WHAT IS THE PRICE OF YOUR FREE-DOME?

"(Malcolm X) was our pathway to revolutionary understanding. Malcolm X went through a series of rites of passage-from Malcolm Little to Detroit Red to Satan to Malcolm X to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. All this because the man never stopped trying to develop and recognize the best of himself  He was self-determined. Malcolm was saying we need to be more. And we heard that. And he said it better than anybody ever said it. He made it clear to us. So all we wanted to do was be disciples of Malcolm, in a sense, using poetry to illuminate the same values that he planted in our head" On Malcolm X's influence on the Last Poets ( 2001)

The spirit of our people is just so great! Meeting two of the conscious minds of our nation brought empowerment and pride to the City Of Rochester. I would like to give many thanks to our special guest Mr. Abiodun Oyewole and Dr.Umar Abdullah Johnson.

Could the sleeping Giant be awakening in 2013?   

Experience is our greatest teacher.  In that we must give our communities the opportunity to see the power that we truly possess, moving us from staying stagnate, and beginning the process of captivating and inspiring us as a whole to continue to push forward. 

 A double weekend of power packed messages beginning from "The Price of Freedom is Death: Black Aesthetic Art Show 2013" to The " 4th of You "lie" independence day observation"  at Western New York's premier African/African American Institution  'The Frederick Douglass Resource Center', led Rochester back to our great and vast history. 

In order to attain Free-Dome...we must begin to recognize our Africaness and do our sankofa daily. Remembering your past so that you will have accurate knowledge about your future.

The BAAS took participants back.... into the sixties to mid 70's of the Black Power Movement. Taking a even closer perspective of the messaging of Malcolm X( El Hajj El-Malik Shabazz)and how it effected and moved the majority of the Black community.

The wake up call for the entire Black community unfortunately was the assassination of Malcolm X in 1965( among many other fallen soldiers who were victims of assassinations). The divinity in this situation was the birth of The Black Arts Movement. For the Black community, this form of creative expression was used to translate not only the Black Power message of Malcolm X, but infused the importance and love for Black life, Black beauty, and self sufficiency. The Black Art Movement proved that the journey to liberation was not completely over ,so the struggle continued . 

The major icons of this time period such as LeRoi Jones( Amiri Baraka) manifested the "By any means necessary"  and "Standing on truth" through powerful poetry and theater.  Malcolm X and our ancestors gave the people the power tools to fight against oppression and continual white supremacy to be victorious in setting free the nation inside of the nation.

Observing how these young Afrikan artist transformed Malcolm's messages into a power resource to change the mental and physical paradigm of most Africans in America, The conception of the Rochester Black Arts Council was brought to fruition.  The Rochester Black Arts Council is made up of local Black artist from the City of Rochester. Ranging from emerging and established artist. Using mediums of visual arts, poetic rhythms, theater, sculptors, and musicians. Re-constructing our history is the main emphasis  and using our collective creative genius will assist in manifesting truth and justice within our communities, be it locally, nationally, or globally. 

The closing ceremonies for the BAAS took place on June 28-29 2013. 

The Frederick Douglass Resource Center screened the first viewing of "110 Morning Side" A Tribute to Abiodun. Directed by Nicholle La Vann of Flimstress Flimz. 

Our finale included the Rochester Black Arts Council along with special guest Abiodun Oyewole engaged in a in depth panel discussion: The Black Aesthetic: The search for self in the 21st century. Ending the evening with a question and answer from the audience. The panel gave the City of Rochester an idea of what they should expect from the council with regards to self determination and rejuvenation of the Black comm-UNITY in the City of Rochester.

Rolling into the month of July...many brought in their independence day in with The Frederick Douglass Resource center's annual 4th of you "LIE" weekend. The Frederick Douglass Resource Center hosted Pan-Akfrikanist Dr. Umar Abdullah Johnson. Nationally certified school psychologist and blood relative of Frederick Douglass. 

Dr. Johnson reviewed Douglass' July 5th oration and stated the facts, as it relates to the TRUE state of public "education" and that system's fatal impacts on the hearts and minds of our Black children--particularly our Black boys--not only in the City of Rochester, but all across the country!

Moving from symbolism to substance is the mission of the conscious community in the City of Rochester. 

Bringing light to our people by any means necessary is the goal and unlocking the

key to our hidden story and knowing thy-self will protect us on this journey of Free-Dome. 

We would like to thank all artist who participated: Johnnie Lee Smith, Brittany Williams, Jahaka Mindstorm, Josh Minick, Luvon Sheppard, and Ms. Myeshia. Our dedicated family/volunteers of the FDRC, and those who participated in our double weekend of EDUtainment.

Your continued support is necessary in order to move our community to the top! Please check out our Face Book page to find our how to volunteer and donate today!

Thank you and stay tuned. Creator Bless

The Frederick Douglass Resource Center

Dr. Umar Abdullah Johnson

Abiodun Oywole

BAAS