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An artistic and spiritual hands-on story telling experience meant to not only pay homage, but encourage conversation and healing. Journey through the lives and contributions of African-Americans from Pre-Slavery to today through recalling our heroes, our culture, our faith, our pain, and our path toward triumph over a ceremonial meal.
THE BOOK
“The Telling: A Gathering of Remembrance” is an artistic and yet very spiritual portrayal and experience of events in the lives of African slaves and their offspring. It is inspired by the Jewish Haggadah that recounts the story of the Israelites’ exodus out of captivity. The narrative is set as a juxtaposition that highlights a people’s suffering and their cry, in contrast to God’s response to them through inspired words, scripture, pictures and events. “The Telling: A Gathering of Remembrance” takes you into the past to connect with the plight of African- Americans and become active participants in telling their story and brings you into our triumph of today.
THE CEREMONY
We share this narrative over the ceremonial "Dual Plate" of culturally significant foods (neckbones, blackeyed peas, collards, etc). Inspired by the Jewish Passover Meal, our story is highlighted through inspired call and response poetry, traditional foods, song, photography, scripture, and reflection. Together we actively participate, not only in remembrance, but in challenging one another toward the inner work required to change the world around us. We invite all to participate regardless of racial classification, ethnicity, national origin, faith background, or gender. While undeniably spiritual, The Telling is undeniably welcoming to all.
THE AUTHOR
In 2014, after attending a Jewish Seder, A.W. Hampton, a resident of Montgomery, Alabama felt the desire to bring a condensed, unified history to African-Americans that can be easily shared in one sitting over a “soul food” meal. She created the seder as a way to keep the legacy of her forefathers and mothers strong and to pass on to the youth. She also sees the importance of creating a table to invite others to, to gain the same understanding and appreciation for the African-American community as a people, that she gained towards the Jewish experience by having the opportunity to participate at their table.
