Ooops,

Made a little mistake and made the first video too large so that it appears a bit fuzzy. This one should look better, I hope so. Anyhow, thanks for bearing with me.

Barbara arriving in Baltimore, backstage

Barbara has just arrived and is very "hungry." We are glad to see her and we are getting ready for the rehearsal.

Go, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First Lady in Baltimore

Go, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First Lady in Baltimore

On March 18, 2011, Go, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First Lady were performed at the Coppin State University, James Weldon Johnson Theater in Baltimore. The performance was hosted by the Morning Star Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in the region. The theater was nearly filled, with an audience of great diversity. One of the most exciting things for me was that a return to Baltimore was a return to my home town where I lived for three decades. Some of my relatives came out to see the play and a great number of friends. At least two contributors to the book also came. Joanne Gabbin came from Virginia and Janice Lovon Harris who contributed to the audio book was also in the audience. The most exciting thing about Joanne Gabbin was that a few days before we had a lengthy phone conversation and during that conversation we discovered that we had grown up around the corner from one another. Further, we discovered that her aunt, Mary James, had been my mother's (Margaret Brooks) best friend. We were thrilled to make this discovery. Joanne contacted her "Aunt Mae" and brought her to the play. It was a wonderful reunion. The audience loved the play and we were so excited to play before such a large audience. We took some photos and made a few videos which we will share with you online in several venues including Facebook, Twitter, the blog and our new webpage at www.uncrownedcommunitybuilders.com Another thing we tried which we had not tried before was to ask contributors to submit a video that we could use show on a big screen in the theater before the play began. Several people responded most begged off citing lack of knowledge of how to shoot a video for YouTube and then send it by email. This is something we can all work on together so that we can continue to stay in touch with the latest in technology. Anyhow, a wonderful time was had by all. Thanks to all of you for keeping in touch and giving us your support. I should also add that we heard from the First Lady in sort of a round about way. We had requested that she "skype" a message to the audience at the theater. After a long way, her scheduling office said that she would not be available but that she send her well wishes for success and she hopes we will continue our work in supporting the community. We are continuing to send messages about our efforts with this book. So, we will keep you posted with more info. Other inquiries have come in for the performance of the play and we are excited about this and we will keep you posted.

Go, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First Lady in Baltimore

Go, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First Lady

Go, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First Lady is opening in Baltimore this Friday, March 18, 2011. The play will be performed at the James Weldon Johnson Theater at Coppin State University. Cast members are Peggy Brooks-Bertram, Barbara Seals Nevergold and international storyteller Karima amin. We are thrilled. The ticket sales are going great and we wish you could all join us. We are fortunate that some of the contributors to the book will be there and that will be great. We also sent out a call to contributors to provide a video clip of a message that we could use to greet the audience with. Some responded and that should be fun. Further, we finally heard from the White House. While Ms. Obama could not "skype" a message to us, her scheduling staff reported that she sends us well wishes and hope that we continue our work for our community and the country. Lord knows we have done all we know to get a response, so we will take what we can get at this time. Anyway, we are all stoked for the performance and wish you could be with us. We will be sure to take some videos so that we can put them on line. Also, I had the most wonderful experience today. Joanne Gabbin, a contributor and I talked at length today and the longer we talked the more it became evident that we had grow up together around the corner from one another. Her Aunt Mae was my mother's best girlfriend in all the world and lived directly across the street from me! That was so exciting. She will be coming to the play and will bring her Aunt Mae with her. I just cannot wait to see her again. Anyhow, that is enough for now. Love, Peggy

African American women in Europe are invited to Go, Tell Michelle

GTM Sisterhood Network is proud to be connected with our African American sisters living and working in Europe and thank them for supporting our work and "Go, Tell Michelle Book 2".

We encourage our Network to support Black Women In Europe as they organize to support Black women around the world! Please consider making a contribution to support this work and visit their website, linked below to learn more about this important movement.





African American women in Europe are invited to Go, Tell Michelle

YouTube - uncrownedqueens's Channel#p/u/4/B30BCXDABbE

On February 8, 2011, "Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women speak to the New First Lady", a dramatic reading adapted by Robert Knopf in collaboration with Barbara Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram was performed at the 10th Street Theatre in San Diego. Seema Sueko, artistic director of Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company, directed this production. Seema comments on the play and its origin, "Go, Tell Michelle", the book.




YouTube - uncrownedqueens's Channel#p/u/4/B30BCXDABbE

New Letters and Survey, Go, Tell Michelle

The mid-term election of 2010 has raised our concerns about the up-coming presidential election and is also the mid-point of the Obama administration. It is an opportune time for Black women to, once again, express their thoughts, feelings, concerns to Michelle Obama. The deadline for letters to Michelle, book 2 has been extended to March 1, 2011. We are also asking that you complete a survey, regardless of whether you intend to submit a letter. More information and the survey are available at our webpage: Go, Tell Michelle, Book 2

What Women Wrote To Michelle Obama | KPBS.org

What Women Wrote To Michelle Obama KPBS.org

Writing To Michelle Obama | KPBS.org

Writing To Michelle Obama KPBS.org

We are in sunny San Diego today, getting ready for the performance of "Go, Tell Michelle" by Mo'Olelo Performing Arts Company and the Women's Museum of California this evening. This morning we had a great interview with Maureen Cavanaugh of KPBS Radio. Listen to our conversation, hot off the airwaves! Many thanks to Maureen, Angela and Seema. Here we are with Maureen, in studio.

More to come, see video on YouTube.

San Diego Weather

The weather is lovely here in San Diego. You can sleep with the windows open--and hope nothing flies in--and it is cool and comfortable. The days are lovely and sunny with just a slight breeze. We hope that any of the sisters from the Go, Tell Michelle Sisterhood Network who are in California and who can make it to the theatre tonight will have a chance to come. That would be doubly exciting. Peggy

San Diego Gets Ready for "Go, Tell Michelle"

One night only at 10th Avenue Theatre

The Women's Museum of California & Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company
Invite you to join us for an evening of wine, cheese and words with a staged reading of
"Go, Tell Michelle:
African-American Women Speak to the First Lady"Based on the book
Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
5:15 PM Reception & Mingle with the Authors
Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram 6:00 PM Reading of Go, Tell Michelle
Directed by Seema Sueko*
The 10th Avenue Theatre
930 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Reservations: Space is limited.
Email: tickets@moolelo.net or call 619-342-7395 or 619-342-7395

Admission: Bring something to drink (bottle of wine, soda, whatever you fancy), food to share (cheese & crackers, hors d'oeuvre, or some other munchie),
or make a $10 donation at the door

Deadline Extended for GTM - Book Two

The deadline for submission of letters to us for GTM- Book 2 has been extended to March 1, 2011. We have received many calls & e-mails asking for extended time and have decided to add the additional month to the original deadline. We are also asking that you complete the online SURVEY whether you decide to submit a letter or not. Tell us how you think Michelle, the girls and her mother have been treated by the media and the public. Please share the survey with your network. We want to hear from African American women all over this nation.

This photo was taken in the summer of 2009 at the National Association of Black Journalists Conference in Tampa, FL. Gwen Ifill, Michele Norris, Peggy and Barbara

After San Diego, Baltimore!

The February 8th performance of "Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Speak to the New First Lady" is the first performance of this play by professional actors. However, on March 18th, Peggy, Karima and I have an opportunity to reprise our roles in the play in a performance in Baltimore at Coppin State College. Our premiere of the play on January 19th and 20th 2010 was to a packed house of nearly 200 people. The audience was enthusiatic and complementary. A year later, the script has been slightly revised and the three of us are looking forward to this performance.

Details are provided on the accompanying flyer. so if you're in the Baltimore area, we'd love to see you for our performance.

GTM Play Goes to San Diego

The Women's Museum of California &
Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company

Invite you to join us for an evening of wine, cheese and words with
a staged reading of

“Go, Tell Michelle:
African-American Women Speak to the First Lady”

Adapted by Robert Knopf in collaboration with
Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram based on their book
Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

5:15 PM Reception & Mingle with the Authors
Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram

6:00 PM Reading of Go, Tell Michelle
Featuring Lorene Chesley*, Diona Reasonover, & Sylvia M'Lafi Thompson*
Directed by Seema Sueko*

The 10th Avenue Theatre
930 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101


Reservations: Space is limited.
Email: tickets@moolelo.net or call 619-342-7395