30th Anniversary Showcase to Honor Tireless Supporters of the Humanities in D.C.

8 Recipients of Special 30th Anniversary Grant Will Present their Projects

The major celebratory events of our 30th anniversary year are just around the corner. On Tuesday, September 21st, the recipients of the 30th Anniversary Special Grant will have the opportunity to display the fruits of their labors in front of an audience. Each unique project is sure to inspire interest in the humanities in Washington, and encourage more efforts to tell the diverse stories that make up the city's rich cultural fabric.

The grantees will share the spotlight during the Tuesday event with a small group of individuals and organizations who have shown sustained dedication to the Humanities Council and its efforts. Each will receive an award in recognition of their contributions. And the winners are...

Bob Bremner

Bremner has been a Humanities Council Board Member since 2006 and currently serves as Treasurer. Bremner received his education from Yale and Harvard, and has worked in finance for over 20 years. A true supporter of the humanities, Bremner has served on the board of the Dayton Contemporary Art Gallery and the Associate Board of the Dayton Art Institute. He has written two published books and is currently working on his third. Bremner will be presented the Angel Award, an honor recognizing continued financial support to the humanities.
Aviva Kempner is an American filmmaker whose documentaries investigate non-stereotypical images of Jews in history and focus on the untold stories of Jewish heroes.  Kempner was born in Berlin, Germany, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and a U.S. Army officer. She started the Washington Jewish Film Festival in 1989. She is also a member of International Film And Television Club of Asian Academy of Film & Television, Noida Film City, India. The Humanities Council will present Kempner the Outstanding Grantee Award, in recognition of the contributions she has made to the Humanities in Washington, DC as a prolific grant project director.

Dr. Elizabeth Primas

Dr. Primas is a native Washingtonian, graduate of the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), and DC Teacher of the Year in 2000. Since the inaugural Washington, DC Big Read in 2007, Dr.  Primas has delivered the featured novel to thousands of DC public high schools students, encouraging the participation of students and educators. Dr. Primas will receive the Partner Award, an honor given to an individual who has consistently enhanced one or more of the Humanities Council’s programming initiatives.

The Historic Preservation Office in the D.C. Office of Planning

The DCHPO is committed to maintaining a careful balance between economic development and the preservation of valuable cultural resources. Special mentions go to Associate Director David Maloney and Community Outreach Coordinator Patsy Fletcher for their important efforts to develop partnerships in diverse historic neighborhoods beyond the National Mall. The D.C. Historic Preservation Office will recieve the Service Award for their continued work on the D.C. Community Heritage Project, a partnership with the Humanities Council.

The D.C.  Public Library – Washingtoniana Division

The Washingtoniana Division, established in 1905, has one of the finest local history collections in this area. Washingtoniana's mission is to continually collect and make available material related to Washington D.C. The Washingtoniana Division will be presented the Service Award for the resources it provides the Humanities Council’s D.C. Community Heritage Project grantees and individuals conducting research on their historic homes.

Deanwood History Project – Kia Chatmon

Located in the far northeastern edge of the City, Deanwood is one of Washington DC’s oldest African American neighborhoods.  The Deanwood History Project delved into the community’s history and sought to preserve the legacy and stories of the generations of residents who helped build and create the neighborhood that is now so desirable. The Deanwood History Project and Kia Chatmon will be presented the Grantee Award honoring their contributions to the humanities.

German Historical Institute – Martin Klimke

The German Historical Institute (GHI) in Washington, D.C. is an internationally recognized center for the advanced study of German Culture. It serves as a transatlantic bridge connecting American and European scholars, and seeks to make their research accessible to policy-makers and the general public. The GHI’s primary goal is to foster the reciprocal study of history between the United States and Germany, but the full scope of its mission is much broader. The Institute encourages global studies across all of the social sciences and humanities. The GHI is especially committed to promoting international scholarly collaboration by bringing together academics from every part of the world. The German Historical Institute will be presented the Partner Award for their continued support of the Humanities Council’s programs.

Reading is Fundamental – Teri Wright

Founded in 1966, Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. is the largest non-profit literacy organization for children and families in the United States. RIF's highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. RIF prepares and motivates young readers by delivering free books and literacy resources to those who need them most. Reading is Fundamental will be presented the Partner Award for their assistance in enhancing humanities programs, especially the Washington, DC Big Read.

The National Hand Dance Association – Beverly Johnson

Hand dancing, also known as "D.C. hand dancing" or "D.C. swing", is a form of swing dance that can be traced as far back as the 1920’s. It is distinguished by gliding footwork and continuous hand connection/communication between the partners. It fell out of favor during the disco era, but in the 1980's, Hand Dance resurfaced in the Washington dance community. In 1993, the Smithsonian Institution recognized Hand Dance as an American Art Form. This recognition, and the subsequent development of a Hand Dance exhibit at the Smithsonian led to the establishment of the National Hand Dance Association which will be presented the Grantee Award for their superb series of documentaries and programs highlighting the history of their medium, and their dedication to the humanities.

30 Stories for 30 Years

Neighborhood Griot Honored in New Video

“We’ve come to realize we need to make a whole person before we can make an artist,” says Melvin Deal, Executive Director of the African Heritage Dancers and Drummers. For more than half a century Deal has been connecting Washingtonians with their African heritage through dance, the arts, and even trips to Africa. In order to celebrate its own 30-year legacy, the Humanities Council of Washington DC has made possible a brief documentary film about Deal and his extraordinary legacy.

The brief video will showcase Deal’s many accomplishments, focusing on the countless lives he has transformed, including being there for East of the River residents during trying times in the 1980s. The “dance griot” of DC, Deal has maintained a tradition of storytelling, educating, and teaching culture through African dance and music. He has been declared one of “Washington Living Legends and Cultural Treasures” by the Washington Post. Through intergenerational testimony, interviews with community leaders and government officials, and the words and dance of Deal himself, the documentary film seeks to embrace, promote, and honor Deal’s contributions to help shape and empower DC communities, especially those East of the River.

There was a public showing of the pilot documentary film in June, which was 30 minutes long. For more information, please contact the Ward 7 Arts Collective at (202) 399-1997.