Building Cultural Economies is a three-day conference hosted by the Dillard University Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture and the Amistad Research Center at Tulane University. The conference will bring together local and national scholars from a variety of disciplines (history, anthropology, literature, folklore), curators, museum professionals, philanthropists, visual artists, cultural bearers and entrepreneurs, to identify and explore means to support and sustain cultural economies.

Conference participants will discuss how we can build and sustain community-based infrastructures that promote creativity, increase access to resources, and foster economic growth. The focus of the conference is on connections between material culture, such as food production, fashion, textile productions, music, art, photography and a sense of community, identity, civic engagement, and community economies.

HBCU Material Culture Conference Schedule

“Building Cultural Economies”

When: February 22-24, 2018

Where: Dillard University, New Orleans, LA. (Georges Auditorium)

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Conversations in Color: The Global Impact of 19th Century Headdress of Women of Color Madame Barbara Trevigne and Zella Palmer

6:30pm-8:30pm, Dillard University Georges Auditorium sponsored by the Dillard University Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture and the Amistad Research Center at Tulane University

Friday, February 23, 2018

11:30am-1:00pm

25 Seats Available on the Bus Leaving Dillard (RSVP zpalmer@dillard.edu) Seating is limited.

Field Trip/Kara Walker Installation Algier's Point (Ferry Landing)

Saturday, February 24, 2018

HBCU Material Culture Conference: Building Cultural Economies

Venue: Dillard University

Georges Auditorium

Professional Schools Building

2601 Gentilly Blvd.

New Orleans, LA. 70122

8:30 am-9:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 am-10:30 am Opening Prayer

Rev. Earnest Salsberry, University Chaplain

Dillard University

Division of Student Success

Introduction of Speaker

Zella Palmer, Director and Chair

Dillard University

Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture

Keynote Address

Xenobia Bailey

Fiber artist and designer

10:45 am-12:15 pm MORNING SESSIONS

The Business of Food

TEXTURES: A Conversation on Black Style & Beauty Culture

Building Thriving Creative Communities

1:45 pm-4:00 pm AFTERNOON KEYNOTE PANEL SESSION

Dr. Kara Olidge

Shantrelle Lewis

Dr. Tanisha C. Ford

John Barnes

Carla Williams

***For more information contact zpalmer@dillard.edu and visit www.hbcumcc.com or www.dillard.edu****