Saying Farewell to Barbara Daniel Cox

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

By now, I'm sure most of you know that our dear sister, Soror, friend, Barbara Daniel Cox has made her transition to the realm of Ancestor/Angel on Sunday, April 24, 2016.  It happened quite suddenly, so needless to say none of us was prepared for the sad news - especially yours truly.  I admit that I did not receive her passing in dignified Delta fashion.  I was blindsided,  when the announcement was made at an event being held in honor of the memory of another great Ancestor/Angel and historical figure - Dr. Edward Robinson.  

BARBARA DANIEL COX - ANCESTOR/ANGEL

When the announcement was made to the audience you could hear the collective sigh of shock and sadness.  We were all stunned at this sudden departure, without giving us a chance to say good bye or share a hug.  

But then, that was Barbara - she did thing on her own terms, her own time, and in her own style.  Thus, the shock has taken some time to wear off for me, and to deal with the reality that our sister is now operating on another plane of action.  

Unlike many of you, I only had the pleasure of knowing Barbara for a brief time - two years - but what an experience that was.  She was her own personal whirlwind.  She was a walking, talking, real live resource base for practically everything.  How do you replace a dynamic woman like Barbara Daniel Cox.  While she never boasted of her accomplishments, her work spoke for itself.  And the results were far reaching and long lasting.  

Barbara believed in people, and loved working with them and in behalf of those who could not adequately speak for themselves, or effectively negotiate life in a way that was successful and meaningful.  No wonder so many people and organizations constantly and continuously called upon her for help, guidance and support.  Getting it done was what she did.  No excuses, no ifs, ands, or buts - just access the situation, roll up her sleeves and go to work to resolve the challenge.  I say challenge, because Barbara Daniel Cox never had "problems."  There was nothing that could not be resolved or rectified - regardless of how long it took, or how much energy and brain power needed to be exerted. 

Prior to m becoming a member of the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, Barbara and I ran in concentric circles - we knew many of the same people - including Karen Warrington,  who whom she  formed the Sister Circle Rites of Passage Program for Girls, in 2014. Just one of the many programs that Philadelphians have had the privilege of benefitting from.  Barbara was also the former executive director of the City of Philadelphia Women's Commission, under former Mayor Wilson Goode.  She believed that it was "time to embrace the younger generation of women and help them on their journey.  For too long we have been on the sidelines as our families splinter.  Our children are suffering and our girls are increasingly at risk."  

Barbara served as the convener of the Festival Planners Group - which consisted of African American festival planners who produced a yearly calendar of events.  She was an Advisory Board Member for the Art Sanctuary; Other affiliations include the Multicultural Affairs Congress of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Avenue of the Arts  Advisory Council, and the Uptown Cultural District Group.  

Barbara Daniel Cox

Receiving Jazz Award - (Photo-  Philadelphia Tribune)


Barbara was also the CEO and President of the African Heritage Center, the head of BDC and Associates. She was the principal of Productions BDC, an event management and business service company in conjunction with the Dell East Venue.  Her 25+ years in education, development, planning, fundraising, event management, and human service administration means that she will be greatly missed, hard to replace and difficult to emulate.

Barbara was a very active and dedicated member of the Philly Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, which is where I really got to know her.  It was there that we realized that we had been involved in common interests, including the annual Odunde Festival,  which celebrated it's 40th Anniversary in 2015, as well as African art and cultural events.  Her love of music and art and support of those disciplines often found us at the same events, and culminated in our agreeing to keep each other informed about upcoming programs that we might be interested in.

To me, Barbara was like a jewel that kept shining brighter and brighter.  Even though she had suffered a recent tragedy due t a fire that devastated her home, nearly destroying everything, she kept on, undaunted, shining ever brighter - always there to help others in their efforts; never wanting to let anybody down.  

One of my fondest memories of Barbara was in June 2015 after the Odunde Awards Luncheon, she offered me a ride home.  The event took place in West Philadelphia at the original studio of American Bandstand which had now been converted to a non-profit business incubator school.  What would have normally took about 25 minutes stretched out to a two-hour conversation, where we compared notes on writing, experiences, friends and a whole host of things.  It turned out that Barbara had graduated from Cheyney State College, while I had graduated from Lincoln University.  We found ourselves talking about how to make sure that Pennsylvania honored the two first Black schools/Universities in the US.  She must have driven up and down every side street in Philly while we were talking - trying to avoid traffic - because we hit side streets and neighborhoods that were kind of off the beaten track.  It was fun though, and we got a big laugh when we realized that we had left at 2:00 and it was now 4:15!!  WE acknowledged that we both loved hats, and had a rather healthy collection of them in all colors and shapes.  We both loved to write, but she had done a much better job of making a successful career of hers.   The conversation culminated in an "aha moment," when she realized  that my best friend Annie Gee and she were also friends, and she had heard my name mentioned on several occasions as "Gloria in New York."  That elicited more laughter and another 40 minutes of conversation and sharing experiences.  The best time ever!

Barbara was active until the very end of her life on this plane of existence - God the Living Spirit Almighty probably had to insist that she take a break, and called her to come, rest, relax, and join the privileged ranks of Ancestor/Angels.like Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Shirley Chisholm, and other dynamic Deltas in whose footsteps she most certainly walked during her time here on earth.

She's  left us some powerful examples and some great foot steps to follow as well.  We will miss her and revere her memory.  Peace Be Unto Her.

Homegoing Servics for Barbara Daniel Cox will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, May 13, 2016 at First District Plaza, 3801 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA.

Stay Blessed & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria 

Israel Houghton At the Dell in Philadelphia: A Diamond Among the Rhinestones

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Okay, so I went to see Israel Houghton and New Breed, at the Dell in Philly, recently on a Thursday evening.  As I've said often,  I absolutely love this brother and his body of work, listen to him all the time; and his lyrics run through my mind on a constant basis, and encourages me when I'm faced with a challenge or a crisis - especially his signature song, "I Am A Friend of God".

Israel Hougton and New Breed

 So when I had the opportunity to cover his show, you know I jumped at the chance.  Like everywhere on the East Coast lately, had been raining cats and dogs all day in Philly, and looked very much as though the show might be cancelled.  However,  I kind of knew that God the Living Spirit Almighty would not let that happen to one of His favorite Troubadors.  And I was right.  Around 5:30, after a steady downpour all day long, the rain subsided, the clouds parted, and the sun came out - much like in Israel's song "It's Not Over."
 
So after having found my seat,  meeting some wonderful sorors (Delta Sigma Theta of course) on the way, I was prepared for an evening with Israel Houghton.  But apparently that was not to be.  Instead, I got an evening with everybody else but Israel Houghton for most of the evening; with Israel's usually full on show truncated to less than 25 minutes, at best.

It turns out that Israel was a part of a show called "Praise In The Park" that was sponsored by radio station 103.9 FM, who had a dynamic host who kept things moving at the beginning of the show. However, the overcrowded program deprived us of what could and should have been non-stop Israel Houghton!  People who came prepared to hear and sing along with Houghton and New Breed began to leave early, once they realized that he was not going to have the time to do his full repertoire. In fact, he never even had the opportunity to sing "I Am A Friend of God."

This is by no means a criticism of the Dell, by any stretch of the imagination. It's a wonderful venue, and has always been a favorite place for Mandrill when they performed in Philly, and a favorite of mine as well.  There isn't a bad seat in the house; the people and staff are congenial, the food is actually good (not many venues can brag on their concession stands); and it's easy to reach by various modes of transportation.  It's a part of the Fairmont Park system, much like Central Park  in NYC; and offers great quality entertainment throughout the Spring into Fall.  

I am, however, a criticizing those who put this show together.  I've seen Israel Houghton on other occasions when he is the only artist featured.  He really doesn't need anyone else (other than New Breed, of course) to inspire, entertain, and uplift.  So I have to admit that I'm spoiled.  But so were the other members of the audience that evening.  We wanted to sing the songs we had come to know and love.   I basically think that if you have a diamond, you don't crowd it out with rhinestones.  And Israel Houghton is a diamond.  And while it's laudable to want to give upcoming artists an opportunity, they should not be allowed to hog the bulk of the evening.  It was nearly 10:30pm when he finally appeared, less than half an hour before the show was set to end.  People who basically paid to see and hear Israel Houghton were clearly upset.

When he performed at the Brooklyn Tabernacle to a standing room only crowd, they had to open up 6 overflow rooms - twice - to allow for the crowd that showed up for him.  And the Dell, despite the rain, had a near capacity crowd as well.  Not only did they have four (4??) local groups perform before him (which by the way was no problem, they were quite good); but two other "artists," who cut so deeply into his time that he ended up doing medleys instead of the full versions of his songs.    And of course, Israel did not disappoint.  He tried to give as much as he possibly could in the relatively short time that remained,  But it caused him to cut out several of his signature songs, including "I Am A Friend of God," which everybody was waiting to sing with him. (did I say that already?  Oh well, that tells you the extent to which I was disappointed.)

So, at the risk of sounding petulant, I would really like to advise the Dell and other venues, when you book Israel Houghton, please be considerate of us, his loyal fans, and make it all Israel Houghton and New Breed,  FOR THE FULL SHOW; we'll love you for it.  Thank you (didn't mean to shout, just wanted to be clear).   His shows stand very well on their own.  He's a very gracious gentleman, and probably won't say a word, but we in the audience really came to see him.

That said, he did perform his new signature song, "It's Not Over," which is one of the most beautiful and inspirational pieces out there today, leaving us on an high note as we exited the venue - but many were commenting that the other artists should have come on last or not at all, rather than to have shortchanged Houghton and New Breed.

Thank goodness for Lakewood Church on Sundays.  Since Houghton  is the praise and worship leader for Joel Osteen, I do get to watch him on line - and those first 45 minutes - as well as Joel and Victoria Osteen's messages - are magical.   It's somewhat of a compensation.  Hopefully it won't be a year before he's on the East Coast again - I do try to catch his performances when he's within a 200 mile radius of where I am.  I think it's worth it. 

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
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