Maafa Awareness Month

Theatre and Art Exhibit
We are gearing up for the annual Maafa Awareness Month Activities. The kick off is Friday, October 3, at the Prescott Joseph Center, 920 Peralta, at 10th Street. There will be a reception for the art exhibit and opening night for "Ebony and Johnny," Lower Bottom Playaz, Theatre in the Yard, dress warmly and bring a blanket, just in case. The festivities begin at 6 PM, show is at 8 PM. Visit http://www.prescottjoseph.org/ and http://novoscene.wordpress.com/2008/06/17/617-poetry-by-ayodele-nzinga/ (Artistic Director of Lower Bottom Playaz) Check the website http://maafasfbayarea.com/ for more details.

Reception for Breath of Our Ancestors
Art Reception Reception for "Breath of Our Ancestors" exhibit at Prescott Joseph Center, 920 Peralta Street, Oakland, CA, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., (510) 208-5651, Wednesday, October 15, 2008. There will be a reflection on the work of artists: Joy Holland, Casper Banjo and Keith Hopkins by their friends and family members, which will include introductory drumming procession and blessing. The show's curator is Wanda Sabir, with guest curators: TaSin Sabir and TheArthur Wright. We'd like to thank Dr. Burns,director of Prescott Joseph Center and Ayodele Nzinga, Shakespeare in the Yard, for their invaluable assistance. For information call: (641) 715-3900 ext. 36800# and visit http://maafasfbayarea.com/ and listen to http://www.wandaspicks.asmnetwork.org/ (Tune in Wed nesdays: 6-7 AM and Fridays 8-10 AM live or later archived shows) (Casper and Joy are ancestors; Keith Hopkins is alive.)

Films
October 9, 9 PM we will join filmmaker Baayan Bakari opening night at the Oakland International Film Festival for the screening of the film, "Equinox." Equinox will be proceeded by TaSin Sabir's Maafa slide presentation. Traces of the Trade screens from 6-8:15 PM. I suggest you attend both films. (See the link below.) We're looking to fill the house with youth and adults. The ritual is Sunday, October 12, predawn. Visit http://www.equinoxmovie.com/filmmakerandcast.htm and http://www.oiff.org/schedule2008.html

October 12, 2008 Film Screening - Traces the Trade: A Story From the Deep North 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm MoAD Salon

There will be a screening of the feature documentary Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North in honor of the 13th Annual MAAFA* celebration. In Traces of the Trade filmmaker Katrina Browne discovers that her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. She and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain a powerful new perspective on the black/white divide. Q&A to follow screening with Co-producer Juanita Brown.*MAAFA is a ritual of commemorating and memorializing the 100 million ancestors lost in the horror of the Middle Passage.

Maafa exhibit at MoAD
We will also have an exhibit at MoAD Saturday-Sunday, October 11-12 in the Salon.
Benefit PartyOctober 31 we are looking to have a benefit and ancestor party at East Side Cultural Center in Oakland. The details are being worked out.


Allensworth Centennial Celebration October 11-12
If you are in California, of course you can drive. It is 275 miles south and east, and with a few people in the car it is not too expensive. I'm told that all Amtrak trains will stop at AW on Oct. 11 and 12. But to get there on time, and to get the best rates from Oakland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, there are specific trains. One train from the north and one train from the south will load up early the 11th, and will return you home that evening. $39.00 RT from Los Angeles, $59.75 from Oakland. These are special arrangements. When you contact Amtrak, you must specify that you are going to Allensworth, you want the special rate, and make reservations before Oct 4th. If you can reserve for 20 people, there are even better rates. For more information, directions, etc. at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=583 Info about trains is at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=25528. Or call 800-USA-RAIL.If you have children, they should come. There will be special programs just for kids. This will be a wonderful experience for everyone.