02
Aug
Road Tour – Day One – New Orleans
The Big Easy was amazing! First, we need to thank the Ashe’ Cultural Arts Center. They are an extraordinary organization that celebrates the life and cultural traditions of the community. Viola Johnson and her team hosted a fantastic kickoff for the We Are Africa Road Tour 2010. Please stop by and visit Ashe’ when you are in town.
The Silhoutte Dance Ensemble opened the event with a powerful dance led by Kai Knight. Their performance added to the wonderful energy in the space.
Silhouette Dance Ensemble
After the African Ancestry presentation, African Ancestry Family Member Antoinette Harrell presented a brief video of her journey to Niger upon finding her Tuareg roots. The resemblance between her immediate family members and Tuareg women were uncanny.
AA Fam: Antoinette Harrell and Claudette Hurd
Among the countless highlights of the event was meeting long time African Ancestry Family Member Mtumishi St. Julien and our newest member, Chaela.
Chaela
Mtsumishi
We revealed the roots of our special guests which was almost as exciting as the reactions of the two winners of an African Ancestry Test Kit!
WDSU News Anchor Norman Robinson - Mende and Balanta!
WYLD-FM Sunday Journal Host Hal Clark and Family - Cameroon!
Click here to see more images from Day One in New Orleans. The Road Crew and I are looking forward to bringing the movement to 13 more cities!!! See you on the Road!
Ralston,
I want to thank you again for interviewing/videographing my
mama[Mary Louise Gaines Perkins-85 years young], my brother Robert Perkins, Jr., my oldest sister-Undrella M. Perkins and myself.
{my’ middle’ sister, Theata Q.Perkins and our daddy [83 years young] did not attend}.
The debut tour site in New Orleans at Ashe’ Cultural Arts Center was the best choice made.
Just A quick update—later that night, at 9:30pm , the entire family gathered in the family room and ceremoniously proceeded to assist mama with the maternal testing process.
We documented every step with audio/video and still photography.
We all are anxiously awaiting the results!
Please let us know when and how the family can view the interview.
Thank you!!!!
Van
504.220.8802/486.6348