FREE.....February 28th Event. African American-Turkish Connections Through the Arts.

** Light Appetizer & Drinks

*** Free Admission 

FEB. 28: ART EXHIBITION AND RECEPTION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN-TURKISH CONNECTIONS THROUGH THE ARTS

Please join us for an

ART EXHIBITION on AFRICAN AMERICAN - TURKISH CONNECTIONS THROUGH THE ARTS

featuring profiles of

JAMES BALDWIN & AHMET ERTEGUN

and

THE WORKS OF HULIS MAVRUK

In honor of:

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

Rayburn HOB, Room 2261

Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Reception from 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

RSVP

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 http://www.t-vine.com/how-a-turkish-ambassador-broke-the-race-barrier-in-segregated-america/

***** TRUE STORY: When Turkish Embassy in DC was hosting African-Americans for social event in 50s : it caused a diplomatic crisis.

U.S Government Officials  warned Turks not to take African-Americans in. The State Dep advised Turks to take African Americans from the back door. Turks refused. 

Then-Turkish Ambassador Munir Ertegun -Father of Ahmet Ertegun- responded that all guests of the Turkey would enter through the front door as equals.Police arrested the Ambassador's son, Ahmet Ertegun, for violating segregation laws. 

Turkish Embassy in DC began to host jazz concerts in 1950s because the National Press Club had refused to host the jazz concerts organized by the ambassador's son Ahmed. 

The reason? The concerts were going to be open for Black Americans.