"The multiplatform story of where D.C.'s Cultural Renaissance was born before Harlem."
IN THIS ISSUE...
The Black Broadway on U: A Transmedia Project is springing forward! I'm beyond excited to share with you the project's latest milestones so please read on to learn more about our Summer news, interactive developments and latest stories; Industrial: The Bank That Jesse Built to The Early Side of Duke, among other new Black Broadway on U voices. 

I gratefully thank and acknowledge ALL of the project's funders and supporters for helping our production team to continue on this storied journey and please continue to spread the word about the project, too! 
Sincerely,

Shellée M. Haynesworth

Executive Producer/Creator
Black Broadway on U: A Transmedia Project

        Shellee at NBPC's Pitch Black shedding 
       light to the audience about on the under-     
       told story of her native D.C.'s Black Broadway.
BLACK BROADWAY ON U @
NBPC 360 DIGITAL INCUBATOR PROGRAM & NBPC PITCH BLACK

I n March 2015, the Black Broadway on U: A Transmedia Project was selected out of over 170 applicants to participate in the National Black Programming Consortium's inaugural 360 Digital Incubator Program, which  took place at the Centre of Social Innovation, an amazing open work space in New York's chic Chelsea District. During this intenstive 6-week Incubator Program, the Black Broadway on U team under the stellar leadership and mentorship of NBPC staff spent their time refining the project's creative presentation, developing and launching the initial phase of its first interactive experience,
Black Broadway on U: Discover The Community.

On Thursday, April 23, 2015, the Incubator Program culminated in a special event: NBPC Pitch Black at the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space in downtown Manhattan. (insert butterflies here) At this special evening, Shellée and our Project Ambassador Dr. Bernard Demczuk (Ben's Chili Bowl historian/Professor of African American Studies), who graciously made the trip up from DC, took the stage to participate in the project's first pitch in front of a "live" audience and panel of industry panels. 

READ MORE ABOUT THE NBPC INCUBATOR & NBPC PITCH BLACK, HERE: 
PROJECT FUNDING NEWS

Humanities DC has awarded a 2015 major grant to the Black Broadway on U: A Transmedia Project. The proceeds from this grant will help this project to continue to build this multi-platform, cultural preservation project and historical moment.

HumanitiesDC is an important source and provides grants to new and small non-profits, DC residents and local historians to help them share and preserve their stories and empower our D.C. youth.

VISIT HumanitiesDC, HERE: http://www.wdchumanities.org/
DISCOVER THE COMMUNITY
"The People & Places of Black Broadway on U"

Black Broadway on U: Discover The Community , an online digital walking tour has launched on the project's website. This stand-alone experience highlights the landmark places and pathbreakers that shaped this historic Black D.C. Community along the U Street corridor.

DISCOVER & EXPLORE, HERE: 

Once more funding is secured, our future creative plans for this interactive site includes a mobile app, mini-docs, audio tours and an enhanced music player.  This project is funded in part by the NBPC 360 Incubator Program, Humanities DC and donors.
ECHOES OF  AN ERA
"The Voices of Black Broadway  on U"

WATCH!
NEW STORIES have been added to our website's "Echoes of an Era" video playlist featuring  NEW VOICES reflecting on the heydays of D.C.'s Black Broadway,  "when being there meant  being somebody."   

LIFT-OFF! 
We've launched Black Broadway on U's Vimeo Channel. 

Click link to VIEW on Vimeo:  BLACK BROADWAY ON U: THE EARLY SIDE OF DUKE
Story Synopsis:
Duke Ellington's early years and early career on D.C.'s Black Broadway on U are revisited and examined through the lens of his son, Edward Ellington and his daughter, April Ellington.

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

Launched in February, 2014, the "Black Broadway on U: A Transmedia Project" examines and preserves the social impact, cultural and historical influence of Washington, D.C.'s Black Broadway within the U Street Corridor (from early 1900s through the late 1950s).  The multi-platform project will connect today's and future audiences with the historical and hidden contributions of this African American community's iconic entertainers, music, culture and "unsung" Pathbreakers as well as their impact on American history. This multi-platform experience will feature a 3-part documentary film series, an interactive website (that will house a "living, digital history book" hosting immersive experience, showcasing short films about neighborhood elders, community stakeholders and experts), augmented reality, a mobile app, pop-up period performances, traveling, interactive exhibits and signature community events and a significant social media presence.
GET SOCIAL:
FOLLOW BLACK BROADWAY ON U