Akbar Imhotep Papers

Collection

Identifier: aarl010-009

Scope and Contents

The Akbar Imhotep Papers consist of 17 boxes. These boxes contain letters; poems, manuscipts, pictures and articles from and about the multifaceted artist Akbar Imhotep. The collection documents his involvement with Varius organizations such as Toastmasters; Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, The National Association of Black Storytellers(NABS) and the Metro Atlanta Kwanzaa Association. The collection also highlights his work as a community activist in and around Atlanta.

Dates

1951 - 2019
This date range covers the period from his birth to his work or more recent years.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is available for use only on the third floor (Archives Division) of the Auburn Avenue Research Library. There are no restrictions on research use of the collection, but permission must be obtained for reproductions of materials for which the Research Library does not hold copyright to researcher only for "Fair Use" as defined in the copyright law (Title 17, United States Code). Also permission must be obtained to publish reproductions from materials for which the Research Library does hold copyright for one time use only.

Biographical / Historical

Akbar Imhotep is a master storyteller; puppeteer and poet. He is also a community activist based in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Imhotep was born on December 22, 1951 in Perry,GA. He graduated from Houston High School in 1969, and then went on to receive his B.A. in Liberal Arts from Paine College in Augusta, GA (1973).

Mr. Imhotep's artistic journey began in 1975 when an interest in poetry led him to Neighborhood Arts Center in Atlanta. Under the tutelage of Ebon Dooley, Imhotep was able to hone his skills as a writer. One year later he became a charter member of the Proposition Theatre Company with which he was active until 1979. He would then go on to work as a puppeteer for the Center for Puppetry Arts (1979-1985). Although he had always been a storyteller, it was in the fall of 1985 that Mr. Imhotep began telling folktales professionally. His early days as a storyteller were spent in residence at Atlanta’s Wrens Nest where he told Uncle Remus tales to the visiting public.

In addition to his work as an artist, Akbar Imhotep made great contributions as a community activist in Atlanta. His affiliations past and present include Metro Atlanta Kwanzaa Association (MAKA); Atlanta Area Toastmasters, Universal African American Peoples Organization, National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS) and Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia.