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Harambee Ujima Executive Officer (Interim);

Commentary

As a cultural collective, assist with the implementation process and the
the Mission of the move forward: Art Gallery, Marketing and
Harambee Ujima Arts promotion, Logistics, Entertainment, Children's
and Cultural Village, and Fundraising.
Association is to
advocate for the Black In the days prior to the festival the committee have
Arts Movement and the worked diligently to bring you what you see today
preservation of all at the 2015 Harambee Ujima Black Arts Festival.
forms of Black Art. The Thank you all, in advance, for all of your support as
Nazura Haymon long-term vision is to we continue to build alliances and partnerships in
Executive Officer create a Black Arts the Homewood community.
Movement for the
youth that re- We honor the legacy that says, "We are Many
establishes Black Pride and Dignity, as well as a Different People Pulling Together" so that future
sense of Community. generations will continue to experience the great
legacy of Harambee Ujima and look at this as an
The Harambee Ujima Black Art and Cultural opportunity to provide a culturally enriching
Association was challenged with a great task to experience of the Black Arts Movement here in
move the Ujima Black Arts Festival into the 21st Pittsburgh and beyond.
century with the changing demographics in the
community of Homewood that comes with Harambee! Harambee! Harambee
population loss, underemployment, high crime
rates, violence, and incarceration.

While most organizations fade away due to various
challenges, in 2015, the Harambee Black Arts
Festival is now in its fifth generation. With the
rich legacy of the past and the inspiration
to look at things a new way, the all-
volunteer board was charged with
bringing in some younger
people to help shape the
strategic planning process
and implementation of
programs.

This past March the
board had an
organizational
development retreat to
assist them in becoming
a more sustainable
Culture and Arts
organization. Working
committees were formed to