Portland observer., July 11, 2012, Page 5, Image 5

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July II. 2012
Page 5
Performancefor Peace
c o n t i n u e d f r o m fron t
Family Center, Mt Olive Youth Choir
and more.
The Peace Festival is the inaugu­
ral event of Black Women for Peace,
an organization created in response
to a rise in youth violence, which
took the lives of several young black
men and women in the north and
northeast Portland community.
The organization Black Women
for Peace was originally founded by
Commissioner Barbara Waller in
2010. when she called together 50
black women from different net­
works around the community to look
at, address and discuss the high
level of youth and gang violence
that was occurring at that time, said
Regena Warren, one of the original
members of the organization.
“One of the things we talked about
was how can the power of women
within those networks create peace
and stop violence among young
people and within our community.”
As the inaugural event for the
women’s group working for change
within the community, the event will
not only offer Portlanders a chance to
enjoy the creative and diverse talents
of youth throughout the city, but the
showcase will also present the op­
portunity for individuals to come to­
gether for a better tomorrow.
“We wanted to give young people
an opportunity to express them­
selves and convey messages of
peace through spoken word, song,
and dance. It is young people from
diverse communities,” said Warren.
Warren said the fine arts provide
youth with the opportunity to find
their personal power and passion
and express themselves in non-vio­
lent ways.
Participants and guests will also
be asked to support the Black
Women for Peace bysigning a Peace
Pledge to end violence, she said.
exciting aspect of the showcase is 250 people.
the diversity within the lineup. “I
“Events like the Peace Festival
think it (the event) is a good oppor­ help our young people to feel and
tunity to promote our culture be­ know that they are valued and cel­
cause we are not a melting pot. We e b ra te d ,” said C o m m issio n er
are all so different, and we need to Loretta Smith. “This is the first of
celebrate that diversity,” she said. many initiatives and activities where
Warren agreed.
our community can share ideas, dis­
Although everyone’s unique dif­ cover our commonalities across
ferences should be shared, she said comm unities, and create spaces
she hopes everyone within the corn- where youth feel safe and secure.”
We have had a lot o f enthusiasm
from the young individuals who are
going to be participating. We hope
people come and have a good time
and enjoy the young people.
- Regena Warren, original member of the Black Women for Peace
Regena Warren, one o f the original members o f the Black Women
for Peace, an organization o f women from throughout the commu­
nity dedicated to curb the rise in youth violence.
“We want everyone who attends to
make a pledge for peace.”
Last weekend, youth of all ages
were staggering into the June Key
Delta center in north Portland Satur­
day to practice for their upcoming
performances.
Upcoming high school senior
Nichelle McKinney, 17, said she is
excited about the event, where she
will be performing her original spo­
ken word poetry, which she said she
hopes will inspire others to respect
themselves more.
“It (her writing) is talking about
youth and how they don’t respect
themselves,” she said. “It is fun
writing and talking.”
McKinney said she has been
working hard with her performance
partner who will be singing while
she recites her words on stage, and
she believes the event is important
because it will showcase youth's
talents.
R etirement L iving
Smith Tower
“ It shows older people that
younger people don’t just sit around
and do anything,” she said. “If you
give us a chance we can show you
what we can actually do.”
Jesse Jones, 17, said he is also
excited to perform his poetry for
others to hear. “I like to perform
stuff in front of people and see their
facial expressions and how deep
they’re into it,” he said.
According to Theresa Smith,
NAY A cultural arts coordinator and
volunteer for the event, the most
munity has the same goal for peace.
According to the organization,
Black Women for Peace aims to bring
its collective wisdom, power, re­
sources and community relation­
ships to prevent violence among
African American youth.
In May o f 2011, M ultnom ah
County Com m issioner Smith con­
vened a historic town hall m eet­
ing o f African Am erican men and
young m ales as a vehicle for iden­
tifying barriers to their overall
success in O regon, and Black
W omen for Peace was an instru­
mental com m unity partner in the
landm ark event, attended by over
Our organization is just now start­
ing to build its foundation as a work­
ing non-profit, said Warren, who
invites everyone to the Peace Fes­
tival this weekend.
“We have had a lot of enthusi­
asm from the young individuals who
are going to be participating,” she
said. “We hope people come and
have a good time and enjoy the
young people.”
The free event requires advance
tickets. For ticket information con­
tact: m purcell@ ulpdx.org or
harris.cynthial8@gmail.com. Tick­
ets will also be available at the Ur­
ban League of Portland. 10N Russell
Street, Portland 97227, or you can
call (503) 280-2600.
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