Fifty years ago, in the fall of 1969, Angela Davis spoke at Meridian Hill Park and called for it to be renamed to Malcolm X Park. This exhibition celebrates that history through the photography of Nancy Shia, local photographer and activist, during the Sunday drum circle.
Find the truck on 15th St. to see the history and everyday life moments Shia has captured 1974-2014, from the everyday drum circles of the 1970s, to protests, cultural festivals and performance art presentations. The park is known for its beauty, art, and recreation, but it also has an illustrious history as a space in the city for free speech, especially for local African-American communities.
Mobilizing Memories: share your story. We will be conducting short, video interviews with community members who want to share their memories of the park and the District. This exhibition is part of a related National Park Service project to collect oral histories about Malcolm X/ Meridian Hill Park.