonderful teenaged children, Jewel and Jodari. He gives thanks to God for his journey.
PRESENTERS
Professor Paul Gaustad
“African-American Representation in Silent Film: A Study in Contrast Between Mainstream Films and Films by African-American Producers, Actors, and Directors”
Wendy Hensel, J. D.
Dr. Nancy Kropf
Dr. Valerie Matthews
Dr. Gnimbin Ouattara
“From the Harlem Renaissance to Black Lives Matter”
Professor Kathy Perkins
“African American Women Playwrights of the Harlem Renaissance”
Learn About Professor Kathy Perkins
Dr. Will Simson
“From Their Own Loom: Art Weaves a Harlem Renaissance”
Dr. Dana Wiggins
“I Have Two Loves: The Harlem Renaissance in the United States and Paris”
Perimeter College Theater Arts GuildSCHEDULE
MONDAY
1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Dr. Gnimbin Ouattara: “From the Harlem Renaissance to Black Lives Matter”
Facilitator:
Professor Adam Stone
History, Political Science & African-American Studies
Perimeter College
3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Dr. Dana Wiggins: “I Have Two Loves: The Harlem Renaissance in the United States and Paris”
Facilitator:
Dr. Ursula Thomas
Cultural and Behavioral Sciences
Perimeter College
TUESDAY
1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Dr. Will Simson: “From Their Own Loom: Art Weaves a Harlem
Renaissance”
Facilitator:
Dr. Crystal Garrett
History, Political Science & African-American Studies
Perimeter College
3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Remarks
Wendy Hensel, J. D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Georgia State University
Dr. Nancy Kropf
Dean
Perimeter College
Musical Tribute
Dr. Valerie Matthews
English
Perimeter College
Featured Speaker
Dr. Herman “Skip” Mason Jr.: “Atlanta’s Black Bottom: The Cultural,
Educational, Spiritual and Business History of African Americans in Atlanta in the ‘Roaring Twenties’ and the Era of the Harlem Renaissance!”
Facilitator:
Dr. Kimberly Bennekin
Mathematics
Perimeter College
WEDNESDAY
1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Professor Kathy Perkins: “African American Women Playwrights of the Harlem Renaissance”
Facilitator:
Dr. Shawn L. Williams
English
Perimeter College
3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Professor Paul Gaustad: “African-American Representation in Silent Film: A Study in Contrast Between Mainstream Films and Films by African-American Producers, Actors, and Directors”
Facilitator:
Dr. Crystal Garrett
History, Political Science & African-American Studies
Perimeter College
THURSDAY
2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Dr. Leah Creque: “The Artistic Outcry of the Harlem Renaissance”
Facilitator:
Dr. Robert Woodrum
History, Political Science & African-American Studies
Perimeter College
FRIDAY
12:20 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.
Perimeter College Theater Arts Guild: “The Harlem Stride”
Call for submissions: Perimeter College Dean Dr. Nancy Kropf announces an invitation for Perimeter faculty and students to submit scholarly works related to the 2021 Bennekin Symposium theme. The deadline is May 31.