WASHINGTON -- On February 20, 2011, The Lincoln Theatre and The Adinkra Group present Umoja on U, a performance-infused celebration of Black History, honoring eight leaders in the Washington, DC community. Performers will include BlackNotes, Farafina Kan, Maimouna Youssef and Gods'Illa. Co-hosts are Entrepreneur Juanita "Busy Bee" Britton and Radio Personality EZ Street.
The Lincoln Theatre is located on U Street NW in Washington. Doors open at 5pm; program begins at 6 pm. This celebration was rescheduled from Kwanzaa, focusing on the principle of "Umoja," which means Unity. The 1st Annual Umoja on U: A Black History Celebration will unite various communities, while promoting the spirit of togetherness.
"Umoja on U will focus on unity and community building, while featuring the extraordinary talents of vocalists, musicians, dancers and spoken-word artists from our great city," said Jeffrey Banks, Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Lincoln Theatre. "In line with the spirit of community building, Umoja on U is sure to leave attendees uplifted and inspired."
Honorees include:
Kenny Barnes, Reaching Out to Others Together, Roots Inc.
Ron Clark, Regional Additional Prevention, (RAP) Inc.
Melvin Deal, African Heritage Dancers and Drummers
Carol Foster, DC Youth Ensemble
Kymone Freeman, Black L. U. V. (Love, Unity and Vision) Festival
Ayo Handy-Kendi, African-American Holiday Expo and Association
Brenda Jones, Parkland Community Center
Bernida Thompson, Roots Activity Learning Center and Roots Public Charter School
About the Lincoln Theatre
The Lincoln Theatre, built in 1922, was the center of a cultural renaissance that predated Harlem. Washington natives Duke Ellington and Pearl Bailey were joined by nationally acclaimed artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Nat King Cole, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and Sarah Vaughn who performed regularly on the Lincoln's storied stage. Even FDR had his birthday parties at the Lincoln Colonnade, a festive party hall once located at the Theatre.
About the Adinkra Group
The Adinkra Group is an edutainment resource company based in Washington, DC, with a mission to promote and support businesses, organizations, schools, artists, programs and events that contribute to the progressive development of the African American Community with Washington, DC as the nucleus. The vision is to create a solid network of individuals, families, communities and businesses throughout the African Diaspora who are committed to redefining and reshaping collective existence to one of realistic harmony, economic self-sufficiency, reciprocal support, collective responsibility and individual accountability. The Adinkra Group commits to establishing productive, flexible relationships and to sustain those relationships at the highest level.