All Power to the People
A three-day celebration of Black History will look back at Portland’s past with the Black Panther Party and how then challenges then can relate to the challenges we face today.
A three-day celebration of Black History will look back at Portland’s past with the Black Panther Party and how challenges then can relate to challenges we face today.
All Power to the People: Remembering the Legacy of the Black Panther Party in Portland with Mr. Kent Ford and invited guests will headline activities to be held the weekend of Feb. 11-13 at the Cerimon House, 5131 N.E. 23rd Ave.
The special Black History Month observances begin on Friday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. with a staged reading of “Walking Through Portland with a Panther: The Life of Mr. Kent Ford. All Power!” a solo play written by Don Wilson Glenn, directed by Damaris Webb, and featuring actor La’Tevin Alexander.
On Saturday, Feb 12 at 2 p.m., Ford will lead the discussion, “Remembering the Legacy of the Black Panther Party in Portland.” A founding member of Portland's chapter of the '60s-era black empowerment organization, Ford will share his personal memories of revolutionary activism, defending the community from police violence as well as organizing free breakfasts for children and health clinics. Then at 6 p.m., another staged reading of “Walking Through Portland with a Panther” will be presented.
On Sunday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m., a screening of SOUL’D: the economics of our Black bodies (the Joy edition), a new performance piece devised by a cohort of local Black performers, designers and filmmakers, will be presented. The production engages questions of how our Black bodies have participated in the American economic dream. Then at 4 p.m., “Point Number Five: a conversation with master artist Michael Bernard Stevenson Jr. and invited guests is planned, discussing a Ten Point Plan for justice and equality written by the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense in 1966 and how the plan can relate to the challenges we face today.
A link to make a reservation to attend any of the events is available at vanportmosaic.org.