Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 July 2000 — Page 2

PAGE A2

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, JULY 21,2db(r

Festival celebrates Black artistic excellence

Special to The Recorder ATLANTA—The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) officially announced its seventh biennial event as the world’s largest and most prestigious cultural celebration of creative and artistic genius of people of African decent. Scheduled for July 28- Aug. 6 in the Georgia capital, the festival will showcase the work of more than 1,500 artists in disciplines including music, theater, film, literature, dance, performance art, visual art, spoken word and educational symposia. “Connect. Inspire. Transform.” sets the thematic tone of this year’s 10-day NBAF. The festival highlights the power of art and artists to foster positive changes in the world. “The National Black Arts Festival makes a difference,

not just Vr

in Atlanta, but nation-

ally and worldwide,” said Stephanie S. Hughley, NBAF executive producer and founding artistic director. “We’re not just about celebration. We’re about growth, change, education, service and leadership.”

Founded in 1987, the NABF

opened with Hughley at the helm, a post she held successfully through 1992. With a mission in mind, Hughley returned this year to lead the organization in a new direction and execute the NABF board’s longrange vision of expanding the festival’s comprehensive program by creating a partnership with Atlanta University Center (AUC), Atlanta’s historically Black colleges and universities — Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College and the Interdenominational Theological Center. This partnership emphasizes the

year-long important resource of historically Black colleges and universities as repositories of art and as centers of discussion on race and culture. The NABF’s Festival 2000 kicks off its Opening weekend on Friday, July 28, 6-8 p.m. with “A Gathering of the Artists,” an opening ceremony consisting of a procession down historic Auburn Avenue with an array of artists leading the way to the new NABF headquarters at the Studioplex. The weekend continues with “A Gathering of Colors” on Saturday, July 29, 7 p.m.-mid-night, a fund-raising gala that features a festive evening of entertainment. Following this gala there will be a neighborhood block party, gallery crawl and open studios on Sunday, July 30, noon-6 p.m. Additional venues throughout Atlanta will host performances, symposia, conferences and public forums. Some of

these are free of charge. From Aug. 3-6, the AUC will serve as the focal point for the activities for the entire family. Plans include an outdoor marketplace with more than 100 vendors; multiple stages showcasing local, national and international artists; the Official NABF Artists’ Market with more than 80 visual artists; a Children’s Village with handson participatory activities; film screenings; lectures and workshops; a book fair; a health fair; exhibitions and food vendors. A nominal fee of $5 will be charged at the gate. Children under 6 get in free. “Art is the very fiber of our beings, the very thread that tie us to our history and heritage, the very fabric of our community,” Hughley said. For program, travel and ticket information, call the NABF headquarters at 404-730-0177 or visit the NBAF Web site at www.nbaf.org.

connect, inspire, transform

JULY 28 AUGUST t> ATLANTA GEORGIA FOR MORC INFORMATION VISIT WWW NBAf.ORG OR CAU 404 7 3 0.0 1 / I National Black Aits Festival

Come have fun with the Wilkerson Family in Tunica, Mississippi Itoparture: Saturday 10/7/00 at 0:00 a.in. Ratuvn: Monday 10/00/00 at 11:30 a.m. $178.00 par parson Package Includes: Round trip transportation and rafreshmenta, 2 nights stay at Fitzgerald’s Hotel Casino and coupon book with $5.00 towards slot machine, two breakfast coupons, a coupon which can be used for dinner or $5.00 towards slot machine For reservations and additional info, please contact Woodrow Wilkerson at (317) 823-8166 Reservation deadline is 08/25/00

Habitat for Humanity, churches join forces

By ANNETTE ANDERSON Recorder Correspondent The Habitat for Humanity of greater Indianapolis is proving that color is no barrier in its line of work, as its group of churches, builders and organizations volunteer to build homes for young women in the community, who otherwise

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would not be able to own new homes. - The brainchild of Millard Fuller and the late Clarence Jordan, the world-wide organization was jump-started in the Atlanta area in 1976, according to Phyllis Ellis, volunteer coordinator of special projects of the Indianapolis based Habitat. It began here in 1987. “They were just two Christian men who wanted to change the poverty level,” Ellis «xr plained. “So they decided 'to come together to donate {ime and monies to build homes for the homeless. They looked beyond race, color and creed, and saw a need.” Its latest project, one of three for the year, is taking place on the city’s Northwestside at Edgemont and Northwestern, a predominantly Black neighborhood. However, the majority of the volunteers are white. When asked why Black participation was low, Ellis said that when contacted. Black churches, businesses and organizations did not respond to the call for help in building the homes and providing breakfast and lunch for the volunteers. The churches (both Black and white) that did respond were; Church at the Crossing, First Baptist, First Free Will Baptist, Holy Angels, Meridian Street United Methodist,

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Sheppard and his wife Edna, and Assistant Pastor Anna Morgan. According to Habitat workers and a future homeowner, Pastor Sheppard went over and beyond the call of duty. “He was supposed to stay under the tent and just serve us food, but he didn’t stop there,” said Gail Johnson, who is awaiting her new home. “He came from under that tent and carried water for me, and did anything else that was needed to be done.” i t-j-jm v/Jm Ellis strongly agreed with Johnson. “It was a pleasure having First Free Will here helping out,” Ellis said. “And no job was too big for Pastor Sheppard. He not only fed us, hut he helped to build the homes, too.” Tyree Coleman, a volunteer from the neighborhood, was also a very willing worker. “Phyllis is the reason I volunteered,” he said. “And when I found out that these homes were being built for single Black mothers, I just had to come over to help.” Gail Johnson, along with Nicole Johnson (no relation), DeManda Smith, Barbara Cox, and Rana Shelby, are very anxious and excited about their future homes. “I am overwhelmed, because I feel like God has said it is my time,” 28-year-old Gail Johnson, mother of two children, exclaimed. “I craved and asked him to make

teer to be a part of this prtp gram, I asked my church (HqI# Angels) to get involved, aru) they did,” Gail Johnson saidv Nicole Johnson^ 26 years old and a mother of one child, sai^b “I’m very happy, becauseJl want to make a change in my life. I’ve been in school a long time and will graduate from IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis) in August with.-^i master’s degree in new media. Habitat has really been a blessing to-me-.” • Smith has a very special reason to be excited about her new home. “My grandmother will be living with me,”’the mother of four commented. “She rai^J me from birth, and now tbai she’s elderly, it’s time for me to take care of her. “I’m going to like this nei^ T borhood. It’s going to be grea^ because it’s just the beginning of what’s going to be.” Shelby, a mother of one child, said she has big plans for her new neighborhood..,”) have a very broad vision, anfy won’t settle for less,” s1|ye noted. “I want to start a neighborhood watch and a drill teapj, I didn’t come over here to tie a part of the woodwork.” Cox, the only white won^aty among them, feels right.at home with her new neighbor^,. “They’re all my sisters in Christ,” she noted. “There ace good and bad ceople in everv 't

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