MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY CELEBRATION l PPNA

ABOUT ARTISTS 94STRONG SPONSORS

We're so grateful to everyone who contributed to the REv. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration this year!

Attendees enjoyed performances, art activities, lunch, giveaways for kids, and more. The celebration showcased local artists whose performances are dedicated to ideals of community well-being like housing and environmental justice, and the elimination of race-based disparities to honor the work and vision of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED, PERFORMED, VOLUNTEERED & SUPPORTED THE 25TH ANNUAL REV. DR. KING CELEBRATION IN POWDERHORN PARK ON JAN. 16th, 2023!

ABOUT

LOVE IS POWER

...the MLK Legacy in Practice

PROGRAM

ARTISTS + SPEAKERS

Commissioner Angela Conley

For nearly 20 years Commissioner Conley has worked tirelessly to change systems at the macro level, both at the state and county, in ways that are holistic, person-first and seamless. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from St. Catherine University and Master’s degree in Public Administration from Hamline University. Now, she proudly serves as the first African American elected to the Hennepin County Board. Her top priority is including the voices of our families and communities in every decision the County makes that impact our lives.
Commissioner Conley continues to focus on housing as a fundamental human right, reducing race-based disparities in Hennepin County and reforming our juvenile justice system.

Miré Regulus

Miré Regulus is a writer, performance artist, public artist, community builder, parent and an Artistic Director of Poetry for People. She works the transformative intersection through where her work is sited; through poetry and non-linear, rich, poetical prose; through community participation; and by exploring how body+movement+gesture hold what we know.She works at how we form engaged community and the unique ways we figure out how to take care of each other.She lives and works at the intersection of the BIPOC, queer, political, food-focused and artistic communities seeking to build a more equitable and embodied world.

Diver Van Avery

Diver Van Avery (they/them) is a community-based artist who designs multi-disciplinary projects that deepen a sense of belonging and advocate for racial equity and liberation. Diver is Co-founder of Poetry for People whose mission is to design projects that center poetics and the word to grow community and cultivate connections between curious people. Poetry for People puts on the annual Poetry and Pie in Powderhorn Park. They are a queer parent and grateful City of Lakes Community Land Trust homeowner in the fabulous Powderhorn neighborhood.

Kashimana Ahua

Kashimana is a mother, musician, vocalist, composer, producer and teaching artist with a rich soulful blues voice that soars through their original compositions. The name Kashimana means 'that's their heart' and you can hear Kashimana’s heart beating in the compelling sound of their music which is an exploration of Soul, R&B, Folk, Afro-funk and more. Kashimana often draws from their Nigerian heritage and experiences growing up in Nigeria and Kenya and living in the United States.

Zhané Jackson

Zhané Jackson a.k.a Ruby Red is a passionate dancer, choreographer, writer, vocalist, creative director and event coordinator based in the Twin Cities. She started training professionally in dance in 2012—attending the performing arts high school SPCPA, located in the heart of downtown St. Paul. During her years there, she became well versed in multiple genres of dance including: Ballet, Modern, Jazz, West African, and Hip Hop—learning throughout the years to tap into these genres of dance to move her further along in her career. In 2016, she and 5 other multi-faceted artists (who also attended SPCPA) created New Black City: an all black and femme urban dance collective that has set an unprecedented standard for the artistic culture in the Twin Cities. NBC uses their platform to uplift and engage with the community, paving a pathway into leadership and development as individuals and as a group.
Throughout her years building with NBC, she has adopted other skill sets like business management, event management, and community development to make the most out of her career and leadership. Her credentials include performing at renowned venues such as First Avenue Mainroom, The Cowles Center, The Varsity Theatre, The Ordway, and much more! Currently, Zhané is continuing to focus on community building through art, expanding her skill sets as an artist and company owner, and teaching at a NE Minneapolis dance studio called Hothouse! She is also the Assistant Stage Manager for the renowned Penumbra Theatre.

Desaré Cox

Desaré Cox (she/her) is an artist native to Chicago, IL, raised in Minneapolis, MN. As a self taught dancer inspired by the movement, spirit, and community around her, she quickly learned, through embodiment, the true nature and essence of hip-hop. While she grew up loving and studying dance all her life, it wasn’t until high school and college that she began her performance career as a dancer and choreographer. In her most recent venture as a freestyle dancer, her movement style has developed into a mixture of smoothness and rhythmic grooves with a significant emphasis on musicality.

Desaré believes that dance is emotions personified and a powerful language that connects us all. Through that language, her work is fueled by the intention to grant viewers a moment to feel seen, understood, and represented, simultaneously allowing the expression of emotions and experiences— freely, and unapologetically. She has been apart of productions and events such as Target’s National Fall Conference, Abandoned Outlines Part 2, The Walker’s Choreogrpher’s Evening, Fall Forward Festival: Atlantis Origins, and MIXTAPE 5G to name a few.

Currently, Desaré is teaching choreography movement at HotHouse dance studio, is a flourishing model, forever student, and safe space; always striving to be a better teacher, artist, and human. "

Brass Solidarity Band

Brass Solidarity is a convergence of musicians, activists, and community members using their sound as a voice for justice and an advocate for Black Lives. They were birthed from the movement for Black Liberation in George Floyd square, meeting weekly as a continuous offering to the community. Their music is by the people and for the people as a passionate campaign to spread love and uplift BIPOC communities.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE VOLUNTEER TEAMS FROM CHASE BANK & TARGET FOR ALL THEIR WORK AT THE EVENT!

The life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have positively impacted the world we live in for over 94 years inspiring millions of people to activate for a more just world.

FEATURED ARTWORK BY SHEA MAZE

94 STRONG