Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks

2026 EWH Tea Talks Schedule

2026 Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talk Series

Echoes of Power: the Tradition of African American Oratory

African American oratory has long been a transformative force in U.S. history, serving as both cultural expression and a tool of resistance that is still needed today. Inspired by Senator Cory Booker’s historic speech in Congress—the longest ever delivered in its chambers—BHTNH’s 2026 Tea Talk Series will honor the enduring legacy of African American speech as both art and activism.

Rooted in African storytelling traditions, Black voices have shaped the nation’s conscience—from church pulpits to legislative halls, from local communities to global stages. This series of community dialogues will illuminate the power, poetry, and persistence of African American oratory to inspire social reform and build a more democratic Union.

What is the EWH Tea Talk Series?

The Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks are a series of participatory panel presentations and discussions related to New Hampshire’s Black history and African American culture. These dialogues occur every Sunday throughout February as part of celebrating Black History Month.

Additional Information

Registration is required for both in-person and online participation. Seating is limited for in-person events. If the in-person event is full, please call the BHTNH office to be put on a waiting list - 603-570-8469.

Please plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before 2:00 PM. If you do not arrive by that time, your seat may be given to another participant.

In case of inclement weather, talks will be virtual only.

2026 EWH Tea Talks Schedule

Tea Talk #1 | Sunday, February 1 | 2:00 PM | Portsmouth Public Library

A More Perfect Union: 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.

Art: Lale and the Children by L’Merchie Frazier ©

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Tea Talk #2 | Sunday, February 8 | 2:00 PM | Portsmouth Public Library

A Knock at Midnight: Black Preacher as Orator

The Black preacher has long held a sacred and central role in African American public speech. Beyond their role as religious leaders, preachers have historically served as political voices, cultural transmitters, community organizers, and skilled rhetoricians. This dialogue explores how the pulpit evolved into both a sanctuary and a platform for liberation, influencing the moral and political discourse within communities.

Art: Just us by L’Merchie Frazier ©

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Tea Talk #3 | Sunday, February 15 | 2:00 PM | Portsmouth Public Library

Unbought & Unbossed: Black Female Oratory

From the stirring voices of Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, and Fannie Lou Hamer to contemporary trailblazers like Amanda Gorman and Imani Perry, Black women have advanced truth-telling through the power of speech. This discussion celebrates their rhetorical brilliance, unflinching advocacy, and unique ability to weave personal experience with collective struggle in the ongoing fight for justice and equality.

Art: Slavery By Another Name, L’Merchie Frazier ©

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Tea Talk #4 | Sunday, February 22 | 2:00 PM | Portsmouth Public Library

On the Pulse of Morning: The Future of African American Oratory

A new generation of African American leaders is shaping the future of oratory through politics, activism, poetry, and ministry. This closing conversation highlights emerging voices that blend tradition with innovation, demonstrating how young speakers, poets, and activists continue to inspire, mobilize, and lead movements for justice in the 21st century.

Art: Children = Hope, by L’Merchie Frazier ©

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