Nell Davis Britton
February 24, 1938
— Winston-Salem Distinguished Women In The Arts —
This award-winning poetry slam artist is known for telling powerful stories of human struggles and triumphs. She competed nationally and in the late 1990's captured a championship in the Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam Festival.
Britton also performed one-woman shows depicting remarkable Black women in American history across North Carolina and beyond. In the 1980's, she teamed up with Larry Leon Hamlin (founder of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company) and others to perform Living Room Theatre in many of Winston-Salem's private homes. Around the same time, Britton opened a dinner theatre under her venture, Nell Lite Production, Inc. It produced literary and poetic art events. This published author of several poetry books also wrote and scored musicals including To Build A Dream - The True Story of George Henry Black.
During her career, Britton also taught theatre arts, creative writing and literature at R.J. Reynolds Senior High School. She served for twenty years and many considered Britton the school's poet laureate.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Women.
Location. 36° 5.83′ N, 80° 14.877′ W.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Earline King (here, next to this marker); Rosemary Harris (here, next to this marker); Flonnie T. Anderson (a few steps from this marker); Spruce Street YMCA (within shouting distance of this marker); Nissen Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shamrock Mills (about 400 feet away); O'Hanlon's Office Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Forsyth County Men (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winston-Salem.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 302 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
