“Meet” Madam C.J. Walker and Her IRL Great-Great-Grandchild A’lelia Bundles 
Press Release · Thursday, May 6, 2021

Washington, DC

On Thursday, May 20, at 11 am, kids can “meet” Madam C.J. Walker, Black entrepreneur and civil rights advocate, as portrayed by Dr. Daisy Century, actor, historian, interpreter, and reenactor. Madam C.J. Walker’s great-great-granddaughter, journalist A’Lelia Bundles, will take questions from the young learners. Education Specialist Missy McNatt will be the on-screen host for this special event. Register online. Watch the livestream on our YouTube Channel. 

Madam C. J. Walker, one of the great American entrepreneurs of the early 20th century, was born to former slaves and grew up in destitution. She created the first African American hair care empire and amassed her fortune through dedication, hard work, and innovation. As America’s first female self-made millionaire, she was a philanthropist who enthusiastically sought and fought for civil rights.

A’Lelia Bundles, journalist, historian, author, and National Archives Foundation Board member, has written and spoken extensively about her great-great-grandmother, Madam C. J. Walker, and A’Lelia Walker, a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Her book On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker, was the "inspiration" for Self Made, the 2020 Netflix series. She is president of the Madam Walker/A'Lelia Walker Family Archives.

Dr. Daisy Century is an inspiring educator and actor who couples scientific methods with creative imagination in order to discover how the historical characters she interprets would respond to a given situation. She continues to inspire through her thoroughly researched, dramatically intense portrayals. 

Related videos:

• A’Lelia Bundles Live! - A’Lelia discusses the Netflix series Self Made.
• Madam C.J. Walker in the National Archives - A'Lelia tells Madam Walker's story with help from National Archives records.

Related: Virtual Genealogy Camp for Kids - Ages 12 and up
July 5-9, 11 am-noon (EDT) 
Ever wondered about your family’s roots and who is on your family tree? This hands-on camp will introduce the basics of genealogy research. Discover how to use National Archives resources and to be a history detective into your past!  Register online here. Questions? Email education@nara.gov with “Genealogy Camp” in the subject line. Space is limited to 25 campers. Made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation.

Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote and programs presented in conjunction with the exhibit are made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of Unilever, Pivotal Ventures, Carl M. Freeman Foundation in honor of Virginia Allen Freeman, AARP, AT&T, Ford Motor Company Fund, Facebook, Barbara Lee Family Foundation Fund at the Boston Foundation, Google, HISTORY ®, and Jacqueline B. Mars. Additional support for National Outreach and Programs provided by Denise Gwyn Ferguson, Maggie and Robert Boroujerdi, BMO Financial Group, The Hearst Foundations, Maris S. Cuneo Foundation, FedEx, Bernstein Family Foundation, and The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation/Ambassador Fay-Hartog Levin (Ret.).