 It is a tri-color flag consisting of three equal horizontal bands colored red, black and green. It was originally created as the official banner of the African Race by the members of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA). The organization formally adopted it in article 39 of the Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World on August 13, 1920, during its month-long convention held in Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States. The flag can and has been used to represent African or African American unity or pride. The three colors represent: red: the blood that unites all people of African ancestry, and shed for liberation; black: black people whose existence as a nation, though not a nation-state, is affirmed by the existence of the flag; and green: the abundant natural wealth of Africa. In honoring, Universal Afrikan Flag Day, we as brothers and sisters should come together to restore and live in the words of our ancestors. Here is a brief listings that you can do celebrate Universal Afrikan Flag Day. 1) Post a pledge 2) Share photos or videos about our flag 3) Share stories 4) Organize events 5) Join a historical African-American organization, foundation or group 6) Help foster the history of the flag with your family, friends or community We, Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers, continues to pass our roots to everyone regardless of descent. Please join us on August 16,2009 at the 2nd Annual Marcus Garvey Day Pan African Festival on Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 2pm. (Rain or Shine) at NationHouse, 770 Park Rd NW in Washington, DC. Blessings, Doc Powell,Founder of Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers Visit Our Official Site at http://malcolmxdrummersanddancers.weebly.com Check Us Out at http://sites.google.com/site/malcolmxdrummersanddancers Baba Amefika Geuka Walkathon Rally 08/12/2009
Amefika Geuka, a man who is willing to walk the walk. In fact, he is walking 1,000 miles from his home in Florida to Washington DC to raise awareness about the miseducation that children of African-descent get in our public education system. Please join him at a rally held at Malcolm X Park on Thursday, August 13, 2009. For further information about it contact Sister Claudette Perry at 202-271-5407. AMEFIKA DIRIKI GEUKA Born: Belle Glade, Florida Raised: Utica, New York Resides: West Palm Beach, Florida Occupation: Retired Educator and Author Married: Felisa Geuka Father: Two (2) sons; two (2) daughters Grandfather: Six (6) granddaughters Brother Amefika served as Co-Convenor of an event aptly named "THE FAMILY PILGRIMAGE: Rekindling the SPIRIT of the MILLION MAN MARCH in Palm Beach County," which took place from March 21-23, 1997 in West Palm Beach. In appreciation for his role in organizing the event Brother Amefika has been awarded the honorary title of "Convenor Emeritus" of the Family Pilgrimage planning effort. "THE FAMILY PILGRIMAGE II: Building On the SPIRIT of the Million Man March" continued the process of building self-reliance among people of African origin in Palm Beach County, taking place on the 2nd Anniversary of the great MMM assembly, October 16, 1997 in Boynton Beach, Florida. FAMILY PILGRIMAGE III took place on October 16, 1998 in Riviera Beach, Florida. Amefika Geuka has resided in West Palm Beach since September, 1994; his family joined him there in January, 1995. Prior to that, they lived in Sanford, Florida -- his wife's home town -- since March, 1986. Brother Geuka is "an avowed Black Nationalist and Pan-Africanist," and has been an activist in the Black Liberation Movement all his adult life, wherever he happened to reside. In the late 1960s he was active in CORE (Congress Of Racial Equality); Co-founded The Marcus And Malcolm Got Us Together (MAMGUT) Family, Int'l. and its subsidiary - the Center for Black Awareness in Utica, New York; and he was co-founder and CEO of the Marcus Garvey Memorial Black Solidarity Committee and its subsidiary, the Pan-African Cultural & Resettlement Project in Rochester, New York from 1974 to 1984. Geuka founded the Joseph Littles-NGUZO SABA Charter School in West Palm Beach, Florida in January, 1999, and served as its Headmaster until his retirement in July, 2006. He and his family traveled to Egypt and Ghana in August of 2006, and upon his return, Geuka wrote a book about his experiences titled: "Reflections On My Pilgrimage." He co-convened a gathering of over 100 Black Nationalists and Pan-Africanists in Cincinnati, Ohio in December, 2006 out of which has grown the Bring Back Black Movement. This initiative is intended to bring back the pride and self-respect Black Americans enjoyed and demonstrated in the 1960s when "Black was Beautiful!" The follow-up to that gathering will take place in Atlanta, Georgia on April 21, 2007. Brother Geuka is a Garveyite, and shares his hero's conviction that people of African descent must unite around our common heritage, on the foundation of spirituality, encompassed by ethical values and individual character, and with economic self-reliance and cooperation as our focus. He sees the prevailing shift toward political conservatism as more of a (potential) blessing-in-disguise than a threat; and believes that our people need to welcome anything which challenges us to reassert our humanity and reassume responsibility for determining our own destiny. About Reflections on My Pilgrimage This book is the most truthful account of one man’s pilgrimage to Africa. It is written by a man whose love for Africa and her people is unwavering. Yet he is totally honest as he tells us of his experience of visiting the ‘Motherland’ for the very first time. As a student of the teachings of the Honorable Marcus Garvey, who urged Blacks in America to return to Africa and restore her greatness, Amefika was determined to set foot on Africa’s soil. But what Amefika discovered about Africa and her people and what he discovered about himself is revealed with brutal honesty in his reflections. The highs, the lows, the joys and the pains of one man’s sojourn to the Motherland is must reading, whether you have been to Africa, planning a trip or simply want to know more about the birthplace of humanity. Amefika Geuka: educator and founder of the only Afrocentric charter school in the state of Florida, community activist, Black Nationalist, Pan Africanist and unconditional lover of African people, “at home and abroad,” invites you to join him as a conscious Black son of Africa returns to his motherland. Additionally, at the rally, we, Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers will be performing at 12noon on Thursday, August 13, 2009. Hope to see you there! Blessings, Doc Powell,Founder of Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers Visit Our Official Site at http://malcolmxdrummersanddancers.weebly.com Check Us Out at http://sites.google.com/site/malcolmxdrummersanddancers __._,_.___  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Doc Powell,Founder of the Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers at 202-459-8157 Visit Our Official Website at http://malcolmxdrummersanddancers.weebly.com Check Us Out at http://sites.google.com/site/malcolmxdrummersanddancers Sounds of Hope presents The Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers (Washington,DC) - The Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers will perform at Sounds of Hope on Friday, September 4,2009 at the Potters House, 1658 Columbia RD NW in Washington, DC. The event starts at 8:00pm. $15-$50 donation (at the door) The Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers are a group of tremendously talented artists that grew out of the cultural experience demonstrated at Malcolm X Park and is founded by Doc Powell. Drummers from all walks of life, and from every level of drumming abilities, other musicians of all varieties, and spectators of all nationalities and ages, come together and create a wonderful expression of creative energies. From this setting, arose a group of performing artists called the Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers. For further information about the Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers contact Doc Powell at 202-459-8157 Please visit our official website at http://malcolmxdrummersanddancers.weebly.com and check us out at http://sites.google.com/site/malcolmxdrummersanddancers to learn more about us. About Sounds of Hope Sounds of Hope is a weekly collaboration of local performers, charities and Potter's House presenting an evening of food, entertainment, and community outreach. Requested donations at the door go directly to the performers and charity, and proceeds of sale of dinner and desserts benefit Potter's House. The bookservice, which carries children's books, poetry, and social justice books, in addition to extensive selections in religion and spirituality, is also open on Friday nights. It happens every Friday Night from 7-10:30 PM at Potter’s House located at 1658 Columbia Rd NW in Washington, DC. For more information about Sounds of Hope, visit http://www.myspace.com/soundsofhope or contact the coordinator, Mary Shapiro at pottershousedc@gmail.com About Potter’s House Potter’s House has been existence since 1960 and is located in the heart of Adams Morgan at 1658 Columbia Rd NW in Washington, DC. For more information about Potter’s House, visit http://www.pottershousedc.org To arrange interview or document event, please contact Doc Powell, Founder of the Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers at 202-459-8157  Heritage Gallery International Museum,Archives Visual and Performing Arts Center presents the 95th Anniversary Celebration of the UNIA - ACL and Celebrating the life and Earth-Day of Master Drummer Baba Ngoma Sunday, August 2, 2009 3pm - 6pm Malcolm X Park 16th & Euclid Streets, NW Washington, DC Baba Ngoma, Father Drum. As mentor, model and teacher to youth and young adults in Washington DC, he was an inspiration to many young people and drummers of all age. Baba Ngoma exposed children to the language of the drum, bringing out their God given genius expressed through rhythm and dance. Baba Ngoma traveled to Pipestone, MN to offer his drumming to Native American sun dancers. He has selflessly served the community for more than 40 years. Baba N'goma has taught the young and the old, and performed at many celebrations. He has shared the rhythms and songs of our African ancestors at countless programs, weddings and rituals throughout the international community. He sadly transitioned on March 15, 2008. Please feel free to check out the video which documents his historical tribute on March 2008. Please come out and support this wonderful event. Hope to see you there!
Memo about Malcolm X Park 07/20/2009
Dear Neighbors and Visitors,  Drummers Hold Court In Meridian Hill Park After 40 Years by Mark F. Johnson Maybe you didn’t know that Washington’s real movers and shakers get together every Sunday at one of the highest points in town, right out in the open. With the White House, the Capitol and the Monument as a backdrop, they come together at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park and for several hours they dance to the beat of the African drummers. These percussionists, who specialize in African and Afro-Cuban rhythms, have been jamming in the Park for nearly 40 years. And the beat goes on! The sound of the drums is a part of life fort anyone who lives in South Columbia Heights, the northern edge of Dupont Circle or the western fringe of Adams-Morgan. but people come from all parts of the city and even from outside the city to be apart of this experience. Nowhere in Washington, DC on any given Sunday afternoon, will you find a more diverse crowd of people. While the drummers drum (the numbers vary, but on average there about 10), people in the park soak up the music as they dance, picnic, toss Frisbees, play with their dogs or just sit and read. The African drummers started their weekly jam sessions back in the early 1970’s by most accounts, long before the neighborhood was as diverse as it is today. “When we first started playing here, “said Willie Posey who has lived in the neighborhood since the late 1960’s and started drumming in the park in 1975, “this was a predominantly black community,” recalling the time when DC was known proudly by many as “Chocolate City.” It was not too long after the 1968 riots and there was a sense of solidarity in the area, Posey said. “At that time, we used to drum on the 15th Street side of the park, right at the intersection of Chapin Street. We were there for years and years.” Then recently, as the community got more diverse, Posey points out, “and there wasn’t the same appreciation for our music” some of the neighbors on the 15th Street side started to complain. Posey said these folks wanted the drums silenced and the dancing stopped. However, according to him and others, the drummers found an ally in Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) who brokered an arrangement that moved the drummers over to the 16th Street side of the park, across from Beekman Place and cut their percussion concert time down a bit. Now the drummers must stop at 9 p.m. But that still gives them a good six hours of playing time because they usually start around 3pm on Sunday afternoon. It is hard to imagine that anyone would have a problem with them these days. Pretty much every Sunday, families with baby strollers come in and out of the park as well as young couples and those who look as though their entire Adams-Morgan, Columbia Heights or Mt. Pleasant group house has come for a Sunday evening field trip. Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park is perhaps the best-known and most popular DC venue for the African drummers, although they do sometimes perform in Dupont Circle in smaller numbers. However, according to percussionist Rob White, most major cities have a version of Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park where the drumbeat comes to life on Saturdays or Sundays in the afternoon. “I moved here from Pittsburgh where they did the same thing in Schenley Park 40 years ago,” he said. Over the years, some of the drummers in DC have become celebrities. One of the early drummers, William Barnett, just recently died. He was in his early 60’s and had played with Gil Scott Heron’s band, some of the old timers noted. “He used to be out here all the time,” Posey, who is nearly 70, reminisced. To many in the park, the drummers are just background music. On a warm Sunday afternoon in summer, these folk come to the park to be out. “Being here makes me feel good,” said Steven Daye, who lives all the way over in Shaw. “I come for the atmosphere and to see all my neighbors,” said John Fanning, who works with DC Parks and Recreation. “It’s a park for all the people.” Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park is located in Columbia Heights, between 15th and 16th Streets on the east and west and W Street and Euclid Street on the north and south. The closest metro stop is U Street on the Green Line. Other features of the park include statues of Joan of Arc, James Buchanan and Dante, and the dramatic 13-basin cascade fountain in the lower level of the park. Posted by Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers  Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers Michael Jackson (1958-2009) - a major icon in the music industry, mega superstar, singer, producer, multiple Grammy winner, actor, and father suddenly passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 2:26 pm after collapsing at his home hours earlier. Greetings, Please join us on Yahoo! Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/malcolmxdrummersanddancers and | CategoriesAll Subscribe to Our Feed on Friendfeed at http://friendfeed.com/malcolmxdd
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