Throughout the month of February, the Global Village Welcome Center hosted a series of immersion events in addition to the Black History Month Exhibit.
The first immersion event on Saturday, February 12 at the Global Village Welcome Center featured the unveiling of the Barack Obama bust, the first in our Global Leaders bust collection by artist Norman Norori. The unveiling was followed by three first-person presentations about Betty Shabazz, Ida B. Wells, and Fannie Lou Hamer. Attendees also enjoyed a presentation by Eunice Trotter, author of Black in Indiana.
On Saturday, February 19 the second immersion event featured Black poetry readings by Gabrielle Patterson, Latrice Young, and Andrea Irene James and Deborah Asante telling “Sarah, the Dream Builder, A Story Tracing the Rise of Madam CJ Walker.” Guests also enjoyed a special presentation by Linky Ugeh, author of “Abby Travels to South Africa” followed by a book signing. Attendees also shopped Black-owned businesses including Zola’s Jewelry and Ankaracessorize.
On Saturday, February 26 the Global Village Welcome Center hosted the final Black History Month Immersion event. Music and Dance was the theme for this enriching event with the music of Kelli Antoinette, Jay Fuqua, and Kasma Howard and a special performance of the liturgical dance of the Lewis Sisters Linda Lewis-Everett and Lana Lewis-Talib. Guests learned about the story of Harriet Tubman through a powerful first-person interpretation from Delores Thornton. Attendees also heard about a new book titled “African Americans in Indianapolis” by author David Leander Williams. The event also allowed guests to support black-owned businesses Kankou Elegance, Enjoi Vintage, T&H Designs, and Ankaracessorize making their mark on Indianapolis.