Tea Talk Honors Legacy and Leadership

The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH) invites the public to attend the fourth panel in its 2025 Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talk Series, themed “The Art of War: Conflict and the African American Philosophy.” The panel discussion will take place on February 23, 2025, at the Portsmouth Public Library, starting at 2:00 PM. The event will be both in-person and available virtually.

The 90-minute panel, titled “Eyes on the Prize: Protests, Movements, and the Road Ahead,” 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. 

“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.” says BHTNH Executive Director JerriAnne Boggis,  “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.”

The panel will be facilitated by Jason Sokol, a historian of the civil rights movement and author and panelists include:

• Noelle N. Trent, the President and CEO of the Museum of African American History Boston/Nantucket. Dr. Trent holds a Master’s in Public History and a Ph.D. in United States History from Howard University in Washington, D.C. 
• L’Merchie Frazier, a visual activist, public artist, historian, educator, lecturer, and poet, and Executive Director of Creative/Strategic Planning for SPOKE Arts Inc. 
• Richard Josey, the Founder and Principal Consultant of Collective Journeys LLC, where he supports individuals and organizations in building inclusive, sustainable relationships grounded in connection. 
• Ebony JJ Curry, senior reporter for the Michigan Chronicle, where she leads the charge in modern journalism, highlighting the stories that matter most.

BHTNH invites all who are interested in learning more about New Hampshire’s history, its role in broader national movements, and the ongoing efforts to ensure a fair and equitable society to join this enlightening discussion. All talks are free and open to the public with registration required for either in-person or virtual options. 

For more information and to register, please visit the Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talk Page. 

This project was made possible with support from New Hampshire Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities. Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org.