HAPPILY NATURAL DAY: BLACK IS STILL BEAUTIFUL

BLACK IS STILL BEAUTIFUL!

CULTURAL EXPRESSION RELOADED

  

  

  

Atlanta,Georgia–(August 5,2009)-It is Black August and all eyes are focused on the city of Atlanta, the city that some refer to as “The Black Mecca”.  Between August 14^th and August 16^th people from as far north as Canada will travel to Atlanta to participate in and commemorate the Black August 30^th Anniversary and the 7^th Annual Happily Natural Day. The Black August 30^th Anniversary Weekend & 7^th Annual Happily Natural Day is a tribute dedicated to the promotion of political and cultural consciousness through art, fashion and music.

  

The mission is to raise political awareness, engage the community and inspire people to take an active role in building their community.

 

Officially since 1979, each year, the month of August has been used to focus on the oppressive treatment of our brothers and sisters who have been kidnapped and held captive inside state run gulags and concentration camps America calls prisons.

 

This year the FTP Movement and The Black August Organizing Committee have joined forces with Happily Natural out of Richmond, VA to bring the people a powerful weekend consisting of workshops, classes, lectures, performances, panels, vendors etc.  With over 45 performers and presenters including Mwalimu Baruti, Professor Griff, Mukasa Dada, Martina Correia, Supreme Understanding and others, this is a weekend you don’t want to miss.

 

There will be a Natural Hair & Fashion Show by The Good Hair Shop and Di-O Originals, a Vegetarian Cooking Class by Afya Ibomu, Afrikan Martial Arts Training by Balogun Abeegunde and a Special Keynote Address by former political prisoner and New York Black Panther leader Dhoruba Bin Wahad.  Also taking place will be The 30^th Anniversary Commemoration Concert, which will feature performances by soul sensation Julie Dexter, The A-Alikes, Scienz of Life, The Welfare Poets and more.  This is truly a Black Family Reunion, where political activism meets cultural expression.

 

 

For more info go to www.happilynaturalday.com/atlanta or call 404.437.0828

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS BLACK AUGUST?

 

Black August originated in the concentration camps of California to honor fallen Freedom Fighters Jonathan Jackson, George Jackson, William Christmas, James McClain and Khatari Gaulden. These individuals who were brutally murdered by the hands of the California penal system, have yet to have their cases solved and have been forgotten by most.  In addition, prison guards assassinated George Jackson (brother of Jonathan Jackson) during a Black prison rebellion against their inhumane living conditions, at San Quentin on August 21, 1971. Three prison guards were also killed during that rebellion and prison officials charged six Black and Latino prisoners with the death of those guards. These six brothers became known as the San Quentin Six.

 

Some of the past guests who have participated in the Commemoration of Black August include: dead prez, Pam Africa, Mos Def, Boots Riley, Common, Dave Chappelle, Erykah Badu, Black Thought & Many Others.

WHAT IS HAPPILY NATURAL DAY? Happily Natural Day, originating in Richmond, Virginia, is an African Heritage festival committed to cultural awareness, holistic health and social change. Seven years ago, we saw the need for an event that says that natural hair was something more than just the latest style, and way more than just a chic look or fashion trend.  At Happily Natural Day we identify with natural hair as a statement.  Locks, afros and braids are socio-cultural symbols that are used as public proclamations of self-love and deep pride in being a person of African descent, and so, through Happily Natural Day, we promote the natural beauty of African people.  Happily Natural Day is a continuance of the “Black Is Beautiful” campaigns of the 1960s and 1970s – started by Elombe Brath and the African Jazz Art Society and Studio (AJASS) via its “Naturally” shows and Grandassa Models.  Happily Natural Day is ultimately married to the cause of redeveloping the maximum human potential of people of African descent through information and inspiration.  Our annual August festival features workshops, lectures, live music, and merchants with one of a kind products from around the globe. It inspires us to love ourselves, to support Black-owned businesses, to heal ourselves holistically, and to live for the freedom that comes with doing for self.  The mission of Happily Natural Day is to raise consciousness and cultural awareness, and to inspire collective works, self-determination and social change in the African community.

 

Happily Natural
http://happilynaturalday.com/blog