Image: Zoom Meeting with Panelists
History is often written by those who hold the pen, but the Bridge of Freedom initiative is about those who hold the memories. In a closed-door rehearsal for our upcoming event at Mother Bethel AME, our panelists gathered to prepare for what promises to be an evocative fireside conversation. What began as a logistical check-in quickly evolved into an exploration of what it means to be free in a global diaspora.
The Multi-Faceted Definition of Freedom
For the panelists, freedom is not a static historical date; it is a living, breathing requirement for joy. Dr. Tiffany Pennamon, an Assistant Professor of African American Literature at Lincoln University, whose work explores the intersections of African American and African Diasporic art and Black liberation, set a powerful tone for the session, defining freedom as “no fear” and the “freedom to exist in my skin color without fear of anti-black violence”.
This sentiment was echoed by David W. Brown, an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Community and Communication at the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University. He reminded the group that this state of being is never guaranteed. “Freedom has always been a very expensive thing,” Brown noted, emphasizing the ongoing cost of fighting for and maintaining it. Meanwhile, moderator Mikhael Simmonds, a former Executive Director of the Center for Community Media at CUNY and Mid-Atlantic Manager of Solutions Journalism Network, offered a vision of freedom as a sanctuary from the demands of the modern world, an “environment to just be” without the pressures of production or external oversight.
The Bridge Across the Diaspora
The conversation highlighted that our local struggles are part of a larger, global fabric. Rev. Carolyn C. Cavaness, First Female Pastor of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, spoke to the deep-rooted connections between Philadelphia and the wider world, noting that people of African descent are both “the fabric and the thread” of this country’s foundation. Whether discussing the 18th-century migration to Haiti or the modern influence of Afro-beats and Soca, the consensus was clear: our liberation is bound together.
Eventbrite Link: Bridge of Freedom: A Fireside Conversation on Freedom and Global Black History in honor of Black History Month
A Call to Action: “Keep Our Stuff”
During the meeting, Rev. Cavaness issued a challenge that resonated deeply with everyone in the room: we must “keep our stuff”.
She emphasized that we cannot depend on government authorities or external institutions to preserve our legacies. We are the responsible heirs of our collective and individual family histories. In an age of transient generations and evolving technology, sitting down with an elder to record their story is a revolutionary act.
Who is the one person in your family you need to record today?
As Dr. Pennamon noted, taking notes is effective, but there is no substitute for hearing the actual voice of a grandmother, an aunt, or a father.
Your Challenge: Do not wait for the “perfect” time. Use the recorder on your phone, sit down with your family’s keeper of stories, and ask them how they arrived at this place. Help us bridge the gap between generations.
Join the Conversation: Experience the full depth of these insights in person.
- Event: Bridge of Freedom: A Fireside Conversation
- Date: Thursday, February 19th
- Location: Mother Bethel AME, Philadelphia
- Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
RSVP via the QR code on the flyer or contact info@funtimesmagazine.com.
