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Ford to Give $7,500 To the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

8 September 1998

Ford Motor Company to Present $7,500 To the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

    DETROIT, Sept. 8 -- The Charles H. Wright Museum of African
American History (CHWMAAH) will receive a $7,500 check from Ford Motor Company
during the opening night fund-raiser of a new play, "Paradise Valley
Revisited," on Tuesday, September 8, 1998, at 6:40 p.m.  Prior to the 7 p.m.
showtime, Mr. Elliott Hall, Vice President of Dealer Development at Ford Motor
Company, will present a check to the CHWMAAH that will go toward the Museum's
educational programming.
    "We are truly excited and grateful about Mr. Hall's contribution," said
Michele Parchment, Education Coordinator.  "It's donations like these that
allow the Museum to continue bringing the best educational programs to
Detroit!"
    Paradise Valley Revisited will be showing at the CHWMAAH September 8 at
7 p.m., September 9-12 at 8 p.m. daily with a Saturday Matinee at 2 p.m.  The
opening night of the play is a black-tie benefit to support programming at the
Museum.  Opening night tickets are $100 and include a reception with the
actors.  Regular admission is $15 per person or $12 for Museum members, senior
citizens and children (17 & under).
    The musical play depicts the night life in the community of Paradise
Valley, a portion of Detroit's lower east side that was the center of business
and social activity during the '30s, '40s and '50s.  A group of creative and
talented actors, actresses and dancers draws a vivid picture of the work
created by Writer/Producer Beatrice Buck, Director Ed Robinson, Musical
Director Dr. Rudolph "Rudy" Hawkins and Choreographer Polly Goree.
    This is an educational program hosted by the Museum in conjunction with
its current exhibition, "Detroit's Black Bottom and Paradise Valley: Help Us
Collect Your Past," on view through October 25, 1998.  The Museum is a
private, non-profit organization and relies on the contributions of private
and corporate donors to support its operations and programs.  The CHWMAAH is
located at 315 East Warren Avenue at the corner of Brush in Detroit's Cultural
Center.  For more information, call 313-494-5800.