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COMMUNITY
EMPOWERMENT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS |
For over 16 years, Community Empowerment Association, Inc. (CEA) has been in the forefront of offering culturally specific programs, services and initiatives to families of color in the Greater Pittsburgh area, equipping them with the awareness and tools necessary to move towards self-determination, self-sufficiency and sustainability. For the last 7 years, CEA has sponsored the Black Family Reunion to provide a safe place for families throughout Allegheny County to come together for cultural networking, educational workshops, health awareness and screenings, recreation and fun. More specifically, the event honors and celebrates the rich culture and humanity of African Americans. The 7th Annual Black Family Reunion & Cultural Arts Weekend is geared towards the theme 'Youth In The Age Of Obama' which exemplifies and celebrates the Black Family as a unit that promotes positive and healthy behaviors within our communities. “Understanding that the community is in crisis and recognizing the struggles disadvantaged and minority families endure to survive, the Black Family Reunion is a way to entertain, educate and empower people in ways traditional to our culture,” says T. Rashad Byrdsong, founder and CEO of Community Empowerment Association. “There is something for everyone to enjoy. This event is for everyone!” Vendors and basketball players are encouraged to contact the Community Empowerment Association by telephone (412-371-3689), e-mail (pittsburghblackfamilyreunion@gmail.com) or by visiting the office (400 N. Lexington Avenue, Building 500) to obtain more information. “This festival is just another way for us to build families and communities, says Byrdsong.”
"THE BLACK FAMILY REUNION "FAMILY FEUD"
AUGUST
6TH 11AM-5PM
PEACE
IN THE 'HOOD. Before You Fight It Out, Let's Think It out, Work
It Out, Talk It Out, Peace It Out! We welcome individuals and organizations who are interested in participating. Please call to register - 412-371-3689. Ages
12-14 | 15-18 | 19-25 PRIZES AND TROPHIES AWARDED TO WINNER AND FIRST RUNNER-UP For more information, e-mail: pittsburghblackfamilyreunion@gmail.com
AUGUST
6TH 7PM - 11PM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
AUGUST
7TH 11AM - 6PM
Youth
in the Age of Obama
The Rationale November 2, 2008 was undoubtedly a historic day. Inspired by Obama?s message of ?change and ?hope?, droves of young African American men and women, many of whom had never before given serious consideration to voting, went to the polls in record numbers and did their part to select the first African American President in the history of the republic. As the returns came in and the results were announced, there was widespread jubilation among African American youth, many of whom felt that for once, ?they? had won a political victory. The debate as to whether or not African American people in general and African American youth in particular, have won anything at all, with the ascendancy of Obama rages within the African American community. What is not debatable, however, is that the Obama campaign jolted thousands of previously non-politicized African American youth into political activity. Not only were African American youth coming out to vote in record numbers, they were out in their communities canvassing. They were on the street corners handing out bumper stickers and buttons. They were volunteering to man phones at local campaign offices across the county and performing a host of other tasks requested of them by the managers of the Obama Campaign. They were engaged in political work on a mass level, and their contribution was decisive. As a consequence of the Obama Campaign, a legion of African American youth began to see the importance of political activity and the impact that they themselves could have on changing the political landscape. This is a significant development, with potentially wide ranging repercussions. The Challenge The challenge now is motivating black youths who were introduced to political activism by the Obama campaign, to begin to deepen their political consciousness. They must be helped to see how the same energy that was put into motion in the service of the democratic candidate for President can be utilized to advance the collective interest of black youth. We must use this window of opportunity created by the Obama presidency to commence with bold initiatives for mass mobilization, of black youth, at the grassroots level. Such mobilization must be centered around practical struggles, for political power within their own communities. In our drive to mobilize black youth in the struggle for political power, we must never forget the millions of young brothers and sisters who were not swept up in this Obama phenomenon. This includes those involved with the street organizations. The young brothers standing posted on the block and others who were already politicized, but rejected, participating in a system that has always been wielded against them, irrespective of who won or lost a particular election. The winning of these segments of black youth is critical to unleashing the power that black youth ?on the move? invariably bring to any struggle. Black youth in the ?Age of Obama? are confronting challenges unequal to those faced by black youth of any generation since the abolition of slavery. Poverty, unemployment, substandard education, AIDS, mass incarceration, police murder, gang violence and a host of other enemies besiege African American youth. It is not an exaggeration to say that their very survival is threatened. Only by organizing on a mass level for political power, will African American youth be able to resist the advance of their social enemies and ensure their survival. The Purpose The tent discussion is being held to develop a collaborative initiative among youth, community leaders, organizers, and activists in a foundation of direct action, to facilitate the continued empowerment of our youth.
LIST OF PERFORMERS FOR AUGUST 7, 2010 DJ
AUGUST
7TH 9PM - 2AM
'ALL
WHITE' OLD SCHOOL BYOB CABARET
THE COLISEUM 7310 FRANKSTOWN AVENUE, PGH, PA 15208
TICKETS:
$15 IN ADVANCE/MORE AT THE DOOR ON SALE VISIT www.PghBlackFamilyReunion.org
AUGUST
7TH 9PM - 2AM
AUGUST
8TH 12 NOON - 6PM LIST
OF PERFORMERS FOR AUGUST 8, 2010
AND SOUL LINE DANCING WITH ROLAND FORD
Youth
in the Age of Obama
The Rationale November 2, 2008 was undoubtedly a historic day. Inspired by Obama?s message of ?change and ?hope?, droves of young African American men and women, many of whom had never before given serious consideration to voting, went to the polls in record numbers and did their part to select the first African American President in the history of the republic. As the returns came in and the results were announced, there was widespread jubilation among African American youth, many of whom felt that for once, ?they? had won a political victory. The debate as to whether or not African American people in general and African American youth in particular, have won anything at all, with the ascendancy of Obama rages within the African American community. What is not debatable, however, is that the Obama campaign jolted thousands of previously non-politicized African American youth into political activity. Not only were African American youth coming out to vote in record numbers, they were out in their communities canvassing. They were on the street corners handing out bumper stickers and buttons. They were volunteering to man phones at local campaign offices across the county and performing a host of other tasks requested of them by the managers of the Obama Campaign. They were engaged in political work on a mass level, and their contribution was decisive. As a consequence of the Obama Campaign, a legion of African American youth began to see the importance of political activity and the impact that they themselves could have on changing the political landscape. This is a significant development, with potentially wide ranging repercussions. The Challenge The challenge now is motivating black youths who were introduced to political activism by the Obama campaign, to begin to deepen their political consciousness. They must be helped to see how the same energy that was put into motion in the service of the democratic candidate for President can be utilized to advance the collective interest of black youth. We must use this window of opportunity created by the Obama presidency to commence with bold initiatives for mass mobilization, of black youth, at the grassroots level. Such mobilization must be centered around practical struggles, for political power within their own communities. In our drive to mobilize black youth in the struggle for political power, we must never forget the millions of young brothers and sisters who were not swept up in this Obama phenomenon. This includes those involved with the street organizations. The young brothers standing posted on the block and others who were already politicized, but rejected, participating in a system that has always been wielded against them, irrespective of who won or lost a particular election. The winning of these segments of black youth is critical to unleashing the power that black youth ?on the move? invariably bring to any struggle. Black youth in the ?Age of Obama? are confronting challenges unequal to those faced by black youth of any generation since the abolition of slavery. Poverty, unemployment, substandard education, AIDS, mass incarceration, police murder, gang violence and a host of other enemies besiege African American youth. It is not an exaggeration to say that their very survival is threatened. Only by organizing on a mass level for political power, will African American youth be able to resist the advance of their social enemies and ensure their survival. The Purpose The tent discussion is being held to develop a collaborative initiative among youth, community leaders, organizers, and activists in a foundation of direct action, to facilitate the continued empowerment of our youth.
Attendance
to this year's event is projected to be 10 - 15,000.
VISIT THE PITTSBURGH BLACK FAMILY REUNION @ www.PghBlackFamilyReunion.org
BROTHA
ASH PRODUCTIONS BAP WILL COVER THE WHOLE EVENT AS USUAL BAP
PHOTOS OF THE 2ND ANNUAL BLACK FAMILY REUNION PITTSBURGH'S BLACK FAMILY REUNION!
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The
Reunion will also have its version of family feud, where different
families compete against each other on trivia. 
