Odunde 2024 Program Book

DR. MAXINE BUIE MIMMS

NOVEMBER 2024

JOURNEY CELEBRATING A QUEEN

A ROYAL REMINDER OF THE 7 PRINCIPLES Saturday, November 9 Kinara Park Kids Northwest Tap Connection Never 2 Early to Create and Innovate (N2E)

NOVEMBER 2024

LLYN DE DANAAN PHOTOGRAPHER

ISSUE 12

Produced by Twanda Hill Inc. | www.twandahill.com | 206.248.6072

THREE COMMUNITY EVENTS

ODUNDE FESTIVAL Celebrating our 40th Anniversary Saturday, November 16 Rainier Arts Center www.adefuacenter.org

SOUNDS OF THE SOUND CONCERT Saturday, November 30 Town Hall www.josephinehowell.com

A Toast to the Queen Welcome, everyone, and thank you for joining me on this journey to celebrate Dr. Maxine Buie Mimms. Our friendship dates back to the days of Zion Prep in the 90s. Many saw Dr. Mimms as a mentor or elder, but to me, she was a cherished friend, a kindred spirit. This book began as a collaborative effort to honor her life and legacy even before her passing, and it reflects the spirit of community and partnership that she always championed.

Dr. Mimms encouraged all of us to be bold and fearless. She believed in the power of collaboration and using ideas to create a lasting impact. For 30 years, we worked side by side, along the I-5 corridor and uplifting the spirit of excellence wherever we went. There are moments now when I feel an urge to call her, to share some news, and I realize how much I miss her. Through the love notes contributed by friends and admirers, we hope to keep her spirit vibrant and inspire others to carry forward her work.

The Journey Book will be distributed at three special gatherings in Seattle: A Royal Reminder of the 7 Principles of Kwanzaa – November 9 Odunde Festival – November 16 (Tickets are still available) Sounds of the Sound – November 30 (Tickets are still available) Everyone who attends these events or who supported this project will receive a copy. The Journey book will also be viewable at www.drmimmspresents.com. Proceeds from this project will help fund her Celebration of Life planned for March 8, 2025, at the Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus, as well as Live Streamed. Maxine left clear instructions for her celebration. Updates will be posted to the website after the 1st of the year.

To the people that visited, sent prayers, flowers and financial support, we thank you. I say, we because I worked with a remarkable team championed by Elizabeth Diffendal to sort through the noise and create the space deserving of a Queen for her final year. To Alasha Adams, Indigo Brown, Kelle Brown, Dawn Mason, Ardell and Sherri Shaw, Patricia Valentine, and Ophelia Taylor Walker— you are the Official Dream Team. My gratitude is boundless.

Lastly but most important, please remember to hold up her family: Ted, Tonie, Kenneth, Elyse, Chantel, Lovell, Jenesis and Lillia. Send a meal, a basket or a card. Let them feel the love and support our community has to offer. You know how we feel, so continue to check in with them to honor Dr. Maxine Buie Mimms’ legacy.

Peace and Blessings to all!

www.twandahill.com

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FEATURED EVENT 2

ADEFUA Alumni

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Odunde Festival - Program Order Mistress of Ceremonies ~ Babakauna Ujamal Salute to our 40th Year!

Libation ~ Iyalaje Afua Kouyate Paying Honor to Dr. Maxine Buie Mimms

The Evolution of Culture in Community The Evolution of Culture in Community is presented by a collective of our very own ADEFUA Artists. All performers in tonight’s show are multi-talented artists. Each performer sings, dance and plays multiple instruments. You’re here to see and feel community that surrounds us each day in sacredness. The dances and the rhythms of the variation of the drums on stage tonight represents several lineages which reaffirms and celebrates identity, and connects people of African ancestry with their roots, while also supporting cultural arts in our intergenerational backyards.

~ 1st Half ~

Ajaja invokes community to pay homage and honor to our ancestors as they continue to guide us all into the village of change. The Sylla family wakes up to the call of legacy building while the babies are young. Every home has a culture. We can teach our children ways of the land to build behavior and character to be celebrated with effort, diligence, and proper guidance. Love recharges and restores breathe… Modeling the steps of worthiness and ambition moves talents into action. Drawing inspirations from one another and allowing our children and families to see that hope and healing are all around us in our cultural communities. It’s a good thing for all of us – men and women to serve our families and community. Being of service to family, community, and what’s compatible to us…

~ Intermission ~ ~ 2nd Half ~

In community, a place of wholesome and nurturing influences can exert a positive showing of compassion and resources. The joy of opportunity in music and dance. We honor the integrity of our cultural forebearers by living up to it in thought and deed. It’s Harvest time!

Odunde-Odunde is celebrated as we share praises and give thanks to our all-mighty creator for life. Harvest time is working time. This process does take the whole village and it’s a happy time coming together. We sing and dance bringing in the New Year! With the abundance of life and light, we consume so much wealth. These are seeds for our hopes and dreams. Shango comes now to guard it well and invest it wisely. The marathon is ahead of us! The dance of strength picks up wisdom, confidence, and insight as the language of the drums brings community forward always.

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Executive Director

~ Credits~

Afua Kouyaté

Elders

Naby, Komala Martin-Sylla, Pam Brown.

Associate Director

Voice overs

Babakauna Ujamal

Babakauna Ujamal

Musical Directors

Stage Manager

Boka Kouyaté, Foluso Mimy

Choreographers

Jo Alyce Harris

Performers

Sekou Kouyaté MiAndre Harris

Afua Kouyaté, Nailah Bulley

Backstage

Guest Artists:

Baba Mosheh Milon Grupo Bayano | Todo Folklore Cubano NW Tap Connection

Pauline Harris, Madeline Brooks

Musicians

Box Office Tickets

Front of the House Hospitality

Boka, Foluso, Papa Mangue Sylla, Mamadi Condé, Naby Camara, Kwame Harris

Cynthia Dampier

Raffle Tickets

Dancers

Madeline Brooks

Afua Kouyate, Chisula Chambers, Indika Sylla, Nailah Bulley, Aishé Keita, Nichole Jackson, Marvine Faty

~

Blackbox Digital Films

is filming tonights event. Footage will be a part of next years documentary, “The Legacy of ADEFUA”

Youth

King, Nafi, Aniyah, Mayila

NW Tap Connection

~

Instructed by Nailah Bulley

Macy Black, Kimora Boston-Meade, Moniah Gabriel, Davis Gustafson, Brookelyn Herron, Indigo Hunstiger, Grace Maloney-Pouliet, Jocelyn McMillon, Poppy Duangdala, Meseret Saleem, Ayanna Omar

Noni Ervin from Kinara Park Kids

is also on location, prepping for the 4th Annual Kwanzaa Awards, which will take place on January 4th at The Royal Esquire Club.

~ Acknowledgements ~

Todo Folklore Cubano & Grupo Bayano

OUR 2024 ODUNDE VENDORS (See the insert) Laurie Sylla, One World Arts Exchange

is a Seattle-based dance company that stands as a vibrant testament to the rich folkloric traditions of Cuba. Founded in 2005 by the distinguished Jose Carrion, a former principal dancer with Ballet Folklorico Cutumba, TFC has evolved into a cultural beacon in the Pacific Northwest.

José Carrión - Artistic Director and Percussion Yoanis Carrión - Musical Director and Percussion Teno Carrión - Dance Christopher German - Dance Ricardo Guity - Percussion Sharon Cronin - Vocals Astrae Doty Vargas - Vocals Bobby Smith - Vocals

The Friends of ADEFUA

Your time and energies that support our work on and off stage matters!

Rosemary Black, Katherine (Kat) Talbert, Aviona Rodriguez Brown, Olivia Quarles, Ayanna Omar, Jo Alyce Harris, Pauline Harris, Sekou Kouyaté

Join Us and Support Us! www.adefuacenter.org

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DID YOU KNOW? ADEFUA is building a 4 story African Cultural Center in Rainier Valley?

Join US & Support US ADEFUA 6716 Rainier Avenue S. Seattle 98118 www.adefuacenter.org

Join us and celebrate us all year long!

ADEFUA 2025 January

‘The Legacy of ADEFUA’ Testimonials Conducted by Black Box Digital Films

February

The Legacy of ADEFUA Community Leader should register for interviews.

March 8th

Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Dr. Maxine Mimms The Evergreen State College, Tacoma, Washington

March 22nd

Rites of Passage | It’s A Girl Thang Potluck Gathering

April 26th

Rainier Valley Creative District Tour of Rainier Valley Businesses

May 3rd

African Cultural Arts Center Community Event featuring ‘Black Dance Is...Sports’

June 28th-July 6

“AZAN (Have Fun) Afua’’ Carnival | 8 Day Eastern Caribbean Boat Cruise St. Thomas, San Juan, Amber Cove/Dominican Republic, and Grand Turk

August 9th

ADEFUA’S BBQ Drum & Dance in the Park

September 13th

Media Party supporting The Film, “The Legacy of ADEFUA”

October 1st

Odunde Festival 2025 Tickets Tickets go on sale!

Nov 15th

Odunde Gala 2025 The Film and Performance “The Legacy of ADEFUA” Location: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute

Join us - Support us | info@adefuacenter.org | www.adefuacenter.org -6-

“AZAN” (Having A Good Time) with Afua!

Carnival Vista | June 28, 2025-July 6, 2025

Eastern Caribbean | 8 day Boat Cruise | Depart: Port Caverneral Visiting: St. Thomas, San Juan, Amber Cove/Dominican Republic, and Grand Turk

Balcony $3,378.00 | Ocean View $2,718.00 Book Now for only a $500 deposit Monthly payments available, final payment March 30th Rates are for two people in these beautiful cabins Only 8 cabins reserved Special perks are already included Room Rates are not guaranteed until purchased Booking # S4CF83 Call Jackie Ford 1-305-599-2600 X 85631 -7-

~ To share is to survive forever, thank you for sharing ~ The Black AIDS Institute is Grateful for your contributions to the following: Sister’s Get Real @ HIV: USA Remarkable You, Va, and NC CIAA Women at the Well; Charlotte,NC Atirtec; Founding Elder , Covid Multigenerational Curriculum /Advisory committees HRSA / BAI HBCU-BHIVE: (Black HIV Epidemic ) Curriculum and Advisory Committees

Thanks for being our "Elegant" friend!

Grazell R.Howard, JD Chair The Black AIDS Institute

“Only equals can be friends.” --Maya Angelou

BAI