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Downtown had the chance to attend the opening night of the WOW – Women of the World Festival located at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
In this extraordinary, first-time collaboration, the Apollo and London’s Southbank Centre presented a four-day WOW festival in New York, featuring performances, talks, mentoring sessions, music, film and debates that celebrated the talents of women and girls from all parts of the world.
WOW was founded in 2011 at London’s Southbank Centre. The Festival’s mission is to celebrate the formidable power of women to make change happen; to remind us of our history; to draw attention to injustice; to enjoy the company of women; and to encourage men to add their support as we set out to achieve a fairer world.
The kick off for the WOW Festival was definitely an inspiring one. Three generations of extraordinary women used their artistry and scholarship to advance social change that really moved the audience.
That evening, the Apollo Theater featured Panelist – scholar, singer/song leader, and activist, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Panelist – composer, producer, and founder and leader of Toshi Reagon and Big Lovely, Toshi Reagon, Panelist – Skidmore College undergraduate and youth activist, Tashawn Reagon, and lastly Moderator – Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Bowdoin College, Judith Casselberry.
Casselberry gave an empowering speech on issues that make women’s lives a much more difficult struggle than it should be and how to take action and empower each other to stand and improve the lives of women everywhere.
Later, Bernice Johnson Reagon and Toshi Reagon graced the lively audience with guitar playing and singing to set the mood. After the two performed for the gracious audience, the guests then had a conversation about women and race. During this segment, the audience was able to write down questions for the guests and the ushers would hand them to the speakers to answer. To kick off the conversation Ms. Casselbury asked Tashawn Reagon about her progress with her project that she started in high school.
To read more and watch videos from the festival click here.
by- Albany Reed