(first published in 2000) © Gayle M Edwards, not to be used or reproduced in any way without author’s permission
From March until September in America a yearly event takes place, weaving itself through Oakland, Orlando, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and finally climaxing in Los Angeles, leaving in its wake passionate and enlightened African American women eager to take up their rightful, God intended position within the Universe.
Black women have worn many labels throughout the years and worn each of them with pride and dignity, even though some have not been worthy of our disdain much less our pride. Well, we can now add a few more to the list – “bold, bodacious and succulent”. These were the words used by Debrena Jackson Gandy, the opening keynote speaker at the New York stopover of the recent 10th Annual African American Women on Tour Conference, when honouring her sisters in attendance.
As her words echoed throughout the large conference room of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains which, incidentally, was elegantly transformed into an Afrocentric Business Centre for the weekend, it dawned on each and every one of us that our time is NOW!! We are, indeed, bold, bodacious and succulent women with unique talents, wisdom, courage, strength and, of course, our indomitable spirit and intimate relationship with our Creator – with such gifts we can only succeed. Even if we had wanted to, there was no going back now. AAWOT had already begun to change us and the impact on our lives, as we had known them previously, was going to be phenomenal.
Make no mistake, however, this was not a holiday, there was a lot of work to do in a short space of time. Yet, there was not a woman amongst us who did not successfully rise to the challenge. We attended workshops in which we faced our fears, gave voice to our past hurts and innermost dreams, cried over our pain and made plans for our business and personal futures but, most importantly we learnt how to say “NO”, a simple word yet, for many of us, a huge task gladly undertaken within the supportive environment of AAWOT.
Each day, the feasts provided during the Keynote Speaker Luncheon more than satisfied our physical hunger. Yet, we craved and devoured the sweetness of the spiritual and humorous nuggets served up by Jewel Diamond Taylor, the internationally renowned Self Esteem Dr and AAWOT Mistress of Ceremonies. Her unique mastery of words not only entertained us but clothed us in the necessary armour so that we would forever “Stay in the Light” and be able to boldly say “Kiss my positive attitude” to those still firmly in the dark.
Keynote Speakers Dr Bertice Berry PhD – Comedienne/Author/Talk Show Host – and Phyllis Yvonne Stickney – Actress/Ebonics Expert – followed Jewel’s lead as they ensured that we pondered over our community responsibilities, sought out personal joy and continued to give thanks to our Creator long after the side splitting laughter had died down.
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, with her pain over having lost two children, provided the perfect introduction to the Young People’s Rites of Passage Ceremony as she now basked in the joy and glory of being just like the rest of us, a Community Mother.
From the moment, the young women aged from 12 to 18 entered the room in their traditional African robes, sashaying to the addictive beats of the tabla drum, we were putty in their hands. In between wiping the tears from our eyes, we heard them pay homage to their parents and Elder Emily Diane Gunther, their weekend Spiritual Teacher. They spoke articulately of the effect the weekend had on each of them whilst we watched mesmerised, and proud, as their many talents shone in the form of poetry, music and dance.
The more restrained amongst us knew immediately they were fighting a losing battle when the young men arrived on stage. In between the open cries of sobbing, we were treated to the beautiful sight of approximately 10 strong, young black men standing proud whilst the eldest amongst them spoke first of his reluctance to attend such an event when he could be out “kickin’ it” but then of his renewed responsibility to educate his “boyz on the corner”. Our future has never looked so bright.
This event, as you would expect, is largely attended by Americans, however, this year there was a definite UK presence as for the first time AAWOT enlisted the help of a UK Representative, Reaching Out Development Services, to help get their message across to the UK and the
Caribbean. Jackee Holder, an established UK motivational speaker/Author presented her popular Soul Purpose workshop to an eager audience and re-ignited their smouldering dreams and passions.
This was not the first time that a UK contingent had attended AAWOT, however, it was the first organised attendance and we made sure that our presence was well and truly felt. It was a wonderfully uplifting and momentous experience. Each of the 12 of us who attended are in agreement that yes, our American Sistahs have got it going on but this is not a forum exclusive to African Americans, us as UK citizens and our Caribbean Sistahs have also got it going on and whilst we set about staging our own Conference, we can be secure in the knowledge that there is a welcoming place for us just across the water.
Now that we are home and putting our lessons into practice let us not forget the words of Jewel Diamond Taylor……
“The main thing is to keep THE MAIN THING, the main thing!”
) from the depth of my soul…xxx
So, I would like to publicly congratulate Madeline on hosting such a successful meeting – honey, look up and see how brightly your star is shining!
