Printable Conference Brochure (PDF)
AAHGS
Arkansas Chapter
Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society
Presents
Pre-Registration: $20.00
Students: $15.00
On-Site Registration: $30.00
(Includes catered lunch & conference syllabus)
Pre-Registration deadline:
February 10, 2006
Mail Registration to:
AAHGS Arkansas Chapter
12 Lorian Drive
Little Rock, AR 72212
Please make checks payable to:
AAHGS Arkansas
For More Information Call
(501) 425-5578
AAHGS ARKANSAS
8th ANNUAL CONFERENCE
“What’s In A Name - A Voyage of Discovery”
February 18, 2006
9:00 - 9:40a.m. Registration
9:40 - 10:00a.m. Welcome & Libation
Stefania Booth, President AAHGS AR
Swannee Bennett, Curator-HAM
Purpose & Libation - Dr. Patricia McGraw
10:00 - 10:45a.m. What’s In a Name: The Historical, Genealogical, and
Cultural Aspects of Afrikan Naming Ceremonies (45 minutes) Presenter: Dr.
Patricia “mPata” McGraw
During this presentation, a brief summation of the importance of naming ceremonies
and the significance of the meanings of names, titles, and kinship will be explained.
Following the introductory statement will be a candlelight naming ceremony in
which members of AAHGS will be granted their Afrikan names and presented certificates
by Queen Mother mPata.
10:45 - 11:35a.m. The Significance of a Name (50 minutes)
Keynote
Speaker: Dr. Theman R. Taylor
Names are like ones history, they can either move you forward or retard your
development. If you don’t know your history or the significance of
your name you can’t possibly answer the three fundamental questions:
Who Am I? Am I Who I Say I Am? Am I All I Can Be?
11:35 - 11:45a.m. (10 minute break)
11:45 - 12:35p.m. How Names Transform Behavior (50 minutes)
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Theman R. Taylor
Would a slave
master agree to his slave naming her child Moses? No, because the mother
would raise that child not to accept servitude. We can understand the name
George Washington, but yet would it have been permissible to give your child
the name of a well known Liberator like Nat Turner. If you are a Sr., and
exhibit deformed, violent behavior most of your life, will that same behavior
transform to Jr.? Learn how cultures can be redirected when not allowed to
use their original names of heritage.
12:35 - 1:30p.m Lunch, Exhibits & Book Signings
1:30 - 2:00p.m. A Voyage of Destiny: What’s In
the Namer? (30 minutes)
Presenter: Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis
Can the destiny of a child be pre-determined by the individual that names
him or her. Look at the lives of two such individuals, their
paths, and the destiny of their namer.
2:00 - 2:45p.m. Naming The African American Experience, Post Civil War (45
minutes)
Guest Speaker: Khadijah Matin
A review of the naming process among the
now ex-slaves and free blacks. What names
emerged for towns, churches, and fraternal
and social organizations. How do the
name/naming process reflect the definitions of
freedom, spiritual affirmation and aspirations
for economic development.
2:45 - 3:30p.m. African Americans in Arkansas: An Historical Survey (45 minutes)
Presenter: Dr. John W. Graves
This presentation might be useful in helping
participants place happenings and
developments within their own families in a
broader historical context and making them
more understandable and relevant.
3:30 - 3:40p.m. (10 minute break)
3:45 - 4:30p.m. Naming the African American Experience: The Impact of the
Civil Rights Movement and Social Protest
(45 minutes)
Guest Speaker: Khadijah Matin
Looking at the time period after the passage of
the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the major social
protest movements – what changes occurred
in how we named ourselves, our schools, and
choice of leaders. What contribution did this
make to institutional building in the African
American community? Will again examine
the evidence of spiritual, political and social
affirmation.
For more information on the
Afro-American Historical & Genealogical
Society,
National and/or Local Chapter go to:
www.aahgs.org
www.rootsweb.com/~araahgs