The 6th annual One New Mexico Gospel Concert brings together people of all colors and faiths to enjoy music guaranteed to raise the spirit. Join us Sunday, May 15, 2022, 3:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque for an amazing lineup of New Mexico gospel singers and musicians. The concert features special guests from Las Vegas, NV, world-class New Mexico female vocalists, and the One New Mexico Gospel Interfaith Choir led by Dr. Stevie DeJuan Springer.
Toni Morgan has sung with many talented artists around the world, including the Empress of Soul Gladys Knight, Anthony Hamilton, Sandra Crouch, and Darryl Coley. She recently released her very first single, “Jesus Help Me.” Like so many other gospel singers, her mother had her belting in church at an early age. In 2013, Toni moved to New Mexico from Fort Collins, Colorado. She loves the Lord and continues to share her gift with those who enjoy the sounds of music.
Toni Morgan performing “Summertime”
Pat Brown – Featured Soloist, New Mexico
Pat Brown is a gifted songstress who has performed throughout the United States. She is a member of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Albuquerque and is a wife and mother of two. In 1993, Pat was part of the choir that sang “The City on the Hill” as the inaugural anthem for President Bill Clinton’s inauguration. She’s shared the stage with Grammy Award-winning artists Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Judy Collins, and Michael Bolton. She’s performed numerous times at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Pat’s vocal abilities landed her the lead role of Effie White in the local production of the hit musical Dreamgirls, performed at the African American Performing Arts Center. She has also sung at the New Mexico State Fair, the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, and the Albuquerque Isotopes’ home games.
Aleena Sedillo – Featured Soloist, New Mexico
Aleena Sedillo has been singing on stage and in church for 16 years. She serves on the Legacy Church worship team with her husband. Aleena was the winner of the first annual Omega Psi Phi Fraternity talent competition and went on to win third place when she competed regionally.
Aretha Harden – Special Guest, Soloist, Las Vegas, Nevada
Aretha Harden started her gospel career at six years old at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church when no one else volunteered to lead a song. She began touring with the gospel group Futrell, opening for the likes of Yolanda Adams and Commissioned. Later, she opened concerts for Brian Duncan, Darryl Coley, and the DynamicTwins. Born in 1971 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Aretha has had the pleasure of opening several shows back in her hometown at Mandalay Bay’s House of Blues Gospel Brunch.
Aretha Hardin performs “I Love You Lord”
Joseph C. Pigee – Special Guest, Musical Director, Keyboards
Joseph C. Pigee began his musical journey in Grenada, Mississippi at the age of four, when he began playing drums. By the age of 13 he had taken up the keyboard. He strengthened his musical training as the church musician for his father’s churches in Mississippi. He is a well-regarded pianist, organist, keyboardist, director, producer, and writer. He has played with renowned gospel artists such as Dorinda Clark-Cole, Kim Burrell, and Marvin Sapp.
Dr. Stevie DeJuan Springer & the One New Mexico Gospel Concert Band
Choral Director Dr. Stevie DeJuan Springer is a native of New York City by way of Texas and now resides in New Mexico. He is president/CEO of a nonprofit scholarship program and former chef/owner of Chez Axel French restaurant. Dr. Springer earned a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Huston-Tillotson University, a Masters in Music from the University of New Mexico, a PhD in Business, and Medical PhD in science from the University of the Southwest with a focus in chronic pain and occupational therapy. He currently hosts “Wise and Well with Dr. Stevie DeJuan Springer” on KRQE/Fox’s New Mexico Living. Dr. Springer has served as an educator in New Mexico since 2000. He continues to serve his Albuquerque community by creating opportunities for youth and adults to expose their musical talent. He has a private music academy, teaching voice and piano to learners of all levels. Dr. Springer is a music professor at the University of New Mexico and former APS music educator and has adjudicated many festivals and competitions around the state and the nation. He’s taught in New York at the Harlem School of Music, has appeared on Broadway, and performed at Carnegie Hall.
One New Mexico Gospel Concert Band
Stephen Williams Guitar
Charles Reinke Piano
Lemuel D. Williams Drums
Artha Meadors Bass
“Gospel is a universal language and Black music is how African Americans got through the most difficult times in our history. It’s what brought us over trial and tribulation, and it’s how we give thanks in all things.”
— Cathryn McGill, Founder/Director, NMBLC
Register to Attend the FREE One New Mexico Gospel Concert
Supporting the Black community in New Mexico was more important than ever in 2021. The New Mexico Black Leadership Council reviews major successes in Black community development and continues the work in 2022.
The New Mexico Black Leadership Council (NMBLC) is committed to working with Black communities to achieve positive collective change, racial and educational equity, and economic independence. At the beginning of 2021, we thought we’d have a chance to exhale after surviving dual pandemics— COVID-19 and racism. What we learned this year is that neither of the pandemics is over and there are many more steep hills to climb. We are proud of what we accomplished in 2021 in our five areas of impact:
Advocacy and Civic Engagement
Health: Physical, Financial, Behavioral
Leadership and Workforce Development
Cultural Vibrancy
Positive Youth Development
NMBLC’s Guiding Principles
Carter G. Woodson’s Philosophies
Community-Based Activism
Participatory Democracy
Arts/Events-Based Community Development
Assets-Based Community Development
Community-based activism and participatory democracy are attributed to Ella Jo Baker.
“Give light and people will find the way.”
—Ella Jo Baker
Carter G. Woodson’s philosophies are built on inclusion, multiculturalism, racial harmony, and the knowledge that Black history is American history.
“What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.”
—Carter G. Woodson
Advocating for the Black community in New Mexico and fostering civic engagement with forums and redistricting
Congressional and Mayoral Forums
The New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative (NMBVC) held two informational political forums in 2021. The goal was to inform the community on the plans and positions of candidates running for office.
The New Mexico CD-1 Congressional Candidate Forum, held on April 20, 2021, featured candidates running to fill the US Representative vacancy left by Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Participating candidates included former State Representative Melanie Stansbury, former Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn, and U.S. National Guard Veteran Chris Manning. The 90-minute discussion focused on questions submitted by local organizations and community members, and was hosted virtually and broadcast live to Facebook.
The City of Albuquerque Mayoral Candidate Forum, held on September 27, 2021, featured candidates running for mayor of the City of Albuquerque. Participating candidates included incumbent Mayor Tim Keller, Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel “Manny” Gonzales III, and radio talk show host Eddy Aragon. NMBVC hosted this forum in-person at Highland High School. It was also broadcast live to Facebook.
Juneteenth Meet and Greet
NMBVC hosted a public meet and greet with elected officials at the City of Albuquerque’s 2021 Juneteenth celebration. NM CD-1 Representative Melanie Stansbury, State Senator Harold Pope Jr., and Chief Public Defender Bennett J. Baur hung out to talk to festival goers face-to-face about how they serve the public as elected officials.
NMBVC Juneteenth Meet and Greet 2021
Redistricting Task Force
NMBVC organized the Black Community Redistricting Task Force to focus on identifying Black/African-American communities in New Mexico. With support from the New Mexico Black Central Organizing Committee and community members, the task force created a map proposal that preserved Black/African-American interests and voting power within several House Districts across the state. The proposal was presented to the Citizen Redistricting Committee in October and then integrated into the one created by the Center for Civic Policy to become CRC Map Recommendation E-1. This recommendation was presented during the 2021 Special Session Legislature as House Bill 8 to be signed by the governor.
“The right to vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument in a democratic society. We must use it.”
—John Lewis
Treating health holistically by addressing behavioral, physical, and financial needs in the Black community in New Mexico.
Racial Reckoning Mental Health Conference
NMBLC spotlighted behavioral health with the 2021 virtual town hall “Racial Reckoning: True Equity in Mental Health.” Dr. Jamal Martin, Director of Peace and Justice Studies at UNM, presented a “State of the State” epidemiology report on a public health model-approach to improve behavioral health in BIPOC communities. Keynote speaker Dr. Michael A. Lindsey, Executive Director of the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty, Policy and Research, gave an electrifying report on the crisis of Black youth suicide in America.
Black/African American Health Association (BAAHA)
Medical patriarch Dr. William McIver addressed a group of doctors about the need to continue convening and building coalitions to improve physical health for Black/African-Americans in New Mexico. Dr. Duane Ross, retired Medical Director of True Health New Mexico, and local ER physician Dr. Stephanie Garcia approached NMBLC voicing similar concerns. NMBLC helped them launch the Black/African American Health Association (BAAHA). The association’s mission is to improve wellness opportunities for every Black citizen of New Mexico through access to coverage, quality healthcare, and education. BAAHA held its first meet and greet in October 2021.
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.”
—World Health Organization
Financial Committee
NMBLC board members created the Financial Committee to promote financial wellness in New Mexico’s Black communities. The committee is in the process of collaborating with other local Black organizations to provide and promote youth entrepreneurship opportunities, home ownership information, and life skills training. The goal for 2022 is to strengthen engagement in the Financial Committee’s mission.
Cultivating the next generation of leadership and recruiting for on the job workforce development and training
Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA)
NMBLC is partnering with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to implement an on-the-job training program for underserved members in our community. This initiative is a component of the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA’s aim is to improve preparation, access, and success in adult basic education, career pathways, postsecondary education, and workforce development. WIOA targets low-income and low-skilled adults, disconnected youth, public assistance recipients, and those with limited financial means. Using
WIOA Title I funds for subsidized work experience, the state will pay half the salary of staff that NMBLC hires under this apprenticeship program. This arrangement allows NMBLC to recruit for crucial positions in the organization while mentoring and training those in the community who would otherwise not have access to gainful employment opportunities or the education to become sought after members of the workforce.
The African American Community Economic Transformation Study (AACETS) led to the following recommendations: Create a Hub Organization Generate a Leadership Development Institute Establish a Communications Network Infrastructure
Chisholm Table
Assets-Based Community Development is about elevating and utilizing our strengths and assets rather than focusing on supposed lack and deficiency. This philosophy is exemplified by the Chisholm Table, a component of our collective impact organizing strategy and communications infrastructure network designed to build operational capacity among Black, volunteer-led organizations.
UpLift is another initiative that launched in 2021. It’s funded by a grant from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). Under this program, NMBLC and partners have created a one-stop resource hub to provide help, resources, and information for the community.
As part of the NMDOH grant to support long-term resiliency, NMBLC plans to award five microgrants to New Mexican groups serving Black communities:
Nu Rho chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
New Mexico Black Lawyers Association
UNM African American Student Services
Beyond the Chair Initiative
Albuquerque Black Economic Security and Solidarity (BLESS)
Succession-planning and sustainability is a critical component of any organization. In 2021, NMBLC took positive steps to develop our leadership pool and ensure our longevity and viability with the advancement of two of our team members:
Kindra Hill promoted to Deputy Director
Mason Graham promoted to Policy Analyst
Continuing our tradition of cultural vibrancy through celebration, music, and recognizing the contributions of the Black community.
DECADES: Past, Present & Future
DECADES: Past, Present & Future commemorated the 10th anniversary of the New Mexico Black History Festival. The 2021 festival was offered exclusively online due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions; however, attendance at the events was robust and the NMBLC staff and volunteers replicated in-person energy with an engaging online events schedule. Promoting the knowledge that Black history is American history and therefore can be celebrated 24/7/365, the NMBLC announced a slate of cultural events running from February through July.
The Asante Awards
The Asante Awards: Barrier Breakers ceremony honored important “firsts” for New Mexico. 2021 recipients included Honorable Judge Shammara Henderson, New Mexico State Senator Harold Pope, Jr., District Attorney Gerald Byers, US Eagle Federal Credit Union President Marsha Majors, NMDOH Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins, and NM Veteran Affairs Secretary Sonya Smith.
Kumbuka Celebration
The 2021 Kumbuka Celebration: DECADES Deep featured a lively review and discussion with cast and crew members of the award-winning, critically-acclaimed show “Roots Revival, Our Struggle, Our Story, Our Glory” and was viewable via the New Mexico Black Leadership Council’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
— Maya Angelou
Expanding our positive youth development programs from Roots Summer Leadership Academy to juvenile justice initiatives.
Roots Summer Leadership Academy (RSLA)
Summer festivities kicked off with the Roots Summer Leadership Academy’s ninth year of helping youth learn academics, social emotional skills, and cultural identity. RSLA is a rigorous three-week summer arts and science camp for youth ages 8-16. The theme for 2021 was “Nishati,” meaning “energy” in Swahili. Activities were geared to give students strategies to increase effectiveness in their personal and academic lives. The program culminated in a community-wide Harambee showcase where students stepped into their confidence and demonstrated their accomplishments. NMBLC pivoted to a hybrid teaching model in 2020 due to the pandemic, and successfully managed the new outdoor in-person and online format for two years in a row. 52 students enrolled in RSLA in 2021, transforming the outdoor camp into a visually inviting attraction for residents of the International District. Students employed entrepreneurial skills and raised $900 from their outdoor art installation to fund the Roots Roller Skate Reunion.
Roots Explorers Program (REP)
REP launched in 2020 as an in-school enrichment curriculum in the International District. It has since grown into a project-based, out-of-school program that concentrates on literacy, numeracy, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & math), SEL (social-emotional learning), and cultural awareness. In 2021, the Explora Science Museum reached out to NMBLC to implement an REP session at their facility in Albuquerque’s Old Town. NMBLC also developed partnerships with New Mexico Mesa, Biggers Farms, Emerson Elementary School, the University of New Mexico Department of Education, and many more. We’re planning to expand REP to the entire Highland cluster of schools.
Our North Star Goal is academic proficiency and empowerment for all youth!
RSLA Roots Village 2021
In 2021, the New Mexico Black Leadership Council added service for juvenile detention system-impacted youth to its outreach and education engagement.
Albuquerque Justice for Youth Collaborative (AJ4Y)
NMBLC joined La Plazita Institute’s (LPI) Albuquerque Justice for Youth Community Collaborative (AJ4Y). Funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the collaborative is composed of local grassroots organizations, youth justice advocates, and young people and families who have been directly impacted by the juvenile justice system. Its aim is to honor and strengthen community self-determination; reduce dependence on the juvenile justice system; and keep youth safe at home and supported by their own communities.
Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI)
NMBLC became a member of Bernalillo County’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). This group meets monthly to determine ways to reduce youth incarceration numbers. Also funded by Annie E. Casey Foundation, this project seeks to find alternatives to incarceration for all youth. Black youth, especially males, are disproportionately represented in the juvenile justice system. They are also incarcerated for longer periods of time than their non-Black counterparts. NMBLC is working with Bernalillo County to understand the underlying reasons for these disparities. Through our work with the Community Corrections Program and the JDAI, we are interviewing detention systems stakeholders and impacted youth and families to figure out solutions to overcome disparities and reduce the number of Black youth who have contact with the criminal justice system.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
Moving forward in 2022 with an outstanding gospel concert and an open house to announce an exciting collaboration.
ONE New Mexico Gospel Concert
Join us for the sixth annual ONE New Mexico Gospel Concert on Sunday, May 15th! The ONE New Mexico Gospel Choir will perform with some of New Mexico’s most celebrated female vocalists including:
Toni Morgan
Aleena Sedillo
Pat Brown
special guest Aretha Harden from Las Vegas, Nevada
This amazing lineup of music is happening at the First Unitarian Church at 3701 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM 87110 and starts at 3:00 PM MST.
Save the date for NMBLC’s open house on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 4:30-6pm. NMBLC will be showcasing all of the exciting programs happening as part of the UpLift initiative.
Our fabulous donors, contributors, and volunteers make our work for the Black community in New Mexico possible.
The New Mexico Black Leadership Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and its work is made possible by sponsorships from forward-thinking organizations and by the generous support of community members like you. You can contribute to the NMBLC mission at http://nmblc.org/donate.
Thank you to NMBLC 2021 Foundations and Grantors!
$1,000-$4,999
ACLU New Mexico
Central New Mexico Community College
New Mexico Voices for Children
Steel Bender Brewyard, LLC
Dion’s
Omega Psi Phi, Nu Rho Chapter
Los Poblanos LP
The Verdes Foundation
Workforce Connection of Central NM/ Mid-Region Council of Governments
University of North Alabama
$5,000-$9,999
Central NM Community
The Praxis Project
Explora Science Center
$10,000-$49,999
Con Alma Foundation
Thornburg Foundation
McCune Charitable Foundation
United Way
New Mexico Women.Org
New Mexico Association of Counties
Common Cause
AECF
U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union
Workforce Connection of Central NM
University of New Mexico
Center for Civic Policy
La Plazita Institute
Comcast
Albuquerque Community Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
Facebook, Inc.
$50K+
CYFD
Bernalillo County
City of Albuquerque
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
In addition, we are grateful for the numerous individual donations, which cumulatively amounted to over $30,000. Because of your generous contributions, NMBLC was able to provide all our programs to the community free of charge. Finally, NMBLC thanks the many people who contributed their time, talent, and treasure.
We couldn’t have done it without you.
Join us on our continuing journey to create a space to thrive for all New Mexicans. Contribute to the NMBLC mission athttp://nmblc.org/donate.
Welcome to the latest Black-owned businesses in New Mexico to join the NMBLC online listing.
Industries represented on this list of New Mexico Black-owned businesses include food, clothing, cleaning, dental, insurance, legal/security, media, and marketing. Check out the latest listings below and then go to our online directory to view even more companies and proprietors. If you want to submit your company, go to the online directory and complete the quick and easy form!
NMBLC breaks down the legalization of cannabis in New Mexico and spotlights the Black-owned business Mujeres Campground’s First Annual Ganja Freedom Fest.
The push to legalize cannabis in New Mexico goes back to 1999 with Governor Johnson’s then controversial pro-legalization campaign that cost him members of his cabinet and subjected him to national ridicule. Johnson’s actions helped lay the foundation for where we are today. New Mexico’s medical marijuana program launched in 2007. And on April 1st, the commercial sale of marijuana for recreational use became legal in New Mexico, a year after Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the legislation. The industry is expected to bring $300 million in sales to the state.
The owners of the Mujeres Valley Campground believe in the sacred healing properties of the cannabis plant and know that the freedom of this plant in New Mexico needs to be celebrated by Black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC).
Support a Black owned business at the 1st Annual Ganja Freedom Fest happening April 15–17, 2022. Hosted by the owners of the Mujeres Valley Campground in Fence Lake, New Mexico, this family event brings together the outdoors, camping, live musical performances, cannabis, wellness therapists, giveaways, and more. The music lineup includes acts from in and outside the state, including NM’s popular reggae/rock band Reviva and Tuff Like Iron from Jamaica.
The gorgeous campground is located along the Great Continental Divide roughly 140 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico and boasts 20 acres of private space for registered attendees. Your ticket purchase automatically enters you in the raffle drawing. Follow Ganja Freedom Fest on Instagram for event updates and more giveaway opportunities.
After decades of criminalization and incarceration for marijuana use, the legalization of cannabis sales raises a question: What can we expect from law enforcement out on these streets? According to the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), the answer is simple: Don’t make it their business.
APD’s policy is that if you are age 21 or over, cannabis use is none of their business. Certain activities, however, are against the law and will be enforced. Read on for the list of DON’Ts when it comes to cannabis use in New Mexico:
Use or possess cannabis if you are under the age of 21. Individuals under the age of 21, however, can enroll in the medical cannabis program.
Drive under the influence.
Smoke cannabis in public places.
Purchase cannabis from a source other than a licensed dispensary. If stopped by a law enforcement officer, you’ll be asked to show your receipts proving the legitimate source of purchase.
Take cannabis across state lines.
Whether you choose to consume or not is none of our business.
—Albuquerque Police Department
If you have a medical marijuana card, don’t let it go just because it’s legal now. There are many additional benefits to having a card, such as not paying NM Gross Receipts Tax, different age restrictions, guaranteed supply, and additional legal protections. Check out The Paper article for more details: https://abq.news/2021/08/dont-burn-your-med-card-now-that-were-a-rec-state/
Lawmakers approved a bill in 2021 to expunge past criminal records related to cannabis possession. Judicial officials have begun reviewing records to make that happen.
Two tribal communities, Picuris and Pojoaque pueblos, have agreements in place to take part in the marijuana market without interference from federal law enforcement. This will hopefully deter any further raids like the one committed last September against a Picuris resident who was growing plants to manage PTSD and anxiety.
Cannabis is legal in New Mexico. Where can you get it?
Get vaccinated against COVID-19 at the New Mexico Black Leadership Council office and receive a Target gift card.
The Albuquerque branch of the NAACP has partnered with Presbyterian, the New Mexico Black Leadership Council (NMBLC), Vizionz Sankofa, and KWH Law Center to hold a COVID-19 vaccine drive through clinic in the International District of Albuquerque. The vaccine event is on Saturday, June 26, from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. It’s happening at the NMBLC office location of 1258 Ortiz SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. No insurance is needed. Vaccines are FREE. Just bring a form of identification and your mask. After you get your vaccine, receive your Target gift card!
Pamelya Herndon, Vice President of the Albuquerque NAACP, is spearheading the vaccine event. She encourages everyone to get vaccinated. New Mexico is inching towards a 60% vaccination rate, the goal set by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to fully reopen the state on July 1st. The higher the vaccination rate, the lower the COVID-19 spread rate and the closer our community gets to herd immunity. Herd immunity means that enough of the population is immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely.
The health of all our communities depends on everyone getting vaccinated.
—Pamelya Herndon, VP, NAACP ABQ
Keep scrolling to find out everything you need to know to get vaccinated this Saturday.
COVID-19 Vaccine Event – What to Know Before You Go
No appointment is required. Drive-ins are accepted.
If you’d like to make an appointment for a certain time, call (505) 923-2696 and use the event code ORTIZ.If you need to cancel, call the same number to let them know.
Vaccines are FREE.
No insurance is required.
The vaccine you’ll be given is Pfizer. The Pfizer vaccine requires a booster shot in a few weeks (more details below).
Bring a form of identification.
Wear your mask.
Recipients age 12–17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
COVID-19 Vaccine Event – What to Expect
The vaccine event is on Saturday, June 26, 2021, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
The clinic location is at the NMBLC Office, 1258 Ortiz SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Drive into the parking lot. Shots will be administered by Presbyterian staff while you are in your car.
After your shot, wait 15–30 minutes in the dirt lot across the street from the NMBLC offices. Drinks and light snacks will be available.
Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth at all times.
Target gift cards will be handed out to those who get the vaccine!
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots
The vaccine you’ll be given at the drive-thru clinic is Pfizer and requires a booster shot. Get your Pfizer booster shot on Saturday, July 24, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the same location.
Enter the Vax 2 the Max Sweepstakes
To encourage vaccination, the New Mexico Department of Health launched the Vax 2 the Max Sweepstakes program. Sign up at https://www.vax2themaxnm.org/ for your chance to be entered to win the weekly drawing of $250,000 or a grand prize of $5 million in August!
NMBLC breaks down what Juneteenth is about and lists Juneteenth 2021 celebrations happening this weekend.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. The first death blow to slavery was dealt with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. In actuality, the practice of slavery did not end until over two years later. On June 19, 1865, the last of the enslaved people in Galveston Texas were informed by Union troops that slavery had been abolished. “Juneteenth” is a conjugation of “June” and “nineteenth.” The first official Juneteenth celebration took place the following year in Texas. As Black people migrated from Texas to other parts of the country, the Juneteenth tradition spread.
“I didn’t know about Juneteenth until I was nineteen years old.”
—Laurence Fishburne, actor, Black-ish
It’s not uncommon, even among Black people, to not really know what Juneteenth is. I didn’t hear about it until well into adulthood. I took even longer to know what it was about.
“I knew about Juneteenth but never fully understood it.”
—Marsai Martin, actor, Black-ish
It was this lack of national awareness that inspired the famous “Juneteenth” episode of the sitcom Black-ish. In the episode, Anthony Anderson’s character grapples with the fact that he and his family don’t celebrate the holiday and possibly don’t want to, since it’s a reminder of the enslavement of African and African American people in the U.S. This real day conflict is interspersed with musical numbers explaining slavery, emancipation, and the oppression that followed. Even now it feels incredible that the episode aired on mainstream television.
“Having this moment on prime time television, to say this is not only something that we as Black people should be able to celebrate loudly and proudly, but this is something that we should expect everybody to know.”
— Yara Shahidi, Black-ish
Celebrate Juneteenth 2021 in New Mexico at one of these events
How will you celebrate Juneteenth this year? Whether it’s firing up the grill, watching your favorite Black shows, or just taking a moment to be thankful, Juneteenth 2021 is a chance to celebrate freedom. With the state opening up this summer, there are opportunities to share this joy in person. Scroll down for some Juneteenth 2021 events happening this weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy0ikqpoYNU
New Mexico Juneteenth 2021: “To A Higher Ground”
Friday, June 18– Sunday, June 20, 2021 Civic Plaza, Downtown Albuquerque
Spend a weekend celebrating the deep rooted Black culture in New Mexico. This festival is for the community and put on by members of the community.
New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative (NMBVC) will have a booth at this Juneteenth event and is hosting a meet and greet with New Mexico legislators on Saturday, June 19th from 6PM to 7PM. Elected officials joining NMBVC are Representative Melanie Stansbury, State Senator Harold Pope, Jr., and Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur.
Black Political Engagement Forum is part of the New Mexico Black Thought Expo virtual event programming.
The New Mexico Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) has been hosting the NM Black Expo since 2003. A celebration of the history and culture of the Black community in New Mexico, the event features food stands, vendor booths, live musical performances, and dance demonstrations. This year the NM Black Expo is a month long virtual event to keep everyone safe as the state continues to emerge from the pandemic.
“We’re out here as the New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative and we’re focused around uplifting the person of color communities.”
— Mason Graham, NMBVC
On June 21st, the New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative (NMBVC) will join the OAAA for a forum on Black political engagement. The events of the past year demonstrate the ongoing need for racial justice, and robust political involvement among the Black/BIPOC citizenry is key to this progress. The NMBVC responded to this need by building a coalition to engage in voter outreach, education, and action. Past initiatives to get out the vote include the “Why I Vote” video series, debate roundtable discussions, an early voting kickoff, and the recent New Mexico Congressional District One Forum.
The virtual Black Political Engagement Forum is happening June 21, 2021 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. To register for the event, click here.
On the Horizon – Mental Health and Black Women
Don’t miss the upcoming Strong Black Woman’s Schema: Approach to Treating Trauma in Black Women. NMBLC’s health and wellness event for June features Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph.D., Kent State University. She’ll break down culturally competent approaches to understanding and treating trauma in Black women. The Black Woman’s Schema is coming up on June 24th. The workshop specifically for mental health providers is from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. CEUs are available. The workshop for the community is from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
For more information on the Strong Black Woman’s Schema, click here.
To register for the Strong Black Woman’s Schema, click here.
June 1st is election day for the CD-1 race, and NMBLC has your list of voting locations.
It’s election day for the special Congressional District One election. This race will fill the seat vacated when Deb Haaland was confirmed as the cabinet secretary for the Department of the Interior. CD-1 covers Bernalillo, Torrance, and parts of Sandoval, Santa Fe and Valencia counties. Keep scrolling to find your CD-1 election voting locations, courtesy of Bernalillo County. The polls will be open Tuesday, June 1, 2021 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Not registered to vote? You can still vote in the special election with same day registration. It’s important that our voices are heard in New Mexico. The person we vote into office impacts our lives. Our representatives sponsor and vote on legislation that affects our civil rights, our health care, and our environment. Vote for the person you believe will best advocate for you and your values.
All three Afrofuturism lectures, centered around Lovecraft County, HBO’s Watchmen, and Janelle Monae’s “Dirty Computer” video, can be viewed on YouTube.
One of the most highly anticipated events of the 2021 New Mexico Black History Festival was the lecture series “Afrofuturism: From Our Screens to Reality.” The New Mexico Black Leadership Council produced a three-part lecture series exploring aspects of Afrofuturism through the prism of current pop culture. Our esteemed presenters utilized Afrofuturism to spotlight a new generation of Black women superheroes.
Afrofuturism: “An open-ended genre combining science fiction, fantasy, and history, to imagine a liberated future through a Black lens.”
— NPR’s Throughline
Now you can rewatch, or watch for the first time, all three of these popular videos from NMBLC’s YouTube channel. Keep scrolling for more info on the Afrofuturism Lecture Series videos.
Seeing Africa in Afrofuturism: Hippolyta, Naming, and Lovecraft Country
Presented by Dr. Belinda Deenen Wallace, University of New Mexico
Explore the role of Hippolyta as an anti-racist/anti-imperialist/anti-colonialist superhero who, through the process of naming, unleashes her superpower and contests institutional racism that seeks to define Black bodies as threatening and unbelonging.
“What happens when Black women use their superpowers to save themselves rather than the world?”
— Dr. Belinda Deenen Wallace
“I’ve got a nose for white supremacy and he smells like bleach”: Regina King, Subversive Masking, and the Making of Sister Night
Presented by Dr. Kimberly Nichele Brown, Virginia Commonwealth University
Examine how HBO’s Watchmen uses masks to demonstrate the easy slippage between police and vigilante justice and to explore the dynamics of race and power in regards to issues of surveillance and policing.
“Her superpower is fighting white supremacy.”
— Dr. Kimberly Nichele Brown
Unbought and Unbossed: Janelle Monae’s Productive Performances at the Intersections of Black Political Consciousness, Black Materiality, and Afrofuturism
Presented by Dr. Andrea L. Mays, Ph.D., University of New Mexico
View Janelle Monáe’s ‘Emotion Picture’ Dirty Computer (2018) with an eye towards situating her cultural and political significance as an artist, activist, and performer enacting Aspirational Futures in the Black Diaspora.
“Dirty computer referenced within the context of this video . . . those things, those elements of imperfection that humans have outside of what social normativity and political normativity are.”
— Dr. Andrea L. Mays
“All that you touch you change. All that you change changes you. The only lasting truth is change. God is change.”
—Octavia Butler, Parable of the Sower
Want to take a deeper dive into Afrofuturism? Here are some recommendations.
Black and AAPI Youth dismantle the tricultural myth at the ABQ Artwalk.
The New Mexico Black Leadership Council and New Mexico Asian Family Center were in force at the First Friday ABQ Artwalk on May 7th. We installed the True New Mexico Photovoice popup in the parking lot of the B Ruppe Drugstore gallery, along with several other artists and artisans sharing this collective space. A bright, sunny day in the wake of the state’s gradual reopening proved the perfect backdrop for bringing the message of these young artists to the greater community.
“In the form of cubism and collage, I create pieces that reflect my Tibetan-American experience and the abundant issues and joys the Asian American Pacific Islander community faces.”
— True NM Artist Sowang Kundeling, She/Her/Hers, AAPI (Tibetan)
The collection of self-portraits from young Black & AAPI New Mexicans dismantle the tricultural myth and answer the question “What’s YOUR TRUE NEW MEXICAN story?”
“I photograph my form as if to say,
“I am.”
“I am.”
“I am.”
—True NM Artist Donald Roberts, They/Them/Theirs, Jamaican
Check out our photo gallery from the True NM ABQ Artwalk Popup below.
True New Mexico Popup at ABQArtwalk, May 7, 2021. Photos taken by Shannon Moreau and Shanny Schmidt.
Watch the powerful video for the original song “Why Not Me” by True New Mexico Artist Kai Warrior:
To learn more about the artists and view their projects, click here.
