Category: Arts and Culture

Celebrating James Baldwin with Kulturally LIT

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The Elm City LIT Fest is now the Kulturally LIT Fest, back for their 5th annual celebration on Saturday, October 5th from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. In continuing with the #YearofBaldwin, this year’s LIT Fest will focus on the works of James Baldwin, as Kulturally LIT continues to commemorate his centennial year and look beyond.

Held on the ConnCat campus at 4 Science Park, the Kulturally LIT Fest: Baldwin Forever will be a vibrant celebration of the centennial year of James Baldwin, one of the most influential voices in Black literature. This day-long festival will immerse you in Baldwin’s enduring legacy through engaging panels, hands-on workshops, and powerful performances. Explore a diverse marketplace featuring local vendors, connect with fellow literature lovers, and be inspired by the words and wisdom of Baldwin in this unforgettable celebration of Black literary excellence. RSVP online at https://tinyurl.com/2xb6eweu or email [email protected] for more information.

October Community Engagement Workshops at the New Haven Free Public Library

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by Rory Martorana, NHFPL Public Services Administrator for Communications and Adult Services

Every few years, the New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) crafts a Strategic Framework—a roadmap of initiatives designed to bring our Mission, Vision, and Values to life. These frameworks are built on the insights and ideas shared by you—the residents of New Haven and visitors to NHFPL—to meet the city’s informational, cultural, and educational needs.
We need your help to make this project successful. Share feedback on what our community needs. Tell us what you love, what we might do differently, and your thoughts on new and innovative programs you would like to see at NHFPL. Your input will help guide our goals and services for the next three years.

Community Engagement Workshops Schedule for October:

  1. Oct. 1, 6-7:30 p.m. at Wilson Branch, 303 Washington Ave. (Spanish)
  2. Oct. 2, 6-7:30 p.m. at Stetson Branch, 197 Dixwell Ave. (English)
  3. Oct. 8, 6-7:30 p.m. at Ives Main Library, 133 Elm St. (Mandarin)

Registration is required and refreshments will be served. Each workshop is limited to 25 participants. For more information and to register, call 203-946-8130, ext. 101.

Check our planning progress at http://nhfpl.org, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok @nhfpl for the latest updates, details on Community Engagement Workshops, and more. Let’s work together to create a better future for New Haven.

The Great Give Giving Event May 1-2

Celebrating its 15th year in 2024, The Great Give returns on May 1-2. This 36-hour, online, community-wide giving event was created by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven to raise visibility and resources for nonprofits serving Greater New Haven.

With more than 530 participating local nonprofits, you can find organizations and causes you care about to support in The Great Give 2024. Look through the list of organizations today, find your favorites and find new ones to support. Be ready to give during the 36 hours between 8 a.m. on May 1 and 8 p.m on May 2. Join thousands of others with a gift of $5 or more to support our community. Together we raise, together we rise! Go to www.thegreatgive.org for info.

A New Book of Interest: Radical Connecticut: People’s History in the Constitution State

by Andy Piascik and Steve Thornton

Radical Connecticut tells the stories of everyday people and well-known figures whose work has often been obscured, denigrated, or dismissed. …

Unlike a traditional history that focuses on the actions of politicians, generals, business moguls and other elites, this volume features workers, the poor, people of color, peacemakers, women, students, artists and others who joined the never-ending struggle for justice and freedom … a fresh look at history that can spark young people to engage in social justice work in an increasingly complex and dangerous world.

It can also be used as a guide for strategy and tactics useful to those who are engaged in today’s social struggles. Whether you are a veteran or a novice, Radical Connecticut reminds us that today—and down through the years—organizing is always worth the effort.

Purchase the book for $20 at Barnes and Noble, Powell’s Books, Hard Ball Press, and other internet bookstores.

African American Women’s Summit: A Sister’s Collaborative March 30

The African American Women’s Summit brings together African American women’s organizations in the New Haven area. It focuses on the issues and concerns that affect the lives of African American families and communities.

The Annual African American Women’s Summit will be held on Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dixwell Community Center (Dixwell Q House), 197 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven. The event is free to the public. This year’s theme is “AAWS Rocks the Vote 2024: Let’s Get Out the Vote!” A free continental breakfast and hot lunch will be served.

In addition to adult workshops, we will also have several youth workshops for ages 10 and up.  Please contact Dr. Cynthia McCraven [email protected], Linda Jackson [email protected], or Robin Wilson [email protected] if you have questions.

People’s World Amistad Awards Honor Connecticut Fighters for Justice and Solidarity

by C. D. Carlson and Jahmal Henderson

December 14, 2023 NEW HAVEN, Conn.—Solidarity and joy filled the air, along with a determination to continue the struggle for justice, at the 2023 People’s World Amistad Awards held in New Haven on Dec. 10. Under the theme, “It’s an ‘Enough is Enough’ Moment—Time to Organize,” a diverse crowd of union and community leaders, grassroots activists, elected officials, and youth from across Connecticut came together at the annual event, which also marks the anniversary of the Communist Party’s founding….

Barbara Vereen and Ken Suzuki, leaders of Local 34, announced the 40th anniversary celebration of their union. Paul Seltzer, a leader of Local 33, announced to a standing ovation that the 3,000-member graduate workers union just signed a tentative agreement with the university for its first contract after a 30-year organizing effort.

[For an article on Local 33 and the new agreement: yaledailynews.com/blog/2023/12/08/local-33-and-yale-reach-historic-tentative-agreement]

The Amistad Awards bear the symbolic name of the 50 men of the Amistad … who broke their chains, fought their captors, and seized their freedom … and affirmed their freedom in a legal battle that reached the Supreme Court, a result of the Black and white unity forged in their defense.

In this spirit, the awardees are chosen because they embody solidarity against the politics of hate, bigotry, and division while embracing bold solutions to transform our country and put people, peace, and planet before profits.

The three working-class champions honored this year for their achievements and hard-fought struggles for dignity, unity, and solidarity were State Sen. Gary Winfield, Stacie Harris-Byrdsong, President of AFSCME Council 4, and Luis Luna, coalition manager of Husky 4 Immigrants….

Renowned jazz drummer and reggae percussionist Pheeroan akLaff and his band kept the energy upbeat during the event with lyrics calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and no war….

Following the awards presentation, event attendees stood in solidarity with members of the Blake Street Tenants Union, who revealed the fantastic results of their organizing, which has forced mega-landlord Ocean Management in New Haven to stop eviction proceedings, recognize the union, and negotiate a contract, now being finalized, that governs rent increases and protections. The Connecticut Tenant Union said they are organizing renters across the state….

Each awardee provided warnings from their organizations that the working class is confronting a period of fascist danger….

The event opened and closed with a call for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israeli war on Palestine, with those in attendance signing postcards to Congress demanding a ceasefire.

[Read the full article here: peoplesworld.org/article/peoples-world-amistad-awards-honor-connecticut-fighters-for-justice-and-solidarity/]

[For a video of the full event: www.facebook.com/CTPeoplesWorld/videos/338322185614918.]

CT Folk Board Accepting Applications

Dear Friends and Family of CT Folk,

CT Folk is currently accepting applications for the Board of Directors. Do you love music? Do you have a passion for environmental sustainability and social justice? Or do you know someone who does? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then we strongly encourage you to reach out to us.
We are looking for members with several specific areas of expertise but encourage anyone excited by this opportunity to apply.

New members will be elected to serve a three-year term beginning with our Annual Meeting in January 2024.

Board members are stewards for the organization and have a higher expectation for service than other volunteers in the organization. Board members are also expected to participate in monthly board meetings and in the CT Folk Festival & Green Expo on Sept. 7, 2024.

For more information, please visit ctfolk.org/become-a-board-member.

World AIDS Day 2023 Commemoration

anchorhealthct.org

Join Anchor Health and the New Haven Mayor’s Task Force on AIDS on December 1 to commemorate World AIDS Day 2023. First observed in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first-ever international day for global health. Every year, on December 1, communities worldwide unite to show support for people living with HIV and AIDS and remember the lives lost to AIDS-related illnesses.

This community gathering will feature the voices of HIV advocates, New Haven community leaders, and people personally touched by HIV to remember the past, reflect on the present, and rally for the future. It’s free and open to all at the United Church on the Green, 270 Temple St.

We’re committed to providing as safe a meeting space as practicable and strongly encourage mask-wearing to protect yourself and others. Masks will be provided to attendees who did not bring their own. We ask that you stay home if you aren’t feeling well.

Free parking is available behind the church’s Parish House (323 Temple St). Metered street parking near the venue is available as well.

We strive to create an inclusive, accessible space that enables all individuals to participate. This event is wheelchair accessible and will provide seating. To be respectful of those with allergies and environmental sensitivities, please refrain from wearing strong fragrances.

To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Michael DeWolfe at
[email protected]. For all other questions, please contact Caroline Chadwick at [email protected].

anchorhealthct.org/event/world-aids-day-2023/

More info: anchorhealthct.org.

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