Ebony Group Is Developing 'Idea And Dre am'
o/ miiua r ivnciivx
Post Staff Writer
The Ebony Group and Com
pany. Inc., a theatrical group
in Charlotte, was an idea and a
dream only two and a half
years ago.
But today the group is hold
ing popular performances
throughout the Charlotte area.
The most recent perform
ance was held in June at
UNC-C and sponsored by a
local nursing organization.
The Ebony Company has
performed at night clubs such
as the Afternoon Delight in
Greensboro; The Savoy in
And it was because of this
need that Willie J. Stratford
Jr. a Charlotte native and
Sandra McMullen a native of
New York turned an idea into
â reality - the créât"*" m the
Ebony Company.
Ms. McMullen and Stratford
both in their early 30s and both
being interested in acting,
happened by chance to meet
at a local talent agency.
After talking, they realized
tttft they both had similar
ideas and they expressed the
frustration of the limited
theatrical outlets for blacks.
"I'd been trying to find
someone in Charlotte who had
the same interest that I did,''
Ms McMuJlen explained. -
When Ms McMullen arrived
in Charlotte five years ago she
brought a wealth of theatrical
experience with her.
She started dance lessons at
the age of two. She major in
Art Education and Drama at
Morgan State University in
Maryland. She'd studied with
theatrical companies, had pri
vate lessons, attended semi
professional schools and "did
some off Broadway stuff."
"So we were just sitting
around one evening and said
let's do our own Dlav." said
Stratford who's less theatrical
experience but was big on
talent and ideas.
"I was in a live show before
I'd ever seen a full stage
production," Stratford said
"I was doing a part in the
Charlotte Little Theatre,'' he
said.
It was at this time in 1974
that Stratford first became
interested in acting.
"Most of the plays (being
done in the Charlotte area at
that time) were for people
with Jewish or white back·
grounds, and blacks usually
gol minor roles even if they
were capable of doing more.''
Ms McMullen said
After deciding to start the
group. Stratford contacted
Nathaniel Korie. 30. a long
time acquaintance and Char
lotte native who'd had more of
a directing and technical
background in drama
Rone, began taking drama
courses at West Charlotte
High School. He took drama
courses at A&T State Univer
sity in Greensboro, worked
with the Summer Stock
Theatre in Charlotte, did stage
management wnne in me L S.
Army and also helped start
the Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Youth Council Community
Players
The three got busy doing
research to find out what
needed to be done to start <■
group
They began working to inco -
rporate the group, they
needed to be incorporated t ο
be a non prom organization.
The first step was to elec t
officers
"Well. Korie wanted to t <e
the director. Sandy (Ms.
See Ebonv on Page 11
W ''illie Stratford Jr.
interested in the arts
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"Charlotte's Fastest Growing Community Weekly"
AP É(effectively re ach
Mil· » «BY FAR, MORE
BLAC K CONSUMER. S
.·· '.2' '9 8
f Vol. 4 No. 52
. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 28208-THURSDAY, JULY 20, 1978
liHAMOTIf ann MUKIir.lir r~ ιτν
PRICE 25c
District Three
Meeting Set
For July 27
The District Three Meeting
will be held on Thursday, July
27, at 7 p.m. at Cavalry
Baptist Church, located on
Ashley Rd. just off Wilkinson
Blvd.
Republican Mitchell Grant
and Democrat Sydnor Thomp
son will be on hand to give
their views on district repre
sentation, what it means to
each of their parties, and what
it means to the city of Char
lotte.
Belinda M. Stinson is the
chairman of the Community of
District Three.
Spencer Thompson is the
chairman of the District Three
Committee.
/VM Λι
ιυ supporters
Respond To
Charges
The National Wilmington 10
Defense Committee leveled
sharp criticism against the
N.Ç. Parole Commission and
Governor James Hunt's office
charging them with "political
trickery" and "game play
ing" following statements
made by these officials to the
press alleging a public lack of
interest in the freedom and
parole of the remaining incar
cerated defendants of the
Wilmington 10.
In letters sent to these
government officials, the
Committee asserted that the
many thousands of letters
Governor Hunt has received
over the past several months
indicated "the desire that they
all be released..by any means
possible." The letters also
indicate that, "At no point has
any one person been singled
out for distinction" by Wil
mington 10 supporters. "The
total group is innocent of their
charges the public is de
manding the freedom and
exoneration of the total
group."
Ms. Kazana, Coordinator of
the group requested that the
Governor's office share those
,. ν thousands of letters received
'by them with the Parole Com
mission as indication for
public support for the parole
of defendant· who are nearing
eligibility Stating that, "These
letters do apply to everyone. "
Ms. Kazana a too promised the
Governor'· office that failure
to free the remaining defend
ants in an expedient fashion
will only "«erve to level con
tinued negative criticisms of
the manner in which North
Carolina government conti
nues to conduct its affairs."
Vanessa Johnson
Is Beauty Of Week
Prolific Vanessa Johnson is
the Post Beauty of the Week.
A rising sixth grader at
Landrum Junior High School
in Houston, Texas, Vanessa
was born in Charlotte on April
23, 1967:
She attended Our Lady of
Consolation Catholic School
and Oaklawn Elementary
School in Charlotte, and
Ridgecrest Elementary
School in Houston.
At age 11, Vanessa is
already career-minded and
has narrowed her choices
down to two. "I plan to be
a model or a lawyer," Vanes
sa affirmed.
Vanessa has made many
accomplishments during her
elementary years. Among
them are awards In track
events, an award for outstand
ing schoolwork, a medal for
music, and a medal for patrol.
She also has been an active
participant in Sigma Gamma
Rho events for a period of
time.
Vanessa moved with her
family to Houston, Texas last
year. Within that year she
was a participant in a spelling
bee in which she received
another award.
Vanessa rias a younger
sister ( 324 days younger to be
precise), whose name is
Courtney. They are spending
the summer in Charlotte with
their grandmother, Mrs.
Mentzie Johnson of 3216 Tate
St.
Vanessa is one of the girls of
Mr. and Mrs. William
Johnson.
in i.napei mu
Democrats To Party
The Young Democrats of
Orange County are sponsoring
a "Party for Democratic
Unity" on Sunday, July 23 at
the Mad Hatter restaurant in
Chapel Hill. The event will
begin at 3 p.m. and continue
until midnight. The purpose of
the event is to unite Demo
crats behind John Ingram,
Democratic candidate for U.S.
Senate. Ingram has con
firmed his presence in the
early evening.
Among the other party nota
bles expected to be in attend
ance are Rufus Edmiston ( NC
Attorney General), Jane Pat
terson (representing Betty
McCain, NC Democratic
Party Chair), and David
McKnight (former candidate
for the Democratic nomina
tion for U.S. Senate).
Entertainment will be pro
vided throughout the day by
area performers including
Artemis <4 taiemed ureens
boro women), belly dancer
Karen Krall, and Night Shift.
Pat Patterson. star of Funder
mot7 records will serve as
emcee from 3 to β p.m. In
addition,. Rufus Edmisten is
expected to sing, and David
McKnight will play some
down-home fiddle
Donations of $3 will be col
lected at the door
Public Housing Is Financed
By People Who Live There?
Registration
Deadline Set
For Drink Vote
The county-wide liquor-by
the-drink election will be Fri
day, September 16. There will
be no absentee ballots. The
registration deadline is
August 10. Polls will be open
from 6:30 a.m. til 7:30 p.m.
Those who are eligible to
vote are citizens of the United
States, those persons 18 years
of age or over, a resident of
North Carolina for at least 30
days, and persons convicted of
a felony whose citizenship
rights have been restored.
Persons who have not re
gistered in Mecklenburg
County before, have moved
from one precinct to another si
Persons who have not re
gistered in Mecklenburg
County before, have moved
from one precinct to another
since a previous registration
in the County (it is a violation
of the law to vote in your old
precinct after 30 days(, wish
to change party affiliation,
have had a name change or
been removed from registra
tion files for failure to vote in
four consecutive years, need
to register, transfer or re
register.
Registration or transfer
registration can be done at 45
permanent locations in
Mecklenburg County year
round: at the Board of Elect
ions Office, 710 Ε Fourth St.,
Monday-Friday, from 8 a m
til 5 p.m., phone 374-2133; at
any of the 16 public libraries
during regular hours, phone
374-2724
msmmm **»,
MRS. FOLLY WILLIAMS WITH
_Assistant manager Kluyn McCall
Ms. Williams Helps McDonald's
Complete Successful Drive
By Linda Florence
Post Staff Writer
rony vviiiiams οι nil unyx
St. has helped the Freedom
Drive McDonalds restaurant
successfully complete its
month long family Reunion
Drive.
Mrs Williams is the official
hostess of the McDonalds rest
aurant on Freedom Drive.
McDonalds, in conjunction
with United Airlines, spon
sored the promotion Anyone
could register as they entered
the restaurant A name was
drawn from the entries every
day from each of the
McDonalds across the nation
during the ?R rlav period
There are 15 McDonalds in
the Charlotte area
Each day a persons' name
was drawn the person could
bring his immediate family
members in for a free meal at
MclJonalds on Sunday after
noon
But at the end of the drive
last Sunday afternoon a grand
prize winner was drawn for
each restaurant Th grand
prize winner at the Freedom
Drive restaurant was Don
Deese of Mt Holly
Deese will be able to fly any
two family members from
anywhere in the I 'nited States
The flights are being
furnished by United Airlines
Mrs Williams nan a custo
mer. Robert F McKendrick,
who just happened to be in the
restaurant, reached in the box
of entries and selected the
winner
As official hostess. Mrs
William does volunteer work
in the community, handle
McDonald tours and is in
charge of promotions such as
the one completed on Sunday
"Folly is a dear person She
gets along well with
everyone " said Elwyn
Mct'all. assistant manager at
the restaurant. "She meets no
strangers, he added
"I really love my work."
Mrs Williams said Sunday.
Mrs Williams has worked
as the official hostess of
McDonalds for four years.
City Of Moores ville To Contribute
To Martin L. King Memorial Statue
By Debra Stanley
Post Staff Writer
The city of Mooresville has
pledged to contribute the pro
ceeds of a fund raising drive to
the Martin Luther King Jr.
Memorial Statue.'
In a meeting with Rev
James Barnett, chairman of
the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Commission, Mayor Joe V.
Knox stated that he would give
the first donation in Moores
ville, and asked all citiaans of
lite city to do the same Rev
Barnett will appear before the
Mooresville City Council on
August 7 to received their
endorsement.
There will be a meeting
within the next few days of the
leaders of Mooresville Plans
will be made to involve the
city as a whole August 13 has
been set as the day that
Mooresville will make their
report.
"We're just a small city, you
know, but we have always
done our part to help in a good
cause," said the artist's sister.
Mrs Miller, of Mooresville
Rev. Gamble, who has a
Gospel Program on radio
station WHIP, will help in the
drive by playing record· by
Dr. King each Sunday
morning from »-M) a.m. "I
feel that Mooreaville should be
a part of this drive since Dr.
Burke is from Mooresville,"
said Rev. Gamble. "There is
no way to talk about the statue
in years to coma without
calling Mooreqidlle's name,"
Rev. Gamble commented. I
Dr. Burke was choeen to do I
the life-size statue of Dr. I
tfartin Luther King Jr to be
>laced in Marshall Park She
tea received 115,000 to date
and will receive an additiona.
$30,000 when the statue is
complete
A business cowrmittee.
headed by Joe Martin, has
pledged to raise at least
$20,000, of which $5,000 has
been raised so far
The Dr Martin iAither King
Jr Commission was formed in
November of 1977 by former
Mayor John Belk Appointed
to the commission were Kev
Coleman Kerry, Mrs Wesley
Clement, Dr J Matthew
Murphy, l>arry Τ Black, and
Rev James Barnett
The appointment was made
after a group headed by Kev
James F. Palmer and Rev
James E. Barnett lead an
unsuccessful fight to get the
city to re name Realties Ford
Rd. in honor of Dr King
Main Burden
Falls 0>n
Residents
By Eileen Hi inson
Special to Iht ? Post
Who pays ft ir public
îousing? "Th<î federal
;overnment," so me say.
The City of Char lotte," re
;pond others In the end, most
>f us think the tax-payer
11 ways pays "
Wrong on all thr«:e guesses,
'ublic housing is financed for
he most part by the people
vho live there, mostl.y people
in low and fixed jn cornes
According to E»ire«?tor of
Management W.H L'raddy,
:he current Charlo tte h'ousing
Authority ( CHA) budget is
ubsidized only 8-10 percent by
he federal government.
I'here are no local or county
;ubsidies The ma in burden
alls on the reside nts them
;elves, through rents and fees
"We have rent ninges that
ire designed to produce an
ncome to operate our projects
vithout subsidy This is the
;oal all housing £iuthorities
ire reqiured to strive for,"
said Draddy "Until we reach
hat goal, we get some federal
iubsidy."
"Draddy refused to say that
here is a minimum rent a
enant must be able to pay to
Ket into public housing In
iheory, no one is too poor. But
according to Linda Winston,
Assistant Superintendent of
îenant Selection, the mini
mum in Charlotte is now $60 a
month, which she says is also
the amount needed to maint
ain a housing unit. Residents
rents are fixed at 25 percent of
their adjusted annual income
As many as half of the 900
families currently on the wait
ing list for public housing are
in effect "ineligible" because
they can't afford $60 a month.
Some have been waiting three
or four years or longer. Down
from 1500 families a few
months ago, the list has just
been through its annual
"purge," dropping families
that are no longer interested
or eligible.
A Cherry resident, who
asked to remain anonymous,
was one of those who waited
six years before recently re
moving herself from the list.
"I was just disgusted with the
whole situation. They said I
was too poor to be in public
housing," she said. A couple
of years ago CHA said she
could not pay the then
required monthly rent of 140,
but the woman was paying
twice that, $80 a month, in
private slum housing. The
CHA said her income wasn't
enough to be abl· to pay even
$40, according to their federa
See PUBLIC on Page 11.
Mooresviiie; me tirst annual
Black Arts Festival in Raleigh
and appeared on WRAL tele
vision in Raleigh on a pro
gram called Ebony Exposure
In addition to this, the group
tours with a play entitled
God's Trombone and has done
the performance at more than
30 churches in the Charlotte
area.
The group grew from a need
of more theatrical outlets for
blacks in the area; and was
started as a training ground
for young blacks "who had a
sincere interest in the arts,"
according to its co-founders.
' The HARDEST thing in the
world te open Is a CLOSED
MIND
VANESSA JOHNSON
...Rising sixth grader
Rev James Barnett
.. Committee chairman