Meet the Revolution: Kalela Williams

As part of the Museum’s Meet the Revolution series, historical interpreter Kalela Williams sat down with Museum Gallery Interpretation Manager Tyler Putman to talk about bringing African American experiences of the Revolution to life. Watch the interview below as Williams discusses the character she portrays – an African American teacher in Philadelphia in the 1790s – and explores the challenges of developing a character based on scant historical material.

Learn more about Kalela Williams and her work at kalelawilliams.com.

Interested in more Meet the Revolution interviews? Check out our Q&A with historical interpreter Noah Lewis, who portrays Edward "Ned" Hector, a free African American man and soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War.

Meet the Revolution is an ongoing series of costumed living history programs that explore the voices, viewpoints, and experiences of the diverse people of the Revolutionary era.

This edition of Meet the Revolution was released as part of the Museum's week-long Virtual Fourth of July Celebration, sponsored by Bank of America, with free, digital experiences that include family programs for Wawa Welcome America, Read the Revolution Speaker Series with Caitlin Fitz, our latest episode of AmRev360 that features Museum President & CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson in conversation with Dr. Joanne Freeman and Hamilton actor Paul Oakley Stovall, and much more.