In 2010, Elaine Richardson started an after-school club at a middle school on the East Side of Columbus.
A professor of literacy studies at Ohio State University, the focus of the program is on black girls, singing along to Beyoncé songs, creating different types of art, and examining representations of women and girls in popular culture. and various other activities.
“The girls, they were sixth graders, seventh graders, eighth graders, and they really got into it.” I gave them creative ways in which they could express and learn.”
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But five years later, the East Side resident is ready to expand his horizons to a wider audience. According to its website, it led to the creation of the Education Foundation For Freedom, an arts nonprofit that helps girls and women in disadvantaged areas of Columbus.
Richardson then created the event, Women’s and Girls’ Awareness Day, in 2017 and later changed its name to Columbus Women’s and Girls’ Celebration.
When is the girls-only gathering?
This year’s event will be held Saturday from noon to 4pm at Maroon Arts Group Box Park at 925 Mount Vernon Avenue. It shares the stage with hip-hop acts such as Common and De La Soul. City Council Speaker Shannon Hardin and City Council Member Sheila Faber will also attend.
In addition, the first 40 pre-registrants will receive a free lunch and a book that will end as soon as it runs out.
Empowerment messages matter
The festival offers fun activities such as live music and a children’s playground, as well as opportunities to learn new things.
The outdoor portion of this year’s event will feature an interactive “Lunch and Learn” titled “Teaching Black Girls.” Richardson said the workshop will be hosted by Alice Ragland, chairman of the Education for Freedom Foundation, and her three panelists. Erin Hathaway, executive her director of Eryn PiNK Ltd., a Columbus-based organization, and Trevoringy, Professor of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Ohio State University.
“They will be talking about the knowledge they have about how best to teach good black girls,” Richardson said.
Evening event at the Lincoln Theater
The party then moves indoors at the Lincoln Theater (769 E. Long Street) from 6-8:30 pm for poetry presentations, urban strings performances and a performance by Grammy-nominated singer Mum Fresh. It is done. He has performed with artists such as The Roots and Bruno Mars.
“In many cases we are not getting equity, so it is important that young people understand the importance of (black) women and girls in our communities,” said Richardson. “We don’t always get the rewards we deserve, the access people need, the mentoring, the support to empower ourselves and our communities. So we want people to be a part of it.” I hope that.”
A festival that combines learning and play
At the Lincoln Theater, attendees can hear the poetry of the Black Women Rising Poet Collective and see Ragland’s scholarship presentation. Three high school students are receiving college scholarships. Richardson will then present her Unsung Hero award, which is given to women or girls of color within the community with disabilities, she said.
“I hope that people will come and share their love and support and share a day that celebrates women, girls and people of color across genders,” Richardson said.
People can register for events on Eventbrite.
mwalker@dispatch.com
@micah_walker701
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