Jambo Beautiful Spirits,
I feel honored and blessed to greet you as the rais of HC Black Music and Arts Association (HCBMAA). Everything in my career has led me to lead HCBMAA towards restorative Ubuntu healing. The work I put in towards the organization is nourishing. Although I'm not from Humboldt County, I feel the Black and Brown Community does a good job of holding me accountable on a spiritual, professional, and personal level. As a mother, jenga, professional and leader, I understand the importance of cultural consciousness, engagement and communication. It takes grace and faith to lead. It is my belief, that we all can pull together in the spirit of Harambee to promote Umoja and overcome cultural starvation.
At HCBMAA, narrative stories from past and present generations are coming to life and unfolding from Sages. The language, music, and movement of our people are being utilized at the organization in the light of darkness to inspire Black joy. My goal for HCBMAA is to promote Black sovereignty rights and deliver culturally diverse programs by the village for the village, so those who identify as being Black, Indigenous, Mixed Race, or a Person of Color (BIMPOC) do not have to continue going on survival mode. The HC Harambee Family understands that to be sustainable in Humboldt County, we must be intentional, which is why we hold restorative circles to do self-healing. In the words of Dr. Dorothy Height, "We have to improve life, not just for those who have the most skills and those who know how to manipulate the system, but also for those who often have so much to give but never get the opportunity." If ever the Black Community needs agents of change, it is now.
Ubuntu Sisi ni Sawa,
Valetta Molosky