Having Our Say

Cultural Center (LAICCC) and the African Grove Institute for the Arts, Inc. (AGIA), and CHARTOR Entertainment, LLC presented the dramatic playreading entitled “HAVING OUR SAY” by Emily Mann adapted from the book ”: Having Our Say: The Delaney Sisters’ First 100 Years” by Sarah L.Delaney and Elizbeth Delaney. The play had a successful Broadway run in 1995. The play was presented at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, featuring Center Theatre Group (CTG) board member, actress Hattie Winston (“Bently”), Emily Yancy (“Origin”) and directed by Fay Hauser-Price (“Young and the Restless”). The story of the Delaney sisters was imbued with insights of the two African American women over their 100-plus years of experiences through the stories they shared within the historical social, political, and cultural context of the shifting stories and narratives of their existence. Thus, it was apropos “Having Our Say (HOS)” was a fitting segue from the first two playreadings. HOS also embraced True Storytelling principles. Reflecting over 100 years was a key element in the staging of this play. After 100 years one would think these sisters had something to say and upon reflection could share their stories to assist others in recognizing and helping to guide and shape change within the context of their community and their own lives. The post-show discussion took place at the Arizona State University Campus in Downtown Los Angeles. It was entitled Our Town: Los Angeles-The Next Stage “Having Our Say”. Billed as a cross-cultural community engagement festival where the DEI Group and Storytelling facilitators guided those in attendance through a sensemaking process. “S”