Summer comes alive – Summerfest and local grower’s markets
In Memoriam – Remembering healthcare champion Pelatia Trujillo
and so much more!
The UpLift Chronicles is available in digital form on the NMBLC website. You can also subscribe to the UpLift Chronicles and have the latest digital edition delivered to your inbox.
Colson Whitehead, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author of “Harlem Shuffle” and “The Underground Railroad”, will be in conversation with Albuquerque poet Hakim Bellamy at the KiMo, July 27, 2023.
Local independent bookstore Bookworks is bringing back its signature “A Word with Writers” this year with two time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead. Colson Whitehead will be in conversation with Albuquerque’s own inaugural Albuquerque Poet Laureate Hakim Bellamy. It’s all happening July 27th, 7pm at the KiMo Theatre downtown. “A Word with Writers” is a nearly decade-long fundraiser for Albuquerque Public Libraries. It first launched in 2014 with George RR Martin, author of the highly popular Game of Thrones series. Colson Whitehead in conversation with Hakim Bellamy marks the return of this series since 2019. The 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic, and subsequent events were virtual.
Colson Whitehead is the bestselling and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of books featuring Black life and culture. His book The Underground Railroad was a #1 New York Times bestseller and won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the Carnegie Medal for Fiction. It was made into an Amazon Prime series produced and directed by Barry Jenkins, who won the Academy Award for Best Picture with Moonlight. Whitehead won his second Pulitzer for The Nickel Boys, a novel inspired by the notorious Florida’s Dozier School for Boys.
Colson Whitehead’s trip to Albuquerque is part of his book tour for the latest book in his Harlem Trilogy. The first book, Harlem Shuffle, takes place in early 1960s New York City. It’s a family saga, a crime novel, and a love letter to Harlem. The second book, Crook Manifesto, is coming out July 18, 2023 and continues the story of furniture salesman and ex-fence Ray Carney in 1971 Harlem.
Bookworks co-owner Shannon Guinn-Collins noted that Albuquerque often gets passed over for the big book tours. Yet with the 2023 relaunch of “A Word With Writers,” Albuquerque’s one of the cities in just over a dozen states to be part of Colson Whitehead’s U.S. book tour. Guinn-Collins is excited to help bring the literary scene to Albuquerque. “Having a partnership with the library is crucial to support the city and literacy. It’s one of the ways we’re giving back to the community.”
See a nationally recognized Black author, support a local bookstore, and help fund Albuquerque’s libraries all at the same time. Keep reading for details.
A Word with Writers: Colson Whitehead, Crook Manifesto
When: Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 7pm. Doors open at 6pm.
Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning Colson Whitehead will be in conversation with inaugural Albuquerque Poet Laureate, Hakim Bellamy
Two ticket types are available:
Individual ticket: Includes general admission for one person, a pre-signed hardcover of Crook Manifesto, and a donation to the Albuquerque Public Library Foundation. The books will be available for pickup at the event. Price is $34.00
Bring a Friend: This additional ticket includes general admission for two people, and a donation to the Albuquerque Public Library Foundation. Price is $19.50, and must be purchased in addition to an individual ticket.
Other books by Colson Whitehead, as well as books by Hakim Bellamy, will be available for sale at the event.
Don’t miss the chance to see Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead in conversation with inaugural Albuquerque Poet Laureate Hakim Bellamy at the KiMo July 27, 2023.
The New Mexico Black Leadership Council has the rundown on 2023 Juneteenth events in New Mexico.
It’s time for 2023 Juneteenth celebrations! Juneteenth events by various community members and organizations are happening all around New Mexico. Whether you’re joining the crowds at Albuquerque Civic Plaza, heading to the Jazz Festival in Las Cruces, giving thanks at church, or hanging out with your family and friends at the backyard cookout, you’ll be commemorating something special on June 19.
Also referred to as “Jubilee Day,” Juneteenth memorializes the month and day when enslaved people in Texas were finally informed that the Civil War was over and that they had, in fact, been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation two years prior. African Americans have been commemorating the postbellum era ever since, even though Juneteenth’s only been considered official since 2021, when congress made it the first federal holiday added to the list since Dr. King’s birthday in 1983.
As the Black communities have been saying since the Albuquerque Journal featured the Summer of Resistance 2020, Juneteenth is another sign to America that African Americans are deserving of the freedoms afforded everyone else. Our work toward equity and healthfulness in body, mind, and spirit is not about a mere moment, but is part of an enduring movement.
The NMBLC events calendar has a wealth of community Juneteenth celebrations hosted by groups throughout New Mexico. Keep scrolling for the Juneteenth events rundown. NMBLC will have a table at the NM Juneteenth at Civic Plaza on Saturday, June 17 with activities for everyone (more information below). Keep checking back here or at our events calendar as more 2023 Juneteenth celebrations get added.
2023 Juneteenth Events in New Mexico
Albuquerque/Rio Rancho
Juneteenth Women & Wealth Wednesday: My Way to Financial Freedom
Three local creatives share what’s coming up in Albuquerque New Mexico’s LGBTQ+ communities of color and what’s going down during June Pride Month.
In honor of Pride month, NMBLC talked to three local creatives about what PRIDE means to LGBTQ+ communities of color. “How Our BlaQ Pride Shows” first appeared in the May/June 2023 edition of NMBLC’s monthly newspaper, the UpLift Chronicles. For more great articles about the people, places, and happenings of Albuquerque’s Black communities, subscribe to the UpLift Chronicles.
The following piece was written by Sean Cardinalli.
How Our BlaQ Pride Shows – What does PRIDE mean to queer folks of color in New Mexico?
Below, some proud local creatives share on what’s coming up for themselves and what’s going down during June Pride Month…
J Gourdin, Multihyphenate Creative & UNM Advisor
“Joy is so real and powerful. I want to bring attention to the ways queer community finds motivation to keep sharing our light. In the face of so much vitriol about how people live their lives, queer people find each other and affirm the differences other communities cast shade on.”
J Gourdin
“I have the pleasure of advising the newly-chartered student organization at UNM, True Colors… bringing together Black queers to create refuge from stigma and judgement. True Colors imparts lessons of communal responsibility and challenges preconceived ideas of a solely cis-heterosexual Blackness. It is pivotal that Black queer and trans students be represented as a student organization of African American Student Services to reflect the ‘invisible’ tether that connects some of UNM’s brightest students.”
Dyonne Dahl, Drag Artist & Performance Art Curator
“I would like to highlight how our community came together to support and attend the first all-Black cast show, [called] The Chocolate Factory, at the Albuquerque Social Club. The energy and enthusiasm I felt at that show was like no other.”
“LGBTQ+ are getting represented and having safe spaces to go. I still think we need to focus on expanding that welcome and not focus solely on the L and G in our community as much. There are a lot of letters under our flag, and all of them need equal representation and to feel welcome. It’s [also] nice to know that we are living in a state that is a safe haven not only for our LGBTQ+ community but also for women’s rights.”
Avery Martini and Dyonne Dahl
Avery Martini, Drag Artist & Black/Queer Businessowner
“[I’m celebrating that] we are no longer waiting for brands or businesses to lead the fight or organize our events for us. There is a fire in ourselves to provide the visibility we deserve.”
“Thankfully, because of organizations in New Mexico like Equality New Mexico, Transgender Resource Center, and MPower with Planned Parenthood, we are one of the states that loves, affirms, and protects everyone including our queer and trans siblings! There are bills such as HB 207 being signed into law that will be the most expansive LGBTQIA protections in the nation. To see many of our allies stepping up to support us is extremely beneficial! I encourage everyone to continue to utilize their voices, speak with passion, move with purpose, and VOTE. Every voice matters and [whether] you’re a drag fan, a friend or family member to a queer individual, or a stranger to the cause, please speak up and show out!”
“I encourage everyone to continue to utilize their voices, speak with passion, move with purpose, and VOTE.”
— Avery Martini, Drag Artist & Black/Queer Businessowner
The following piece was written by Kristin Satterlee.
Famous By Nature – A beloved soul food spot attracts “a little bit of everybody”
When Frank Willis started delivering chicken and waffles out his sister’s kitchen in 2012, he had only $150 in his pocket. Just over a decade later, Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles has become an Albuquerque favorite with multigenerational appeal.
Willis was inspired by his love for the Los Angeles soul-food chain, Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles. “There was a void of the concept out here at the time,” he says. After a trip to the West Coast, he told his friends, “When we get back to Albuquerque, I’m going to open a chicken and waffles restaurant.” And he did.
Frank’s moved to its current location barely three months before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. “That was rough, because we were just gaining momentum… and it just all had to stop.” Frank’s survived on to-go orders only, reopening the dining room after a year.
Willis brings a second lifelong love to Burqueños through his restaurant. “My father was in a music group called Black Ice in the ’70s and ’80s. My love of music is probably just as strong as my love for food.” Frank’s hosts the band Nothing But Grooves to crowds Thursday night, with karaoke on Tuesdays. “We’re trying to get a little more nightlife going.”
Willis says Frank’s attracts “a little bit of everybody” with its food and welcoming atmosphere.
“We have grandmothers who come with their families, and when the grandmother or grandfather passes away, the family still comes… I just enjoy that we’re making people happy.”
— Frank Willis, owner, frank’s famous chicken & waffles
Visit Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles, located at
Subscribe to the UpLift Chronicles, a free monthly newspaper serving the folks, families, and business owners of the International District and Albuquerque’s Black communities.
The New Mexico Black Leadership Council (NMBLC) is proud to present its new publication, the UpLift Chronicles. The first issue came out in August of 2022, and with every monthly release, the UpLift Chronicles receives plenty of positive feedback. Distribution sites expand monthly to meet community demand. A wealth of archives is hosted digitally on NMBLC’s website. Keep reading to find out how you can stay in the know with the UpLift Chronicles.
Stay Connected. Be informed.
Subscribe to the UpLift Chronicles
What is the UpLift Chronicles?
The UpLift Chronicles is a free monthly newspaper serving the residents, families, and business owners of the International District and Black communities in Albuquerque. The UpLIft Chronicles is NMBLC’S editorial outlet for the Uplift Initiative. UpLift officially launched back on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. The UpLift Initiative serves New Mexico’s Black/African American communities and all residents of the International District.
Each month, the Chronicles covers what’s happening in the International District and Black communities. Each issue celebrates people and culture, and discusses events that directly impact residents. The UpLift Chronicles has two versions—the Beyond the Chair edition and the International District edition. The Beyond the Chair edition is distributed to Black owned-beauty salons and barber shops throughout the Albuquerque metro area. The International District edition is delivered to apartment complexes, businesses, and organizations in the southeast area of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
What Topics Are Covered in the UpLift Chronicles?
The Uplift Chronicles is full of information about events, opportunities, and resources.
Every month the NMBLC street team distributes papers to places throughout Albuquerque, such as
International District Library
Albuquerque City Hall
El Mezquite Market
State Office of African American Affairs
and many other shops and venues throughout the Burque metro area
The UpLift Chronicles is available in digital form on the NMBLC website. You can also subscribe to the UpLift Chronicles and have the latest digital edition delivered to your inbox.
The AfroMundo Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico celebrates Afro-Latinx music, dance, films, food, and more!
AfroMundo is hosting the second annual AfroMundo Festival in venues across Albuquerque, New Mexico. The festival runs from April 15 – 22, 2023. Spotlighting culture from Afro-Latinx and BIPOC peoples, the festival features music, dance, films, culinary feasts, panel discussions and more.
To top it off, all events are free.
Keep reading for the details on the AfroMundo Festival and plan your weekend festivities!
What is AfroMundo?
AfroMundo is an organization based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded by scholar and author Loida Maritza Pérez, it’s a multigenerational collective of storytellers, historians, artists, cultural specialists and humanities scholars. The mission of the organization is to nurture community and foster civic engagement, solidarity, and wellbeing among Afro-Latinx, Afro-Indigenous, Afro-Asian, and BIPOC peoples. This is accomplished through interactive arts and humanities programs.
Cuisine PLUS discussion with chefs Seiça Santana Carriaga of New Mexico, Gullah Geechee Chef Benjamin BJ Dennis from Netflix’s High on the Hog, and Garifuna Francesca Chaney whose vegan restaurant has been featured on GMA, Oprah, and Rachael Ray.
When: Wednesday, April 19, 4-6 and 7:30pm (see below)
Where: Three Sisters Kitchen and National Hispanic Cultural Center (see below)
What else:
Food pickup: 4-6 PM at Three Sisters Kitchen
Discussion with chefs: 7:30 PM at National Hispanic Cultural Center
Performance by Grammy nominees Charo Goyonehe, appointed Meritorious Person of Afro Peruvian Culture, and Rosa Guzmán, champion of Peru’s criolla music.
Abolitionist Frederick Douglass designated February 14 as his birthday, and that’s another reason to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and went on to be an influential anti-slavery and women’s rights activist. He never knew when his actual birthday was. Many enslaved Americans didn’t. As Douglass wrote in his 1845 autobiography:
“I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it. . . . I do not remember to have ever met a slave who could tell of his birthday. They seldom come nearer to it than planting-time, harvest-time, cherry-time, spring-time, or fall-time.”
NBY332340 Frontispiece and title page from, ‘Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave, written by himself’, published by The Anti-Slavery Office, Boston, 1845 (litho) by American School, (19th century); lithograph; Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois, USA; (add. info.: Frederick Douglass (c.1818-95) American abolitionist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer); American, out of copyright
He goes on to describe how this lack of knowledge caused him a lot of pain in his childhood. After all, all the white children could tell their ages.
All Douglass knew was that the year of his birth was 1818. And the only reason he knew that was because, in 1835, he overheard the plantation owner mention that Douglass was seventeen years old.
Asking about his actual birthday got him zero answers. Instead, the plantation owner told Douglass that his questions were “improper and impertinent, and evidence of a restless spirit”.
That last part had some truth in it. Douglass tried to escape the bonds of slavery several times throughout his young adulthood. In September of 1838, he made it to the free state of New York.
His description of how he felt after his successful escape demonstrates the double-edged sword of this existence. On the one hand: “It was a moment of the highest excitement I ever experienced.” On the other hand: “I was yet liable to be taken back, and subjected to all the tortures of slavery. This in itself was enough to damp the ardor of my enthusiasm.”
Frederick Douglass spent the rest of his life fighting for the abolition of slavery and the rights of women. As a free man, he created what had been denied him all his life: a birthday. He estimated that he was born in February, and decided to celebrate it on February 14th.
NMBLC is your spot to find all the happenings for Black History Month in New Mexico.
February is Black History Month in the United States. Here at the New Mexico Black Leadership Council (NMBLC), we say that Black History is all year, all around us, even when we don’t know it. Black History Month in New Mexico kicked into gear at the University of New Mexico with the Africana Studies Kick Off Brunch on January 28, 2023.
UNM students who participated in the Africana Studies Kick Off Brunch. In the front row, Kaelyn Moon, served as Brunch MC and Charles Simon was the 2023 Africana Studies Student Awardee. Photo Credit: UNM African American Student Services
In 2023, NMBLC is shouting out all the amazing and fun community events happening in New Mexico for Black History Month and beyond. Our goal is to collect and post all the events we can find on our community events calendar so that you know what’s up.
Friday, February 10, 2023, 10:30pm: The Unsettling.
Tuesday – Thursday, February 14 – 16, 2023, 8pm: Love Jones presented by NM Entertainment
Saturday, February 18, 1pm: Free at Last: A Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Short Documentary presented by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of New Mexico
Where: Guild Cinema, 3405 Central Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM
What else: The first feature of the new series Las Cruces Stories about beloved and dedicated teacher Mr. Clarence Fielder. More information at the link below:
What else: The Office of Black Community Engagement hosts this event to celebrate Black History and provide the latest updates from the office. More information at the link below:
New year, new office! The New Mexico Black Leadership Council just bought a building in the International District and we’re settling into our new digs.
For the past several years, the New Mexico Black Leadership Council (NMBLC) had headquarters in Albuquerque’s International District at 1258 Ortiz Drive SE. On January 10, 2023, NMBLC closed on its new location at 1314 Madeira Dr SE. We’re still in the International District, just a few blocks away from the old place.
NMBLC’S New Office Building at 1314 Madeira Dr SE in Albuquerque, New Mexico
As NMBLC’s mission expanded, so did our physical space. Staff offices, a community meeting room, the UpLift Initiative, and the Roots Summer Leadership Academy (RSLA) were all at the Ortiz Building. NMBLC had hoped to buy the building and add a training and resource hub. In the fall, the owners of the Ortiz Building accepted an offer from an out of state buyer. Our lease was terminated at the end of 2022.
NMBLC Crew Moving on Out and Up
When one door closes, another opens. NMBLC bought an office building! It’s north of Gibson, between Twisters and Stripes Burritos, and across from Sonic. We’re still close to where we had our outdoor RSLA camp and Pamoja Run/Walk. We’re still here to help out our ID neighbors.
Another benefit of the move is that NMBLC ended a troubling landlord tenant situation. The management company at our previous location routinely ignored basic things such as keeping up the restrooms and fixing the heating and cooling. This situation is changing for the better with the new building. We own the building and will contract with companies that deliver on their services.
We’re sad to leave our old home. But we’re excited to start the new year with a new space. Stop by and see us!
NMBLC’s New Address
New Mexico Black Leadership Council 1314 Madeira Dr SE Albuquerque, NM 87108
