“This is my little blog where I write about History, Current Events, Theatre, Jazz, Education, the Arts, Politics, Social Justice, the Environment, and what goes on in the world (and occasionally in my head). Sometimes I write about people I know and love, who are also doing great work that other folks should know about. While I would not classify myself as a complete “cockeyed optimist,” I am also not very big on writing that complains and whines and moans about everything or writing that exploits any person’s personal suffering. I still believe that in spite of some of the awful things that happen in the world–which I will write about–that there is still much to celebrate.” – Leslye Joy Allen
Myself with one of my favorite actors and Oral History Interviewees Henry G. Sanders
Leslye Joy Allen (Ayọ) is a fourth generation native of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. A historian, oral historian, educator, dramaturge, public speaker, theatre and jazz advocate, genealogist, and environmentalist (better known by her middle name “Joy,”) she holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in History from Agnes Scott College and Georgia State University, respectively. She is also a charter member of Agnes Scott College’s Alpha-Theta-Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society and is a former Coca-Cola Foundation Museum Fellow at The Atlanta History Center. She currently is a Ph.D. Candidate in the History department at Georgia State University, and is finishing writing her dissertation; she was a 2015-2016 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Doctoral Scholar and Dissertation Fellow. She specializes in the History of the American South (ante- and post-bellum), 20th century Georgia History, Atlanta History, Oral History, and Performance Arts History with a specific emphasis on Theatre. She is also a proud member of National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Association of Critical Heritage Studies, and Africans Rising.
All blogs written by Leslye Joy Allen are protected by U. S. Copyright Law and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Any partial or total reference to any blog authored by Leslye Joy Allen, or any total or partial excerpt of any blog authored by Leslye Joy Allen must contain a direct reference to this hyperlink: http://leslyejoyallen.com with Leslye Joy Allen clearly stated as the author. Postings or blogs placed here by other writers should clearly reference those writers. All Rights Reserved.
Leslye Joy Allen 
Dear Ms. Allen,
I write you to learn more about your 2006 M.A. thesis at Georgia State University on Georgia Know-Nothings. Are you expanding on this topic for your Ph.D. dissertation? Would you be willing to share a copy of the thesis via email? My interest in reading your work involves learning more about the role Benjamin Harvey Hill played in the party and Georgia politics prior to the Civil War. I completed my M.A. thesis on the Presidential Election of 1824 at Mississippi State University in 1988 and attended Florida State University where I was an ABD student under Dr. Joe M. Richardson until economics forced me to postpone my dissertation. I don’t know if I will ever have time to go back and redo the comprehensive exams, but I am interested in completing my biography of Hill. Any cooperation you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
Mark H. Langford
850-443-1882
Midway, Fl
Mr. Langford:
Thank you so much for your interest. Please check your email from me.
Joy,
What a great surprise to actually find your website through LinkedIn! As it happens, I mentioned you in a conversation with a colleague who bears your name just this morning, and she commented that there just weren’t that many folks out there named Joy, much less Joy Allen! Standing here in an operating room waiting for my little part in a surgery (I sell a medical device), on a lark, I searched LinkedIn, and Voila! there you are.
It has to have been fully forty years since we’ve crossed paths; I am glad that the intervening years have been positive for you as they have for me. We never forget from whence we come; I think back often to the days spent at St. Paul of the Cross, in class, on the field, sitting in groups talking about whatever folks that age discuss (I seem to remember the Jackson Five being one topic…long time ago!).
I thought it appropriate to let you know you were being thought of (oh, the horrors of dangling participles when speaking to Doctoral candidates!). Forty years is a wide gulf, and one I don’t expect to bridge. But you made an impact lo those many years ago, and I considered you among my closest friends at 9-10-11-12 years of age. I hope that life continues to treat you well, and that you continue to succeed at your endeavors.
Take care, and God bless!
I do not believe it! Emmett “Chip” Jones, glad to hear from you. I can’t wait to tell the rest of the gang from old Saint Paul!
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I so appreciated listening to your interview with Denis O’Hayer on “Morning Ediition”. Oral history is so important! Growing up I heard that my grandmother marched with Marcus Garvey . One day I asked her to tell me about our family in St. Croix. When she began to talk (in her heavy West Indian accent) the hours flew by!
Thanks so much for listening and for sharing the story about your grandmother.
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hey, leslye. it was a pleasure meeting you and i look forward to our paths crossing again.
best,
jae
Thanks JaeBevin. It was a pleasure meeting you too! I will record your email address and send you one from my gmail account. It will have my full name in the subject.
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Believe me I have never seen any American who goes by my name Ayo @ayoakinjokun
This is a nickname. But there are more than a few people in the United States that go by this name.
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Your research into your cousin Dr. Edward B Allen is very intriguing. I am part of Lamay’s family in Milwaukee. I would be honored if I could learn more from you if you have time. I have sent a friend request to you on LinkedIn
Unfortunately, what I do not have a lot of is time. I’m currently writing dissertation and I have had no other choice but to severely limit my time to research related to my dissertation. I have no problem with the LinkedIn request. But, unless you are a biological member of Lamay’s paternal line as am I, I’m not likely to be of much help.
I understand about your time commitment. I hope your dissertation process goes well. Unfortunately, I am not from the paternal side. I am one of Lamay’s grandchildren.
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