“We Are Kentuckians: Celebrating Our Common Heritage” honors African American women in Kentucky

KFTC presents a cultural heritage event to benefit Kentucky’s Bright Future

A celebration of African American women’s heritage through art, dance, music, spoken word, and storytelling hosted by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KFTC) will be on Thursday, March 10, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Clifton Center (2117 Payne Street) in Louisville.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the third annual “We Are Kentuckians: Celebrating Our Common Heritage” highlights the important but often unheard stories of Black women in Kentucky. Kentucky female dancers, speakers, musicians and artists will share their work, personal stories and vision for Kentucky’s Bright Future.

For example, Cynthia Fletcher will sing and play the traditional dulcimer music her family brought with them from Appalachia to Louisville. Manual High School student Taylor Little will share her passion for history and how she created the Black History Matters campaign to recover and amplify the untold stories of African Americans.

The full evening lineup includes: musicians Committed, Cynthia Fletcher, and DJ Alli; dancers Dionne Griffiths and Cynthia Brown; poets Hannah Drake and Robin Robinson; and storytellers Kristen Williams, Taylor Little and Andrea Massey.

African American culture and heritage is an important lens for the social, environmental and economic justice issues that KFTC works on throughout the year. Proceeds from this event will support KFTC’s efforts to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and help them see the connections between their communities and issues – to build long-term, mutually supportive relationships that are the basis for building New Power together.

Cassia Herron, who emceed last year’s event, believes this program is unique and important. “The space is warm, inviting and inclusive. It is one of very few spaces that uplifts Black culture in Kentucky and puts us on center stage and at the same time helps connect Black Kentuckians to social justice issues that affect us all.  My hopes are that through this annual event KFTC continues to bring new faces to our work and helps move the needle on those issues in a big way.”

We Are Kentuckians is part of the Clifton Center’s African Americans in Kentucky history event series highlighting African American heritage and music in our region. We Are Kentuckians is open to all and will provide opportunities to learn more about KFTC, become members, donate, and get involved in working for a better Kentucky for all.

This event is open to the public with a suggested donation of $10 to $20, which includes food from Dasha Barbours Southern Bistro and Louisville Vegan Kitchen. There will be a silent auction with items donated by Kentucky businesses and artists highlighting African American history and culture, including Appalshop, Carmichael’s Bookstore, and Grassroots Information Design Studio. The event organizers recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance at http://bit.ly/1TcbAVU or by calling 502-589-3188.

KFTC is 34-year-old grassroots organization that believes in the power of people, working together, to challenge injustices, right wrongs, and improve the quality of life for all Kentuckians. Visit KFTC online at www.kftc.org or call 502-589-3188 for more information.

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