2025 Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks

Inspired by Sun Tzu’s classic text, The Art of War, 2025’s series presents a unique framework to explore how African philosophies of war, strategy, resilience, and collective action have influenced African American history.

Taking place every Sunday in February at the Portsmouth Public Library, the series will also examine how African Americans have drawn upon spiritual strength, communal traditions, and cultural wisdom to endure oppression, fight for justice, and shape the nation's history.

“This year’s series is not only a reflection on history but also a celebration of the resilience and ingenuity of African Americans,” said JerriAnne Boggis, Executive Director of BHTNH. “By drawing on ancient spiritual traditions and collective wisdom, African Americans created pathways for survival and progress. The conversations at the Tea Talks will allow us to understand our shared history and the ongoing fight for justice."

Tea Talk #1

“A Knock at Midnight,” The Legacy of African American Speechmaking

This opening conversation traces the evolution of Black speechmaking, from the fiery antislavery addresses of Frederick Douglass delivered here in New Hampshire to the soaring cadences of Sojourner Truth, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Malcolm X. Participants will explore how oratory served as both a survival strategy and a weapon of resistance, affirming African American speech as a vital force for social change.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2025 (2:00 PM)
“If you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come.” – Sun Tzu
PANEL #2 | Hopes and Impediments: War and Strategies for Belonging

The principle of maneuvering in war emphasizes flexibility and adapting to changing conditions. Historically, African Americans had to navigate oppressive political and social environments, using spiritual and cultural tools to maneuver within systems designed to suppress them.
This session will highlight how, rather than passively accepting their imposed status, African and African American involvement in early wars like the Revolutionary War and the Civil War was both an offensive strategy and a spiritual defiance against a society that deemed them inferior.

Presenters
1. Allyson Schettino, New York Historical Society, Reflective Patriotism
2. Glenn Knoblock, “Strong and Brave Fellows” (Revolutionary War)
3. Bob Sheppard, Lecturer, "Maine's Tuskegee Airman: A Son's Perspective"
Moderator

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2025 (2:00 PM)

'If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are .” – Sun Tzu

PANEL #3 | The Great Migration: Military Service and the Shaping of a Diversified New Hampshire

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu highlights the importance of using terrain to one's advantage. For African Americans, navigating the U.S. political and social landscape often required knowing when  and where to engage. Many viewed military service as a means of achieving  social mobility, financial security, and proving their patriotism.

This panel will examine the integration of  military bases in New Hampshire—such as Pease, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and Grenier in Manchester—and how these bases contributed to the state's diversification. Panelists will also discuss how military service became a tool for asserting rights and claiming full citizenship.

Presenters
1. Timothy Berry, Class President at the U.S. Military Academy West Point, 2013
2. Andrea Williamson, Military Family
3. Leah Dearborn, Assoc. Director, Aviation Museum,
Moderator
Nadine Petty

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2025 (2:00 PM)
“There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.” – Sun Tzu
PANEL #4 | Eyes on the Prize: Protests, Movements, and the Road Ahead

African American civic movements and participation in wars have often been driven by deep moral and ethical goals—freedom, equality, and human dignity. The Civil Rights Movement, for instance, was led by individuals who invoked faith as a unifying force, drawing from Christian theology, African spiritual traditions, and a collective consciousness of liberation. Effective leadership, like in The Art of War's "unity of command," was essential. Many African American leaders were inspirational not just through strategy but through moral and spiritual authority, grounding their calls for justice in deeply held spiritual principles.

This panel will explore African American protest movements, past and present, focusing on nonviolence and self-
determination. Panelists will discuss the current state of these movements, highlighting African American spiritual resilience, the strength of unity, and the enduring importance of community.

Presenters
1. Noelle Trent, President & CEO, African American Museum Boston/Nantucket
2. L'Merchie Frazier,
3. Richard Jose, Collective Journeys
Moderator
Jason Sokol, UNH