The African Diaspora Takes Care of its Own
at Benin Reconciliation and Development Convention
A delegation of Americans from Washington, D.C. and Alabama
will join in a pilgrimage to Benin, West Africa for the 4th
International Gospel and Roots Convention to receive an official
Presidential, apology for the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade and to use
reconciliation as a healing and transition to the redevelopment of
Africa.
(PRWEB) July 23, 2005 -- When the G-8 Forum in Scotland ended
abruptly due to murderous bombings in England, the critical
decisions on African debt release and redevelopment were left in the
air. However, from July 31st - August, 7, 2005, an important reunion
will occur in Benin, West Africa, between Africa, America, the
Caribbean, and Europe at the 4th International Gospel and Roots
Festival and Conference with the focus of African Diaspora healing,
reunification and furthering their own development strategies under
the theme, "Transition from Reconciliation to Development."
The American delegation to the event will be sponsored by
Jamii Africa and accompanied by Constantine David, chairman and
co-founder of the non-profit organization. Jamii Africa, a 501(c
)(3) organization whose Swahili name means familial unity and
togetherness, continues to seek public contributions to help support
the passage of individuals who will be representing the Diaspora, as
they make this pilgrimage to receive the official apology from
Benin's President Kerekou as sincere atonement of Benin's
participation in the historical yet still impacting, shameful,
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
The American delegation includes
native Washingtonians, Ayo Handy Kendi, founder/director of the
African American Holiday Association (AAHA), internationally renown
founder of Black Love Day and The Ritual of Reconciliation, along
with her mother, 80 year-old, Doris A.M. Thomas, Ms. Senior D.C.,
1982, founder/director of the Serenity Players, Inc., John Davies,
multi-media /videotographer, CEO of Earth Love Tune-Up Crew, David
Reed, director of Divine Principle Institute, in addition to 100
Alabama descendants of the last known slave ship, the "Clotilda"
whose ancestors left Benin in 1859.
Other notable
personalities attending as delegates to the event, include Deputy
Director General of UNESCO; the Mayor of the city of Liverpool;
Cheryl Jackson with a delegation of African Americans living in
Japan; the British sculptor Stephen Broabent, creator of the Benin
reconciliation monument; Brazilian, King Pele, the football legend;
Gilberto Gil, Brazilian Minister of culture with musicians of the
Portella Samba School; the Diva of African gospel music, Rebecca
Malope; and many representatives of science, culture, business and
politics from all corners of the world.
The festival and
conference, initiated in 1999 with President's Kerekou vision and
noble desire to reconcile among the long-lost brothers and sisters
of Africa, to encourage them to come "back home to the Motherland,"
will continue in the tradition of previous events, offering
opportunities for religious and cultural exchange; trade, investment
and development meetings; historic and cultural tours and daily
entertainment from international performers.
Some of the
highlights of this year's program include:
The apology
ceremony and dedication of the permanent reconciliation
monument;
Launching of the Alabama-Benin Trade and Economic
Cooperation Forum promoting trade investment & development
opportunities in Africa;
Meeting of the World Conference of
Mayors;
Tours of the slave route, the infamous "Gate of No
Return" and other Benin historical landmarks;
A soccer
exhibition match of Brazilian masters;
Traditional folk art
exhibitions, art displays, product displays from Brazil, Alabama,
Benin and Africa
As envisioned, the International Gospel and
Roots Festival and Convention program is structured as a "family
re-union for the return of the Diaspora, with Jamii Africa's
Constantine David recognizing that "through our apology for my
ancestral kinsmen's enslavement of Africans, that a reconciliation
spirit will develop among the Diaspora - that Africa is still home,
a place of common connections, belonging, history and pride that we
can no longer isolate ourselves from, but instead accept our role in
recreating this bond and the prosperity that can develop from our
homecoming."
With the recent, U.S. Senate vote to approve an
official apology for its failure to enact anti-lynching legislation
first proposed 105 years ago while NCOBRA's (National Coalition of
Blacks for Reparations in America ) continues to call on America to
atone further for the 400 years crime of Black enslavement, Jim Crow
and civil rights inequalities with the modern day vestiges of such
bondage still in need of repair in the form of reparations, Benin
seems to be seriously, accepting their rightful responsibility by
actively healing the wounds from the initial crimes against
humanity, to help us all grow beyond the pain.
If interested
in joining in on this pilgrimage to Benin, July 31st to August 7th,
or to offer financial assistance to help worthy African Americans
attend this year's event, and future pilgrimages, please contribute
by contacting 202-369-1870, visit www.jamii-africa.org for additional information or
send a response to info at jamii-africa.org.
Contact: Rashida
Thomas, Phone: (202)667-2577
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/7/prweb264520.htm |