FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2004

FOUNDER OF NATIONAL ARCHIVE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ORAL HISTORIES TO SPEAK AT DRAKE UNIVERSITY ON NOV. 3

Julieanna Richardson, a public historian, Harvard-trained lawyer and video producer, will discuss "'The HistoryMakers' — Oral History, Public History and New Technology" on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at Drake University.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Reading Room of Cowles Library, 28th Street and University Avenue. The event is part of Live! At The Drake Library, The Cowles Library Series.

In 1999 Richardson founded "The HistoryMakers," a video oral history archive dedicated to collecting and preserving African American history. Since then the project has grown into the largest archival project of its kind with a collection of 5,000 first-person narratives of African American "HistoryMakers."

The purpose of the project is to educate and show the breadth and depth of this important aspect of American history; to highlight the accomplishments of individual African Americans across a variety of disciplines; to showcase those who have played a role in African American led movements and/or organizations; and to preserve this material for years and generations to come. "The HistoryMakers" is committed to preserving, developing and providing easy access to the internationally recognized archival collection.

Before founding "The HistoryMakers," Richardson worked in the theatre, television production and cable television industries. She combined her various work experiences and her passion for history to conceptualize, found and build "The HistoryMakers."
For more information about Richardson's lecture, call (515) 271-3994 or send an e-mail message to susan.breakenridge@drake.edu. For more information on "The HistoryMakers," visit www.thehistorymakers.com.

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