The Historical Society of Pennsylvania and The 1838 Black Metropolis : A Public History Teach-In

Writer Octavia McBride-Ahebee outside of the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania

This past weekend ‘s Public History Teach-In , organized by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the 1838 Black Metropolis, was a resounding success!

Historian and Artist Nell Irvin Painter with writer Octavia McBride-Ahebee

Public history artists, educators, museum preservationists, public historians, student activists, and even young elementary students—who are published authors of Black history as well—presented dynamic research and engaging stories throughout this unforgettable, two-day conference. The beloved historian and artist Nell Irwin Painter opened the gathering.

Students from the Jubilee School sharing their published history projects.

McBride-Ahebee reading her creative
fiction as Youba Cissokho accompanies
her, on his kora. 

I was thrilled to share a creative short story—still a work in progress—inspired by the migration of 15,000 African Americans, many from Philadelphia, to Haiti following its revolution in the early 1800s. One of the most moving moments for me was reading this piece while accompanied by the incomparable Youba Cissokho, a 72nd-generation kora master from Senegal. His music gave the story

a soul-stirring depth.

Master Kora Musician Youba Cissokho

Michiko Quinones and Morgan Lloyd, founders of the phenomenal
The 1838 Black Metropolis. Do follow their amazing  content, particularly
visually, on Instagram.  

Kudos to Mona R. Washington and Anthony P. Kamani for their powerful collaborative theatrical work, and to all the other incredible panelists who

Playwright Mona R. Washington discussing
the project she presented with actor
Anthony P. Kamani.

Dear Friends-Mona and Desiree

contributed their voices and perspectives. Deep thanks to my dear friends and family—like Mrs. Eads, and the wonderful Renee and Desiree—for showing up and supporting this meaningful event. Much love. Thank you to Justina Barret and Brianna Quade from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and Morgan Lloyd and Michiko Quinones from The 1838 Black Metropolis- you need to follow them.

Octavia McBride-Ahebee's -Migrations of Desire  centered around the theme of
Creative Writers and the Art of Reimagining History. 

Morgan Lloyd with participants from the 
Creative Arts panel. 

Joyful Abundance: The Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia Unites Voices, Poets, and Composers

I am incredibly excited about this project! Having my commissioned

poem performed by a chorus of over 120 voices will truly be an honor.

The Mendelssohn Chorus, with its rich history spanning more than 150

years, brings a depth of talent and tradition that makes this opportunity 

all the more meaningful. I am thrilled to be a part of something so power-

ful and inspiring.

Click link to learn more: https://www.mcchorus.org/

    I am equally honored to be collaborating with poet Kirwyn

Sutherland and composers Ted Babcock and Rollo A. Dilworth on this

project, a new initiative of the Mendelssohn Chorus which brings

together five teams of poets and composers to create original works for

the chorus.

Poets Octavia McBride-Ahebee and Kirwyn Sutherland

Kwibuka 31- Rwanda Commenorates the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi

Today, April 7th begins Kwibuka , in Rwanda, which is the annual commemorations of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi and moderate Hutu. I also like to remember the Twa as well. Kwibuka in Kinyarwanda means to remember. This is the 31st anniversary. I had the honor of visiting Rwanda 2 years ago.

Visiting the Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda, in Butare. 

Visiting the old King's Place where we saw these special

cows; descendants of the royal herd, in Nyanza.

Nyamata Genocide Memorial

I love Rwanda and I am forever grateful for the lessons learned there. The people are absolutely amazing and the geography  of the country is stunning . 

                                               Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-Tourism Park in Kigali

The countryside of Rwanda is beautiful.

This was a Motown-themed birthday celebration, hosted in a Rwandan Club. Here

you can see some of many senior African-Americans who have made Rwanda home.

On our way to the bustling Kimironko Market !

Sojourner interviewing cross-cultural intelligence professional Justin Ngoga and 
African-American Mentha Manning, who resides in Kigali, Rwanda.

One of Sojourner's friends from Stanford, who is from Rwanda, invited us to the most
beautiful wedding.

Entrance to wedding, in Kigali, Rwanda.


You know we had a phenomenal time.

So honored to have had these incredible experiences. 

Standing on top of the building, with historian John Shyaka, where the "Campaign Against the Genocide Museum" is located.  John is a top-notch guide. What an emotional journey. 

Visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial; " place of remembrance and learning dedicated to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda."

Sojourner, with our dear friend Justin, reading some of names of the victims of the genocide. 

Moving Through the World-The African Migration Report; An Anthology of Poetry

   I am so proud to be part of this project which is organized by Forced Migration and The Arts in collaboration with indie publisher CivicLeicester and migrant collective Regularise. The overall theme for this project is African Migration.

  "Forced Migration and The Arts is a global network that brings together people with lived experience of forced migration, refugee and non-refugee artists, academics and activists from around the world. The provisional title of the anthology, Africa Migration Report: an Anthology of Poems, is inspired by the second edition of the Africa Migration Report published by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

  People on the African continent have a long history of experience with migration, whether this includes individuals or communities moving from one place to another in search of pasture for their livestock or in search of prospects such as education, employment, escape from climate change, refuge from war, conflict, persecution, etc. These movements have been taking place over time and within and across countries, on the continent and beyond, and are driven by many reasons.

  Many of the people who have made these journeys have had certain experiences and encounters before deciding to move, while on the move, and when they arrive at their destinations. Families and communities also have stories about relatives, friends and community members who moved and then returned or did not return.

 The Africa Migration Report: an Anthology of Poems is inviting poets exploring these themes and related ones to submit their work . Poems that explore the personal, familial, communal, national, continental, intercontinental, transnational, past, present and possible futures of African migration across time and space, in and around this world and beyond."

*Forced Migration and the Arts

Click here if you would like to submit your work on this theme. Here is the link for more information.The deadline has been extended.

https://forcedmigrationandthearts.blogspot.com/2024/03/call-for-submissions-africa-migration.html

*Here is a link where you can see and listen to writers involved with this project.

https://www.youtube.com/@CivicLeicester/videos

Nikki Giovanni ( 1943-2024) : A Guiding Voice for All Times

Nikki Giovanni

How wonderful to have grown old with a writer who had inspired me since childhood ( … thank you Teacher Rose Martin/ Overbrook Elementary School) and to have passed this love, like a literary baton, to my daughter, and she would go on to meet and work with Nikki Giovanni.

Sojourner and Nikki Giovanni

And just last Friday, I was a guest teacher for a first grade class and I shared two poems with students; one being Giovanni’s “Winter Poem “. These little darlings had fun illustrating the poem, but they had more fun singing Nikki Giovanni’s name. The baton has been passed, again!!! Rest in this great legacy!

*Do click the link to listen to Giovanni read her poem, "Quilts" ...so moving.

https://youtu.be/ukONEOnGDOo?si=zR04d2Nh9iE0JW3_

Seasoned Poets Come Together for a Holiday Celebration in Spoken Word

I had such a moving , inspiring afternoon with so many of my fellow “seasoned “ poets this past Thursday, at the Center in the Park, in Germantown. As part of a pre-Thanksgiving celebration, these senior poets, including myself, participated in an open mic . And there were fantastic musicians accompanying the poets, who also meet weekly, as part of the “Poetry and Discussion “ group at this center. A huge, special thanks to Patricia Middleton, poet extraordinaire and dear family friend, for informing me of this special reading. I shall return!  

Poets Patricia Middleton and Octavia McBride-Ahebee

Poets, including Victoria Peurifoy, from the 
Drexel Writers Room (3rd from the left) shared
their poems for this event. Patricia hosts a radio
program, Let's Talk About Poetry, on Thursdays, at
11:50 a.m. on 800 AM WTMR.

Musicians were on hand to provide the soundtrack
for the day's events. 

Poets brought their "A" game when sharing
their work

Mr. Norm, from the Drexel Writers Room, is also
a member of this senior group of poets at the Center
 in the Park, in Germantown.

The MC of the event.

                                                          Fly, senior poets!!!!

These seasoned poets meet weekly to
share and critique each other's work.

Patricia's delivery is always electrifying !

Philly Honors Larry Robin

Larry Robin and Writer/Scholar Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon 

Poets Molly Gross and Sojourner Ahebee

Pat McLean Smith, Deborah Wright and fellow poet.

Poets Sean Hanrahan & Octavia McBride-Ahebee

Philadelphia’s literary luminaries and cultural leaders came out this past Wednesday to celebrate the incomparable Larry Robin of Robin’s Bookstore and Moonstone Arts Center. Hosted at the Free Library of Philadelphia Skyline Room, poets

Poet Eleanor Wilner

paid tribute to Larry Robin’s longstanding generosity in curating spaces for them to grow , congregate and support each other.

Shoutout especially to Aaren Perry , Eileen D'Angelo Sean Hanrahan , Elijah B Pringle III, who did an absolutely awesome job as MC of this event, Karen Smith and Elliott Levin who brought their musical prowess to spread joy,Molly Gross, Rose Gaby, Sojourner Ahébée, Eleanor Wilner, Adriann JustthePen Bautista , Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon ,Deborah Wright ,Pat McLean-Smith , Sonia Sanchez, Major Jackson and Michelle Myers, Pheralyn Dove , Ray Garman , Lamont B. Steptoe , Charles Carr,Linda Goss, Courtney K. Bambrick ,Peter M. Baroth and Nathalie Anderson to name just a few of the many poets who came out to salute Larry Robin!

Musicians/poets Karen Smith and Elliot Levin.

Philadelphia poets gather to honor Larry Robin.

Poets Elijah Pringle, Aaren Perry, and Sean Hanrahan

Poets Eileen D'Angelo and Pat McLean