Speakers
- Kupenda Auset
- Independent Scholar
KUPENDA AUSET (Joette Harland Crosby) Kupenda Auset is a writer, historian and researcher who is one of the only scholars whose work focuses specifically on turn-of-the-century dramatist and educator Adrienne McNeil Herndon. In 2016, Kupenda and Jene’ Watson were recorded by StoryCorps in conversation about their respective adopted ancestors, Adrienne Herndon and Maud Cuney Hare. The conversation is filed at Folklore Division of Library of Congress. Kupenda former worked at National Black Arts Festival. She founded House of Life Dinner Theatre & Supper Club, presenting cultural events. She has served as an Atlanta Ambassador for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Her research extends to over 200 years of her family genealogy in East Tennessee. Kupenda’s forthcoming book documents her research on Adrienne Herndon across the last decade, including unprecedented findings. A graduate of Spelman College, Kupenda attended Clark Atlanta University for Master’s studies. She resides in her hometown of Atlanta, GA.