The Soul on Fire Fund
The Soul On Fire Fund
c/o 819 South Manhattan Place
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Email: soulonfire63@yahoo.com
Dear Entertainment Community, Friends, Colleagues, Associates, Theatre & Art Enthusiasts:
Have you ever taken notice of the instant when a match ignites into a
flame? It is analogous to that moment in time when a dynamically
creative idea begins to succumb to its greatest potential. This is
what happened on Sunday, August 5, 2007.
In recognition of what would have been the 83rd birthday of writer and activist James Baldwin, Emmy Award Nominee CCH Pounder (The Shield) hosted a stage reading of the critically-acclaimed play, James Baldwin: A Soul On Fire at her Pounder Kone Art Space in the Atwater Village Neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. The call went forth for those who would dare come and experience a theatrical conflagration, and come they did! Some 80 audience members filled the space that evening, but who knew that from the particular makeup of this audience a blaze of energy would be set into motion. In the number included such notable personalities as Emmy Award-winners Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Peggy McCay (Days of Our Lives), renowned Artist & Sculptor Artist Lane, as well as Ms. Mamie Hansberry (sister of the late playwright, Lorraine Hansberry who is a key figure in the play). At the behest and generosity of these dynamic people, moved by a uniquely engaging theatrical experience, The Soul On Fire Fund had been established.
The Soul On Fire Fund’s mission is to preserve and nurture the historical legacy of lesser known and forgotten literary treasures of the African American diaspora. Utilizing existing and emerging media, our purpose is to develop, produce, and promote special programs and events to ignite the spirit to resurrect a "New Harlem Renaissance" for mainstream America and abroad. Our main goal is to simply tell stories born of the African American experience with dignity, insight, humor, tragedy and the triumph of the ancestors whose spirits have never been broken.
James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire written by the late playwright, Howard B. Simon exemplifies our commitment to preserving the literary legacy of a lesser known African American writer and poet. Mr. Simon's play imagines the commotion of the morning of May 24, 1963 before writer/activist James Baldwin and his colleagues – the playwright Lorraine Hansberry, the performer Harry Belafonte, the singer Lena Horne, and others – are scheduled to meet with the United States Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, to discuss race relations in America. About the play, theatre critic David DeWitt of The New York Times says, “A Soul on Fire is funny, thrilling and wise. With humor, style and raw emotion, it embraces its chosen territory with enthusiasm. All stage biographies should be served so well.”
The resources generated from this fund will assist in the development efforts, which include: 1) Creating a strategic marketing plan and developing a permanent web presence and electronic press kit; 2) Hosting additional stage readings and other fundraisers; and 3) Exploring audience development, regional, Broadway, national, and international bookings along with radio, audio-theatre, documentaries, television and film adaptations.
Emmy Award Nominee, CCH Pounder graciously continues her support for this new fund by offering her non-profit organization, Friends of the Musee Boribana to serve as the fiscal conduit for The Soul On Fire Fund. Charles Reese is the Managing Director of the fund with the guidance from financial advisor/consultant, George Alexander, MBA and professional manager/consultant, Tommy Brewer. All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.
In recognition of what would have been the 83rd birthday of writer and activist James Baldwin, Emmy Award Nominee CCH Pounder (The Shield) hosted a stage reading of the critically-acclaimed play, James Baldwin: A Soul On Fire at her Pounder Kone Art Space in the Atwater Village Neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. The call went forth for those who would dare come and experience a theatrical conflagration, and come they did! Some 80 audience members filled the space that evening, but who knew that from the particular makeup of this audience a blaze of energy would be set into motion. In the number included such notable personalities as Emmy Award-winners Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Peggy McCay (Days of Our Lives), renowned Artist & Sculptor Artist Lane, as well as Ms. Mamie Hansberry (sister of the late playwright, Lorraine Hansberry who is a key figure in the play). At the behest and generosity of these dynamic people, moved by a uniquely engaging theatrical experience, The Soul On Fire Fund had been established.
The Soul On Fire Fund’s mission is to preserve and nurture the historical legacy of lesser known and forgotten literary treasures of the African American diaspora. Utilizing existing and emerging media, our purpose is to develop, produce, and promote special programs and events to ignite the spirit to resurrect a "New Harlem Renaissance" for mainstream America and abroad. Our main goal is to simply tell stories born of the African American experience with dignity, insight, humor, tragedy and the triumph of the ancestors whose spirits have never been broken.
James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire written by the late playwright, Howard B. Simon exemplifies our commitment to preserving the literary legacy of a lesser known African American writer and poet. Mr. Simon's play imagines the commotion of the morning of May 24, 1963 before writer/activist James Baldwin and his colleagues – the playwright Lorraine Hansberry, the performer Harry Belafonte, the singer Lena Horne, and others – are scheduled to meet with the United States Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, to discuss race relations in America. About the play, theatre critic David DeWitt of The New York Times says, “A Soul on Fire is funny, thrilling and wise. With humor, style and raw emotion, it embraces its chosen territory with enthusiasm. All stage biographies should be served so well.”
The resources generated from this fund will assist in the development efforts, which include: 1) Creating a strategic marketing plan and developing a permanent web presence and electronic press kit; 2) Hosting additional stage readings and other fundraisers; and 3) Exploring audience development, regional, Broadway, national, and international bookings along with radio, audio-theatre, documentaries, television and film adaptations.
Emmy Award Nominee, CCH Pounder graciously continues her support for this new fund by offering her non-profit organization, Friends of the Musee Boribana to serve as the fiscal conduit for The Soul On Fire Fund. Charles Reese is the Managing Director of the fund with the guidance from financial advisor/consultant, George Alexander, MBA and professional manager/consultant, Tommy Brewer. All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.
Currently, there are three important ways that you can help this fund RIGHT AWAY:
1. Write a check and/or money order payable to Friends of the Musee Boribana:
Friends of the Musee Boribana
c/o 819 South Manhattan Place
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Attn: Charles Reese/The Soul On Fire Fund
Please write in the memo section of your check or money order: The Soul On Fire Fund.
2.
If you live in the Los Angeles Area, please consider hosting a
fundraiser at your home, office, gallery, or community space as soon as
possible. Feel free to contact me by phone at 213.304.6102 or email at
soulonfire63@yahoo.com to make arrangements for such an event.
3. Pass this email along to ten or more of your friends and associates asking them to do the same.
Thank you for your time and positive energy in this matter. If you
have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at
soulonfire63@yahoo.com. May free be
easy and successful your way!
Sincerely,
Charles Reese
Managing Director, The Soul On Fire Fund
Executive Curator of the Howard B. Simon Literary Canon
Charles Reese
Managing Director, The Soul On Fire Fund
Executive Curator of the Howard B. Simon Literary Canon
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT:
Howard B. Simon (1962-2000), author of James Baldwin: A Soul On Fire
received his BA Degree from Morehouse College and earned his MFA from
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. Mr. Simon wrote over 13
plays, essays and poems and the Emmy Award winning film, Just Passin'
Through. James Baldwin: A Soul On Fire was the last completed play in
Mr. Simon's canon of work, however, it was the first play to receive a
major production on Off-Broadway in 2000. Mr. Simon did not live to
read or see the critical accolades of his last work, but with your
support –"a whole new generation" (young and old) will be able to
witness the fiery soul of Mr. Simon through his play, James Baldwin: A
Soul on Fire. There are only two characters in this play and this play
has it all: history, sexual intrigue, music, audience participation,
laughter and finally the celebration of one of America's most brilliant
minds: writer/activist, James Baldwin through the voice and poetic
words of another brilliant mind, playwright Howard B. Simon.
For more information/historical timeline on James Baldwin: A Soul On
Fire, please visit the temporary web page sponsored by graphic designer and producer
Sean O'Halloran at www.seanohalloran.com/baldwinpage.html
©HB Simon Productions, Inc., 2007
Sean O'Halloran, Forrest McClendon, James Baldwin, Charles Reese, Lorraine Hansberry, Harry Belafonte, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King