This week at the Hall, we hosted a Masterclass on Prince – the man, the symbol, the rebel, the genius and the icon. The esteemed C Liegh McInnis, poet, author, teacher, and Prince expert taught the week long class to a classroom that had an age span of 8 years old to 68 years old. We, the students, enjoyed every minute.
At the end of the week, one of the teen students came up and said she had a question for me: “Have you received any backlash for being a white woman owning the Hall?”
I told her a story of one day when Carol Singleton and I happened to see each other at the Shell station on Main and Highway 90. Carol and I were talking away when a guy in red convertible drove up to a gas pump, put the nozzle in the tank, and then strutted our way. In the few minutes: car – gas pump – man happened, Carol half whispered, he’s going to tell us a joke. Then – Uh, oh, he’s coming to tell us something! And the man walked right up to me and said as if in continuation of a conversation we never had, “You know. There are some who think a white woman shouldn’t own the Hall. But I’m telling you right now I do believe you were sent from God to own it. You hear?”
Carol looked relieved, and I offered only a nervous laugh and thank you. I’m off-brand for feeling white savior feelings because I feel white people are just digging themselves out of a hole they dug. I’ve had many a white person tell me how lucky my son is that I adopted him. I could tell when the thin veil of because he’s Black was left unsaid.
Last night, after our Prince Tribute Concert, a white guy said to me that this was the first time he had heard about this place or been in the Hall and he’s lived here all his life. I said that’s because you’re white. He said, well, so are you. I said, well whitish – I’m Sephardic. I grew up with people speaking down to my father because he had a thick Spanish accent (a la Desi Arnaz) and where Sephardic’s fall used to be non-white, until it was. Spanish and Jewish folks did assimilate compared to Black folks and that’s because of the obvious – we could pass.
When I first bought the Hall, I went and spoke with Ripp Daniels about its history. Ripp owns a Black radio station and one of the only Black-owned boutique hotels on the Coast. He was the one who told me to resurrect the 100 Men, and it was that conversation which I slept on that made me decide to start the 100 WOMEN DBA, because in my lifetime, women have always been the ones to get shit done. And any activism I have been part of was forged at a kitchen table.
I’ve spent my last seven years at the Hall speaking to the elders in the Black community about what the future of the Hall should be. Ripp ended our conversation by saying this place should be Black owned and I ought to make sure that happens. I did have designs on it being Black owned by my son at some point in the future. Now, I’m not so sure about that vision coming to fruition. You can’t decide anyone else’s future for them.
The elders have told me that the Hall’s day to serve the Black community is done and in the past.
That leaves us with now and tomorrow.
I’ve seen the Hall as an opportunity to tell the more nuanced story of a Black community who under the dark cloud of Jim Crow and segregation found a place to celebrate joy. It’s the reason I asked Jen Coulter to make a sign that now hangs at the entrance of the the Hall with a quote by James Booker – “To know the feeling of rejoicing in sorrow is nothing strange to me.”
Should a white woman own an African American landmark?
Should a white woman adopt an African American child?
These are questions that are moot. I do and I did.
The history of why is laden with sorrow, and still, there is joy and rejoicing.
[Thank you for reading my blog; I love hearing from you;
I’d appreciate your responding here rather than on social media
because then I can revisit your comments.]
Good read! I live in north MS so I’ve only been to three events at the Hall, Burnside, Bouko Grove and Terk Chamberlin. I’ve often wondered why the black community doesn’t (maybe they do?) come out to enjoy these events? I think you are doing a wonderful job there and providing great entertainment and a very affordable price for the community!
I’m so glad you bought the hall and have carried on it’s amazing story. It’s a treasure and so are you.
Let me tell you something, Ann Madden – I could NOT do this without you. Or rather, I would not want to.
Thanks Cayce. I appreciate it – and those were three great concerts!! Also, for the Prince concert last night – what a joy it was to look out at a diverse audience. It’s not all the time – a lot of times it is either a 90% Black or 90% white crowd. A lot of that is a product of history and some of it is cultural preferences. But we love to see a sea of beautiful hues in this Hall. I’d say that is when I’m the happiest!
What y’all have done with the Hall is remarkable. Regardless of the who, when, or what color, what I think is the most important aspect is that you are preserving and sometimes restoring history.
I am a Boston-born Yankee, so my understanding of the cultural nuances of the South are second and third hand. To me, Bay Saint Louis is certainly not the same Mississippi (culturally) as places like Clarksdale, Greenville, and Natchez… it’s generally a tad more welcoming.
In today’s national landscape, it seems like the “All Are Welcome” stance is narrowing, giving way to more and more division. Your (collective) work does much to teach and unify, and I’m truly moved by your effort and dedication to fight the good fight.
As far as someone else who should be owning the Hall? Maybe they should’ve fought the good fight when the opportunity presented itself… but they wouldn’t have been able to “get shit done” like you did.
Hmmm should a woman own a business, have a credit card, be allowed to vote? Those questions were relevant decades ago. Not today. Hopefully it won’t take decades for your questions to also be irrelevant. I don’t think it will because of people like you who stand up and do the right thing.
Dear Rachel. This read was very provoking. Thanks for addressing it. After moving here from the West Coast seven years ago. I felt lost and very isolated. It was very lonely as a single woman. That’s when I found the Hall. From the first event , I have felt so welcome and totally free to be me. It’s become a big part of my happiness and I thank you for that. As far as the white thing…. you are doing such a great job of honoring the black culture. Your the Bomb!
Why should it matter what color skin the person that owns it is as long as they provide the community with the quality opportunities for anyone to take part in. “All are welcome here!”
It’s “the little person inside your heart/ soul” that drives you not because you’re a woman! It drove you here, it drove your actions and it will continue to drive your successes there…. Thanks for coming…
Big hug, Lonnie.
Well, Terry, I think one of the reasons we do those Conversations with Lions with elders in the Black community is because of the African Proverb – until the Lion tells the tale, history will favor the Hunter. So I think the thing is the Hall is a sacred place built by and for the Black community and I, whitish, am telling that community’s history. There is a part of my faith, tikkun olam, that believes my work is in mending the world, and I do believe in reparations to the Black community, and I do feel my work here is towards both of those ends.
Thank you, Cinnora. I feel grateful for the community that supports the Hall because that is what makes all this work – without y’all, there is no me here.
Women are dangerous, Nikki – you should know that. Ha!
Thanks, Kevin, for your kind words and support. In the last sentence, I think fighting the good fight has a depth of history and understanding behind it if we are referring to the Black community. I’d love to speak to you about it but it’s lengthy, I’m not an expert, I just have my own knowledge to weigh in on that. If in general, anyone else, well I have to say I have had the best support by people that show up every day to help me make this happen and I am not getting shit done alone. I promise you.
I know you’re tacking left, and I hope you stay the course. I’m selfish. I know how hard you work, how emotionally and physically draining things for you are. I also know your sense of joy and accomplishment. You are loved and respected Rachel. You are needed. Our community of All Are Welcome flourishes because of you and your work. YOU should own the Hall as long as you want to. And I, and many, hope you will want to for a very long time.
PS Last night’s Prince tribute was incredible.
Wonderful reflection, Rachel. I so appreciate all your work, the glory of our Hall, its wonderful offerings, and the marvelous community it has birthed. I have told you and so many others that my lily white Texan self always feels so at home from the moment I walk in the Hall. I’ve always thought it is because it is a holy site. But your reflection sparked my realization that its holiness comes from its living into its purpose to lift up the oppressed, build relationships that sustain and support in all kinds of injustice, and to maintain that morning joy that the night of mourning cannot destroy. That purpose was born in the struggles of the Black community and now extends to our LBGTQ+ siblings, others of different faiths and perspectives, our immigrant neighbors and even the clueless privileged. Thank you for allowing us to do justice and love mercy joyously together- 100 Women Strong! Love you, Rachel
I’m proud to call you my friend, anytime we meet it’s as if we are connected!! So proud of the Hall and the community you built !!!#LLC
So you’re not white, but Sephardic (Jewish). You come in to our community, parade yourself as white, and then want to change the towns culture into something to fit more to your liking. Why don’t you fuck off back to NOLA and leave it to the majority white town decide what its identity/future is instead of 10% of the town population. BSL was founded with a French/English heritage, never an African or Jewish one.
I must admit that when I moved here seven years ago, the thought of a white person owning the 100 Men Hall did not sit right with me. I thought it was just another case of cultural appropriation, gentrifying for profit. I could not have been more wrong. The Hall is in no way gentrified or even “gussied up;” it’s as it would have been in the day, more or less. And you are not so much an owner or concert promoter as a cultural caretaker or curator. Meeting you a few times and attending blues brunches, concerts, and a few films makes me a believer that you are the right person, in the right place, at the right time. The Hall and its history are lucky you found it, fell in love with it, and made it your calling to care for it.
The Hall is beautiful and so full of life now. I’m so glad you were able to bring it back to life. I look forward to attending some events in the near future.
Thanks – appreciate it.
Dena! Thank you for your kind words, truly they mean so much because the way you began made me know you know much too. Thank you.
Louis – or whoever you are IRL – I wonder what would make you write this comment. What in your past and upbringing made you feel this way?
Doug – Hey buddy – thanks for checking in and appreciate it.
Dorothy – thank you! What you expressed here is true on every note. Thank you for articulating it.
Valerie – Now that concert was pure joy!! It was so much fun!! Thank you siSTAR – I appreciate you and your words.
Somebody’s gotta own it, and I can’t think of a single person who could own it better than you.
My question is what do the still living musicians who played the hall think? What does Booker’s two nieces, his only heirs, think about the fest & is there competition for his name and copyrighted photos being used? It complex, though I do know that the photographer & the white man who played with Booker, took care of him when he was down and out & loved him like a brother has been left out of the conversation and is not being acknowledged or compensated for his photographs.
Shay – When we first started Booker Fest in 2019, I spoke to the manager of Booker’s rights. I told him what we were doing and he gave us his blessing. Booker did have a nephew, who felt that he was owed something, but he has passed. As for the photos, all that we use is in the public domain and 99.9% of what is used in our work is from an artist’s rendition of him which we have used with the sole consent of the artist. As for the musicians, it’s interesting because I haven’t spoken to them directly about this particular question, but I have spoken with them about the history and the purpose of this Hall in its history.
Thanks, Donna. At this point, I don’t feel like I own it as much as I am the custodian of it.
Shay – this morning Bobby Rush sent me this text after reading my blog – I’m posting this in response to your question about what living musicians who played the Hall think:
I just love you spirit about life and take about people in this world, thank you for being you, and taking the 100 men club over – without you it probably would have been gone by now regardless of what people say about you, what they think about you, I want to thank you personally for taking it over and preserving a place like this and still you invite everyone all people to come regardless of her race, creed, or color. I hope I can be a help to you to keep the place going and make it even bigger and better than it is now.
It’s a long text about Bobby’s history playing the Chitlin Circuit and how important this place is and it truly made my day.
I had a much longer message of support written, but for now I will say: Keep calm and carry on. We are losing so many of the greats of our past, the musicians that help shape America’s music. Most gone far too soon..Lets all give them one last listen. They deserve it…they earned it.
I sure hope to visit you soon.
Gruene Hall, Antone’s, The Broken Spoke, The Big Easy…all of these continue to exist because someone believed, someone cared. And we are all better for it.
Thank you, Alan. I think about the preservation of this place every day. I have felt more like the custodian of this place since I moved in. I wish there was a safety net for these places. When I first came to the Hall, Po Monkey’s was going to be “available” and I called about having it transported here to the Hall to preserve it. Instead, it seemed like the Smithsonian had purchased it. Sadly, I heard that Po Monkey’s hasn’t gone anywhere and it is deteriorating in place and people have gone in and taken “souvenirs” and the whole thing just makes me sad.
Woodenhead 50th Anniversary 2025
Best venue I’ve ever played anywhere near here, and we stand on the shoulders of dozens of R&B, soul, jazz and rock & roll giants who played here through some trying years of foolish, ugly racism… We owe them everything, and I am proud to carry on their legacy at this beautiful soulfully run venue, where EVERYONE is welcome.
. Kudos to Rachel, Jesse, and the whole crew dedicated to keeping live music of all stripes alive! Rock on, 100 MEN HALL!
Jimmy – you are a kind a human and I’m honored to know you. Thank you for supporting us and for bringing your magic here in so many iterations, acoustic to electric. Much love.