tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69819204136289470472012-01-12T03:03:13.749-08:00Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-78033985093075319102012-01-11T14:33:00.000-08:002012-01-12T03:03:13.761-08:00

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that” Martin Luther King Jr.Peace my Peoples. This is truly a moment of thinking out loud and releasing it on paper. I move in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.I thought my next Reflection for 2012 would be light and uplifting. The fact that I am already writing one means we will have

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-61704294375298269112012-01-06T02:23:00.001-08:002012-01-06T03:30:40.364-08:00

Since I began writing these Reflections I use the first one of the year to share a message from members of our family or I take the time and look back on what I wrote and pull areas that were highlighted by others. This year I will move with voices that moved me to tears and filled my heart with love and hope.I will begin by sharing why I chose this title and why I ask that this be our mantra for

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-42171660229269408532011-12-07T15:26:00.001-08:002011-12-07T16:13:23.342-08:00

A woman’s Representation of Life is in her movement,her fire and her ability to gather the wisdom to continue moving forward.Sonia was the representation of this woman,this warrior,this Queen. Today she was buried in her hometown of Lecheria were her fire for justice was lit at the age of 13.It is only fitting that those who knew her, loved her and admire her, share her life with you.When I heard

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-24336098809163807592011-11-22T18:00:00.000-08:002011-11-22T18:12:12.700-08:00

“My life became an African life, my surroundings took on an African flavor, my spirit took on an African glow” Assata ShakurThe past few months my African spirit has been bright and grounded. It has been hugged and loved in the way that speaks straight to the heart. When it all comes together both internally and externally you cannot help but walk with a smile that says, “I am Africa”!!I lean on

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-85369633814596717222011-09-06T18:02:00.000-07:002011-09-06T18:07:54.712-07:00

ON A SEARCH; Rediscovering my Land, my Home, my RootsDuring the summer things always feel lighter. The sun landing softly on my face always makes me feel rejuvenated and centered.I spent most of this summer on a search for a deeper understanding of who I am as a Black Panamanian woman, activist, educator, daughter, thinker and friend. You will hear me say, “I fell in love all over again “as I

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-40796913220466310262011-05-11T14:37:00.003-07:002011-05-11T14:41:31.831-07:00

Greetings familia,When I received the call from Dr. Ulric Johnson, Asst. Dean of Springfield College Boston Campus, I was blown away by the invitation to be their 2011 Graduation Commencement Speaker. When we met in person and walked around the Campus I knew this will be a memorable gift and it was the right place for me to say, this was my first commencement address.With everything I was seeing,

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-32646482321244134972011-05-09T10:31:00.000-07:002011-05-09T10:34:08.320-07:00

The HER Project supported El Movimiento's Night of Resistance event. The event was a fundraiser for the youth who are doing amazing things in bringing awareness to the importance of Ethnic Studies. Please visit the site at www.ethnicstudiesnow.orgOur own HER Project Leader Aissata Barry presented a short piece on her home country of Senegal. We were all moved by her confidence, strength and

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-25493328933576294542011-04-24T14:06:00.000-07:002011-04-24T14:10:06.553-07:00

Greetings family. I share with you another amazing experience. I attended the OAS, CIM, UN Hemispheric Forum- “Women Leadership for a citizens democracy” I was there in my role as the Diaspora Coordinator/ Panama of the Red de Mujeres Afro. I met so many wonderful women and men and reconnected with a few I met at the last OAS conference. As I shared with the Ambassador from Barbados when I saw

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-73643567434453477262011-01-01T06:20:00.000-08:002011-01-01T06:34:08.521-08:00

It is with love in our hearts that we wish you all a Happy New Year. As we move into 2011, it is important to look at the lessons learned in 2010. Gather those moments when the light, those whispers spoke to us with love and commitment.This journey may not make sense to most but when I close my eyes and sit in silence, there is no stronger validation.How do we share that light that builds a

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-55812535448549298722010-12-20T13:09:00.000-08:002010-12-20T13:21:36.779-08:00

Report Back- Mobilizing, Empowering and Action- US Launching of the African Women DecadeThe Decade is off!!! What better way to share this experience with you than to share the words of the day that will bring you into the space and allow you to feel the energy that embraced us all. We thought it was important that all participants leave with the information that was shared throughout the day so

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-86946422434567722010-11-22T13:54:00.001-08:002010-11-23T04:18:11.216-08:00

A Beaming Light-Celebrating Coach Henry JonesAs we get older, we gain the ability to reflect on our childhood and those aha moments that shaped us and the people that have had a lasting impact on us.I recently wrote in my journal, “This journey has made me see Panama in a different light, love everything about being from Colon, celebrate being a product of Rainbow City, know with purpose that my

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-49182121805107052042010-10-02T09:52:00.000-07:002010-10-02T10:18:18.407-07:00

Footsteps to UnityI am often reminded of why the word Encuentro is important to me and to this journey. It is defined as, meeting and encounter yet, when the name of the organization came to me it meant more.The meaning of the word as we see it becomes, the gathering, meeting, seeing, acknowledging, accepting and knowing of the African Diaspora. Our collaborative event, Healing from the Roots:

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-57585714630093663252010-09-16T04:07:00.000-07:002010-09-16T04:09:32.826-07:00

Guerrera Spirit“It is days like these when I stand with and before these amazing women, with the spirit of the ancestors, that my journey/purpose makes absolute sense.” 9/10/10I shared that statement with friends at the end of the first day of the IV ONECA/CABO (Central American Black Organizations) Conference of Afro Central American Women. Our call for this conference was, “ La lucha con

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-89436085665334890292010-07-18T06:28:00.000-07:002010-07-18T06:38:38.317-07:00

Reflection- Grounded in BlacknessHonoring my MotherIn continuing to share my internal dialogue out loud, I share my Reflection, Grounded in Blackness. In writing on this week, I celebrate my mother on her birthday and honor her on the anniversary of her passing. Thanks Mama for grounding me in my Blackness.I write this with a Malcolm X phrase in mind. Malcolm X stated many times, “Being Pro Black

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-11658227342879279422010-06-25T16:57:00.000-07:002010-06-25T17:12:20.921-07:00

Reflection-We Believe!!!-Introducing the Young Women of TomorrowThe H.E.R. Hermanas Exchanging Roots cycle at Community Academy has been simply, Priceless. We have all learned from each other and know that this space will have a lasting impact on all. These young women have realness about life that most adults do not and they brought it to the space.The curriculum covers such topics as racism,

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-79084116453009216022010-06-07T06:59:00.000-07:002010-06-07T07:07:57.697-07:00

Reflection- PRIDE- Black History in Month in Panama 2010My reflections are usually longer because I can find the words. This one is short because my heart does not want to let go of the time I just spent at home.I think this time the pictures will speak for me and the word PRIDE will jump off the page at you. Pride after this trip means,P anamanianR esiliencyI nclusionD eterminationE nthusiasmMy

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-6184167271493129252010-03-13T14:51:00.001-08:002010-03-14T04:15:33.446-07:00

"Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth. " Roberto ClementeNow is the time, Ahora!!Now is the time for the Black community to heal the internal divide that does not allow us to see each other as Brothers and Sisters.It would be much easier to sit and let things go by but that is not who I chose to be.I have been

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-27388064222644097862010-01-18T04:34:00.000-08:002010-01-18T04:43:35.441-08:00

Reflection- HUMANITY-Words We Should Stand By-Honoring Ann Marie Coriolan I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bare. MLKAs we pause on the birthday of Martin Luther King, his words could not be more meaningful as we continue to mourn with the people of Haiti.Last year I was asked to do a presentation of the impact of MLK on President Obama. I took it one step further

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-17818587478975874532010-01-13T14:36:00.000-08:002010-01-31T12:13:43.616-08:00

Greetings,Here we are in a new decade…a time for reflections and realignment…a need to understand our role in the grand scheme of things. 2010 is a time to pull it together for ourselves, our family, the important people in our lives and our people as a whole.Before yesterday that would have been the banter of an armchair revolutionary - something that is said at the beginning of the year,

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-85837177263135701582009-12-23T03:42:00.000-08:002009-12-23T03:54:54.180-08:00

“We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience and patience creates unity.” Malcolm XEncuentro Diaspora Afro began this year with a message of hope and love. We heard from many in our family who shared these thoughts with you:Happy New Year to all from the Encuentro Diaspora Afro family. We entered the New Year with change in

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-72098876787657493632009-10-01T13:17:00.000-07:002009-10-01T13:20:31.118-07:00

Reflection- Hispanic Heritage Month- Embracing all of youOn this Hispanic Heritage Month, Encuentro Diaspora Afro would like to share our internal and external development and celebrate all of you during this time.This has been an amazing gift that we continue to shape. The organization began as El Encuentro de Afro-Latinos in Boston but in my own internal and external growth and travels, I

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-90700342269351677362009-08-20T12:55:00.000-07:002009-08-20T12:57:59.502-07:00

Reflections- How do We Mend and heal our Communities?I have been sitting with this Reflection for a few weeks. I have gone through different stages of emotions due to recent incidents that cause you to pause. This is a time of great analysis for a real dialogue on race in the Americas.From the young Black campers, pool incident, the Prof. Gates arrest, to the President’s response, the atmosphere

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-32672153369430304522009-07-06T17:20:00.001-07:002009-07-06T17:21:41.224-07:00

Reflections- A Celebration of my Childhood; In Memory of my Teacher, Mr. HenryMy childhood memories have been very present in my thoughts for the past week. This is mostly due to the mourning on a global scale of the passing of Michael Jackson and on a personal profound scale of my teacher, Mr. Henry.The news of Michael’s death really moved me. It has been some time, since I celebrated and

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-48900676030090367082009-06-01T13:06:00.000-07:002009-06-01T13:09:55.295-07:00

Reflections- Our Words- A Salute to Mr. Claral RichardsHope everyone is well. We have been extremely busy at Encuentro Diaspora Afro. Our year began with a message from the family about change and new direction. I revisit those words to give me the energy to keep moving forward.Our recent events, workshops, training have led me to think a lot about the importance of our words as we offer guidance

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-49250728549446895682009-05-27T13:30:00.000-07:002009-05-27T13:32:02.260-07:00

PRONUNCIAMIENTO21 DE MAYO 2009 - Día Nacional de la AfrocolombianidadLa población afrocolombiana representada en sus mujeres. Exaltamos hoy las luchas de líderes y liderezas en sus procesos reivindicativos que desde tiempos ancestrales nos han permitido permanecer en la memoria histórica de un país que se resiste a entender la riqueza representada en la diversidad étnica.Liberados de cadenas

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-19414442333590074132009-02-02T08:32:00.000-08:002009-02-02T08:47:13.269-08:00

Q&A with Yvette Modestin by Nivia Binett-CarrollAfro-Latin American Women Unite to Change the WorldPosted on www.VidaAfroLatina.com on January 31, 2009A network of Afro-descendent women is working to transform the societies in which they live. The Network of Afro-Latin American, Afro-Caribbean and Diaspora Women (La Red de Mujeres Afrolatinoamericanas, Afrocaribeñas y de la Diàspora) is a space

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-40318470878506000732009-01-30T15:13:00.000-08:002009-01-30T15:15:55.954-08:00

Greetings to All,Happy New Year to all from the Encuentro Daispora Afro family. We entered the New Year with change in the air. This change is asking us to look inward, to be more open and to challenge ourselves to grow and expand. In working towards that goal, we would like to share the words of the Encuentro Daispora Afro family. These are heroes like Mr. Claral Richards,”the Nelson Mandela

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-66830635849259825562009-01-13T12:49:00.000-08:002009-01-13T12:55:25.738-08:00

Reflection of the Network of Afro descendent Women Meeting in BelizeSeptember 2008To my Jamaican grandfatherSe Alaafia ni,In continuing the Encuentro Diaspora Afro and Network of Afro descendent Women/Red de Mujeres Afro tradition, I share with you our most recent trip to Belize. These Reflections are written in the spirit of sharing and bridging. This one comes to you during the month of

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-42704300891950832032009-01-13T12:45:00.000-08:002009-01-13T12:49:30.136-08:00

Reflexiones acerca del Tour de Liderazgo de Afro-LatinaMarzo 2008Saludos a todos, E Kaabo,Escribo estas reflexiones con el deseo de compartir este viaje con la comunidad, con familia y amigos; para poder así llamar su atención hacia el trabajo realizado por las líderes Afro-Latinas y para enfatizar las semejanzas con las personas de descendencia africana. Este fue el tercer año de las “Mujeres de

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-75261490853299790252009-01-13T12:40:00.000-08:002009-01-13T12:45:06.949-08:00

Reflections of Afro-Latina Leadership TourMarch 2008Greetings to All, E Kaabo,My intent of writting these Reflections is to share this journey with the community,family and friends.It is to bring attention to the work of Afro-Latina leaders and to highlight the commonalities of people of African descent.This was the third year of the Women of Power- Afro-Latina Leadership series that was led by

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-57792531570717254632008-10-04T04:52:00.000-07:002008-10-04T05:03:34.050-07:00

Reflection of CABO General Assembly-Reflexion de la Asamblea General de ONECAPeace all,Pride, grace, resiliency, movement, colorful and strength are some of the words that come to me as I reflect on the CABO Central American Black Organizations 13th General Assembly held in Panama.The Black communities of Central America have advanced in many ways but we still have a lot to do. Because we do not

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981920413628947047.post-73303485629640918432008-10-04T04:47:00.000-07:002008-10-04T04:51:04.236-07:00

Reflections of Trip to EcuadorAlafia,I wanted to take a moment while it is fresh in my mind, to share a few reflections of my trip to Ecuador. The purpose of my trip was the 6 month report back of the Commission of the Red de Mujeres Afro and also to learn more about the Black community in Ecuador. Once again, it superseded my expectations. I continue to be moved by a group of amazing Black women

Encuentro Diaspora Afrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939283586459458769noreply@blogger.com0