A’Lelia Bundles On A’Lelia Walker, Patron of the Arts
Author, journalist, and public speaker A\’Lelia Bundles is the great-great-granddaughter of Madam C. J. Walker, a black female millionaire during a time when it was monumental. A’Lelia’s biography of her of her is titled, On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker. May 25, 2019 is the 100 year anniversary of her death and is recognized by the May 2019 issue of Essence magazine with a contributed feature by A’Lelia, her proud descendant.
Also buzzing with excitement is Netflix’s scheduled 2020 release of a 4-part movie series based on the book, starring Octavia Spencer. Can’t wait to see it!
A’Lelia Bundles’ upcoming book, The Joy Goddess of Harlem: A’Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance, is about her great-grandmother. Yes, they have a shared name.
The Madam C. J. Walker website introduces A’Lelia Walker as:
The only child of Madam C. J. Walker, A’Lelia Walker (pronounced Ah-LEEL-ya) hosted one of the most memorable salons of the Harlem Renaissance. At “The Dark Tower,” a converted floor of her elegant New York townhouse, she entertained Harlem and Greenwich Village writers, artists and musicians, as well as visiting African and European royalty. Her parties, as well as her regal African beauty, lavish clothing and glamorous lifestyle inspired poets, painters and sculptors. Langston Hughes called her the “joy goddess of Harlem’s 1920’s.” Zora Neale Hurston outlined a play about her and her mother.
A’Lelia Walker provided an atmosphere for much joy; however, she also contributed to many causes and institutions. She led a campaign to provide ambulances for black soldiers during WWII, donated to the Silent Protest Parade against lynching, and was a leading fundraiser for a children’s center. In the arts world, she contributed by using her money, power, home, and influence to provide jobs and opportunities to actors, writers, filmmakers, caterers, musicians, etc., and advertised in black newspapers.
A project that has been in the heart and mind of A’Lelia Bundles for many years, that has kept her in a state of unrelenting research, this book is highly anticipated. It will be published by Scribner.
To see another postcard from A’Lelia Bundles, go to this link. It’s a classy picture of Madam C. J. Walker; and the post has more intriguing information about the businesses and philanthropic activities that stem from this legendary woman.
A’Lelia, this photo of your great-grandmother is dazzling! Your upcoming biography of her will surely fascinate its readers. And you have her notes to her famous friends – Awesome! Thank you for the joy of adding this postcard to my site.
~Anita~
