"Phillis Wheatley: Make Her Black & Bid Her Sing," first film in Women of Distinction series

DATELINE: PEMBROKE, MA…In time for Black History Month, the haunting voice of an amazing young slave woman who became the first African-American to publish a book of poetry, lives on in an engrossing new video entitled "Phillis Wheatley: Make Her Black & Bid Her Sing" (available in DVD or VHS format). Wheatley’s words are vividly brought to life by Dorothy Mains Prince, an accomplished teacher, author, director, and performer.

Imagine being 7 or 8 years old, a frail sickly young girl, arriving in Boston on the eve of the American Revolution in the summer of 1761… to be sold on the slave block.

Meet Phillis Wheatley, an amazing young slave woman, who became the first African-American to publish a book of poetry. She was kidnapped from West Africa, delivered to the shores of Boston and was purchased by the Wheatley family, who named her Phillis in honor of the slave ship that brought her safely from her native land. Mrs. Wheatley encouraged her intellectual pursuits; although never formally schooled, Phillis demonstrated remarkable acumen at an early age, rapidly learning English, along with Greek and Latin.

Phillis Wheatley’s haunting voice echoes through the ages and lives on in an engrossing video entitled "Phillis Wheatley: Make Her Black & Bid Her Sing". Wheatley’s words are vividly brought to life by Dorothy Mains Prince, an accomplished teacher, author, director, and performer. Prince’s compelling portrayal captures Wheatley’s personal tale, and is a definitive representation of life in Colonial Boston.

"Phillis Wheatley: Make Her Black & Bid Her Sing" is the first educational film in Prince’s Women of Distinction series. Prince has been performing historical monologues for over a decade, having been featured in lecture and performance series around the country. She holds BA and MA degrees from Emerson College in Boston and a MA from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York. In addition to being the recipient several honors and awards, Prince is also a member of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) Roster for Performing/Touring and Education Programs. For additional information about Dorothy Prince, and the women she portrays, please visit www.DorothyPrince.com or email info@DorothyPrince.com.

"Phillis Wheatley: Make Her Black & Bid Her Sing” (available in DVD or VHS format) is available for purchase at www.DorothyPrince.com, along with the Companion Study Guide. A newly released Audio CD, featuring the best of Wheatley’s poems, is now also available.