It was great to be together for this special day. Our gratitude to the Chelsea Public Schools for their support. To the Chelsea Cultural Council as a grantee of a Chelsea Cultural Heritage Grant, we thank you for making events like these possible.
Thank you to our Sponsoring Organizations, NUBE: Neighbors United for a Better East Boston, GreenRoots, The Chelsea Black Community and the Ayni Institute.
Special thanks to local restaurants who provided food and refreshments: Curly’s Restaurant, Bella Isla, Tu Casa, Kushala Sips, and Chelsea Station. Thank You!
To our MC event host Theresa Okokon. Thank You! To our featured performers Brendaliz Cepeda and Bomba de Aqui, Sandy Pérez & Amigos, Maestra Isaura Oliveira & Power of Skirts. To the Musicians, to each dancer who brought this experience to our community, Thank You!
To featured Storyteller and performer with Bomba De Aqui, Bairaniki Mayowakanex Cito Colon. To Jean-Luc Pierite, NAICOB President, Thank you for sharing the importance of acknowledging the land we are on and the importance of acknowledging our ancestors.
Special thanks to Chelsea Public Schools Mr. Pete Pappavasellio, CHS Student Jana who managed and supported auditorium sound and lighting. Great job!
Thank you to Douglas Pena, and custodial and security staff that assisted us during our event. We appreciate you all.
Special Thanks to Ricky Velez of Chelsea Public Access, which will be airing our program on local cable channel.
As we welcome another season, we are very grateful we could start fall with a reminder to keep making time for memorable gatherings that uplift culture and wellness.
As our featured Storyteller and Chelsea High School Alumn said;
“I have many times danced in Chelsea. But today is the first time I am dancing for Chelsea — and I feel so grateful to have been invited to come home again. I have finally become the person that I was looking for as a kid growing up here.
I say carry the rhythm of the Drum wherever you go in life. After all, it’s the closest thing to remind us that we are all connected. For the land we come from is the same land we return to.”Baira’niki Mayowakan’ex.
In a fast-paced society and an often demanding world, we need to be intentional on slowing down.
Cultural Memory is one path that reminds us of our interconnectivity to our global communities and to each other.
From Afro Indigenous wisdom we know that it is important to be rooted in a sense of belonging. It is our inherent right. Resilience is also joy.
We wish you a season filled with moments of rest and moments of joyous warmth.
Thank You all for sharing this day with us.
What a way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage that uplifts Diasporic communities and brings us back to connecting with our roots, Mother Earth, Our Ancestors and our shared communities.