After the libation, we formed a line outside, and led by the drummers and an Egungun we walked to the River, where healers were given ablutions, prayers were offered, songs to Oshun sang, and words of encouragement offered. Community members were also honored with the ADACI Award for Service. People danced to the drumming. We were all given two stones at Union Baptist, which we blew our desires into and tossed into the water, while keeping the other.
It was really warm, so when we got back to the church, the cold water for sale was quite welcome. Power Talk 2 continued from the evening before that afternoon from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. There was intermittent rain, but the powerful speakers presented to a full church. It was really nice that the presenters hung out in the social hall selling books and videos and chatting with the public.
Dr. Frances Cress Welsing was the honoree, she and her sister were there both days. She had just been honored last year at Florida A&M University, but Washington is her town. She had tee-shirts for sale, and it was announced that her monthly talks at Howard University would resume. Friday evening, Juneteenth, she spoke at the end of a great presentation by Merira Kwesi, "Sistahs In the Struggle: A Tribute to Black Women Liberators Ancient & Modern. In her presentation, Dr. Cress-Welsing shared stories of her childhood and how she became a doctor. Her sister had supplied Mrs. Kwesi with lots of photos from their childhood, so we were treated to an intimate portrayal of the doctor.
Earlier that afternoon, we'd gone to the Library of Congress for a Juneteenth program on literacy. As we were returning to the room where the symposium was held, we shared an elevator ride up with the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia).
She was the featured speaker. Rep. Holmes Norton spoke of the early emancipation of District of Columbia enslaved Africans April 16, 1862. Owners were duly compensated for their losses. Mrs. Holmes Norton also shared the story of her ancestor's escape from slavery and her genealogy up to the present. It was a great story and overall presentation.
It was really warm, so when we got back to the church, the cold water for sale was quite welcome. Power Talk 2 continued from the evening before that afternoon from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. There was intermittent rain, but the powerful speakers presented to a full church. It was really nice that the presenters hung out in the social hall selling books and videos and chatting with the public.
Dr. Frances Cress Welsing was the honoree, she and her sister were there both days. She had just been honored last year at Florida A&M University, but Washington is her town. She had tee-shirts for sale, and it was announced that her monthly talks at Howard University would resume. Friday evening, Juneteenth, she spoke at the end of a great presentation by Merira Kwesi, "Sistahs In the Struggle: A Tribute to Black Women Liberators Ancient & Modern. In her presentation, Dr. Cress-Welsing shared stories of her childhood and how she became a doctor. Her sister had supplied Mrs. Kwesi with lots of photos from their childhood, so we were treated to an intimate portrayal of the doctor.
Earlier that afternoon, we'd gone to the Library of Congress for a Juneteenth program on literacy. As we were returning to the room where the symposium was held, we shared an elevator ride up with the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia).
She was the featured speaker. Rep. Holmes Norton spoke of the early emancipation of District of Columbia enslaved Africans April 16, 1862. Owners were duly compensated for their losses. Mrs. Holmes Norton also shared the story of her ancestor's escape from slavery and her genealogy up to the present. It was a great story and overall presentation.
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