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