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Wednesday

A Look Back on Black History Event Organizing & Money Woes

For a decade I sat in cultural diversity and minority groups, attended classes, and participated in events for Black History Month.  I recall the excitement I experienced in the past while preparing to add my two cents worth of service during a time of learning and growing when it comes to African American pride and achievement.  However, there were those moments where my celebrating was short-lived.  Back in the day, money was short so some Black History related events would either be delayed or cancelled.  Other times a few black organizers just couldn't get it together so an event could run smoothly.  People would show up late, have less than appealing attire, or tried to make-do with whatever for whenever.  I was reminded the other day when I saw a friend's profile of the marches and the town hall meetings demonstrating social injustice, and the more things change, the more things stay the same!  There are still the big photos of black men badly beaten by officers, angry eyes with signage that protest the system, the man, or whatever the latest issue maybe, and our people yelling a chant or marching where the upsetting circumstance took place.  

So here we are in 2012, I have a birdseye view of the African American events in my old hometown and other places I have lived.  The purpose of Black History month will always be about educating the public first and then any organizer who stands to gain a little "sumethin, sumethin" will have an agenda of some sort as a close second.  The last event I attended, I saw many small black businesses tempting me with things like African art, costume jewelry, clothing, DVDs, CDs, and literature.  The first time in history, I walked away without buying something this time.  I just wanted to observe for once.  There was plenty of music, of course.  Theatrical plays were also ongoing.  I also got an opportunity to network with black women as well without being interrupted by people bumping one another and acting loud and obnoxious (you know there are always a few.)  I had a good time.

I think one of the problems about Black History Month events, besides the lack of money for some, is the lack of planning.  Some organizers feel they can just throw something together and as long as the people come, "We got something."  Now if you want a cheap looking, unorganized, subpar event, then sure throw it together.  But, if you want something that will make a lasting memory, then plan that thing at least a year in advance.  I remember attending one event that had all the following and I walked away with some nice things too--I mean nice things not some dollar store looking stuff either!

Here's what I noticed about one successful Black History Event:

1.  It was held at a venue that was near a major mall and close to highway entrances.
2.  It was well-advertised for many weeks on radio, billboards, newspaper ads, and even commercials!
3.  The news media reported about it via press releases that were sent to the major news stations in the area.
4.  The Internet was also used to help spread news about the event.
5.  Donations to help fund the event came from everywhere!  Any individual or group who wanted to be seen didn' mind paying top dollar for a booth.
6.  People had to pay a small fee to get in.
7.  Local personalities were in attendance. 
8.  There were also a couple of A-List actors expected to come. (However, they were no shows.  You found out once you were already at the event.  I had to wonder if they ever really planned on coming to begin with, hmm.  But their names did draw people!)
9.  Church support was in abundance, because they too got an opportunity to pass out information about their churches.
10.  Local schools, colleges and military besides black businesses were also in attendance.  A big draw of young people with extra money attended.
11.  Musical performances and speaking engagements were held throughout the day which kept people coming.
12.  Activities for the children were plentiful. 

Being a black person attending a black event, there is so much pressure to support your own especially when you know that there are so many small black groups and businesses that just don't have enough money.  You honestly want to help everyone, that is if you are the caring and generous type, but seriously your money is most likely already stretched.  From children's school events that require a donation just about every month to churches that often remind you about giving your tithes and offerings, it isn't any wonder that there is any money left over to "bling" as they say on the street.

Nicholl McGuire
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African American Planet: Relationships, Education, Products & Lifestyle by Nicholl McGuire is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at africanamericanplanet.blogspot.com.

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