Let’s Talk, Let’s Heal: The International Day of Drumming and Healing is a locally organized gathering and part of a national initiative taking place across the country and internationally June 19. Organized nationally by 400 Years of African American History Commission, with the local event coordinated by Pine Bluff community leaders.
The itinerary includes:
Music — steel drums, field hollow
Poetry
Discussion on Healing, led by Jimmy Cunningham, Jr.
Youth groups — Social media mime portrayal of slavery to the Black Panther movement
City and bell ringing — The Rev. Larry C. Battles
Display of quilts
Display of slave artifacts — with presentation by Henri Linton
“Let’s Talk” discussion, led by Dr. Bettye Williams, Jimmy Cunningham, Jr., Debra A. Morris, and the Rev. J.Y. Williams
“Best Kept Secrets of Pine Bluff/Jefferson County” — led by Lori V. Walker
The national initiative is in recognition of the 400th anniversary of the first documented arrival of Africans to the English colonies, which occurred in August 1619, when a group of approximately 20 individuals disembarked from a ship at Point Comfort, Virginia.
For more information on the local event, please contact 870-730-1131.
