22 August, 2020
Streaming online
Burlington VT
Commemoration
As a continuation to the 400 Years African American History Commission’s mandate of recognizing and highlighting the resilience and contributions of African Americans since 1619, the Racial Justice Alliance and the New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church have coordinated the Second Annual First African Landing Day Vermont Commemoration.
This exhibit marks what is arguably the most important day in the history of this nation and indeed the world. The arrival of Africans on what was then so called English colonial soil introduced a people that would not only serve as the vanguard in the fight for human rights and justice but serve to shape the world as we know it. As 1619 begins to tell the true story of who black people are as a people, so it informs us of who we are as a nation. So the tradition of commemorating the contribution and resilience of people of African dissent continues and Vermont as does the hope and the promise of our future.
Commemorative Program (Part 1)
2:00 PM till 3:30 PM
- Welcome – Christine Hughes, Vermont Racial Justice Alliance
- Music – Jeh Kulu
- Greetings – Patrick Brown, Executive Director, Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center and Master of Ceremonies
- Remarks – Tyeastia Green, Burlington Racial Equity Inclusion an Belonging Director
- Spoken Word – Harmony Edosomwan, Author of “Sad Black Girl”
- Remarks – Madey of the “Black Perspective”
- Music – Kerubo
Commemorative Remarks
(3:45 – 4:30 PM)
- Reverend Christopher Cockrell, Interim Pastor, New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church
- Reverend Mark Hughes, Executive Director, Justice For All and Coordinator, Vermont Racial Justice Alliance
- Dr. Wanda Heading Grant, Vice President, Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, University of Vermont
Commemorative Program (Part 2)
(4:30 PM till 6:00 PM
- Remarks – Zoraya Hightower, Burlington City Counselor
- Remarks – Bruce Wilson
- Music – Mikahely “Mika” Antole’
- Remarks – Kiah Morris
- Remarks – Bor Yang, Executive Director, Human Rights Commission
- Spoken Word – Rajnii Eddins, Author, “Their Names Are Mine”
Awesome food provided by Kismayo Kitchen
* Program subject to change
