Multi-part Black History Series with KHON 2 (Feb 1— 29, 2020)
Throughout the month of February, our organization collaborated with Local news channel KHON to bring stories of Hawaiʻi’s Black past, present, and future to life
A word, a plant, a group of people: unpacking “pōpolo”
Black history in Hawaiʻi: from whaling ships to royal courts
Black history in Hawaiʻi: visible and invisible Blackness
Black music in Hawaiʻi: reggae grows Hawaiian roots
Black music in Hawaiʻi: Hip-Hop’s Hawai’i connection
Local musician perpetuates the culture that adopted him
The Pōpolo Project: building a space to ask questions and challenge ideas
Black identity in Hawaiʻi: the conflicting experiences of being Black and Local
Black futures in Hawaiʻi: envisioning a beautiful, equitable horizon for everyone
The Kings’ Lessons listening party with Doctabarz, emcee, PhD at the Atherton Studio, Hawai’i Public Radio (Feb 7, 2020)
Scholar, artist and educator, Dr. Keith Cross (aka Doctabarz) and special guests joined us for an intimate evening of music and science. In honor of Black History Month, Dr. Cross debuted his album The Kings’ Lessons, Volume 1, and discuss its implications for Hip-Hop culture and Black Futures.
Community partnership with Honolulu Museum of Art for public programming around 30 Americans (Opening Feb 22, 2020)
HoMA hosted the renowned collection of contemporary art works from 30 African American artists. Our organization collaborated on developing a wide range of community programs, trainings for museum staff on the Black experience and visual history in Hawai’i.
Short film feature and discussion with Textured Waves at Surfjack Hotel
Featuring Textured Waves, a film on three Black women surfers, and the Pōpolo Project’s Healing Traditions discussing the complicated relationships Black people have with the ocean and the healing and camaraderie to be found there.
Ayodele Drum and Dance joint residency with Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture and Design (Feb 14—23,2020)
Chicago-based performing artist collective Ayodele Drum and Dance fosters community from a feminine perspective through diasporic African drum and dance, using the artform to heal, educate and motivate in an unending circle firmly rooted in joy. While in Hawaiʻi, the collective engaged in cultural exchange with hula hālau, a rites of passage workshop with Black girls, community gatherings, and public performances.
Honolulu African American Film Festival at Honolulu Museum of Art
In its ninth year, our organization was a proud community partner of the HAFF, supporting public programs and the festival events.
