THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HOLIDAY ASSOCIATION

Perpetuating and preserving culture through traditional and non-traditional

holidays, celebrations & rituals

P.O. Box 43255,  Washington, D. C  20010 

202-310-1430

Email: aaha @ aaha-info.org        www.aaha-info.org                      

AAHA UPDATES: Spread the word!

FRIDAY, JAN 26/27 DOUBLE-BILL PLAY FUNDRAISER FOR ATONEMENT/REPARATIONS COALITION (ARC)

MOBILIZING FOR UNITY IN DIVERSITY DAY III - MAY 19TH

Two Performances  

Fri, Jan 26 @   7:30 p.m.

Sat, Jan 27 @  2     p.m.

Gen’l adm. $10

Seniors & Students (under 18)  $7

Pennsylvania Ave, Baptist Church Chapel, 3000 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E., D.C.

Purchase tickets at the door or call to reserve group/individual tickets

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Atonement/Reparations Coaliton (ARC) Mobilizing for Unity in Diversity Day- May 19th, 2001.  ARC is the new grassroots, self-help campaign for AAHA’s 10 year social justice project,  “The People’s Movement for Racial Healing, Diversity and Justice (P.M)”.  Learn more about ARC and the “people’s movement” in the open discussion after Fri’s performance. 

For those who believe in FREEDOM & GOODWILL,  your  support is needed to make this benefit performance a success to assist the next “people’s movement”.  The end years have been filled with progressive action and 2001 will demand even greater progressive action.  Take a moment this weekend, to take care of yourself by doing something good for you.  Attend Fri. or Sat. for a treat that will motivate you and build up your strength with POSITIVE ENERGY for the days ahead.   YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THESE INSPIRING PERFORMANCES.  SEE YOU THERE!

( SEE PLAY NEWS RELEASE BELOW ANNOUNCEMENTS)

D.C Organizing Meetings - to mobilize for Atonement/Reparations Coalition

(ARC)

for UIDD III - May 19th

The Nov 7th election should be a wake -up call that racism & intolerance is alive and rampant.....

DON’T JUST BE ANGRY!

TAKE “ PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY” and

DO SOMETHING ABOUT RACIAL HEALING, DIVERSITY & JUSTICE!

Now is the time to RIGHT the wrongs done and REPAIR the damage!

Now is the time to work TOGETHER for “Atonement & Reparations for Global

Healing”

D.C. LOCAL ORGANIZING MEETINGS: 

Weds, Jan 31, Feb 14 & 28, 2001

Meetings start every Wed,  Mar thru May

Reeves Center    14 & U Sts, NW, 2 Fl      6:30-9:30 p.m

MEETINGS MAY INCLUDE: 

Interfaith prayer / Teach-in’s / Culture / Diversity Healing /

Good Food / Networking / Logistical Meeting

“Take part in a spiritual mobilization as a people’s movement. 

Come together on Unity in Diversity Day III - May 19th

You Are Invited to the Meetings & Circles

JOIN THE

ATONEMENT/ REPARATIONS COALITION (ARC) FOR MOBILIZATION ON

UNITY IN DIVERSITY DAY - MAY 19TH

202-310-1430     www.racialhealing.org          info@racialhealing.org

Endorsed by:  AAHA / People’s Movement for Racial Healing, Diversity & Justice

BLACK LOVE DAY - FEB. 13TH

For 24 hours, focus on healing relationships! 

Between Blacks!  Between Whites and Blacks! 

To stop the violence.  To stop racism

To increase the peace.   Return to Love!

Black Love Day (BLD) is a proclaimed, commemorative wholyday (holiday)  of atonement, reconciliation and demonstration of love within and for the Black community. BLD was created in 1993 by Sister Ayo Handy-Kendi.  On BLD, love is shown through 5 specific acts (tenets) of love  -- demonstrated towards the Creator, for self, for the family, for the community and for the Black race.  On BLD, Whites show “love in action” towards Blacks and inspect their racial attitudes. On BLD, we all can return to love to better all of our relationships. 

Heal through love, this Black Love Day by buying love gifts from Black merchants to recycle Black dollars or attending relationship ceremonies, The Akoma is an Adinkra symbol of love, patience, goodwill, faithfulness & endurance.  The greeting on BLD is “Nya Akoma” which means “get a heart, be patient!” 

For further information on Black Love Day, see the website:  www.aaha-info.org

Purchase the “Black Love Book” at these locations:

Complied, edited & written by

Ayo Handy-Kendi, creator of Black Love Day

Yawa Books & Gifts, 2206 18 St., N.W

Blue Nile Books, Georgia Ave, N.W

Sister Space & Books, 1515 U St, NW

Caravan Books, Riverton Commons Mall, Md.

Dar Es Salaam Books, 4000 34 St, Mt. Rainier Md.

9th BLACK LOVE RELATIONSHIP CEREMONY

Newly renovated, Kaffa House,  1212 U St., N.W,   2 floor

Tues, Feb. 13 (Black Love Day)  6 - 9 p.m

Love Donations Welcome

Dinner Sales (6-8 p.m.)  *  Open Mike Love Poetry (call to sign-up in advance)

Featured Artists:  AYANA GREGORY  *  Music

Ritual of Reconciliation,  a spiritual ceremony of reconnection, atonement &

affirmation to love, by Ayo Handy Kendi,

“Black Love Book” signing  & other Love gifts for sale

Mobilize for UNITY IN DIVERSITY DAY lll - MAY 19TH

Sat,May19, 2001    

A “wholyday” & demonstration to spiritually connect & celebrate the  human race!!

National Mall          3rd St NW, Wash D.C                   11 a.m - 8 p.m

come together for theme:

“Atonement & Reparations for Global Healing”

featuring

DIVERSITY HEALING EXPO

Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Atonement Diversity Exhibits & Training

Rituals of Reconciliation   Family activities

REPARATIONS RALLY

Cultural Performances   Speakers

Contact:  202-310-1430                     

www.racialhealing.org                  info@racialhealing.org

Atonement/Reparations Coalition (ARC) for Mobilization on Unity in Diversity

Day

Endorsers: AAHA -Peoples Movement for Racial Healing, Diversity & Justice

ADD YOUR NAME TO THE ENDORSEMENT LIST AND GET INVOLVED.  TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SOMETHING TO HEAL THE SICKNESS OF RACISM & INTOLERANCE.  THE WEB SITE IS BEING UPDATED NOW FOR  PLATFORM ISSUES, LOGISTICS AND LOCAL/NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZING INFO. 

NEWS RELEASE

Serenity Players, Inc.  presents a Double Bill featuring - “Lepers” * and “A Will to Live” - In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr & Kick-off Fundraiser for ARC.

WASHINGTON, D.C - Back by popular demand!  Serenity Players, Inc. will proudly present a double bill of Lepers* and “A Will To Live” on January 26 at 7:30 p.m and January 27 at 2 p.m, 2001.  In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. these amazing productions will be performed at the Pennsylvania Ave, Baptist Church Chapel, 3000 Pennsylvania Ave., S. E., Wash., D.C.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Atonement/Reparations Coalition (ARC) for Mobilization for “Unity in Diversiy Day III-May 19, 2001.

“Lepers” and “The Will to Live” are performances appropriate for all ages. 

General Admission is $10 and Seniors and Students under 18 - $7. 

Group tickets are available for 10 or more. 

Living in denial without acceptance of being the unwanted , “Lepers”* is a gripping performance that will show a small group of women barely existing on the fringes of society.  Wrapped in bandages, they are the embodiment of all those who are alienated - the homeless, the poor, the diseased and the unpopular.  This production will show us at our  lowest point, then gracefully lift us to the highest mountain as the women achieve above their circumstances.  This captivating production will leave audiences spellbound.

“The Will to Live” is a dynamic, one-act presentation performed by Serenity Players, Inc., founder, Doris A.M. Thomas, mother of Ayo Handy Kendi.  At the glorious age of seventy-six, Doris mesmerizes the audience with her passionate demonstration of tap dancing, Yoga, Tai Chi, poetry readings and dramatic excerpts from the Spirit of Principles and God’s Trombones, inspiring us to “keep that will to live” enabling us to take good care of ourselves.

Thomas, Ms. Senior D.C 1992 and a Cancer survivor of over 31 years serves the community in many ways, known also by her African name, “Mama Ajari Kendi (Queen Mother, mother of us all).  Sister Ayo adopted her Mom’s  African name in ‘99 because of their close bond as family and working relationship formed through the founding of The Serenity Plays and AAHA .  Expressed Ayo, “My mother is a profound woman who started an intergenerational theatre company, over 17 years ago with my help help in the founding and she’s been supportive of me as founder of Black Love Day - Feb. 13th, Unity in Diversity Day and now, with her community theater company, the convening of the upcoming mobilization for May 19th UIDD”.

The Serenity Players, Inc., is a community based theatre group of local actors, aged 7 to 76, who perform plays that explore some of today’s social dilemmas.  Located in Southeast and Ward 7, the interdenominational company has earned a reputation for offering drama that encourages spiritual and mental healing. 

This program is supported in part by the D.C. Commission of the Arts and

Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts

·         Produced by special arrangement with Baker’s Plays, Boston, Mass.

Contact:  Doris A. M. Thomas 202-575-4248

Gertrude J. Saleh       202-583-3128