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An August Wilson Daughter Helps Howard Pay Tribute

By Akeyla Brown
Black College Wire

Photo credit: The Hilltop In his plays, August Wilson presented the "unique particulars of black culture."

The beat of the Nsaa drums vibrated though Howard University's Cramton Auditorium accompanied by Nsaa, the dance ensemble, in memory of renowned playwright August Wilson.

"Howard is a privileged place," said university President H. Patrick Swygert during his welcome, "to have the opportunity once again to honor a great spirit among us."

The tribute to Wilson featured his longtime comrade, Kenny Leon, as master of ceremonies.

"I still haven't accepted that August Wilson is not here," said Leon, a director of the 2004 Broadway revival of "A Raisin in the Sun." "We need to make sure that all of us know that work. We are passing the baton to you; make sure that you continue the work of August Wilson."

Wilson also said he wanted to "place the culture onstage in all its richness and fullness and to demonstrate its ability to sustain us." Assisting in the tribute was Wilson's older daughter, Sakina Ansari Wilson.

"My father spoke about how Howard University supported him," she said. "It meant a lot to him to be given an award from his own. Thank you for acknowledging my father and his contribution to the world," because "his work has become an illuminating flame."

Wilson was also remembered by Sandra Shannon, an English department professor at Howard who studied Wilson extensively and has written three books about his work. She presented "Reflections: The Life of August Wilson," a showcase featuring current students who recited some of Wilson's most famous lines and performed a musical selection from "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

Roselyn Colman, Charles Dumas and Gavin Laurence, all Howard graduates who worked with Wilson, returned to perform monologues from Wilson's plays.

"I came here originally for a class, but I am so glad that I did," said Natasha Boler, a sophomore who is an international business major. "It was really wonderful to see so many Howard students so passionate about something, especially something positive."

Akeyla Brown, a student at Howard University, writes for the Hilltop.

Posted Dec. 6, 2005