The State of the People Power Tour is a nationwide call to action: a movement to rally, restore and reimagine what’s possible for Black communities across the U.S. It’s a people-powered campaign rooted in service, solidarity and strategic action. The tour is aimed at activating a grass-roots movement that amplifies Black Voices, demands systematic change and advances a national collective Black agenda rooted in justice and liberation, building toward the State of the People International Assembly on Juneteenth.
The State of the People Power Tour will be at Newark Symphony Hall on May 13 with a full day of panel discussions, a town hall meeting, rally, workshops, music and other activities.
WBGO's Doug Doyle spoke to several individuals involved in the day's effort:
Lisa Durden, National TV contributor and award-winning filmmaker
Desiree Peterkin Bell, Award-Winning Political and Communications Strategist and Author
A'Dorian Murray-Thomas, Essex County Commissioner and Founder and CEO of SHE Wins INC., an organization that offers a free leadership and social action program for middle and high school girls who have been affected by violence in Newark
Jayé Da’Vaughn, Journalist and the President and CEO of Jayé Da’Vaughn Entertainment (JDE)
Lisa Durden will be moderating a panel on Tuesday titled "Arts Is Activism".
"When we started talking about the State of the People Power Tour a lot of folks said 'Why Newark?'. I said why not Newark because Newark has been leading movements forever. We are the Renaissance City. We are Brick City. We are tough and strong, so that's why I think this tour is perfect for this city, so I curated this panel with some dynamic individuals."
Lineup for Arts Is Activism panel at 11am ET on May 13.
Mysonne Linen, Rapper | Activist
Margie "Mia X" Johnson, Newark Poet Laureate | Manager of Arts and Creative Placemaking for Clinton Hill Community Action
Fayemi Shakur, Director, City Of Newark Arts & Cultural Affairs
Desiree Hadley, Representing the Newark Office of Film and TV | Freelance Journalist for Essence.com and XoNecole | Founder of Urbangirlmag.com.
Suliman Onque, Olympic Artist | Muralist | Co-founder of 3 The Art Way
Meanwhile, Desiree Peterkin Bell has been deeply involved in the national aspect of the State of People Power Tour.
"The tour started in Atlanta. It has gone to Birmingham and New Orleans and then after Newark it will continue to cities like Richmond (5/16-17), Detroit (5/21-22), Jackson, Mississippi (5/30-31), Louisville (6/2-3) and LA (6/5-6). So what people can expect at Newark Symphony Hall on May 13 is a focus on community building, a focus on everyday people, educators, activists and artists who are coming together to be part of a much larger movement of making our own solutions. So this is extremely important for folks to come out."
Essex County Commissioner A'Dorian Murray-Thomas says hearing from Newark's youth is so important during this stop of the State of the People Power Tour.
"What I love about this particular iteration of the State of the People Power Tour in Newark is that it is intergenerational. We know that we win when all of us are at the table. I'm excited to be a part of this, the town hall and the rally. We've got young voices being present because young people aren't the problem, they are the solution."
Jayé Da’Vaughn stresses youth and artist development is something that's greatly needed in Newark.
"That's a need in Newark that we've heard time and time again. Newark gets overshadowed by New York City. So we're coming here to infiltrate the system. We need the people. We need to hear what you have to say. This is not us coming to lecture you. We are co-collaborating and creating and we are building together in this experience.
You must register for the free day of activities. You can do so here.
You can SEE the entire discussion about the State of the People Power Tour in Newark here.
