I was able to attend the opening night panel discussion that was held at The Schomberg Center. I was actually quite familiar with two of the panelists; Roland Roebuck who I've actually met personally before at one of my past events in Baltimore, and Peter Noguera who is local here in NYC in the education field. The other panelists I know moreso by reputation. it was a very interesting discussion, and a lot of people came up to ask questions during the Q&A session.
I unfortunately missed the Second day of the Conference due to some personal business that I needed to tend to. I was bothered by that, because I had a friend that was going to be on one of the panels held that day, a budding documentary filmmaker named Magdalena Albizu. That panel was held at Teacher's College at City College of New York (or CCNY for us real New Yorkers ;) ). I wish that I hadn't missed it; I heard some really good things about that particular panel.
I was able to attend the Third and last day of the event, which was held at El Museo Del Barrio in East Harlem. The opening panel had to do with "Recounting the Afrolatin@ Artist Experience". That particular panel was supposed to have three artists representing their work (one had a family emergency at the last minute) showcasing their work, and Afrolatinidad in their work. Their panel was followed by workshops on mask making, and a dance workshop.
To cap off the Conference, were were graced with musical and dance performances that showed off our African roots from the Diaspora. We were dazzled by the cultural dances of the Garifuna people; members of the Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna folkloric Ballet Company blessed us with a few performances, celebrating Garifuna culture. The drummers and the dances held us all in sway. I have to admit...I had to literally fight the urge not to go out on the floor, and bust out some Punta moves of my own, lol, lol.
To cap it off, we were graced by the musical stylings of a group called Los Hacheros. They played a whole host of Afro influenced Latino music; Son, Bomba, Plena, Rumba, Cumbia, Mambo, etc. They had the whole place rocking and dancing. They were even requested to do an encore. We had a cultural conference, and dance party broke out, lol, lol! ;)
So ended the second Afrolatin@s Now! Conference: Race Counts. I was glad to have been able to attend the conference, and hope to return when they hold the next one. Shout out to the Afrolatin@ Forum for organizing such a great event. People came out near and far to support and participate. I would also like to personally participate as a panelist again. I enjoyed it the first time they held the conference, and would love to come back again.
Aluta continua!!!
