Update, Feb. 25
The African American Educational Cultural Festival’s a forum on “America and the Black Vote” originally scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. at the Riverhead Free Library, has been postponed due to the weather.
“This event is very important to us and we are committed to making it happen,” said organizers Marylin Banks-Winter and James Banks in an announcement Wednesday morning, adding that a rescheduled date will soon be forthcoming. “We are reminded that ‘Black History is not limited to one month, but 365 Days a year’. Thank you for your understanding.”
The non-partisan event “brings together civic leaders, attorneys, and advocates to discuss Black political participation and its impact on American democracy,” according to the organizers.
The event will also include a demonstration of Suffolk County’s new voting machines and music by reggae artist Winston Irie will and Musician Minister Ted Trupin, who will present “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem — written by James Weldon Johnson in the late 1800s and set to music by his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson, in 1905.
“The forum will explore the historical significance of the Black vote, current challenges to voter participation, and the role of civic engagement in strengthening democratic institutions,” according to the organizers, who say it “is intended to foster open dialogue and promote understanding across diverse communities.”
Panelists scheduled to participate include Frederick Brewington, Esq.; Alyson Bass, Esq. regional II Director (NY/CT/VT) National Bar Association; Phil Andrews of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce; Colette Morgan, chairperson of the Brookhaven Women’s Caucus; Godson Michel, president of Blue Surge Marketing Agency; and Terry Wildrick, co-president of the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, Shelter Island and the North Fork.
Several organizations have partnered with the African American Educational Cultural Festival (AAECF) on the event, including the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, Shelter Island and the North Fork, The National Bar Association, Suffolk County and the Amistad Long Island Black Bar Association.
Beginning with primaries this June, voters in Suffolk County will be using new touchscreen voting machines in place of the paper ballots that are placed into a ballot scanner now. The Suffolk County Board of Elections will demonstrate the new voting machines at the event, in partnership with The AAECF, Inc.’s #LIVOTEREADY initiative, which provides hands-on voter education ahead of upcoming
elections.
The forum, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., will be held in the lower level meeting room at the Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court Street, Riverhead. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required, through this Eventbrite link.
The African American Educational Cultural Festival seeks to build a strong foundation for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in underserved and disadvantaged communities. It provides resources for children and families in education, housing, health, employment, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.
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