DOUGLAS REDD CULTURAL SUMMIT SUMMARY

           Over 250 people came together to dialogue and begin planning strategies to utilize our art and culture for social change in New Orleans. We were asked at the Summit, what are the next steps? We have four immediate action items that are listed below

 

NEXT STEPS

 

            1) Our first step in utilizing Art for Social Change is to participate in the Yes We Care! Rally this Saturday, March 28, 2009 in Congo Square. We have been invited to drum, dance, sing and perform spoken word from 9am to 10am! The purpose of the gathering of 10,000 African-Americans is to address the on-going problem of Black on Black crime in New Orleans by Restoring pride, Reaffirming the value of life and Reclaiming detached and disenfranchised children, families and neighbors within the African-American community. Please try and attend and spread the word!

            2) From the registration forms you filled out, we are developing a data base of artists, community activists and organizers and cultural institutions that we will all have access to for the purpose of developing partnerships. 

            3) We are now in the process of compiling the important information regarding our assets and partnerships that came out of the break out session on Identifying our Creative Assets that can be used towards strengthening our efforts. Big thanks to the facilitators in that session: Petrice Sams-Abiodun, Ted Quant, Gwendolyn Richardson and Tammy Terrell. When that work is complete within the next two weeks we will share the information with you via e-mail and on our website www.airnola.org.

            4) Please submit all classes and performances that you, your group or cultural institution are planning between now and July, 2009. This information will be listed on www.airnola.org.

 

 

SUMMIT PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

 

           In addition to important information and intense exchanges of ideas and feelings, the Summit offered exciting performances and rituals! The day began with drumming followed by Rev. Dwight Webster‘s eloquent and spirit moving opening prayer. Libations honoring New Orleans Creative ancestors then set the tone for the day. Special thanks to Olayeela Daste, Janet Sula Evans, Kendra Marie Harris, Ausettua Amor Amenkun, Kwame Ross, Marcus Akinlana, Barbara Trevigne, Giselle Nakhid, Badi Murphy, Michaela Harrison, Clark Richardson, Kinard Zuniga, Frederick Hollywood Delahoussaye, Eric Burt, Lloyd Daly, Khalid Hafiz and Kirt Claverie for their part in the opening ancestral ritual!

           High energy youth performances by The Young Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indians, The Young New Orleans Traditional Brass Band and the West Bank Pathfinders Drum Corps had all in attendance dancing and singing! Michaela Harrison, Ras Chemash Lemed and Janet Sula Evans utilized song to raise our spirits and honor our ancestors. Asia Rainey and Christopher Williams employed Spoken Word to communicate the emotions, frustrations and hopes of our people! We witnessed the debut performance of the all men dance group, RIZING SON.  2009 Academy Award nominated hip-hop artist and documentary film maker BLACKKOLDMEDINA, and Truth Universal rocked the Summit with hip-hop. The “Spirit of FIYIYI” ended the Summit with their song calling all the people home!

 

PANEL HIGHLIGHTS

 

            The themes of the three panels were thought provoking, educational,

controversial, and motivating, to say the least! We want to thank all of the following panelists and moderators who challenged us to take our creative energies and efforts to new heights and directions. 

 

            We were truly inspired by the dynamic closing panel on the “Role of Culture &    Art in the Recovery”, which featured Professor Jerry Ward, Irvin Mayfield,  Fred Johnson, Kim Roberts, Professor Cortheal Clark, Kwame Azalius Ross, Khalil Shahyid and Bill Rouselle! Many evaluation forms indicated that this was the most inspiring panel of the day. Professor Jerry Ward who is Professor of English at Dillard University and author of the recently published book, “The Katrina Papers” gave an insightful presentation that is attached to this e-mail..

 

            The opening panel on “The Effects of Racism on our Community and its Impact on the Creative and Cultural Environment” offered a sobering examination of the historical impact of Racism in New Orleans’ African- American communities and strategies for moving forward. This panel featured: Barbara Majors, Professor Mtangalizi Sanyika, Asia Rainey, Professor Allen Colon, Rev. Tyronne Edwards, Herbert Parnell and Professor Danille Taylor.

 

            The afternoon panelon “The Adequate & Fair Compensation for Artists, Access to Information and Professional Development” offered expert advice and experiences from a group of experienced artists and arts administrators who are on the top of their game. This panel featured: Big Chief Darryl Montana, Joycelyn Reynolds, Professor Ronald Bechet, Karen Kaia Livers, Professor  John Barnes, and Bruce Sunpie Barnes.

 

           

THE GENEROSITY OF ARTISTS

 

            The generosity of New Orleans artists is legendary! We humbly thank the following artists and institutions who contributed their works of art that were part of the silent auction and raffle:

Royce Osborn, Community Book Center, Dillard University Theater Department, Freddi Williams Evans, Nica Naturals, LLC., Ashe’ Cultural Arts Center (Diaspora Boutique), Mama Olayeela, Beauty on the Bayou, Odd But Complete (Danielle Miles), Body Therapy (Diana Parara), King & Queen Emporium, Ivan Watkins, Temple Preschool, Anne McNeil, People’s Institute for Survival & Beyond, The Breath is Life, Gallery Cayenne (Marcus Akinlana & Shakoor), The Village (Kathi Smith),  & Island of Algiers Tours ( NuAwlins Nate Scott).  Thanks to these donations we raised almost $800.00 towards our efforts.

 

SPECIAL THANKS

 

            Finally, the Douglas Redd Cultural Summit would not have been possible without the encouragement, inspiration, work  and assistance of DOUGLAS REDD, Carol Bebelle, Miguel Garcia, The Shifting Sands Initiative, Partners for Livable Communities, Lyz Crane, Tom Borrup, Roy Priest, Kendall Alexander, Bill Rouselle and Bright Moments, Philip Manual, Lloyd Dennis, Gia Hamilton, Karen Kaia Livers, Dillard University, Dr. Marshall Stevenson, Dr. Danille Taylor, Dr. Mtangalizi Sanyika, Ron Chisolm, Dr. Kimberley Richards, Vera Warren Williams, Tommi Myrick, Chantrelle Lewis, Willie Birch, Ron & Troi Bechet, Cherice Harrison-Nelson, Herreast J. Harrison, Ausettua Amor Amenkun, Jamilah Peters-Muhammad, Monique Moss, Gwendolyn Richardson, Lashundal Moore, Viola Johnson, Keishia Peaches Caldwell, Matthew Rosenbeck, Peter Nakhid, Wilda Johnston, Brenda Roussell, Nichole Jacobs, Cedrita Demus, Dominique Hodges, Louis Moore, Constance Thompson, Valerie Mc Millan, Kendra Marie Harris, Mia Borders, Frederick Hollywood Delahoussaye, Lloyd Daly, Christopher Williams,  Khalid Haafiz and all the artists who came together over the last six months offering their concerns, ideas and visions for New Orleans.