I spent the day in DC's own--historic Anacostia District in Washington, DC among the rare parts of the city that still retains local Black Culture. It houses a strong presence of black ownership, establishments, education and recreational centers where Black Men coach basketball and mentor Youth, galleries with African inspired sculpture, paintings and fashion design, and of course dining that features Washingtonians favorites including Fried Fish, Chicken with Mambo Sauce and Sweet Tea.
Here we have a home for Black People and supporters of, who have and want to raise their voices within the community. Whether it be a celebration, recognition of milestones, an open mic in the evenings, or a campaign to rally support for change, WeACTRadio Station is the place to #dosomething The radio station airs talks, the real conversations, about politics, people, culture, philosophy, history, and environmental issues that affect us as a city and as a nation.
Today, Keymone Freeman, owner and broadcaster for WeACTRadio invites supporters, advocates, campaigners and fellow Anacostia neighbors to join them for a Mural Unveiling in recognition of this movement to make DC the 51st state in the United States of America. While the storefront area features Black Literature, Freeman's Backyard is transformed into an Urban Garden space and outdoor Stage Arena where fruits and vegetables are growing rampantly. As a GreenforAll Fellow and Grantee, Freeman honors the Music Legend Prince for his funding and contribution to the organization with intentional splashes of Purple in his Mural and art pieces in surrounding the radio station.
My mind skimmed back to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes during a gathering at the Congressional Black Caucus Convention these past days as the many supporters and longtime friends came to celebrate Life with her, she and Mayor Muriel Bowser bold pronounced that is time for equal voter rights and representation and most of all for the residents of Washington DC to have it's own legislation" the ability to create their laws in the interest of the people; those who contribute to our nation in the same way that any other State does. And it's been 25 years since this conversation has been considered by Congress. We all know that at one point the Washington. DC Area had one of the highest population of people infected with HIV Aids in the 1980-90's. It was as a result of non-voter representation that tax dollars were spent elsewhere instead of the proper medical procedures for cleaning needling and preventative care when the public needed it most.
As, I sat attentively listening to the speeches.
w/Appearances by:
DC Vote, Executive Director Bo Shuff
51for51 International Coalition
Denise Barns
Ginger, Douglass Community Land Trust
Long Live Gogo
Veterans for DC
I think about my life as an Artist, and how for so many of us it is easy to slip away from the masses to avoid these issues, dodge negative or simply tap out of all that is taking place in our current presidency. Besides being misinformed, actively disassociating one's self from political affairs is or passive making the choice not to get involved in the most important and poignant moments of our lives, is a dishonor to or Ancestors who fought so hard for us to have a seat at the table.
As Artists we at times tend to feel like the Black-and-White or Conservative measures are just too limiting for our expansive and colorful minds or that the information is not directly related to who we are and the things that we do. But quite the contrary, I learn so much and was inspired just by being present on this day. I grew to appreciate this place I've known to be my family home for years.
Just before the kick-off I looked over to to catch a glimpse of a young man who looked photographed ready so I approached him.
I came to find that his name was Frankey Barrz, an Activist and Film Director for the Award Winning Film entitled "Be Free" it includes recent movements such as the Don't Mute DC Initiative which simply is a message to foreigners, visitors and the decision-makers who gentrify DC neighborhoods with $200,000 condos, coffee shops and delis displacing People of Color, Low-Income Family Homes/Apartments and the like to isolated areas in the Suburbs or outside of the city limits. Frankey Barrz looks forward to a future where the people of DC have equal rights and voter representation in effort to actively participate in the evolution of new developments and the overall direction in which the U.S. is headed.
He is looking forward to safe passage of DC Statehood for a number of reasons including the fact that business owners and entrepreneurs will be able to own the land as well as the property which is key for strengthening Black Ownership and strengthen Generational endowment within Black Families.
To Learn More about him: IAMFrankeyBarrz
Check out the Film for Yourself!
Following heartfelt speeches, performances and the revealing of this remarkable work of Art by and some delicious locally caught and prepared fried fish. I stayed on to absorb the energy of my people. It was all love, smiles, joy and support for what WeACTRadio has built and certainly stands for. I am proud of these efforts and happy see that the kindness, care and compassion from that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continues to live on right along with the militancy of Malcolm X or Huey P. Newton and the Black Panther Party.
In fact, today was the day I just so happened to carry with me the Autobiography of Angela Davis. She always turns heads. So naturally, I was approached by avid writers and readers alike. As we continue to keep Nobel Prized Black Female Author Toni Morrison in our minds and hearts, I'd like to acknowledge that she was the editor for the book.
A Gentleman, Scholar, Author and Journalist is hosting a Workshop:
Black Arts Movement Fiction & Play writing Workshop
by Dr. Rhone Fraser
$300.00 *3 Months*
Learn more about him: https://drrhonefraser.com/author/admin/
Follow on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/rhonefraser/
This just goes to show and some of the Amazing People that we a part of and invested in the Movement of Equality, Liberation, Representation all through the power of the Arts.
 |
| Keymone Freeman, WeACTRadio |
 |
| CBC Broadcasting interviewing Andre Glosson & Ty Powell about the 51for51 coalition |
Today, Keymone Freeman, owner and broadcaster for WeACTRadio invites supporters, advocates, campaigners and fellow Anacostia neighbors to join them for a Mural Unveiling in recognition of this movement to make DC the 51st state in the United States of America. While the storefront area features Black Literature, Freeman's Backyard is transformed into an Urban Garden space and outdoor Stage Arena where fruits and vegetables are growing rampantly. As a GreenforAll Fellow and Grantee, Freeman honors the Music Legend Prince for his funding and contribution to the organization with intentional splashes of Purple in his Mural and art pieces in surrounding the radio station.
 |
| Muralist completed the Art work in 2 Days! No rain. Jah One |
My mind skimmed back to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes during a gathering at the Congressional Black Caucus Convention these past days as the many supporters and longtime friends came to celebrate Life with her, she and Mayor Muriel Bowser bold pronounced that is time for equal voter rights and representation and most of all for the residents of Washington DC to have it's own legislation" the ability to create their laws in the interest of the people; those who contribute to our nation in the same way that any other State does. And it's been 25 years since this conversation has been considered by Congress. We all know that at one point the Washington. DC Area had one of the highest population of people infected with HIV Aids in the 1980-90's. It was as a result of non-voter representation that tax dollars were spent elsewhere instead of the proper medical procedures for cleaning needling and preventative care when the public needed it most.
 |
| Tranquil Moment before entering WeActRadio |
w/Appearances by:
DC Vote, Executive Director Bo Shuff
51for51 International Coalition
Denise Barns
Ginger, Douglass Community Land Trust
Long Live Gogo
Veterans for DC
I think about my life as an Artist, and how for so many of us it is easy to slip away from the masses to avoid these issues, dodge negative or simply tap out of all that is taking place in our current presidency. Besides being misinformed, actively disassociating one's self from political affairs is or passive making the choice not to get involved in the most important and poignant moments of our lives, is a dishonor to or Ancestors who fought so hard for us to have a seat at the table.
As Artists we at times tend to feel like the Black-and-White or Conservative measures are just too limiting for our expansive and colorful minds or that the information is not directly related to who we are and the things that we do. But quite the contrary, I learn so much and was inspired just by being present on this day. I grew to appreciate this place I've known to be my family home for years.
Just before the kick-off I looked over to to catch a glimpse of a young man who looked photographed ready so I approached him.
 |
| Frankey Barrz |
I came to find that his name was Frankey Barrz, an Activist and Film Director for the Award Winning Film entitled "Be Free" it includes recent movements such as the Don't Mute DC Initiative which simply is a message to foreigners, visitors and the decision-makers who gentrify DC neighborhoods with $200,000 condos, coffee shops and delis displacing People of Color, Low-Income Family Homes/Apartments and the like to isolated areas in the Suburbs or outside of the city limits. Frankey Barrz looks forward to a future where the people of DC have equal rights and voter representation in effort to actively participate in the evolution of new developments and the overall direction in which the U.S. is headed.He is looking forward to safe passage of DC Statehood for a number of reasons including the fact that business owners and entrepreneurs will be able to own the land as well as the property which is key for strengthening Black Ownership and strengthen Generational endowment within Black Families.
To Learn More about him: IAMFrankeyBarrz
Following heartfelt speeches, performances and the revealing of this remarkable work of Art by and some delicious locally caught and prepared fried fish. I stayed on to absorb the energy of my people. It was all love, smiles, joy and support for what WeACTRadio has built and certainly stands for. I am proud of these efforts and happy see that the kindness, care and compassion from that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continues to live on right along with the militancy of Malcolm X or Huey P. Newton and the Black Panther Party.
In fact, today was the day I just so happened to carry with me the Autobiography of Angela Davis. She always turns heads. So naturally, I was approached by avid writers and readers alike. As we continue to keep Nobel Prized Black Female Author Toni Morrison in our minds and hearts, I'd like to acknowledge that she was the editor for the book.
A Gentleman, Scholar, Author and Journalist is hosting a Workshop:
Black Arts Movement Fiction & Play writing Workshop
by Dr. Rhone Fraser
$300.00 *3 Months*
Learn more about him: https://drrhonefraser.com/author/admin/
Follow on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/rhonefraser/
This just goes to show and some of the Amazing People that we a part of and invested in the Movement of Equality, Liberation, Representation all through the power of the Arts.
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