Uncrowned Queens: Commemorating Our Past, Preserving Our Present, Sustaining Our Future

The Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women, Inc. held its 2^nd Annual Conference Commemorating Our Past, Preserving Our Present, Sustaining Our Future on November 15-16, 2002, at Buffalo State College.

The conference provided a forum to share and discuss information about the development of black women's biographies; history of African American contributions to local community development; and history of African American involvement in world's fairs.

The Conference included a special addition that attracted twenty young people, ages 13-18, who wanted to learn how to research their family histories. Following the viewing of a special video that featured local family historians who shared their experiences and motivation to search for their roots, the youngsters were divided into three groups. Several of the group facilitators were also individuals interviewed for the video. One feature of the workshops was instruction on interviewing techniques. The young people were given tape recorders and an assignment to interview an adult during the lunch break. The youngsters cited this hands-on experience as very instructive and enjoyable.

Below are some photos from the two-day event, as well as pictures of some of the presenters.

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DAY 1: Buffalo Museum of Science
	Opening Remarks Carroll Simon Deputy Director, Buffalo Museum of Science Ms. Simon talked about her initial experiences with the Uncrowned Queens project before introducing Drs. Nevergold and Bertram.
	Plenary Session Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold Co-Founder, Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women, Inc. In her presentation, Doing the Pan: the African American Experience at the Pan American Exposition of 1901, Dr. Nevergold identified both the various activities initiated by African Americans, in Buffalo, to ensure their participation in the Exposition and the anticipated outcomes of the fair.
	Plenary Session - Statistical Data Collection Dr. Peggy Brooks-Bertram Co-Founder, Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women, Inc. Dr. Bertram talked about some of the amazing statistics related to the women outlined in Volume I of the organization's book Uncrowned Queens: African American Women Community Builders of Western New York.
DAY 2: Buffalo State College
	Welcome Participants to the Second Annual Uncrowned Queens Conference Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold *Co-Founder, Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women, Inc.*
	Opening Remarks Dr. Doloris Battle Senior Advisor to the President for Equity and Campus Diversity, Buffalo State College
	Plenary Speaker Dr. Christopher Reed Associate Professor, Roosevelt University Dr. Reed spoke about the Chicago Worlds Fair and its relationship to the Pan American Exhibition of 1901 in Buffalo.
	What Would We Do Without Volunteers? Alpha Beta Sigma Sorority, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Keja Tyler, Esther Annan, Rochelle Thangalan, Shaniqua Henry, and Tamika Ford were just some of the Alpha Beta Sigma Sorority Sisters who volunteered their time to man tables and answer questions during the two-day conference. THANK YOU LADIES!
Workshops and Presenters
	African Diaspora In Moscow Dr. Darya A. Khaltourina Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
	Rev. J.E. Nash House Collection George K. Arthur (pictured left) and Dr. Felix Armfield, Buffalo State College Michigan Avenue Preservation Corporation
	The Freedom Trail and Beyond the Border Wilma Morrison Niagara Falls, Ontario Black History Society
	The Miracle of Biography Dr. Alexis Deveaux University at Buffalo
	Building "Sheros" Aviva Merritt Host, "Aviva"
	Black Women Student Leaders On a Predominantly White Campus Dr. Elizabeth J. Achieng Siwo-Okundi (center, holding book) *University of Ohio* Dr. Achieng Siwo-Okundi gave such a dynamic presentation, her workshop participants wanted to be photographed with her.
	Twenty-Five Years of Preserving Black History in WNY Wanda Hackney (seated to right) *Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier*
Concurrent Youth Session
	Madeline O. Easley-Scott
	Georgia Mackie Burnette
	Florence Hargrave Curtis
	Sharon R. Amos
Closing Plenary
	Honoring the Culture Keepers Eva Noles (pictured) was one of four recipients of the Uncrowned Queens Institute's Culture Keepers award for outstanding contributions to African American culture in WNY. Other recipients included Al-Nisa Banks, Buffalo Challenger; Frank Merriweather, Buffalo Criterion; and the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier.