By now, I hope you’ve seen the cover photo a lot. I also hope you’re able to see it a lot more after purchasing the Comrade Sisters book.
Saturday’s panel discussion was a proud experience for me to share with so many Black members of the Winston-Salem community. The opportunity was granted by women of the Black Panther Party after a recommendation from women of the Our Opportunity 2 Love + Heal (OO2L+H) coalition…one of the sponsors of the event and an active organization working to reduce gun violence in the city.
It was “cute” for Hazel Mack to reach out until it really hit me what she was reaching out for, and that’s when I was “shooketh.” I was immediately taken back to undergrad where I needed to do research by reading the book and by watching previous panel discussions from the book tour to learn what questions to not repeat. I drew a blank after that and was really shooketh because I couldn’t be up there acting like I didn’t excel in Dr. Soncerey Montgomery Speas’ speech class and was also a product of Dr. Carlton A.G. Eversley’s teachings, so I “phoned” some friends.
It wasn’t like Kellie, Esharan, and Amber needed another task, however, they graciously sent me some powerful questions the women consistently complimented. I added a couple, although they weren’t as thought provoking as the ones from the two women from D.C. and the Morgan State Bear.
What I failed to think about was that I couldn’t just ask questions, I had to also fill any “empty space.” If I didn’t properly prepare, I could HEAR my Momma’s eye roll for my procrastination, Michai would have been brutally honest if it didn’t go well, and my sister would have been proud of me regardless, so I had to implement my Daddy’s gift for gab.
The energy in the room was palpable and the people were NOT there to waste time. They were there for a DISCUSSION and expected some power to come with it. After the first question… “I know’d ‘dere was a Gawd” by me being on one end, Ruth Hopkins being on the other, with Vivian McMillan, Hazel Mack, Ericka Huggins, and Cynthia Norwood in between. Church (whatever is church for you) was had on Saturday at 2p.
As stated in the video posted, Angela LeBlanc-Ernest was unable to attend, and she has been instrumental in what was witnessed Saturday, as well as, the merchandise and materials that accompany the book and its tour. See below…
http://angelaleblanernest.com/…http://bppwomen.org/shop
Please view Saturday’s historical conversation, purchase the book, visit Other Suns Marketplace, and pay the knowledge forward. Thank you again to all of the sponsors and Dr. Corey D. B. Walker for making the experience happen.
To all the Women and Men of the BPP, and their families, along with prominent Black community leaders who were present and supporting from the audience…THANK YOU for your commitment and your love!
🎵Say it loud, I’M BLACK AND I’M PROUD🎵