Emerson College – Kasteel Well Partners with Afrispectives to Present "An Evening in History with James Baldwin", Featuring Actor, Poet and Cultural Architect Charles Reese on July 20, 2023

    AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, June 20, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Today, the Kasteel Well Education Abroad Program at Emerson College has announced plans to partner with Afrispectives, a Dutch non-profit organization, to bring An Evening in History with James Baldwin: Featuring Charles Reese to the Bijlmer Parktheater on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

The event culminates the return of Reese to the City of Amsterdam, as he revives his Summer Artist Residency at Kasteel Well during the month of July. Emerson College suspended programming due to the global pandemic in 2020 and now looks forward to opening the doors of its James Baldwin Writer's Colony (JBWC) to a new crop of students and faculty for in-person courses.

"After a long hiatus, I am excited to return and share the work of Baldwin. I want to thank Emerson and Afrispectives for their hard work in choosing to showcase the work of Baldwin in such a dynamic way. My hope is that those who join us will leave inspired and educated," says Reese.

For Afrispectives, this collaboration demonstrates the many ways that the organization is dedicated to connecting the African diaspora through education, art and culture. "It has been amazing working with Emerson and Charles on this show, that honors the enduring legacy of James Baldwin. We are looking forward, welcoming Charles to share James Baldwin's amazing work. Charles Reese has a beautiful way of bringing the powerful words and life of James Baldwin to life, on stage. With this show we are aiming to connect people from different continents and with the work of James Baldwin. May it give people joy and inspiration!" Says Beylula Yosef, Co-Founder of Afrispectives.

Since 2018, Emerson College has championed the work of Baldwin through the James Baldwin Writer's Colony, by enlisting Reese to curate productions that shape the world view of James Baldwin not only as a literary icon, but also as a very important figure in the civil rights movement.

"Charles Reese handles the legacy of James Baldwin with dignity and power. He exhibits a deftness in designing theatrical performances that in word and function showcase why the creative arts are essential to the expression and protection of cultures," said Dr. Anthony Pinder, Vice Provost for Internationalization and Equity at Emerson College.

An Evening in History with James Baldwin Featuring Charles Reese is a 1-hour interactive and performative salon series that tackles social justice and race relations from a global perspective. During the presentation, Reese uses excerpts from the off-Broadway play "James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire" written by Howard B. Simon with Foreword by David Leeming and edited by Reese. Following the presentation, attendees can look forward to a Talkback moderated by Emerson College Professor, Novuyo Tshuma. A book signing will take place immediately following the Q&A session.

Tickets are on sale now for €18.00 + fees. To purchase and for up-to-date event details, visit https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/an-evening-in-history-with-james-baldwin-tickets-592978232857.

For press credentials and interview requests, please contact Beylula Yosef via email at [email protected].

For programming information at Kasteel Well, please contact Tikesha Morgan via email at [[email protected]][email protected][/email.

Get social with Afrispectives to join the conversation at https://www.instagram.com/afrispectives/.

ABOUT CHARLES REESE
Known as the Cultural Architect for Public Engagement, Charles Reese is a multi-hyphenated actor, writer, and programmatic curator who has carved out his own lane in the entertainment industry. He is the CEO of Teeth and Eyes Communications and his widely acclaimed work as an advocate and promoter of James Baldwin has taken him from off-Broadway to around the globe. Currently, he can be seen as "Jalil", the feisty chef on the American TV sitcom "Beauty and the Baller", now streaming on Crackle TV and Amazon Prime TV. To learn more about Charles visit his website https://www.charlesreeseexperience.com.

ABOUT AFRISPECTIVES
Afrispectives is a Dutch based organization that aims to connect and empower African diaspora communities in the Netherlands and beyond. We are building an inclusive and diverse infrastructure for individuals and organizations to share ideas, resources and collaborate on projects - breaking old and setting new standards when it comes to inclusive practices. We are convinced that by providing spaces where black voices are heard and valued, a culture of respect and inclusivity can be fostered. Moreover, we aim to create habits and visions that uplift the community for generations to come.

ABOUT EMERSON COLLEGE – KASTEEL WELL
Emerson's beloved Kasteel Well is home to 85 students each semester and serves as our European campus. The restored 14th-century medieval castle is located in the Netherlands, 80 miles southwest of Amsterdam and 50 miles northwest of Dusseldorf, Germany, offering students plenty of opportunities to travel and explore other parts of Europe. Students who come to Kasteel Well are in for a truly special study abroad experience and can go on excursions—led by their professors—to nearby cities such as Amsterdam, Vienna, Madrid, Prague, and London. The castle has a moat and is surrounded by forest in the tiny village of Well and is an idyllic setting for bike rides and long walks. The historical monument provides living accommodations for students; classrooms; a student center and pub; offices; and a performance area for students, faculty, and staff.

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