19th annual ‘Blacks in Wax’ production brings history to life in Washington, D.C.

By Latita Faulk
Special to the AFRO

The 19th Annual “Blacks in Wax” production took place on March 7 at the Thearc Theatre in Washington D.C., providing a transformative experience for the scholars of Southeast Tennis and Learning Center. The program is more than just a performance- it’s an educational, creative and cultural journey that pushes them to explore talents that they never knew they possessed.

Southeast Tennis and Learning Center serves as the model for successful public-private partnerships, enabling life-changing, impactful opportunities to our community.

The afterschool program prides itself in maintaining the highest standards and offering quality programs that educate and inspire children, all while they learn to play tennis.

This year’s program featured young people performing on stage, taking on roles such as Martha Reeves, lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, and former U.S. President Barack Obama.

Cora Masters Barry (left) is the CEO and founder of the Recreation Wish List Committee and the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center. Shown here, Masters Barry with Melanie Campbell, the president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. (AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall)
Dahia Joseph (left) performs as Martha Reeves, the lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, in a showcase of talents, alongside Shalai Abney and Kennedy Morse. (AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall)
The Blacks in Wax Living Museum exhibit includes Fatima Sanfo (left) as Angela Davis, Brandon G. Llano-Cruz as Huey P. Newton and Azaria Snowden as Asata Shakur, famous members of the “Black Panthers” party. (AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall)
The scholars of Southeast Tennis and Learning Center gather together to thank those who came out to the Thearc Theatre. (AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall)
Joel Massey takes to the stage as former U.S. President Barack Obama. (AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall)
Jazlynn Brown portrays D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser at the Annual Blacks In Wax event. This year’s theme was “The 1965 Voting Rights Act Then and Now.”(AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall)
Kennedy Morse portrays Shirley Chislom as part of the vignette showcase. (AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall)
Dancers Paul Fullmore (left); Frey Moore; Jayce Davis; Isaiah Rawlings and Johnathan Madden entertain the crowd.
(AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall)
Chyanne Burrows-Washington (left) presenting as Ella Baker, is joined by Payton Hubbard presenting as Fannie Lou Hammer, Natalia Norris as LaTosha Brown and Kenndi Grimes as Joyce Ladner to tell a story of civil rights activism. (AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall)
Isabelle Wright (left) and Aubrey Smith are participants in the Blacks in Wax annual showcase. (AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall)
Kewe Ouedraogo plays the incomparable Nina Simone for this year’s performance. (AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall)