Historical presentation about the African American-resort community, Idlewild, Michigan with Purdue professor, Dr. Ronald J. Stephens.
Registration required
Dr. Ronald J. Stephens will present about the historical African American-resort community of Idlewild, Michigan. Dr. Stephens is the writer of Idlewild: The Black Eden of Michigan. At the height of Jim Crow laws, African Americans struggled to find their way in American society and found their comfort in this sanctuary hidden in the woods. Many prominent entertainers, musicians, and other celebrities visited or lived here in its heyday. Join Purdue University's professor, Dr. Stephens, as he shares the history of this Michigan gem.
Speaker's Bio
Ronald J. Stephens is a Professor of African American Studies in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at Purdue University. Former associate professor of African American History and Culture in the Department of African American Studies at Ohio University. A scholar on the African American resort town of Idlewild, Michigan, Dr. Stephens, a Detroit native, has worked as a research assistant on Ted Talbert's award-winning documentary-film Idlewild: A Place in the Sun (1995). Owing to his national reputation as a leading Idlewild scholar, he has appeared on and been cited in numerous public programs, including Idlewild: The Real Thing (an edition of Tony Brown's Journal), Idlewild (an NPR production), Idlewild: Rebuilding Paradise (a Flint's ABC 12 Special program), Are We There Yet? Americans on Vacation (a History Channel program), Idlewild, Michigan: A Black Historical Resort (on Milwaukee's Black Nouveau series), and Historic African-American Towns (a High Noon Productions program for Home and Gardens Television).
Along with numerous articles, he is the author of Idlewild : The Rise, Decline and Rebirth of a Unique African American Resort Town (University of Michigan Press, 2013); Idlewild: The Black Eden of Michigan (Arcadia Publishing, 2001), a popular pictorial reader that focuses exclusively on Idlewild's illustrious history; as well as African Americans of Denver (Arcadia Publishing, 2008) . In addition to being a strong advocate and consultant to the Idlewild community, Dr. Stephens is also completing a second scholarly book, Robert Franklin Williams Speaks, which includes a collection of writings by and about the national and international activist, veteran civil and human rights advocate, critic, and pragmatist, and four chapters," (biography from https://www.cla.purdue.edu/directory/profiles/ronald-j.-stephens.html)
Event Contact: Rachael Wiegmann
Location details: Austin, West, and Sugarloaf Rooms are located on the library's lower level.
Accommodations: All participants are welcome. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at rwiegmann@portagelibrary.info in advance of your visit.
AGE GROUP: | Adult |
EVENT TYPE: | Presentation |
TAGS: | 4:Adult Dept | 3:Standard | 2:In person | 1:Adult (18+) |
Located near the intersection of S. Westnedge and Shaver Rd, Portage District Library offers ample parking, EV charging, and access to the Portage Bikeway.
