Fannie Mae Duncan
Premieres on broadcast in two parts: 11/08/18 & 11/15/18
Meet the inspiring Fannie Mae Duncan, an African American nightclub owner who brought the motto “Everybody Welcome” to true meaning at her Colorado Springs Cotton Club despite the volatile Civil Rights Movement of her day. The granddaughter of slaves and the daughter of tenant farmers, Fannie Mae stood up against disharmony and heartbreak to maintain the first racially integrated club in the city.
Episode Extras
- Colorado Experience: Fannie Mae Duncan Script (pdf)
- Interview Transcript with Fannie Mae Duncan biographer Kay Esmiol and interviewer Kate Perdoni: Interview Transcript (pdf)
- "Colorado Experience: Fannie Mae Duncan" Premiere Q&A, Stargazer's Theatre, Colorado Springs Oct. 24, 2018 (YouTube)
- Pikes Peak Library District Special Collections Archival Footage: “Everybody Welcome: The Story of Fannie Mae Duncan and the Cotton Club” (YouTube)
In the News
- Springs Magazine: Honoring Fannie Mae Duncan
- Colorado Springs Gazette: Colorado Springs civil rights pioneer Fannie Mae Duncan subject of Rocky Mountain PBS documentary
- Colorado Springs Business Journal: Duncan’s role echoes in today’s Women of Influence
- KCME Classical Radio “Culture Zone” Cast with Fannie Mae Duncan biographer Kay Esmiol and filmmaker Kate Perdoni
- On Colorado Springs Blog
- The Colorado State House of Representatives honored Fannie Mae Duncan in a Legislative Tribute at the Colorado State Capitol on Monday, April 15, 2019. A portion of Colorado Experience: Fannie Mae Duncan was shown on the House floor as part of the commemoration. https://youtu.be/qvOnlA08XLk
- The Arts, Business, Education Consortium of the Pikes Peak region posthumously honored Fannie Mae Duncan on April 22, 2019. The Cultural Heritage Arts Award was given in tandem to Kate Perdoni (Producer/Director RMPBS), Kay Esmiol, Claudean Bragg-Brooks, Steve Antonuccio, and Shirley Martinez, individuals who have worked to document Fannie Mae's legacy through various artistic endeavors.
Web Extra: The Green Book
Katherine Scott Sturdevant discusses the legacy of The Green Book, an annually printed guide that helped African-Americans find safe lodging and services while traveling.
Web Extra: Colorado Springs Sit-Ins
Leah Davis Witherow of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum discusses local civil rights leader Charles Banks and the early wave of sit-ins that took place at lunch counters.
Web Extra: The Chitlin Circuit
Musician JJ Frazier talks about her early career at the Cotton Club, a venture that led her to tour the historic underground Chitlin Circuit.
