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NEW IBERIA, La. --- The Shadows-on-the-Teche and The Iberia African American Historical Society would like to announce the opening of an oral traditions listening exhibit titled The Second Side: A Historical Retelling of African American Life in Iberia Parish on Sat., Dec. 10, 2022, at 1 p.m.
The exhibit features oral histories from African American residents and natives who participated in interviews conducted by high school students as part of the Oral Traditions class, a partnership between the Shadows and Iberia Parish Schools, that ran from 1992 to 2007. The exhibit is curated by Breighlynn M. Polk. Speakers for the program will include individuals who helped to create the class, as well as individuals who participated in the interviews.
The opening for The Second Side will take place at the Shadows Visitor Center (320 E. Main St.). The event is free and open to the public and will also be live streamed via Facebook and Zoom, day of, for those who are unable to attend onsite on the day of the event. The exhibit will be available for viewing during events at the Shadows.
About Breighlynn Polk:
Breighlynn is currently a graduate student in the American Studies program at Kennesaw State University located in Kennesaw, Georgia. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Clark Atlanta University in 2017 and has participated in various professional conferences and presentations. She anticipates graduating with her master’s degree in May of 2023.
A native of New Iberia, Breighlynn has a deep desire for using oral histories as a method of research throughout the interdisciplinary scope of history-making. With the focus of exemplifying the narratives of marginalized communities, she remains dedicated to unveiling the hidden histories of those whose experiences have been epistemically erased from traditional historic doctrine.
Speakers for the event will include:
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Elaine P. Campbell: Campbell is a native and life-long resident of the “Lil’ Brooklyn” community in New Iberia. Aside from being a prominent community leader, Campbell taught English in the Iberia and St. Mary Parish school systems for over 60 years where she experienced the highs and lows of segregation and integration in Iberia Parish. Devoted to the advancement and acknowledgment of African Americans in her community, Campbell also established The Ebony Journal, Iberia Parish’s first Black-owned newspaper since the age of Reconstruction.
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Jalana Durall: Durall is a resident of New Iberia and participated in the inaugural Oral Traditions class, one of the first African American History courses offered in Iberia Parish. A member of New Iberia Senior High’s class of 1994, Durall has stated her gratitude for having the opportunity to participate in the class since it was one of the first of its kind developed in the state of Louisiana. She continues to be an advocate for the education of students in New Iberia as she currently works with the Iberia Parish School Board.
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Patricia Kahle: Kahle, who recently announced her retirement, currently serves as the Interim Executive Director of the Shadows and was instrumental in the creation of the Oral Traditions class.
About the Shadows-on-the-Teche:
The Shadows-on-the-Teche, National Trust for Historic Preservation site, opened to the public in 1961 with the mission to preserve the buildings, landscape, collections, and historical integrity of the site; to research and interpret through education programs a 19th century southern Louisiana plantation economy and community and their evolution; and to encourage an appreciation of and interest in historic preservation. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which owns and operates the Shadows-on-the-Teche, is a private, non-profit organization. The Shadows does not receive funding from federal, state, parish, or city government. The site supports itself through admissions, special programs and events, and donations to the Friends of the Shadows. For more information, visit ShadowsOnTheTeche.org.
For more information, please contact Jayd Buteaux at (337) 369-6446 or JButeaux@savingplaces.org.
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