For Immediate Release
Happening This Weekend: ‘Black Empowerment Festival’ to Celebrate the Accomplishments of Galveston’s African American Community
Black Empowerment Fest: Roots & Resilience will also feature a Black History talent show and multiple events aimed at improving the mental health of Galveston’s Black residents.
Media Contact:
Clarissa Webb, cwebb@childrensdefense.org, CDF-Texas Community Engagement Manager, 281-628-4921
John Henry, jhenry@childrensdefense.org, Media Relations Manager, 708-646-7679
Galveston, TX—This weekend, Children’s Defense Fund-Texas will join The Future is US and several community organizations for Galveston’s inaugural “Black Empowerment Festival: Roots & Resilience.” The planned events aim to empower and enlighten Galveston’s Black youth and families this Black History Month.
On Friday night, the Nia Cultural Center, a CDF Freedom Schools® sponsor organization, will host a gathering allowing locals to reflect on the history of Galveston’s African American community. The event will also encourage participants to engage in mindful activities and converse about mental health as a form of personal empowerment.
On Saturday afternoon, community members are encouraged to participate in The Future is US’ youth and adult-focused Soul Food Sessions, where attendees are invited to express themselves and engage in mindful activities and conversations centered around Black Mental Health. These sessions aim to reduce the disparities Black children experience in the school-to-prison pipeline. Finally, later that night, The Future is US will hold a Black History talent show to offer Galveston youth an area to express and celebrate themselves and their culture. Click this link to read CW39’s coverage of the talent show The Future is US, held last year.
Black Empowerment Festival will also host a Books & Breakfast event for young scholars, in which youth of all ages can read, play, and get free breakfast and books to grow their home libraries.
“I hope the Black Empowerment Fest will strengthen and restore faith in community support and resources, create spaces for intergenerational connections, and encourage Black youth and families to advocate for their rights and needs,” said The Future is US Community Engagement Lead Phylicia French.
The Future is US Communities of Care Co-Coordinator Shanice Blair added she hopes Black Empowerment Festival will provide Galveston’s Black youth and families the opportunity to build a brighter future while they join to celebrate the rich and beautiful culture and history of African Americans.
CDF-Texas Community Engagement Manager Clarissa Webb said events like the Black Empowerment Festival underscore Children’s Defense Fund’s mission to build community so that children and young people can grow up with dignity, hope, and joy.
“It is a delight to support events like these that center and celebrate the community,” Webb said. “CDF works to unleash the joy in growing up, and this talent show brings this goal to life!”
*The full schedule of planned events for this year’s Black Empowerment Festival can be found on the next page.
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About Children’s Defense Fund
Founded in 1973, Children’s Defense Fund envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. The only national, multi-issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well-being and racial justice, CDF advances the well-being of America’s most diverse generation, the 74 million children and youth under the age of 18 and 30 million young adults under the age of 25. CDF’s grassroots movements in marginalized communities build power for child-centered public policy, informed by racial equity and the lived experience of children and youth. Its renowned CDF Freedom Schools® program is conducted in nearly 100 cities across 30 states and territories. Learn more at www.childrensdefense.org.
Scheduled Events
Friday:
“Ballet, Black Flowing Waters”
Nia Cultural Center
2217 The Strand Ste. 101
Galveston, TX
6-7 PM
Saturday:
Wright Cuney Recreational Center
718 41st St
Galveston, TX 77550
- Soul Food Sessions Breakfast for Adults
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
During our Soul Food Sessions attendees can express themselves and share their thoughts and experiences around black mental health as we engage in mindful activities and conversations. As a TFIU event, it will provide free food with catering from Diamond Palate and free door prizes!
- Books and Breakfast
*Participants will receive free books.
(for elementary and middle school students)
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
While teens and adults are in their Soul Food Sessions, in honor of Black Children’s Book Week next week, we hold a “Books & Breakfast” for young scholars! Youth of all ages are welcome to read, play, and receive free breakfast and books to grow their home libraries.
- Soul Food Session Lunch for Teens
12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
During our Soul Food Sessions attendees can express themselves and share their thoughts and experiences around black mental health as we engage in mindful activities and conversations. As a TFIU event, it will provide free food with catering from Diamond Palate and free door prizes!
- Black History Talent Show (*different location)
Central Middle School Auditorium
3014 Sealy Ave
Galveston, TX 77550
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Our 2nd Black History Talent Show will feature another night of free family fun and celebration of community with performances from local talents and the honoring of our community leaders. Thanks to the wonderful donations we’ve received, we again will have free pizza, school supplies, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and door prizes!