The World Organization of Pride and Power will host the First Annual World Pride and Power Conference in an effort to foster unity, empowerment and inclusion in SGLBT communities of African descent and their allies. Why should you wait? You must attend if you are a person of color, an activist, a poet, a writer, a politician or a businessman. You must attend whether you are a wise old man or a young man. You must attend if you seek inclusion and wish to connect and commune with your own kind.
Tashia Asanthi
I had the absolute privilege of speaking with one of the Founders of the Conference. Ifalade Tashia Asanti! Tashia Asanti is an award-winning activist, journalist, fiction writer, filmmaker, poet, and initiated Yoruba/Ifa priestess. Tashia is the author of two bestselling books, The Sacred Gate: A Spiritual Guide to Living Powerfully and The Seer: Legacy of Stone and Spirit.
Azaan: I know you are an award-winning journalist, poet, author and filmmaker, what are some of the other things you are involved with?
Tashia: One of my deepest passions is African history (before slavery) and African spirituality. I have founded a Yoruba temple in Denver, the first Ifa temple in the State of Colorado. Our membership has expanded to several states. We hosted an international conference in 2003. My temple healing work brings me unspeakable joy. Another of my passions is being a grandmother. I am lucky to have grandchildren at a young age and therefore my partner and I are able to do many fun activities with our three grandchildren. This is also one of the greatest pleasures of my life. I’m also working on the sequel to my first novel and I’m still touring and promoting my first novel, The Seer. I’m also working on the film adaptation of The Seer…
Azaan: Tell me about the WPP Conference, when did you get the idea to create it and why?
Tashia: There was, in my humble opinion, a gap in the services that other LGBT organizations were providing to our community. Many organizations seemed to cater to a single audience. I wanted to create an agency that cut across social, class, and cultural boundaries, one that unites, empowers, and heals SGLBT communities of African descent and other communities of color. I also wanted to create an organization that would reach out and build bridges with organizations in the African diaspora and connect our struggles with the struggles of our brothers and sisters on the African continent. I firmly believe that we have a lot to learn from their work and vice versa.
Azaan: Who are some of the conference organizers and what roles do they play in the community?
Tashia: I invited conference organizers from 14 US cities and 9 countries. This model is already being imitated by other groups. The organizers are activists for social justice, journalists, agency directors, mothers, fathers, partners and supporters of the vision and mission of the World Organization of Pride and Power.
Azaan: As the organizer of the conference, I am sure you have a vision and high expectations, what are your goals for the conference?
Tashia: To facilitate a conference meeting that will increase unity, empowerment, and inclusion among SGLBT people of African descent and other communities of color.
Azaan: Who would like to reach; Is there a specific age group, level of education, financial background, etc.?
Tashia: Anyone and everyone who identifies as bisexual and transgender loving the same gender and everything in between, as well as our allies and supporters.
Azaan: As a passionate activist, what is your goal for the community as a whole?
Tashia: Doing my part to make ours a more complete, healthy, and unified community where individuals and families can thrive and coexist in peace and cultural understanding.
Azaan: Some of the guest keynote speakers are world-renowned spiritual teacher, best-selling author Dr. Malidoma Some, and nationally-renowned civil rights activist and author Michael Eric Dyson, who are some of the other speakers? guests?
Tashia: Carrie Broadus, one of my heroes, whose activism and dedication in the field of HIV/AIDS has saved thousands of lives. Cleo Manago also laid the groundwork for working around the idea of ”same gender love” and affirming our culture as SGL people of African descent from an Afrocentric perspective.
Azaan: Tell me about some of the workshops and highlights from the conference.
Tashia: Highlights from the World Pride and Power Conference include:
Historic SGLBT Pan-African Forum of World Pride and Power with anti-racism activists, journalists, and workers discussing major issues affecting Black Americans and effective strategies for cultivating productive responses to oppression and discrimination;
Amazing keynote speakers from around the world – guest speakers include
• Sheryl Swoopes, WNBA basketball star,
• Best-selling author and television personality-Dr. Michael Eric Dyson,
• New York Times bestselling author and renowned spiritual teacher–Dr. malidoma some’,
• The amazing Bishop Yvette Flunder,
• Cultural Gatekeeper, health educator and founder of AmASSI Cultural & Mental Health Centers-Cleo Manago,
• Carrie Broadus, HIV/AIDS pioneer,
• West African Activist and Spiritual Teacher-Rev. Davis Mac Iyalla and
• Director of Behind the Mask South Africa-Thuli Madi!
World Pride & Power Awards honoring veteran and emerging leaders of color in the SGLBT community presented by the one and only Jade Esteban Estrada and another surprise guest;
Conversations in Tongue & Spirit: The Ultimate Spoken Word Concert featuring featured performances by celebrated poets, Emanuel Xavier and Samiya Bashir and other TBAs;
Eleda Evening Discussion Circles for Siblings hosted by Ken Johnson, Cleo Manago and the Rev. Benjamin Reynolds; Eleda nightly discussion circles for sisters organized by Ifasade Queen Hollins, Onifa Adeola Karade and Torrena Dye.
Premiere film screenings including SGLBT African Presence in Hawaii, documentary Standing in Truth, Black Women & Breast Cancer and more.
Black is Back Fourth World Party with performances by innovative artists;
An authentic interfaith service and guardian healing ceremony celebrating Dagara, Agape, Buddhist, Native Indian, Yoruba and liberation theology hosted by the one and only Dr. Malidoma Some’ with Gayle Fuhr (Buddhist), Iyanifa Onifa Adeola Karade (Priestess of Ifa), Jan Ford (Agape), Joey Criddle (Native Indian) and other TBAs;
Innovative workshops on racism, media, anti-violence, holistic health, publishing, film and television, spirituality, relationships, sexuality and more!
Azaan: How long is the Conference and what does each day consist of?
Tashia: 3 and ½ days and each day is designed to take participants deeper into self-reflection and collective introspection.
Azaan: Tell me about the documentary Standing In Truth.
Tashia: This is an in-depth documentary featuring some of the brightest minds in our nation. Tim Daniels, Tadhi Coulter and brother Rory have crafted a film that will touch all viewers, regardless of age, cultural identity and spiritual background.
Azaan: Tell us about some of the many awards and the selection process.
Tashia: The awards committee received dozens of nominations from around the world. We were deeply moved by the work that many have done behind the scenes with little or no recognition. We select recipients whose work has not always been recognized by the mainstream, but has had a transformative impact on the communities around them. We are very honored to honor the first winners of the World Pride & Power Award at our 2008 conference.
Azaan: Bishop Yvette Flunder is an absolutely amazing woman, can you tell me about the award you received and the impact of your mother’s passing?
Tashia: Bishop Fluunder is an incredible force in ministry and in the SGLBT community. His work touched thousands and the fact that he has remained an approachable leader despite his success and notoriety speaks volumes about the depth and power of his work. And I can only imagine the pain of losing the mother in the midst of the endless work of activist life. But I believe that such a loss would strengthen one at the same time as it humbles one before the reality of our human existence.
Azaan: What does it mean to you as a person to create the WPP Conference?
Tashia: It means that I will get better in the process and have the profound blessings of reconnecting with many old friends and meeting many new friends as well. It means that I will be transformed by the work as much as I expect this work to transform others.
Azaan: One of the main goals of the conference is to create unity and inclusion between decent black people and communities of color, what can you add to that? What do you want the world to know?
Tashia: I want the world to know that we can’t afford to be divided. That we must find bridges between us. And that we must move in a way that is kind, supportive and generous if we are ever to be healed people and empowered communities.
As Tashia continues to raise the bar, we are called to do and become many things. Number one, as much as we can believe and focus our attention, we can do it! We can do absolutely anything and become anyone! Number two, it is our inherent responsibility as SGL, LGBTQ people to strive to build and maintain a better community. As people of color, we have been segregated for far too long. It is time to break the chains of separation and unify.
Sign up today! It’s not too late! Make your check or money order payable to World Pride & Power Organization, 9249 S. Broadway, #200-423, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Want to be a sponsor of World Pride & Power?
The World Pride and Power Organization is proud to offer this first look at the list of mighty winners of the distinguished World Pride and Power Awards:
• Bishop Yvette Fluunder,
•Carrie Broadus,
• Cleo Manago,
•Jeffrey King,
• Thuli Madi,
• Reverend Davis Mac Iyalla,
• Dr. Lisa Powell,
• Barbara Smith,
• Stephanie Dakara Wynne,
• Emmanuel Xavier,
• Monique Davis and June Cummings,
• Angela Odom,
• Ifas of Linda Reina Hollins,
• Rayceen Pendar Avis,
• Iya Omilade Ashara Ekundayo,
• Iya Osunaye Karen Nanina RaHeard,
• Azaan Kamau.
Congratulations to all of our award winners!
In memory of the Rev. Mother Ruth Langston 1933-2007
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the last word in reality. That is why good, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” Martin Luther King Jr.