Mary Seymour

Mother ~

“My Mother Wilhelmina Barnett was the lead singer and manager of the 1945 African American singing group, The Three Bon Bunnies. In 1946 Wilhelmina’s group travelled to Japan to perform for the troops part of Black USO. The Bon Bunnies traveled all over the United States performing for the Black servicemen and women.
Wilhelmina was one of our powerful ancestors who paved the way for singers who could not pass the brown paper bag test! The silent visual color test would compare your skin tone to a brown paper bag. Wilhelmina’s group “ The Bon Bunnies,” were very dark brown, beautiful, and talented. Amen! to Determination and Dedication!“

The Three Bon Bunnies, Press Photo[Left to Right Ester Scott, Carvil Payne and Wilhelmina Barnett [Mother of Mary Seymour] During 1940’s the concert was called Colored or Negro USO Concerts! One of the first African American female groups, to travel Performing for the Troops after World War 11, touring the U.S and Japan.

 

*

My Grandfather

 

“I honor my grandfather the Late Rev. Julius Major, the greatest man who ever spent time on planet Earth. Growing up in Harlem NY, he was the President of our community”

Everyone respected and loved Reverend Major.
He was one of 400 Black servicemen who served in combat roles during World War 1
After the war, he started a construction business called Major Construction, and on Sunday he pastored many African American Episcopal churches, including Trinity AME and St Matthew’s AME in the Bronx. 


I’ve dedicated the first play in my upcoming trilogy series to Rev. Julius Major. “We Have Come This Far by Faith.”

 

 MUSIC

“Sharing the Gifts of Music.”
Remembering I sang background on the original Historic Song

“I Was Born This Way” recorded by Charles Valentino❤️


In 1975 I remember when songwriter and producer Bunny Jones talked about her concept for the song: “I Was Born This Way.” I introduced Bunny Jones to the talented actor, and singer Valentino while Val and I were on tour with the musical “Hair.” 

 


Thank you Chris Spierer for bringing back this story that is part of Music History! The groundbreaking song “ I Was Born This Way.” was recorded by Valentino, produced by Bunny Jones/ Chris Buddy Jonz Jones written by Bunny Jones and Chris Spierer!
Stevie Wonder played Drums
Background vocals: Yvonne Wright, Ken Williams, and Mary Seymour

 

MUSIQUE

 

 

MUSIQUE – In the bush – 1978

 

Musique – Summer Love Theme

 

Musique – Number One 

*

 

Kimberly Miller, Mary Seymour and Carole Sylvan

*A TRIBUTE TO MUSIQUE

 

CHANGE 

 

1981 Press photo- RFC/Atlantic Records International Band “CHANGE,” debut album “The Glow of Love.”
The group “CHANGE,” represents one of the music industry’s great creative collaborations of talent. Produced by Jacques Fred Petrus, David Romani and Mauro Malavasi. Lyrics Tanya Willoughby.

Original Vocals Luther Vandross, Zack Sanders and Diva Gray, Jocelyn Brown, Krystal Davis Williams, Yvonne Lewis-Shelton and Dennis Collins. Management/Production Leslie Leslie Dwelle Simpson and Claude Ismale
Photo- Rick Gallwey, Larry Mc Rae,
Debra Cooper(seated) Vincent Henry, James (Crabbe) Robinson(seated) John F. Adams, Carole Sylvan (seated) Mike Campbell, Mary Seymour, Leon Reyes, Jeff Bova. Timmy Allen and Doc Powell are also members of CHANGE

RFC/Atlantic Records International Band “CHANGE,” – 1981 Press photo- 

Debut album “The Glow of Love.”  

 

The Glow of Love

The group “CHANGE,” represents one of the music industry’s great creative collaborations of talent.

Produced by Jacques Fred Petrus, David Romani and Mauro Malavasi. Lyrics Tanya Willoughby.
Original Vocals Luther Vandross, Zack Sanders and Diva Gray, Jocelyn Brown, Krystal Davis Williams, Yvonne Lewis-Shelton and Dennis Collins. Management/Production Leslie Leslie Dwelle Simpson and Claude Ismale         

 

Searching

 

Sal Siciliano
Mary Seymour
James Crabbe Robinson
Carole Sylvan
John F. Adams
Jeff Bova
Ted Singer

Photo- Rick Gallwey, Larry Mc Rae,
Debra Cooper(seated) Vincent Henry, James (Crabbe) Robinson(seated) John F. Adams, Carole Sylvan (seated) Mike Campbell, Mary Seymour, Leon Reyes, Jeff Bova. Timmy Allen and Doc Powell were also members of CHANGE

 

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iforcolor

ARCHIVIST, EDUCATOR, HISTORIAN, and ARTiST
Dale Ricardo Shields is a 2017 winner of The Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award®, 2017 and 2015 Tony® award nominee for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award, the 2017 AUDELCO/"VIV" Special Achievement Award, 2020, 2021, and 2022 ENCORE AWARD / The Actors Fund and winner of the 2022.

Recently, he won the 2022 Legend Award from his alma mater Ohio University.

He is the 2021 winner of the Paul Robeson Award, presented (jointly) by the Actors Equity Association and the Actors Equity Foundation.

Research Accomplishments:
His extensive professional credits as a Director, Stage manager, and Actor (Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and Regional) As an actor he has appeared on Saturday Night Live, Another World, Guiding Light, The Cosby Show, and the ITV television series "Special Needs" and commercials and film.

Professor Shields is a member of the Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the American Guild of Musical Artists performance unions and an associate member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

He began his artistic academic career in New York City at Playwrights Horizon, The South Bronx Action Theatre, and Mind Builders, and then was invited to join the teaching staff at the Joseph Papp Public Theatre (New York Shakespeare Festival). He represented the United States for Theatre Young Audiences at the ASSITEJ Theatre Festival in London, England.

He has been a Professor and Visiting Artist at Ohio University, The College of Wooster, Denison University, Macalester College, Randolph- Macon College, Susquehanna University, and SUNY Potsdam.

He holds B.F.A and M.F.A, Degrees from Ohio University.

Website(s)

Iforcolor.org [Research]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Ricardo_Shields [Career]