On Saturday, February 1, 2014, a cold wintery day in Cleveland, did not stop the black flag raising ceremony to celebrate and commemorate Black History Month on the steps of City Hall. The Association of African American Cultural Gardens was there to help honor and give liberations to our ancestors who shoulders we stand on today. The mayors of Cleveland since 1972, which includes, Ralph Perk, Dennis Kunich, George Voinovich, Mike White, Jane Campbell and now Frank Jackson have recognized black history month with this event. Many community organizations and community supporters have been a part of the organization of the celebration. The Peace in the Hood AAACG NEWSLETTER, PAGE 1 Photography by: [email protected]By Dr. Eugene Jordan SPRING ISSUE 2014 ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL GARDENS NEWSLETTER
Transcript
On Saturday, February 1, 2014, a cold wintery day in Cleveland, did not stop the
black flag raising ceremony to celebrate and commemorate Black History Month on the
steps of City Hall. The Association of African American Cultural Gardens was there to help
honor and give liberations to our ancestors who shoulders we stand on today.
The mayors of Cleveland since 1972, which includes, Ralph Perk, Dennis Kunich,
George Voinovich, Mike White, Jane Campbell and now Frank Jackson have recognized
black history month with this event. Many community organizations and community
supporters have been a part of the organization of the celebration. The Peace in the Hood
and the Underground Railroad Society were the major organizers this year. In a small way, and yet in a large way and more than a symbolic way by raising the African American Flag, the Red, Black and Green, we are giving libations to our ethnic culture and history. The goal of the ceremony is to recognize the significance contributions of African Americans to the world. The African American Cultural Gardens and the African American Museum along with other community groups have proudly participated in this journey. The program consisted of remarks by the Honorable Frank G. Jackson, along with remarks by Carl S. Ewing, President of the Association of African American Cultural Gardens, Youth performances, Community Reflections and a Roll Call to honor our fallen freedom fighters. The Journey ended with the traditional unity circle with prayer and once again liberations to the ancestors who struggled for our freedom. The program was followed by a reception in the rotunda of city hall.
The annual meeting of the Association of African American Cultural Gardens was held
at The Judson Manor of University Circle on January 19, 2014. The keynote speaker of
the event was Councilman Kevin Conwell, the Councilman of the redesigned Ward 9 of
Cleveland. Councilman Conwell is very excited about the plans for our permanent structure
of the AAACG and has pledged his financial and marketing support. Our Annual meeting
was entertained by Kevin Conwell & the Footprint band, who’s services were donated for
the event. We were very pleased to be able to donate $4000.00 to the task force as part
of our $25,000 commitment for the construction of the African American Cultural Gardens.
Ms. Latoya Walker-Minor was on hand to accept the donation on behalf of the task force.
We were very successful last year in meeting our educational and financial goals. We
market the garden through community events and community organizations.
THE ANNUAL MEETING
AAACG NEWSLETTER, PAGE 3
By Lavita Ewing and Johnnie Wallace
In celebration of black history month on
February 22, 2014, the auditorium stage of The
John Hay High School was transformed into a
railroad carrying African Americans who have
contributed to our history. Famous people
from the past like Sojourner Truth, Frederick
Douglas, and Barbara Jordan came before
us dressed in their garments and expounded
on their life’s journey. Not only did we hear
their story in words, but we were also graced
with songs like, “Oh, Freedom”, “ A Change is
Gonna Come” and “IF I Can Help Somebody”.
This was a production of the musical drama
“A Train Called Freedom” presented by the L.
O. V. E. Ensemble Concert Choir, written and
directed by Joyce M. Meadows. The musical
directors are Joann A. Moore and Darren K.
Meadows. The program ended with a special
treat from the praise dancers of Antioch
Baptist Church moving the audience with an
outstanding dance ensemble.
The fund-raising committee would like to
thank all who participated by selling tickets.
This project was a benefit fundraiser in
support of the John Hay High School Alumni
Association scholarship fund and the African
American Cultural Garden.
A TRAIN CALLED FREEDOM
Avon Baptist Church on the east
side of Cleveland was the place to be
for the monthly Baptist Ministers monthly
meeting. I felt very privilege to be invited
to give a presentation of the future African
American Cultural Gardens. There was well
over 50 ministers there with very diverse
questions regarding the garden. The video
presentation gave an overview of what’s to
come with our permanent structure of the
garden. With the church being the pillar of
the black community it was with great pride
and humanity that we seek support from
this organization in order to help realize the
dream for the African American Cultural
Gardens. The meeting proved that the
message needs to get out to the masses. I
challenge each of you to take this message
to your church or have them invite a member
of the executive board to come and speak
on behalf of this worthwhile organization. We
are almost there and with the support of our
members and the community, we will reach
our goals.
GOING TO CHURCHBy Carl Ewing
By Ernestine Baker-Hall
AAACG NEWSLETTER, PAGE 4
We hope that this year, 2014, will be a
great year for you and everyone associated
with the Association of African American
Cultural Gardens. We are looking forward to
the ground breaking and the beginning of the
erection of the permanent structures of the
garden.
We are in the process of updating our
annual membership. If you have not sent
in your renewal form along with your annual
membership fee ($25.00 for individuals and
$35.00 for family membership) we are asking
you to do so as soon as possible. If you are
a new member and have not received your
membership materials, please contact me as
soon as possible. I can be reached at 216-
289-0425 (home) or 216-780-4980 (cell). We
are also asking each member to pass along
information about the garden to as many as
you can and encourage them to become
involved.
We need as many as possible to join
in this effort of establishing the first African
American garden dedicated to the culture of
African Americans in the United States.
Membership UpdateBy Curtis (Griggs)
Fundraising CommitteeBy Ernestine Williams
The fundraising committee is
getting ready for their Community summer
events, which will be held in different areas
throughout the city. During the summer
the committee along with other members
of the AAACG will participate in over
eight events with the purpose of raising
funds and sharing information about the
Association of African American Cultural
Gardens and the African American
Cultural Garden.
The Carter Woodson parade will
be our first event, which starts downtown
with a march beginning on Superior
Avenue at 13th street. We will march to
Voinovich Park at 9th St. Pier were flyers
and AAACG hats, T-shirts and other items
can be purchased by attendees.
We will continue our fundraising
efforts by attending the Zack Reed family
unity Day, The Luke Easter Park Event
,Quincy Avenue Outing and the Glenville
Community Day. The committee is also
working on a bus trip which will help us
reach our fundraising goals.
AAACG NEWSLETTER, PAGE 5
This year’s Film festival is due to run from March 19-30, 2014. As in past years, this event has proven to be a “movie goers delight”. There are movies from almost every country, sure to please the appetite. Due to scheduling conflicts AAACG will not be sponsoring a film this year. But, not to be left out, we will be supporting the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Movie instead. The Movie “Hanna’s Journey” is scheduled for showing Saturday March 22nd, 2014 at 6:25pm and Sunday March 23rd at 12:20p.m. To find out more about any movie contact www.clevelandfilm.org. To get $2.00 discount use our code (GARDENS). All movies will be playing at Tower City Cinemas.
Cleveland International Film Festival 38
DOCUMENTARY MOVIE LISTING 3/25 - 3/30Alice Walker 3/26 - 3/28
American Arab 3/27 - 3/28
Directed by Pratibha Parmar
Directed by Usama Alshaibi
AAACG NEWSLETTER, PAGE 6
Alice Walker never did things the way somebody told her to, but the way she had to. Alice walker: beauty in truth is a loving portrait of the passionate personality that made the Pulitzer Prize-winning activist-author a revered and criticized figure. An African-American sharecropper’s daughter, Alice graduated from Sarah Lawrence, aided by her determined mother. Walker’s 1967 marriage to Jewish civil rights lawyer Melvyn Leventhal broke miscegenation laws in their home state of Mississippi.
After the events of 9/11 there was a backlash against Arabs in the United States. Some citizens ignorantly connected all Middle Eastern people with the acts of terrorism that were committed against our country. As Iraqi-American filmmaker Usama Alshaibi displays in American arab, it was an extremely difficult time. It’s been more than a decade since the attacks, but the fear and racism towards Arabs still exists.
Antarctica: A Year Ice 3/30Directed by Anthony PowellNature photographer Anthony Powell spent ten years making his documentary Antarctica: a year on ice. It was so cold he had to build a special camera to withstand the frigid temperatures. Because of this, he was also able to capture the continent’s pitch-black winter with a precision that no one else could. Before now, most depictions of Antarctica were shown through the lens of its less scary summers.
By Carl Ewing
AAACG NEWSLETTER, PAGE 7
ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL GARDENS
March 25, 2014
Dear AAACG Members, We need your help! We are committed to raising monies for the permanent structures of the African American Cultural Gardens. The Association is working with the task force to raise the 2.5 million dollars needed to erect the gardens. Your generous donation will be tax deductible and greatly appreciated. You may donate now or pledge an amount that you are comfortable with donating. Thank you for taking our request into consideration and we look forward to hearing from you.
Please select your tax-deductible gift amount below and return the bottom form to the address listed below.
