Black History Month 2023

 I can't believe it has been a year since I wrote this post.  As we continue to heal and thrive toward greatness, changes may seem very slow. But Black History Month reminds us again of all that we have accomplished, and that celebrating our history is a year long event.

Welcome to Black History Month 2023! For the past 2 years we have experienced some very challenging times. Many of us have experienced lost, separation and pain. Our community has been devastated in many ways because of Covid, violence and economic hardships. Many pillars of our community have been lost. Grandparents, parents, teachers, medical professionals, family and friends who have supported us and our community are no longer here. Even if we have not been touched personally there is still a collective grieving as a community.  This month gives us an opportunity to thank God, honor our ancestors and inform our children. Our history shows us that we have the resilience to heal and rebuild when we love and support each other. Let our light shine. 

The 11th Daddy Daughter Dance

 

Real Dads Network is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources for fathers and families. They promote father involvement as critical for the development of healthy children.

"It is our belief that children do better, both developmentally and in attainment of life opportunities, when both parents are actively involved in the parenting process, regardless of the martial or living circumstances."

"Our Vision is to create a culture where all fathers are actively involved in the parenting process, and are portrayed and viewed as exemplary role models by society."

"The Daddy Daughter Dance is one of our signature events. We have been doing the dance for about a decade. The Daddy Daughter Dance is a celebration of that special relationship between fathers and their daughters. Our Dance is an elegant event that presents an opportunity for a father or father figure and his daughter (or daughters) to get dressed up, dance, have dinner, talk, laugh, be entertained and share a memorable evening together with other fathers and their daughters.

"We have been doing the Daddy Daughter Dance since 2008 and over the years we have directly influenced Chicago, Philadelphia, New Jersey and  Virginia to do dances and indirectly influences several other places to do daddy daughter dances." 

Their Daddy Daughter Dance will be held at the Alhambra Ballroom -2116 Adam Clayton Powell Junior Boulevard New York, NY 10027 on February 14 from 4-8 pm.

For more information https://www.realdadsnetwork.org/

https://www.realdadsnetwork.org/events/daddy-daughter-dance/

The African American Children's Book Fair in Philadelphia

 

Girtrek's Annual Black Family 5K

GirlTrek, the largest health movement and nonprofit for Black women in the country, is bringing together thousands of families across the country this Thanksgiving weekend for the Black Family 5K.

"This week we will reunite with our families over Thanksgiving dinner. For many us, it's been years since we saw some of our loved ones. Others are seeing each other again after losing loved ones. And then there's some who are responsible for making a dish this year.

And then the next day, we will gather our families for an annual Black family tradition. GirlTrek's #BlackFamily5K. We're walking off all the food we ate on Thursday night. We'll be sharing family memories. Telling the family some big news. Together, from all over the world, Black families will walk for their health and a day of connection.

Gather your aunties, uncles, grandparents, neighbors, and friends. Back for the fifth year, GirlTrek’s Black Family 5K encourages families -- blood or chosen -- to get out in nature and take a walk. The Black Family 5K is a hallmark end-of-year celebration in the GirlTrek movement celebrating fitness, family, and fun. (The Black Family 5ks happen throughout Thanksgiving weekend. Walk anytime that is convenient for you and your family.)

We need this now more than ever. A reason to revel. To reconnect. To rejoice with our loved ones. Join us as we reclaim Black Friday and center ourselves on kinship, health, and fun rather than shopping, spending, and stress.

Sign up to host your own Black Family 5K TODAY. Start or continue this tradition with YOUR relatives. It's simple and free. Once you register you will get receive a confirmation email with the code to access the official race kit complete with t-shirts and customizable race bibs. Please expect up to a 5-minute delay before receiving the email due to traffic."

Visit https://www.mobilize.us/girltrek/event/538516/?utm_campaign=bf5k&utm_medium=&utm_source=&emci=e2dd84da-516b-ed11-ade6-14cb65342cd2&emdi=83a55562-606b-ed11-ade6-14cb65342cd2&ceid=635972 

Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Children’s Books

Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Children’s Books

 

In New York City check out the exhibit, Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Children’s Books at the New-York Historical Society-170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street), New York, NY 10024, Phone (212) 873-3400.

This is the first exhibition to delve into the events, people, and themes of the civil rights movement through children’s picture books, one of the most compelling forms of visual expression can be seen through July 24. If you miss the exhibit you can still check out the list of books showcased for the exhibit at https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/picture-the-dream-bibliography-books.

Opal Lee: And What It Means To Be Free: Juneteenth Event

Celebrate Afrofuturism at Carnegie Hall's Spring Famiy Day

Families living in or visiting New York City can participate in a Spring Family Day celebrating Afrofuturism on April 10 at 12 pm. Remember to RSVP and follow Covid restriction.

Carnegie Hall’s Spring Family Day is a daylong open house that invites children and their parents to explore the idea of Afrofuturism on April 10, 2022 at 12 PM. In a fitting nod to the boundless imagination of Afrofuturism, families enjoy an array of social experiences, arts activities, music making, concerts, and more. Design your own comic-book hero and super-powered instruments for harmony and justice, and participate in a group songwriting session. Sing and dance to soulful funk music, build your own instruments from recycled materials, and more! Ages 5-10 enjoy a Afrofuturism Dance Party with critically acclaimed author, filmmaker, and dancer Ytasha Womack who leads a dance party championing Afrofuturism and the power of imagination. This very special part of Carnegie Hall’s Afrofuturism festival lets you create and learn alongside other families throughout the Resnick Education Wing. Registration for this event opens March 28. Carnegie Hall is located at 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.

COVID-19 Precautions: Please note that they are currently unable to welcome any attendees who are not fully vaccinated, including those under the age of 5. To enter the building, all Carnegie Hall visitors are required to agree to a COVID-19 Liability Waiver and show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 with a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization. This includes visitors under the age of 12, with their guardians acting on their behalf. Boosters are also highly recommended, based on eligibility determined by the CDC. While inside Carnegie Hall, all guests must wear a properly fitting mask over their nose and mouth except when eating or drinking in designated areas.