Greetings Beautiful Earth People,
Multi-Cultural Earth Day was a great day for all cultures and all people. It was a great time to see our community together fighting hate, teaching tolerance and always seeking environmental justice. It is said a people united will never be defeated.
I was a bit nervous at first knowing that Earth Works had said goodbye to Balboa Park after 30+ years. I remember joining them in the early days and working with Carolyn Chase and Michael Kline. One year we even brought Dennis Brown and Angelique Kidjo to the Starlight Bowl. Recently for Earth Works, Earth Day got to be financially unfeasible for them and as prices continue to rise I understand why they are moving on to other environmental projects. Next Earth Day we will be reaching out to you to support us in our fundraising efforts for Earth Day.
Multi-Cultural Earth Day was blessed to have speakers like master herbalist Yahki Awakened, moringa expert Mariko Davis, food justice expert Dr. Carrie Waterman, and soil researcher Isaac Diaz. Shoutout also to Marilu Lopez Fretts from the Celebrate Urban Birds project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for coming out to support the event.
Also big up to all the vendors and organizations that participated. What a blessing to have local businesses come out to support including OB’s People’s Food Coop.
The Healing Peace Garden was all about wellness and health. We had sound healing sessions by Hulu, Jyorei by Shumei Intl and massage energy work.
And a big thank you to all the musicians and performers: Andrew Bees from Black Uhuru, Zivanai Masango, Rob Symeonn, Mariea Antoinette, Intent, Quinto Sol, Empress Akua, Revival, and Sol Remedy. Plus WorldBeat Center’s classes: Japanese Taiko by San Diego Taiko, Middle-Eastern Drumming and Belly Dance by Cairo Beats, West African Drum and Dance, Afrobeat Dance by Stephanie O, and Brazilian Samba by Super Sonic Samba. And also a big thank you to all our volunteers, staff and local sponsors that made this event possible.
We must continue to build an economy of kindness and come together with a consciousness of care for one another and the needs of the Earth. Its the planet we live on and that we are a part of. We have taken our Mother Earth for granted. We have impacted the soil, the ocean, the atmosphere and all of its inhabitants. Let’s be the change we want to see in this world.
All my relations, One Earth,
Makeda Dread Cheatom
Watch slideshow below
