Tag Archives: diversity

Happy Birthday Ida B. Wells!

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” – Ida B. Wells

Ida B. Wells, journalist and activist was born on July 16, 1862. Born a slave and freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, she battled sexism, racism and violence throughout her life. She is a 2020 posthumous recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for outstanding and courageous reporting on the horrific violence against African Americans during the era of lynching. 

Actress Shinnerrie Jackson portrays Ida B. Wells in the Core Ensemble’s new show: UNBOUGHT. This post features video excerpts of Ms. Wells’ 1920 speech celebrating the passage of the 19th Amendment, granting Women the Right to Vote! Here is Shinnerie speaking about her first exposure to Ida B. Wells:

Ida B. Wells was one of the original founders of the NAACP and the National Association of Colored Women, created to address civil rights and women’s suffrage. She traveled internationally shedding light on lynching in the United States. She is remembered for her life and work as one of the most outstanding women of her day.

In 1893, Ida married famed African American lawyer Ferdinand Barnett. The couple had four children and throughout her career Ida balanced motherhood with her incredible activism.

Ida and her family lived at 3624 Grand Boulevard in Chicago from 1919-1930. She founded the first African American kindergarten in that city.


Core Ensemble diversity programs would not exist without the help of our donors! Please consider a contribution today to sustain our virtual library of shows illuminating social justice and to ensure that we may resume live performances when it is safe to do so.

The Core Ensemble at Home in South Florida

Lake Worth, Florida, home 2sometimes known as “the Greenwich Village of South Florida”, is home base for the Core Ensemble.  Our community’s abundant interest in the arts is one of the reasons we love being here, and the glorious weather is the frosting on the cake! The Core Ensemble has received the designation “Artists in Residence” at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, an inclusive Christian community (www.standrewslw.net). Our five-event 2015-16  free series at St. Andrew’s  (100 N. Palmway, Lake Worth, FL 33460 includes:

  • October 25th 4 pm – “Harvest of Voices-Cuentos de los Campos”
  • January 17th 4 pm – A Musical and Theatrical Tribute to Fannie Lou Hamer
  • (in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act)
  • January 19th 7 pm – “Of Ebony Embers-Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance”
  • January 20th 2 pm – Beethoven/Brahms Recital by Core Ensemble pianist Hugh Hinton
  • March 6th 4 pm – “Frida Kahlo Lives!” in celebration of Women’s History Month

For  more information about the series at St. Andrew’s call 561-582-6609.

home 1In addition, community outreach programs bring us to farm worker communities around Palm Beach County for performances of “Harvest of Voices” in English and Spanish. Educational programs celebrating diversity and social justice will bring us to schools and afterschool programs in Palm Beach and Broward Counties. All of this is made possible by the Broward Student Enrichment Trust Fund, the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs (www.florida-arts.org) and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County (www.palmbeachculture.com).

home 3Our local collaborators include the Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach (www.farmworkercouncil.org), the Broward County School Board, the City of Lake Worth Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, and the Lake Worth Interfaith Network (www.lwinterfaith.net).