Pictures from the event
Poem
by: Stephanie Bonds
My Father
Racial injustice and
State violence were
designed to destroy Black and Brown families.
Tragedy circulating inside of a family struck five generations.
Inside of the dust stood my father,
6" 1 , 220lbs, lean body, light complected
spitting image of each other
He is me, or should I say I am him.
Vague memories of the man who raised me,
but Steve reintroduced himself to me.
The first thing he said was "stop crying ,it will be okay".
From there I remembered who my father was.
Strong, independent , and a man of few words, but, perpetually encouraging me inside of an intricate situation, cementing the cracks in my foundation.
His view of my world is" The glass is half full"
even when I feel it is empty.
My father - is connected to me
Spirituality , mentally, and emotionally.
Helping me awake the superhuman strength that lies dormant inside of me.
Inheriting traits of every generation that came before me.
Encompassing the wisdom and knowledge of the ages,
blessed to say despite my struggle my father will forever
stand with me and within me.
Tragedy is transformed inside the love of a father and daughter.
Upholding future generations.
Standing in the moonlight is Steve...
My Father
Poem
by: Jeanine Elam
Young Black Love
Denim shirts, black jeans, black skirts
Dark shades tipped low in observance of cocoa brown skin and radiant smile
Her ambiance of femininity and mental stability exudes with each step
complimenting his masculine style therefore merging them as one
Young and in love
Black love
A rare gem thought to be extinct
with our elders' teachings & remedies
for this generation's only concern is hot links
link cards and sneaky links
9 to 5’s, none profits
football and basketball games, cheer meets
The "what do you give someone who already has everything" speech
Continuous, raw, uncut
unadulterated mental, emotional, & physical passion
passing subtle hints of years outlasting
maturing adolescents and individual goals crashing
Nobody said life was easy
but love helps cushion the stay
You are young; you are beautiful
"You" are black love, our people's new hope in its darkest day.