 We gather not only as individuals, but as a community found by shared history in an unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and equity. Our ancestors, those who walked through fire, endured unimaginable hardships and faced a cruel reality of systemic oppression, and they did not just simply survive. They fought with steadfast determination for a better future. They fought not just for themselves, but for us, for generations yet to come. We are beneficiaries of their resilience, their sacrifices, and their courage. Their battle scars have become the foundations upon which we build our lives today. As we step into the opportunities that were hard fought and won, we must remember that their struggles were not a solitary endeavor. It was a collective effort that extended beyond time and place. The question we must ask ourselves is not whether we have an obligation to our ancestors, but how we fulfill that obligation in a meaningful and impactful way. We owe it to the 21st Africans arriving in the new Virginia colony. Antoni, Isabel, William, Angela, Anthony, Francis, Margaret, Anthony, John, Edward, Anthony, and others whose names are not yet known. Despite enduring centuries of systemic oppression, discrimination, and inequality, black individuals have continuously found the strength to overcome, to persevere, and to forge a path forward. Imagine the courage it took for those who were denied their basic human rights, the still dream of a better life. Visualize the determination of those who fought for freedom, even when the odds seemed unsurmountable. The resilience that has been handed down through generations is not just quality, but a legacy. A legacy of standing up against injustice, of never losing sight of the ultimate goal, and of pushing the boundaries of what is possible and deserved. And then, even then, emerging stronger, wiser, and yes, everybody, unbreakable. Our journey has never been a smooth path. It has been marked by obstacles, prejudice, and systemic barriers that sought to hold us back. But what history has shown time and time again is that when the world tries to suppress us, we rise, we rise, we rise because we are made of resilience. It is in our DNA. Yes, I'm going to keep saying resilience. We stand here on the shoulders of giants who dare to dream, who fought for justice, and who carved paths for us to follow. We have a blueprint, and we have one that we can expand upon. We are a living testament to the power of holding onto hope and having faith in the face of despair. The challenges may have evolved, but the fire that burns within us remains the same. We must remember that our struggles do not define us. It's our response to those struggles that shape our legacy. In a world that often seeks to undermine our work, our success becomes our greatest defiance. Every achievement, every milestone bears witness to our strength and our courage. When we overcome adversity, we prove not just to the world, but to ourselves that we are limitless. Yes, we face obstacles that others may not fully understand, but let me remind you that in the crucible of challenges that diamonds are formed, we are those diamonds forged under pressure emerging with brilliance that cannot be ignored. Perseverance is not just about moving forward. It's about carrying our community forward. We uplift each other knowing that our success is intertwined. So my dear friends, my brothers and sisters, let us embrace the challenges with the understanding that we are stepping stones to our greatness. Let us march forward, not with the weight of our past, but with the momentum of our potential. Let us remember that every step we take is a step towards rewriting the narrative, towards shattering ceilings, and towards building a legacy that generations to come will proudly carry. As we navigate this journey, let resilience, perseverance and faith be our anthem, our guiding light. We are not victims. Hey, hey, hey, we are victors. But let us not forget that the journey is far from over while progress has been made, the struggle for true equality and equity continues. And it is in this ongoing struggle, we must make sure that the experiences of the black community continues to shine brightly. The challenges may evolve, but the strength to face them head on remains as unyielding as ever. We must fight now as those who came before us fought then. We stand at the crossroads of history, a pivotal moment where our collective efforts can reshape the course of our society. It is a call to action, a summons to address the pressing issues of equity, liberation for those who have historically been marginalized, silenced and underserved, and yet even murdered. Far too long, our world has perpetuated systems that have kept entire communities in the shadows. Discrimination, prejudice, and structural inequalities have denied black folk the opportunity they deserve, eroding the very foundation of justice and fairness. To achieve this, we must first recognize the depth of the challenges we face from the racial injustices to the gender disparities, economic inequality, to cultural erasure. The issues are multifaceted and interconnected. We must dismantle the walls that bar access and amplify the voices that have been long silenced. We must recognize that equity is not about giving everyone the same opportunities. It's about acknowledging the historical imbalances and working diligently to level the playing field. Do you hear me, Supreme Court? Do you hear me? Anybody got a hat out there that I can throw up? Because we're getting a call to action. Our call to action is a commitment to educating ourselves and others. It is a pledge to confront not just the biases of others, but our own as well, and to confront the uncomfortable truths that have perpetuated systemic injustices. It's about building bridges, forming alliances across communities, uniting under a shared vision that we are worthy and that we deserve and want better. We are fueled by the knowledge that our actions today will shape the world our children inherit tomorrow. It is a world where equity is not an idealistic notion, but a fundamental right. It is a world where liberation is not a distant dream, but a lived experience for all. To answer this call to action, we must roll up our sleeves and work collectively to implement change and raise our children to do the same. Raise our children to do the same. Vermont and beyond, let's support organizations that champion equity, advocate for policy change and promote diversity and inclusion in every sector. Let us foster conversations that challenge norms and lead to change. Let's vote my people. Let's vote my people. Let's be active by standard so we can say not on our watch. Let's speak so that others can be heard, as well as sit sometimes so that all black folk can be seen in all their beauty and different uniqueness. Each step we take towards one is a step closer to the other. Let us remember that the legacy we leave will be measured not only by our words, but by our actions. The time to act is now. Let us stand shoulder to shoulder, united by our shared humanity and our commitment to building a beloved community. Through the fire has deepened our faith and still within us unwavering optimism and hope. And indeed these sacrifices have yielded results beyond our wildest dreams, beyond those who arrived more than 400 years ago. The fire, the struggle has propelled us to imaginable levels of excellence, from political leaders to trailblazing artists, from groundbreaking scientists to innovative entrepreneurs. We have demonstrated time and time again that excellence is our standard, our legacy, our gift to the world. Through the fire we have forged bonds of unity and solidarity that has transcended time and distance. So as we reflect on this theme, let us be reminded that the fire has not consumed us. It has ignited our spirits. Let us be inspired by the generations before us who have faced the flames and emerged as a beacon of hope. Let us carry forward their legacy with a renewed commitment to action, to excellence, and to creating a world where we all can flourish. Through the fire we find our strength. Through the fire we discover our purpose. Through the fire we rise. We rise and we rise. Let us continue to rise together, illuminating the path towards justice, equity, and a brighter future for all. So amplify their voices, lift up their stories to ensure that Antoni, Isabel, William, Angela, Anthony, Francis, Margaret, Anthony, John, Edward, Anthony sacrifices are never forgotten. We must be guardians of their dreams, the torchbearers of their aspirations, and the embodiment of their hope and faith. We have a responsibility to carry forward that torch, a progress that they and others ignited to champion the causes and to dismantle the structures of injustice that persist. Let us use education, let's use so many platforms and the positions we have acquired to make a difference. Let us champion education so that we and our children know the real facts of who we are and what we have accomplished. Let us champion education, did I say let's vote? Let's vote. Open the doors, foster spaces where the brilliance of every individual can shine without the shadow of biases. Let us engage in dialogue that challenges status quo and promote understanding, unity, and empathy. Let us engage in activism that transcends borders and ensures that rights will behold dear or not just privileges for a few but guaranteed for all of us. Our obligations to our ancestors is not a burden, it's an honor, it's a call to continue the journey they embarked upon. To pursue the dreams they dare to dream and to build a world where equality is not just a distant ideal but an everyday reality that equals up to equity. In the immortal words of Maya Angelou, I come as one but I stand as ten thousand. Each one of us carries within the strength, within the strength of countless ancestors who paved the way. Let us embrace our responsibility with humility and determination knowing that by doing so we continue their legacy of resilience and progress. We gather under this banner, this theme that encapsulates the essence of Black experience through the fire. It resonates deeply within Black folks' hearts around the world as it symbolizes our remarkable ability. Did I say rise? We rise in the face of adversity. Let us celebrate the journey from 1619 to now, a journey that embodies the triumph of human spirit, the power of unity and the hope for a brighter tomorrow. Let us honor the sacrifices and victories, the struggles and the achievements and let us be inspired to continue this legacy of resilience in our own lives and in our own collective efforts to create a more just, equitable world. And remember while doing so the words of Malcolm X. Thank you, Black women. Thank you, Brown women. Thank you for birthing us. We honor you. I thank you for Dorothy Mayheading. I thank you for Vermelle Grand. Thank you for birthing us. This is for the undeniable. This is for the unflappable, the audacious. This is for the limited, the unlimited. This is for the unstoppable, the undiscovered, the unbending, the underdogs, the dreamers and the doers. This is for you, you, you and me. Let's have a good time. Thank you. Now someone come help me off the stage. Thank you. Yes, yes, yes. Thank you for having us. We are J. Kuru Dance and Drums here from Delhi, Tumbrumat. Yeah, Gila and Senegal. Let's have more fun. Yeah. How you doing, bro? Yeah, come dance with us. My name's Aylin. And what I do here is I showed up at 8.30 to help set up. And I also helped organize because I work with the racial justice alliance at the Richard Kemp Center. So that's what I was doing. My name's Lucy and I came here around, yeah, 8.39. And I helped set up and I wanted to be a youth like helper and leader. So I came to support and watch my friends say some speeches about what they do and stuff like that. So what are these tables? These tables, this is the massage station I heard. I was down over there in the home base and I heard that there's a massage station over here. So I came down to look and I saw one of my fellow moms were over here just getting a back massage. But yeah, basically just relax, chill, stay by the pond, relax and just, yeah, get a massage. Hello, everyone. I'm Maria. I'm known in the community. And I'm here doing this wonderful event that they're having at the African Land and Day. I'm here. I'm at a station that's focused on wellness. And the best part about it is you come here stiff, you leave here relaxed. So being in this environment with the youths, enjoying the knowledge of today is a wonderful thing. And I enjoyed my massage greatly. Ready? My name is Alhene and I'm here for the event to make these guys ready for school, looking good. The barbershop. Hey, what's up everybody? How's it going? My name is Kevin Cherry. I'm down here at this African First Land and Day. I came down here to help organize the event, putting tables around, making sure everybody's comfortable. Giving people rides with our van if need be. And we just out here having a good time, eating some good food. Enjoying us a lot of good culture out here. And keeping that up and never down, y'all. Yeah. Heck. How's everybody doing? All right. Feeling the vibe? Feeling the vibe? It's been a good day, man, huh? Yes. Yes, it is. I'll answer for you. That's fine. All right. So my name's Omega J. This is marvelous Kevo. We did a song together. It's called Make a Sound. We're going to break this shit down for you, man. Sorry, trigger warning. I cuss sometimes. My bad. I love y'all still. Dirty, dirty trap. What? It's all right. Let's get that. Don't be a hater. I'm smoking. I'm smoking. I'm smoking. I'm smoking. But don't get the twist that I'm throwing in. They're playing my music and all that. And a couple more pages that I already had. I'm trash. I'm fly. I'm crossing two. Oh, that's just one to do. I only want to open up a door. Music to down. Yeah, on my band camp. Yeah. Because it's one time at band camp. So I hope y'all enjoyed that. That's the only one we're doing today because they cut our time. But it's okay because I got candles. I'll wrap over my vocals. How everybody doing out there? Everybody all right? You know, I mean, I was looking up out the clouds today. Because we got a little bit of rain, but we dodged most of it. It looked like. But guess what? This rain, part of my language, this rain wasn't going to stop shit anyway. You heard, we over here to have a good time, positivity. You know, make sure y'all check out some of these venues. I just got some nice errands from over in the back. A couple things from over here to make sure y'all checking everything out. And, you know, enjoying ourselves. Well, I thought I was going to do more, but we can't do that. I love y'all. I'll miss y'all. Get some candles. Thoughts and chairs. Worst days, it quenches my soul when I'm thirsty. Let that kid be him. Because in this world, all men sin. People are fake and love to pretend. You can't tell if they're phony or genuine. If we got none, I may buy a hundred. They doubt what. The South Bronx soon after. And that's because my mom. By the main fair, but we all done did it. Pain ain't right, but we all done lived it. Different intelligence, we all don't get it. Don't let them in your circle if they ain't been vetted. I move at a pace that's most fine awkward. Doing my thing and why should I stop it? Haters gonna hate. Of course they'll knock it. The jealousy and envy is part of the logic. All I want is to just do me. Stop being. Get my soul over legendary beats. My mama ain't raised no fool. Believe. Came from the bottom. Top flight we achieved. Times got hard, so I fell to my knees. Looked to the heavens to find some reprieve. What I was looking for. I had it. We've been redeps and I seek in this life. But listen. Met some strangers and left some kin. Hard nights made better. Just looking within. So stand up tall. Life won't call. Know you can make it. No matter the cost. Be your own man. And take the applause. In your caring section is where you'll find love. It's hard enough. Don't remember mine. He's a man and they're holding it down. Peace, love and unity. Let's do it, bro. Next song. So yeah, I mean besides the fact that I teach English at UVM and I coach the big there. I also make music. When your DJ is also an MC and he is a B and he's like, yo, I might need a 16 on that. I love it. Let's do non-living, bro. I was born in Ghana, West Africa. And as a lot of immigrants know that journey is often difficult and far with a lot of challenges. I try to put it in the music though, you know. Somewhere inside my childhood, this my heart died. And even though we all came from the same places, I'm African. So they always made strange faces. Do you believe through the misery we have to last? Living life and trying to make some memories to last? Honestly, you could come to me if you need me. Nothing else I got a heart and I can't breathe. Real friends stand tall and help you, man. You can do it too. It don't sound the same when I'm back on the block. Last night, her so-and-so's brother got shot. Don't feel the same love, bro. You better give me a brief of health, you know what it is. Music is about my pain, the journey and the struggle. It's hot for the sun to be hot. Speaking of Ghana, where we cherish all the things we got. Black stars, black queens are the teams we got. I met Julie Wolmi on CTV. Let's paint a picture for the ones you can't see. I took a trip, many miles off the land and sea. They took you down to the city, that's the NYC. Where they major in tech, no MIT. But ups, we the afternoons. Moved a little different. Started with the checks and the peace star hitting. It changed some fortune and how they live in it. We still took you to the church. It was forgiven and yeah, yeah, it was too hot. Moved into a new block, a pole. I seen them. They hit them with the ooh-wah. When I'm up here, it's kind of like, if you like to go to the gym, this is what that is for me. It's just like, like a workout. How you mama? Yeah. Should there be a third verse on that one? Yeah, man. Word? I guess I'm hearing that there should be a third verse on that over joint. So I'm gonna head and try to listen to it. Yeah, you know that? Let's try this one. And for a chance like this, and so I took it, opportunity to speak on peace, and be specific for the underdog, overweight, under height, over age. Never let him hear you rap because you always felt afraid. Well, here I am, you'll be getting a hope. I am sent past the words that the sheathen to quote. Proceed that you're broke. You starve it. Teeth informed until you're wanted that bad. You ain't leaving home. Used to it on my workplace. Touched some foam. They mix up on the exercise before you step to the phone. Yo. Before he died, now I'm after him born. But in my 30 something years, I hit my final inform. Call the force when I spit. My tiger is home. I was born in the royal sea. Wife fight for the throne. I'm a king of funs, man. And to some I know it's no biggie. I was born to shine. No sun. Oh, beware of the boogeyman. My man, prophecy. Demon of the night. That's your heart. That's the stock release. I live intersectional with. Do the dichotomies. Let's talk about life's existential philosophies to live. It's the diamond. And so I punch all rounds. Kick something like a Norris flick. I'm on the right. Something gon' die. Horrible. Your peace of the past depends on the sword you pick. You sort your clique. And then ride out from war. Either land up now or you end up on the floor because time is money. Nobody wants to waste it. Bitter pills. Life's better. It's all and we taste it. That's poetic. But when simply put, I mean we all felt pain. So don't judge that book. I'm saying night to F4. Guard your roof. You want to see real evil that starboard. Look, I am knowledge of signified. Lyrically lobotomized. Fake rap cats. Even if I get vilified. Boss for the exercise. Battle that I weaponize. They eat killers. Death by cannibal. Homicide is clear. I'm a different guy. Real, I epitomize. That's the odd brush. I'll paint a picture. You can visualize. Money can incentivize the killer. And then send me God to say you with a chest that's so hard. In the chemist side. Puss out and bitterize. This time is sacred cause. I'll put it all in the pet. Then I authorize. I should be immortalized. I feel it wrap. Devoralize. Brought back feeling to the game. It's access to time. Sit. That's who I'll be. They gon' hate until I can't speak. Behind it I'll leave. Let go. They gon' hate. I appreciate y'all man. Y'all energies dope. Hey, I appreciate you. Shout out to the shop. I'll hand you from the shop. Giving out those cuts. Make sure y'all go see them if you need a cut. I got one more for you. I appreciate you. I don't know where I put. I got you. Do it. And it felt like we needed something to pick each other up with. I feel like this whole summer's been rainin'. This for those that ain't making through COVID. The 2020's been a struggle to stay focused. Fightin' tears when I wrote this. And we hope that you know this. Some are mothers. Brothers and aunties. God's law. Jauru. No Ashanti. We grind till we six feet. Hustle and bustle. We hustle. There's no rest for the weary. The Lord is my shepherd protector. But I can't take the pastor's lecture. Any hate on my name is conjecture. Will upon your block I'm spendin' selector. More fire when I'm in the booth to the colors. Like a Rubik's Cube. I was raised with some ethics involved. I'm from Ghana. It's freedom and justice for all. Rain on me. Rain on me. Rain on me. Rain on me. I wrote this rhyme on the very last page of my book. I'm from a place where the streets stay infested with crooks. Plenty things who stay protected by works. So I split to give the silence the voice. And those without a face a look. I keep the phoniness. They all transform and see the flow is egregious. But yet they're still pompous. Any competition back when gone conquer. We've been put in since K.R.S. Dropped the soft rock and shocked us. I leave it up to churches. Teeth believe. Here's a message to those touching it. Teeth believe. We've been. Believing the streets. And I'll be back. These days, yeah, I've got that heat up. Every time when I'm back with the pimpin' them. You see how your boy got the rhythm them. S.I. N.B.N. Telephone that I'm coming. Next time for the friend. I just want to make sure that while we're all here. Join each other's time. And enjoy the festivities that you do make sure you sign up over there. So you get the announcements. You get all of the notifications for the Vermont racial justice alliance. And stay in tune with what we have going on in the community. Obviously check out all the amazing tents. Some are there for support. If you need it. And there's some vendors who are out here selling some things as well. So check everybody out. I think, I think that, I think that, is that, is that it? Hi, my name is Ada. I am a teacher at Queen City Yoga and Fitness. And I am here today representing Queen City. Because we know at Queen City that the world does not treat us all equally. That there are structural barriers embedded into society that prevents people from being treated. With the same dignity and respect that they deserve. And I'm super happy to be here today. And yeah, and I'm happy to be bringing yoga here today. Because we know that every single time we're on our mats we can access the dignity and the respect. That sometimes the world neglects to give us based on our identity. And yeah, I work, who did I work with? My, quite honestly my manager was in contact with the people who organized this event. So Queen City was in contact with Isaac who reached out to us and then I showed up. Oh, oh yes, yes. Yeah, okay, I'll go through that. So I worked with some kids today. We did a little yoga. It was an open house event. Anybody could do yoga who wanted to roll on up. And I happen to have a lot of kids with me today on their mat. So that was super awesome to be able to share yoga with a younger generation of people who are figuring out what it feels like to move in their body in space throughout the world. Okay, you want me to ask questions or you want me just to speak? Because I could just speak. Okay. Yes, bless it everyone. My name is Empress Levi. My born name is Tishon Williams. And I just want to tell you that positivity, loving, caring and sharing and coming together as a community and getting to learn and know each other is a great thing. And this event is a blessed event. And I enjoyed that all the people came out to full joy each other and to full joy my vegan soul food. I'm Empress Levi's vegan soul food. And it was a great thing to see people. If you're not a vegan, you can still treat your body to something good. So everybody came out and full joyed their self in this abatement for slavery in African land. And the first day, I think that this is a great thing that the Richard Kim Center that Mark Hughes is doing. Mark Hughes and Christine is two beautiful, loving persons. And I'm thinking the most high for using them to bring this together because Vermont needs this. We need each other. We need to love each other and care for each other. We need to know that we're just humans. Let's just love everybody as a human and come together with respect and love. Caring and sharing is the best thing that we can do. So love everybody and see y'all next year. My name is Martha Kemp and I am here as a vendor selling some jewelry that I make by hand. And I'm also the daughter, the second daughter of Richard Kemp of the Richard Kemp Center in Burlington. So if you haven't been there, you should really check it out. And also I would like to say that my brother-in-law and my sister were responsible for putting on this event with their staff. And they did an amazing job this year. I was here last year too. And this is just, it's like 100% more impactful and professionally done. Beautiful. Yeah, so if you didn't make it down there this summer, you gotta remember, I'm sure there have a seventh anniversary of First Landing Day. Off my feet, you're knocking me off my BDA. You're knocking me off my feet. Say when you're moving, you're grooving good. And when you're moving well, you're grooving good. You're knocking me off my BDA. You're knocking me off my feet. You're knocking me off my BDA. You're knocking me off my... Say when you're dancing, you're dancing is right. Keep the vibe blowing off through the night. Say when you're skankin', you're skankin' it good. Keep the vibe blowing through the whole neighborhood. You're knocking me off my BDA. You're knocking me off my feet. You're knocking me off my BDA. You're knocking me off my feet. Say when you're... Cause it's written by a band that I brought here in 1989 in North Beach at a place called Reggae Fest. I dedicate this to the late Tabby Diamonds who passed away this year. I went back there last night along my shore. Is that staying within my mind? Smile for me once more there along my shore. These days are good cause I am. Smile for me once more smile for me once more. Peaceful there along my shore. These days are good cause I am. Be the lady. Smile for me once more smile for me once more. Smile for me once more smile for me once more. Smile for me once you never did before. Sweet lady smile for me once more. I'm gonna have a little fun here myself here. I've been working on a little acoustic album here that I'm gonna be having coming out in a few months. So you guys look for it. It's just gonna be called Troopa Doa Shuffle. And I'd like to give you some. This is a song I've never played before, anyone. And it's just a beautiful song. It's kind of a make-up, break-up song but we hope you like it. It's called Don't Say. Don't Say You tell me that you're leaving and that will keep me grieving every day. Don't Say You know I love you better I know that dreams don't last forever but we can try when you feel like the world is closing in the shoulder of a friend undercover you. Please don't say it has to end this way I don't wanna live in yesterday we got to take the time right now to save our love alive. Don't say the words I fear to hear most like elastic of the year toast here's to our love can make it we never had to try to fake it any day when you need the shoulder of a friend I'll be just the one let me be the one to comfort you the wonder of our love so true and true after all the things that we've been through we have to take the time right now to save our love alive don't say the words I fear to hear most like elastic of the year toast here's to our love don't say can make it we never had to try to fake it any day don't say don't say Thank you Now this one is a you know I said to someone early when they asked me what this event meant to me you know we in America who are of the descendants of those ships that came we really truly are the Israelites of America just like in the days of Egypt you know and now we're the ones that have to carry the banter carry the torch so I want to dedicate this to everyone all those especially who are descendants and all those who are Israelites because this is the plight of what most men go through in America you know a lot of men have been absent from families and for many reasons but that's because the work has been hard the toil has been hard the fairness has been hard so I want to dedicate this to all advocate this to all black men everywhere wake up in the morning slaving for bread so that the every mouth can be fed Israelite women and my kids they just let me down they said that they couldn't even see me Israelite flowers and my shirts are torn and all gone don't want to bend up like Bonnie and Clyde Israelite storm that must be a fall when I'm in the morning slaving for bread so that the every mouth can be fed Israelite storm that must be a fall when I'm in the morning slaving for bread so that the every mouth can be fed Israelite women and my kids they just let me down they said that they couldn't even see me Israelite flowers and my shirts are torn and all gone don't want to bend up like Bonnie and Clyde Israelite after the storm that must be a fall when I'm in the morning slaving for bread Israelite when this race gets hard to run it means you just can't keep up the and when it's time for you to have your fun you find a tear drop flow down your face then you stop and you think a minute are you the victim of the system any day they're going to let you down remember that night you will be there ain't it good to know now don't be waiting there ain't it all gone good to know now don't be waiting there eatin' summer waitin' spring waitin' autumn winter thing tribe goes up and the tribe children from the end of year many times I sit and wonder why this race so very hard to run then I say to my soul take courage for the battle still to be won like a ship tossed and driven driven by the angry sea when the waves come rushing over don't you let them fury follow me now ain't it good to know now ain't it all gone good to know now in autumn this is how each year we've brought together more people more awareness of what this day really means and the community that we've been able to share together with the music, the food, the events, the art and having everyone come together here good? now I'm going to have a little fun I'm all relaxed now, you know hey, you know so I want to give you another one this is like, this song is kind of a I hope you enjoy this, it's a story it's a story and it's based on something that happened at the old blues club down in Chicago so I hope you enjoy this and you'll love the name of the title it's something that we've been saying all of our lives don't start no mess don't start no mess and it won't be none you remember that word? don't start no mess and it won't be none how many of y'all can relate to that? alright and it won't be none if you don't start no mess then it won't be none then it won't be none listen now a guy's coming to the door and he's carrying a gun I said a guy's coming to the door and he's carrying a gun now listen I see his bump I see his bump I'm laughing at this myself I see his woman on the dance floor dancing with another mother son I don't start no mess and it won't be none if you don't start no mess then it won't be none if you don't start no mess then it won't be none her name was Lucy and she sure was fine she liked to drink red wine and have a good time but a man his name was B and everybody knew he was mean with a jealous streak for her that was long, long, long and lean don't start no mess and it won't be none if you don't start no mess then it won't be none if you don't start no mess then it won't be none oh bean hit the floor after drinking some jack grab Lucy's arm and pull her back her dance partner got in the way beans fist impacted his face the dance partner threw a punch back an old bean reached for his sack the crowd and the band hit the deck as beans shot the man in the neck and it was something everybody saw now old beans running from the law get on starting some mess and now it's gonna be some get on starting some mess now it's gonna be some if you don't start no mess then it won't be none the cops caught bean at the state line ramp sent the blood hounds in cornered him in the swamp now old beans doing 22 life and Lucy will never be his wife asked for Lucy she lives on having fun on the same dance floor you don't start no mess and it won't be none don't start no mess and it won't be none if you don't start no mess then it won't be none if you don't start no mess then it won't be none if you don't start no mess then it won't be none if you don't start no mess then it won't be none you guys have a wonderful afternoon God bless you see you again thank you one more you want to skank a little you can skank a little just want to pop Marley's face so my name is Ishmael Ahmed I'm here because I come out of the diaspora my father was an ovum and a woman who was once a slave somehow I end up in Vermont and they have the ability to gather with other folks that came from that experience and in community is incredible so I do my best to help win in where I can and how I can and it's good to be here with commemoration there are those behind the stage right now who are speaking I'd like for you to stop beginning of where we started today I asked for your undivided attention there are people out at the cars right now who are talking I would ask you kindly to stop right now there are folks who are out in the parking lot right now come back in for a minute because this is the commemoration so if you could kindly come back in if you don't mind this is the commemoration and we're closing out all activities for today I know we've all had a good time but I'm asking that we would just all come together for just these last few minutes as we start the commemoration if you choose to sit in the parking lot that's fine but I'm inviting you in please if you could come in and for those who are in the back if you want to just come up for a minute because what we're doing what we've come to do it's so very important it's so very important not just for us as black folks but also for all folks so I want you just to give me just a few minutes of your time if y'all could just give me just a few minutes of your time it's not often that we all just come together on one accord because we're so concerned that we might offend one another and some of us are so sensitive that we take offense to the interruption in our lives but it's okay for us every now and then just to stop just for a minute I still hear voices if we could just stop for a minute we started here at about 11 o'clock this morning the first African landing day but first African landing day was in this place last year the last Saturday, the fourth Saturday of August because that is our holiday youth the fourth Saturday of August is first African landing day in Vermont the year before last we were here the fourth Saturday of August it was first African landing day in 2022 2121 and in 2020 it was first African landing day year as well and in fact in 2019 it was first African landing day in Vermont on the fourth Thursday of the month as proclaimed by your governor and as established by the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance so today although we reflect upon and celebrate a march on Washington that happened 60 years ago today don't applaud although we respect that and we celebrate it we have something much more local that applies to you and you that is your day here in this place that we have established what does it mean we know that this is the intersection of the 1619 project and the 400 year African-American history commission what this is about is this is about a story that was written of a ship called White Lion that landed at Point Comfort which is modern day Hampton, Virginia and from that ship 20 in odd or so de-groves into quote got off of that boat immediately they were traded for stuff in 1619 but that's not how the story is the reason why I'm telling you this story and this is our commemoration is because for those of us who come from traditional families we've learned that we teach our children and we pass stories down from generation to generation and I may be the only book that you've ever read on this story but I encourage you to read the book on this story because this story will tell us Chewie this story is going to tell us that these folks were irrigationists and agriculturalists these folks these so-called alleged folks who were imbound and slave blacksmith and professionals and what I'm trying to get at is the story that has never been told is the power and the contribution and the resilience of African-Americans here in this nation because it would be from generation to generation from decade to decade and from century to century that people who look like you folks over here Christina folks who look like you folks who look like you who are out here sought to not just encounter and endeavor and survive slavery but to build a nation and to establish every institution in this place and to lay the foundation of the very culture of the fabric of who we are as a nation you black folks are a powerful people that is the story of this commemoration and as we as black folks as we stand united and recognize in the profound impact of our struggles throughout history our journey has been marked by unyielding determination courage and unbreakable spirit that has propelled us forward we honor those who came before us who endured they endured the horrors of slavery yes segregation systemic racism they bore the weight of oppression on their shoulders yet they never succumb to despair never and as we conclude today our ancestors with their unwavering faith and resilience they paved the way of our progress they fought for our freedom risking everything to forge a path to liberation their sacrifices their blood and their tears watered the seeds of change that continue to grow within us today their struggles were not in vain they fortified our spirit and they ignited a fire within us that refuses to be extinguished now you can clap for yourself we carry their legacy with us knowing that our strength flows through our veins their resilience courses through our hearts reminding us that we too have the power to overcome any obstacle that's in our path from generations to generations the torch of hope has been passed down lighting the way for us to march forward and our youth the vibrant and resilient souls who carry the promise of a brighter tomorrow they embody the strength and potential of our community they bear witness to our history and their shoulders are touched by the struggles we have faced but they they do not falter instead they stand tall fueled with by the fire that burns within them they are the architects of our future the ones who will continue to fight they will continue to fight for justice and equality so we look we look to the horizon we look to the horizon we look to the horizon with hope understanding that our struggles our struggles have not weakened us but they have served to strengthen our resolve we rise above adversity armed with an unwavering belief in our work in our ability to create change the fire that has consumed us has refined us has refined us shaping us into a force to be reckoned with together we navigate through the fire guided by the wisdom of those who have come before us and inspired by the potential of those who will follow us we are not alone in this journey we are a collective force bound together by the threads of shared history and the hope of a better future through the fire emerged as warriors fighting for justice equality and a world in which we're not just here to survive but we are here to thrive in our pursuit of a brighter tomorrow we stand unwavering and undeterred we march forward with the conviction that the moral arc of the universe it does bend toward justice and it is our duty to shake that arc with our unwavering determination our struggles have and will continue to strengthen us fortifying our spirit and driving us towards a future where equality and opportunity abound through the fire through the fire through the fire I am reminded of the Hebrew boys Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they were bound and they were thrown into a fiery furnace that was so hot that it consumed their castors I am reminded of a time when a king then, Nebuchadnezzar looked into this furnace and he did not see three Hebrew boys bound and laying in the furnace but he saw four in that furnace and they were unbound and they were walking around and one of them looked like he was the son of the multi-god through the fire means we do not stop in the fire through the fire means we are not stuck in the heat we may be purged we may be refined we may be purified but at the end of the day we are not getting stuck in the fire y'all we are going through the fire we are a testament to the power of the resilience the beauty of unity and the boundless strength that resides within each and every one of us our story is one of triumph over adversity and as we forge ahead we carry with us the knowledge that our journey is not just for us it's not just for us but it is for the liberation of everybody thank you for coming out today we have had a blast this year I want to thank especially the Lord God himself I want to give a shout out to my precious and lovely wife Christine who is somewhere in the house because without her I'm nothing I still without her I'm nothing I want to give a shout out to the full staff of the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance and our community partners and friends who sat with us tirelessly and painstakingly to put this program together if I'm talking about you just wave a hand just wave at somebody you better wave just wave at somebody and I want to thank the interval folks who hosted this they provided this facility grotesque for the last four years they have been very good to us give it up, give it up, give it up thank you my DJ special shout out to internet my MC who's also a rapper in the house there's not enough words I can say about Bobby Hackney who's right here in front of me I was blowing my mind Bobby Hackney is right here so please don't leave I'm going to talk to you before you go and the Hackney family just a whole crew all of y'all, all of y'all we love you, we love you 1977 come on the Kemp House was up in here anybody affiliated with the House of Kemp raise your hand, some of them have gone but I know Martha was here I know that Kathleen was here, Benjamin Winston's here my wife the Kemp House has been here since 73 a lot of old black folk up in here Bobby I know you go way back with Christine and Keith too I'm going to say his name loud Keith too, we love them we love them, yeah we love them so again this has been great it's been amazing and I think the thing that I want you to take with you through the fire is that there's a lot of learning there's a lot of learning that we have the opportunity to do over this next year as we become more and more adept in understanding our true history also at the same time there's an overlap of quantitative and empirical data that explains to us the essence of systemic racism because when you take the true history and you put data with it then you don't have critical race theories anymore how many people believe that I said when you take the data and you add the real history with it and you don't have any critical race theory anymore you know what you have systemic racism a legacy of slavery that's what we're here for to eradicate it so you'll see some of the work that we're doing we're late in getting stuff up for September because we're so busy getting this together but you'll see a lot of the stuff I want to give a special shout out to the Richard Kim Center which we've created as a result of this work in the community Richard Kim why don't get me started the 1619 I'm going to tell you a story about Richard one of these days not today the 1619 traveling exhibit everybody say hi to Robin Lloyd hi Robin Lloyd is in the house right here one of the biggest activists in our community my wife sister right here in the front with this king I'm not playing with you this is Robin Lloyd okay talk about activism don't hit somebody with that thing okay I love you Robin I want to talk to you a little bit about the 1619 traveling exhibit it is in the Richard Kim Center right now what does that mean it's the fifth time that it came here where did it come from I'm glad you asked Point Comfort it came from the same place where the White Lion landed in 1619 it is the Hampton Museum there in Hampton Virginia that is where the traveling exhibit comes from the 1619 exhibit it is in the Richard Kim Center right now so we closed but we're going to open it'll be open back up you might want to stop in like on Monday I'll put some hours out on some social media we'll have that for maybe another two weeks this is the fifth time that we've had this traveling exhibit here okay and take this with you the challenging thing about that is is you didn't know think about it you didn't know that vast majority of people who are here we've had that thing here five years and for some odd reason we can't see the breakthrough the noise to get you to know that the traveling exhibit for 1619 is here I wonder why I wonder why you know if it wasn't for some people they'd still be waiting for Word and Galveston that went right by some of y'all if it wasn't for some people we'd still be talking about slaves we'd still be talking about how we was you know oppressed and this slavery story is just a story of oppression but no there's a 1619 story and it supersedes the 1776 story and I don't apologize for that but you wouldn't know if you weren't paying attention again this is settled at the academy what I'm telling you in terms of what this is all about what 1619 is all about youth they're not teaching you this in school Christina you've been with us for six seven weeks yeah she said yeah they're not teaching our youth this in school but we don't have to fight with the school for the rest of all eternity because we can teach our children at home can we I'm not saying we don't fight with the schools I'm going to tinge but let me go what I'm saying is it is not solely the school's responsibility to teach your children we can teach our children at home we can teach them at the Richard Kim Center we can teach them right here we are teaching them right now so as we tell these stories as we move on into this next year let's get better about that let's get better about coming together and when somebody say eradicating systemic racism show up don't just show up for the party or the good time or the electric slide but show up when we're doing show up when we're doing the works I want to encourage everybody I want you to leave here discouraged I want you to leave on a good note but you get to decide what notes you leave on greet somebody as you leave talk to somebody that you don't know say hi to somebody lift up somebody as you leave today we've got to come together unity is the message today we can some people are going to feel uncomfortable about the work that we're doing some people are not going to know how to do this we need to come together we need to each one teach one I'm so glad that everybody came out thank you so much for so much time that you've just given me you just made a huge investment right now thank you for stopping what you were doing thank you for listening to me God bless you all let's get into the next year