Washington D.C. Black History Interview w/Anthony Browder

DM Lawrence, The Humanitarian Afro-Rights Activist

In February 2022, I had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Anthony Browder for a Black History Month special for The Hilltop focused on Washington D.C.. (See article "Black Inequality In Washington, D.C." here: https://thehilltoponline.com/2022/02/28/black-inequality-in-washington-d-c/ This recording is the entire interview, with excerpts written for the article below. Please comment and share! “In 1986, I created an activity that is now known as the Egypt on the Potomac field trip, where I outlined specific architectural structures in Washington D.C., that have a direct historical, cultural, symbolic, and spiritual correlation to ancient Egypt” said Howard alumnus Anthony Browder. “The Washington monument is a 6000-year-old African symbol. There's African symbols of the ankh in Meridian Hill Park. The energy that went into the creation of the city exists within Black folk native to D.C.” he continued. Originally from Chicago, IL, Browder has worked in D.C. since completing his studies at Howard in 1974. Browder founded the IKG Cultural Resources Center, an institute focused on disseminating information about the worldwide African experience. Since the 1980s, he has traveled to Egypt over 50 times for archeological research and lectured throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, Africa, Japan and Europe on issues related to African and African American history. Browder believes D.C.’s Black population has special energy and consciousness due to their spirit, culture and prowess within the capital of the wealthiest and most powerful nation in human history, however he is concerned the District’s public-school system may be failing the city’s youth. “The mindset of many of our people is ‘to be smart is to be white’, not acknowledging that Africans were the first people to read, write and think. Our youth may not know about pivotal ancestors such as Rev. Anthony Bowen who was born enslaved in Prince George's County, yet purchased his freedom at the age of 19 in Washington D.C.” Browder said. “Bowen bought land in D.C. and built a house, which served as a stop on the Underground Railroad and as a school where he educated formerly enslaved African people. He also developed several businesses and hired Black people. The former YMCA on 12th Street in NW was the first Black YMCA in the world and named in his honor” Browder continued.