Day 3 started out a little slow – had to take time to download and edit video, recharge equipment batteries, and refuel my extrovert level.
9:00 pm: Nikema and I went to a VIP reception at the Love club. Great food, 4 floors of music, and lots of people watching. Let’s just say that Nikema and I were one of the very few conservatively dressed women at this reception. I think we had different agenda items from the other women – we had intentions of leaving the club with old friends and not “new” friends. After spending the afternoon in the presence of beautiful and poised black women like Dorothy Height, Susan Taylor, and Cong. Eleanor Holmes Norton…let’s just say that this was a room full of polar opposites. We did enjoy ourselves cause we can make the most out of any occasion as long as we get to laugh and dance. Ran into CNN contributor, Roland Martin and radio personality, Tom Joyner. I will not be publicly posting any photos from this event – I did capture some of the fashion on video. Must make Jules a montage video so she can review it for DFI.
5:30 pm: Hung out with some former work colleagues from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. Good times…Good people who fight for civil and social justice on the daily.
4:30 pm: Nikema and I were at the right place and the right time to run into the beautiful Susan Taylor. Susan represents all that is Black women beauty. Susan Taylor, was the editor-in-chief at Essence Magazine. During her tenure, Essence Magazine became the publication for Black women. She’s as lovely and warm in person as she once graced the pages of Essence Magazine.
Nikema and Susan Taylor:
3:30 pm: Stopped briefly in on a panel session led by Cong. Eleanor Holmes Norton. Fab-bo-lous! I love Congresswoman Norton. She’s fiery, passionate, and is a great speaker. The session was on whether we are living in a post-racial society. There was also lengthy discussions on how to integrate new technologies with historic black institutions (like Black churches, NAACP). Once again the topic of the Democratic Party not using new technologies to mobilize its base voters was also discussed.
In this clip, Cong. Holmes Norton talks about how to we must motivate and nurture the younger generations not with just using words and slogans from her generation. She is following up on a statement and audience member made about how Black folks need to revitalize the saying “Black is Beautiful”.
In this clip, Cong. Holmes Norton talks about why the CBCF weekend is important to the Congressional members because “it is about black members of Congress getting in touch with what black folks are thinking”. Pretty much sums it up for me.
3:00 pm: Went to the convention center in search of 2 of my favorite Young Dems, Nikema and Leslie. After connecting with Leslie, I still couldn’t find Nikema so I texted her. Here is the actual text message exchange:
Bernita to Nikema: hey where r u at?
Nikema to Bernita: I’m in 146c stalking Dorothy Height for a picture
Sure enough, Nikema was really stalking Dr. Height. For those who don’t know the amazing work and legacy of Dr. Dorothy Height, she:
has given leadership to the struggle for equality and human rights for all people. For thirty-three years – (1944 – 1977), Height served on the staff of the National Board of the YWCA of the USA. In l957, Height was elected fourth National President of National Council of Negro Women and served as its chair until 1998. In 1960, Height was the woman team member leader in the United Civil Rights Leadership along with Martin Luther King, Whitney H. Young, A. Philip Randolph, James Farmer, Roy Wilkins and John Lewis.
Nikema’s stalking paid off and she was able to take a picture with the 97 year old Dr. Dorothy Height who remains the face of Black women social activism.
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