Because knowledge of our history is made possible by those who have played a significant role in our lives, we felt that we should establish a goal: … To celebrate the accomplishments of African forerunners of cultural education, literature, and history.

In 2012, World Ebony Network hosted a birthday reception  in honor of Ambassador George Haley.  The evening began at 6pm in the Reception room of the Women’s National Democratic Club in Washington DC with the arrival of Ambassador George W. Haley and his wife, Doris, who shares the same birthday and playfully chides him for being born on a different year. During the reception, they received and took pictures with distinguished guests.

Some of the distinguished guests included Chairman of the event, Ambassador Blaise Cherif of the Republic of Guinea, Dr. Carolyn Rudd, founder, President, and CEO of Corporate Resources, Incorporated (CRP) and husband, Ambassador Horace Greeley Dawson, Jr., former US Ambassador to Botswana, Ayiana Gregory, daughter of Comedian and Civil Rights activist, Dick Gregory  (photo not included), HE, Ambassador Blaise Cherif, Amb.  Republic of Guinea, Ms. Jan Du plain, Ambassador Haley with Mr. Burke, Howard University director of Arts, Cathryn Stanley, Mrs. Stanley, and friends.

At dinner, Nefer Ra played the flute and Soprano Saxophone accompanied by the sultry sound of vocalist Jenise Brown. The beautifully stunning Ms. Marsha Reeves-Jews, World Ebony Network board director and Event Director of the Frederick Douglas  Museum, Baltimore, MD was the Mistress of Ceremonies. Dr. Ezi Mecha, the Founder and President & CEO of World Ebony Network shared the mission and goals of World Ebony Network and the chairman of World Ebony Network Col. US Army (Ret) Frank E. Underwood, Sr. offered his vision of the organization.  Tiffany Mecha Agina followed with a rendition of the United States national anthem.

During our legacy celebrations, we engage our youth in fun ways that help them learn about their roots while socializing. It is not only fun for them, but also rewarding enough not to miss being on the streets or getting in trouble.  These plays are usually reflections of the celebrant’s legacy or their works and in essence, values and practices of their fore fathers.

We develop skits from original works, anecdotes from family and friends of the celebrant, and instruct and expose our youth to the ethics and lifestyles of their heritage. Resources for the play are made possible through partnerships with individuals, businesses, organizations, and groups because it is indeed the “take the village to raise a child” concept. By providing resources and allowing them to play certain scenes  through which to unleash their full imaginations and creativity, we teach them core values while taking them back in time and helping them to relive their ancestor’s experiences. 

The interesting aspect of our production is how our youth are rehearsed before the day of performance. World Ebony Network engaged with our Chief Arts Director, Amas Gbubemi, who resides in Wales United Kingdom. He rehearsed with the youngsters through Skype from Wales and saw them for the first time on the day of the performance.

 

The 30 minutes Roots re-enactment of the Alex Haley’s movie “Roots” at  Ambassador Haley’s Birthday Dinner Celebration taught us that we can teach young people their identify while opening a world of opportunities through creative arts.

Rashad, as village chief, during the young boys coming of age, instructing them on how to protect their community as men.