The Black Canon: Preserving Material Culture (w/ Alima Wheeler-Trapp & Ali J. Wheeler)

In this episode, I speak with siblings Alima Wheeler-Trapp and Ali J. Wheeler of the arts organization and archive The Black Canon, which is committed to preserving and promoting African American literary, performing, visual and media arts. We spoke about the extensive collection of film, music, theatre, and print items that their father, James E. Wheeler, amassed over several years as well as what it takes to share that collection with the world.

• The Black Canon (black-canon.com)

Listen to full episode:

Episode Notes:

• Sinners

• The Blood of Jesus

• Movie Collectors World

• Goldmine Magazine

• Oscar Micheaux

• Kings & Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America – Howard Bryant

• Paul Robeson

• Black Canon exhibitions & fundraisers

  • Iconic: Black Brilliance on the Screen (Paul Robeson, Harry Belafonte, Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne)

  • Act Black: Posters From Black American Stage & Screen

  • Diggin in the Crates

  • Black Canon Legacy Scholarship

  • Breakthrough in Black

• Exhibit Envoy

• The Scarub Club

• Motor City Cinematheque

• Campfire Film Cooperative

• “The Choice is Yours” – Black Sheep

• “Eric B is President” – Eric B & Rakim

• “Planet Rock” – Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force

• “Percolator” – Cajmere

• “Scrub Da Ground” – Splack Pack

• “Godzilla” – DJ Slugo

• Detroit Jit (dance)

• Fear of a Black Hat

• Hollywood Shuffle