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About the Event

From Tragedy to Triumph presents “The Spirit of My Home,” an evening of conversation and art about the religious conversion of enslaved Africans to Christianity during the 17th Century. Part two of a seven-part series, this multi-generational story of spirituality and ancestral knowledge is told through a blend of animation, film and narration. The event will close with a Q&A session with the artists and performers led by USC Thornton professor Ron McCurdy.

RSVP to attend the event on Zoom and participate in the discussion and live Q&A. Viewers can watch the livestream of the event at thorntonlive.usc.edu without RSVP.

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Closed captioning will be available in the webinar.

Reading List

Curated by the creative team, the following books, articles, film and television resources offer a starting point to learn more about the history and key themes featured in this event.

“An Introduction to African American Religious Life”

By Julius Bailey

“The Use and Performance of Hymnody, Spirituals, and Gospels in the Black Church”

By Portia Maultsby

“Composition from the perspective of the African- American Tradition”

By Wilson Olly

CREATIVE TEAM

Writer

Ezi Ogbuli

Filmmaker, Co-writer

Skyler Sulby

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Animator

Tavia Harris

Composer

Joshua Edward

Voice Actors

Caroline Clay

John Eric

Parker Faculty Mentors

Dr. Lisa Cooper Vest

Dr. Scott Spencer

Dr. Brandon Bourgeois

From Tragedy to Triumph is an interactive student-led series about the African diaspora told through discussion with film, dance and music. Organized by USC Thornton professor Ron McCurdy, each event is produced in creative collaboration between student and faculty composers, dancers, filmmakers, musicians and writers from across the university. Learn more >