Say It Loud was a night of Black American History with Momma Aria
On the 9th of February, we attended a film and lecture event at the Turku Main Library. Momma Aria was the host and reflected on her life and her journey to Finland. This event was a part of the Say It Loud Black American History Month.
The first part of the presentation was about her life to date. She shared the message, "In my life, I have been every woman," with pictures of her childhood, career transition, her partner, and children. She then showed a movie about Lena Horne, a black American woman who has made her mark in America. Finally, there was a question-and-answer period. The questions were about how Momma Aria felt when she left the U.S. and came to Finland, how she dealt with American culture, and the current state of the U.S. She handled each question with great passion and captured the audience's attention.
Say It Loud Black American History Month continues throughout February, and Momma Aria hopes that many people will come, especially to the Pre-Valentine's Day Dance event on the 13th, at the Timbuktu African Restaurant located on Marienkatu in Turku. Momma Aria hopes that many people will become familiar with black American culture and history through these events, which includes dancing, eating good food, and having fun. There's an on-site raffle, DJ, prizes and much more.
- About the Pre-Valentine's Day Dance: Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite or at the door on the night of the event. General admission is 15 euros. Come as a couple and get a discount; buy one ticket and get the second one free. Admission for seniors and students is 10 euros. (Cash only) The dance contest prizes are as follows: 1st prize 100 euros, 2nd 75 euros, 3rd 50 euros.
Eventbrite:
Additionally, the Frederick Douglass seminar on the 15th, the Body Image Seminar on the 21st, the Pete Santos' rap workshop on the 27th, and the Mama Africa, our president's, poetry workshop is on the 28th.
On the first floor of the Turku Main Library, the "SAY THEIR NAMES!" BLACK AMERICAN exhibition is on display until the 28th of February. It's about Black American women pioneers, scientists and inventors who were lost in history. Come and check it out, you won't be disappointed.
Partners and sponsors for Say It Loud:
AFAES
Timbuktu restaurant: https://www.timbuktu.fi/en
The Turku City Main Library: https://www.turku.fi/en/places/main-library
Omonos Fashions: https://www.omonosfashion.com/
Together Platform:
https://togetherplace.org/