A Communitarian Celebration of those dedicated to collective well-being, in two parts.
First segment we welcome Kulwa Apara,
writer, creative, healer : escritora, creativa, curandera,
Afrofuturist Witness & Conjurer of Words & Space
Whose one woman play, “Brain Like Berkeley, an evening of satire, short stories, and free-trade Tea,” will be premiering on Saturday, February 18th at 3 pm at the Brava Theater in San Francisco.
“Kulwa Apara is a Spanish speaking Afro-Californiana born in Berkeley, CA, with African roots stretching across the Mississippi Delta and Bayous of Louisiana. Her Eastern Band Cherokee ancestors survived forced relocation to Oklahoma and the Trail of Tears, and her African ancestors survived the Middle Passage. Kulwa was born an Ibeji / twin to Pan African parents who raised her at the intersections of art and freedom. As a performing artist and health activist, Kulwa explores historical traumas and triumphs through an artistic lens. She is committed to using the legacy of cultural-arts as a tool to enhance and advance mental health outcomes in marginalized communities.” (Bio from Brava)
Brain like Berkeley: https://www.brava.org/all-events/blk23
Part 2 –
Dedication to Communitarian Magic
For the remainder of the hour, we are joined by political-spiritual ally, Patricia Ewing,
to excavate and liberate Valentine’s Day,
as honoring of almost-Pope Valentinus, advocate for true equality,
and to tease into pertinence in our current political-spiritual conundrum…
(Sun Saturn dance)
the necessary animating of all inclusive egalitarian Community!
Patricia Ewing’s work spans three areas. Big Picture Strategy supports candidates, organizations and businesses with policy and management support. Ewing Transformation focuses on mentoring and supporting C-Suite folks to reach their potential. Ewing Energy develops municipal and private decarbonization projects around the country to support a more sustainable planet.
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WRITER, CREATIVE, HEALER
ESCRITORA, CREATIVA, CURANDERA
Afrofuturist Witness & Conjurer of Words & Space
These stories are my own — & they highlight the monsters created to destroy Spanish speaking Black girls with brown flesh & revolutionary homes. These stories are my own — & they magnify the every day demon slayers that make this world a home — for Black women, for Brown women, for All women.
Kulwa: “We are hoping to do another run in the Summer of 2023 – but we wanted to start with one day, and we had to do it during Black History Month! Shout out to Dr. Carter G. Woodson! The Miseducation of the Negro is a classic work, and I will talk about him in my play!”
“What inspired you to do a one-woman play and express yourself through that medium?”
Kulwa “I will also be sharing my struggle with depression, which is all about brain chemistry, neurological synapses, and serotonin levels”
Kulwa: “Coming from the Bay, I was raised around true scholars, revolutionaries, artists, and freedom fighters. Thanks be to God, Bay Areans are slightly more grounded than people from other parts of the country, so this has allowed me to tap into that spirit, and feel confident in who I am despite never quite “fitting in” to one particular scene.
Because I’m from Berkeley, I’m super comfortable with being weird and different. I come from totally hippie roots. I’m a tree-hugger in heels, and I was raised in a Spanish speaking household by a mother who practiced Christianity and Ifa, and a father who was a scientific socialist and Muslim, and recovering addict. I’m hella diverse.
“Brain Like Berkeley” is being directed by Kehinde Koyejo, how did that come about? How do you two know each other?”
“Frederick Douglass spent his life fighting for #justice and #equality.
He never knew the date of his birth. This is something he struggled with throughout his lifetime.
Douglass believed that he was born in the month of February in 1817.
In fact, records show that Douglass was born in February of 1818. He chose the 14th of February for his birthday because his mother would call him her “little Valentine.”
Unfortunately, Douglass never knew much about his parentage. His mother, Harriet, was sold off when Douglass was but a child, and he only met her a few times before she passed away. Though born enslaved in Maryland, he escaped as a young man and became a leading voice in the abolitionist movement.
On behalf of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site and the National Park Service, thank you for joining us in commemorating the birth of one of America’s great heroes—abolitionist, activist, orator, statesman, and family man—Frederick Douglass.”
