Bulldozing Barriers: Reflections of Juneteenth and Diversity in Miami

7200 Biscayne Boulevard,Miami FL 33138

17 June, 2022

Description

Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S. is right around the corner! Historically designated on June 19th, it’s a day for ALL of us to recognize and celebrate. For MCCJ, a non-profit organization that advocates for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, Juneteenth is also an opportunity to reflect with ourselves and one another in active dialogue and strategize for a better future. As part of the “Can We Talk, Can We Really Talk?” series, MCCJ presents, "Bulldozing Barriers: Reflections of Juneteenth & Diversity in Miami" - an effort to encourage continuous self-development and respect, not just for the black community, but for people of all backgrounds, specifically in the context of the greater Miami area. “We invite people of all races, religions and cultures to join us in conversation as we acknowledge a period in history that should have shaped and influenced our society, but ongoing discord and violence against people of color and religious backgrounds, it’s become clear that we are regressing rather than progressing,” says MCCJ’s Executive Director, Matthew Anderson. Following break-out small group discussions lead by MCCJ's Associate Executive Director, Nikki Watkins, Matt will be moderating an open and frank discussion on Juneteenth and beyond, including reflecting upon our current context and identifying obstacles that are hindering progress for a more inclusive greater Miami community. Following the panel discussion, people are invited to enjoy light refreshments and live music from the Clean Cut band in Green Space Miami's beautiful venue. Panelists: Franklin Sirmans, Director at the Perez Art MuseumCarine Chehab, Miami Director of Human Rights WatchMitchell Kaplan, Owner of Books & Books; MCCJ Silver Medallion 2018Roshell Rosemond Rinkins of the Senior Director of Grants Administration at the John S. and James L. Knight FoundationPamela “Zee” Lopez, Program Director of the Green Space MiamiVania Laguerre, Market Executive at Bank of America Local MarketKimberly J. Green, President of the Green Family Foundation; MCCJ Silver Medallion 2016Matt Anderson, Executive Director of MCCJ (Moderator)Event Flow: 6:30p.m. -- Registration 7:00p.m. -- Curator-led tour of Creole Archive Project: Poloné Nwa Exhibition 7:30p.m.- 8:45p.m. -- Panel Discussion 8:45p.m.- 9:00p.m. -- Q&A 9:00p.m.- 10:00p.m. -- Refreshments & Music featuring the Clean Cut band Please note, parking for this event is free as well and is located across the street at Jimmy’s Eastside Diner (7201 Biscayne). Please reach out to Hannah Rickard, MCCJ AmeriCorps VISTA Training & Partnerships Coordinator, for any requests or questions regarding accessibility via email at [email protected]. About MCCJ: MCCJ Inc. was founded in 1935 as the Miami branch of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, but since 2011, following the demise of the national organization, we have been known simply as MCCJ. MCCJ is proud to host the oldest continuous interfaith clergy dialogue in the United States and realizes prejudice reducing programs in local high schools, and now middle schools, among other activities.For decades, MCCJ has served as a vital force for improving inter-group relations by creating safe havens for dialogue, training inclusive leaders, highlighting the benefits of diversity, and cultivating greater cohesion, recognition, and appreciation among greater Miami's various, vibrant communities. For more information, please visit: www.miamiccj.org or call 305-755-6096. Find us on Facebook, Instagram (@mccj_miami), and Twitter. About Green Space Miami: Green Space Miami is the Green Family Foundation’s new art space. Guided by the Foundation’s principles of inclusion, community empowerment and education, Green Space Miami centers marginalized stories at the intersections of lived experience, hosted in a space for dialogue. Green Space Miami’s mission is to be a catalyst for action around critical social issues, collaborating with community partners and educational institutions. Through the inaugural Green Space Initiative, 10 talented Miami visual artists were recognized for encouraging dialogue about critical social issues in their work. A total of $50,000 was awarded to these artists so they could continue to inspire, provoke, and educate. “Artists help us understand our world and each other, especially in these turbulent times. Yet many artists have lost income, exhibits and studios. It’s important more than ever that we invest in them and their work – particularly BIPoC creatives whose stories and viewpoints are so important for our ability to move forward as a community and country.” - Dr. Kimberly Green, president of Green Family Foundation. For more information please visit: http://greenff.org/GSM/index.php. Find GSM on Facebook (Green Space Miami), and Instagram (@greenspacemiami). About the Clean Cut band: "Where the eclecticism of soul, nu-funk, and hip-hop meet, the band known simply as clean cut, comes to be. The Miami based quartet of twenty-somethings banded together, with their sights set on producing “high quality” live music. With each member more multicultural than the last, the Clean Cut band is as sonically diverse as can be. Formed by Kalil Bohannon, Giacomo Baciagalupo, Sebastian Guerreo, and Sebastian Holmes; this classically trained group of musicians is an inevitable force to be reckoned with in South Florida’s live music scene." For more information, please visit: https://cleancutband.com. Find Clean Cut on Youtube (Clean Cut Band), Instagram (@cleancutband), Facebook (@cleancutfunk), and Sound Cloud (Clean Cut).