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The REACH Kicks Off at Kennedy Center

THE AFRO — With a 16-day free festival, The REACH is kicking off its new offerings with workshops, peeks inside rehearsals, interactive history lessons and performances from celebrated artists and performers. For over two weeks hundreds of thousands are expected to celebrate the new development in the arts and check out the expansion, which cost $175 million to construct the actual building and totaled $250 million for programming.

Published

5 years ago

September 15, 2019

Oakland Post

Rendering of The REACH at the Kennedy Center (Image by: reach.kennedy-center.org)

By Micha Green

“This is the first time, I’ve seen an event like this [at the Kennedy Center],” said Pamela Pynell and several other passerbyers as they marveled at the architecture, performances, workshops and events at the Opening Festival of the REACH, a $250 million expansion at the Kennedy Center in Northwest, Washington, D.C. on Sept. 7.

“I wanted to see what the Kennedy Center was about. I knew they had new development so I wanted to check it out. I’ve been here all day,” Pynell told the AFRO Saturday evening, after spending the day at the opening, which started at 9:30 a.m.

With a 16-day free festival, The REACH is kicking off its new offerings with workshops, peeks inside rehearsals, interactive history lessons and performances from celebrated artists and performers.

For over two weeks hundreds of thousands are expected to celebrate the new development in the arts and check out the expansion, which cost $175 million to construct the actual building and totaled $250 million for programming.

“The REACH’s unique design will inspire a wide population to share and own their arts experiences. Building on the Kennedy Center’s rich ongoing programming portfolio to reflect the art of our entire nation, the Opening Festival celebrates all art forms and encourages participation, immersion, learning, and discovery,” said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter in a statement.

At the Opening Festival on Saturday, the Chuck Brown Band, Arrested Development and Trombone Shorty were some of the main attractions.

“I am here as a lover of the arts, as a native Washingtonian, as a lover of Chuck Brown and all that his group and his legacy has to offer, and I’m a child of a musician and Black arts music- so I’m here,” Nicole Bonds told the AFRO as the Chuck Brown Band jammed in the background.

“This event means a lot to me because it’s almost like a having a conference of rich culture and ethnic art, right in your backyard, so I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Bonds added. “I grew up at the Kennedy Center, literally running around since I was about five or six years old, so to continue to be a part of the Kennedy Center and its growth and see how it’s developed throughout the years. I feel like it’s a part of me and my family history as well.”

Arrested Development, who kept the 90s grooving with hits such as “Mr. Wendal,” “Tennessee” and “People Everyday,” offered an intimate performance at the Riverside Pavilion, which is part of the REACH. There they performed their greatest hits, shared words of wisdom, and even went outside and sang “People Everyday” a cappella for the hundreds that couldn’t get into the performance venue.

“And we’ve been doing this for thirty years, and so there’s every once in a while when we have young people that would come up to us and would be like, ‘I know y’all have a cute couple hits or whatever, but I don’t see you at the club.’ And we be like, ‘I don’t see you at the bank,” Headliner from Arrested Development said before the group sang their song, “I Don’t See You at the Club.”

In addition to performances there are several local food and drink vendors showcasing their wares on the grounds of the Kennedy Center, such as Iris Lattimore of Lattimore’s Gourmet Funnel Cakes.

Lattimore, who’s had a food truck for five years and has been doing events selling her products for about 11 years, told the AFRO why it was important to be at event like the REACH Opening Festival.

“It’s important because you get to see a lot of different cultures, and being in D.C. at the Kennedy Center, you have people from all over the world…and this is a multimillion dollar expansion, and it is going to be awesome,” Lattimore said. “It’s amazing, simply amazing for me to be able to be here from eight in the morning to 10:00 at night, providing funnel cakes and lemonade, and everyone is walking around with a large strawberry lemonade, and it’s just really, really great,” she added.

For people like Pynell, the REACH Opening Festival offers an opportunity to bring people together at a time where many argue the District and United States is divided.

“We need it. We need it. And I’m so glad they did this to the Kennedy Center and I will be coming back,” Pynell told the AFRO.

To attend the REACH Opening Festival before it ends on Sept. 22, go to http://www.kennedy-center.org/The REACH.

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

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Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

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The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org