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Reviving History, Igniting Community
Tracy Chiles McGhee is a writer, cultural curator, and independent scholar who follows her curiosity wherever it may lead. Drawn to stories of transition, transformation, and transcendence, she is interested in understanding the ways in which people, particularly those within the Black Diaspora and women, find joy and healing.
Through her project Salon Redux: In the Spirit of Georgia Douglas Johnson, Tracy is reimagining the historic S Street Salon as a living practice for today and honoring the pioneering Black poet and playwright, Georgia Douglas Johnson. This citywide initiative offers a toolkit for DC residents to host their own gatherings that are rooted in community and the humanities.
Working with scholars, artists, and neighbors, Tracy blends history with the present, inviting collective creativity and new connections. “I’m looking forward to seeing how people across the city interpret and bring the salon tradition into their own lives,” she said. “Every host will shape the experience differently, some with poetry, some with music, some with conversations that cut to the heart of what DC needs right now.”
For Tracy, history is living and can be used as a compass for the present through the humanities. “When we recognize history as something near rather than distant, we can draw on it for wisdom, guidance, and courage to navigate the present" she said. "I hope my work helps us see that we are never starting from scratch. We are carrying forward a legacy that can expand what is possible.”
Discover more about Tracy's work and explore the Salon Redux toolkit on her website.
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