Dedicated to harnessing the power of arts and education for racial and social justice, the power of truths festival returns for its fourth year.
Sponsored by Self-Evident Education and the Northampton Arts Council, the festival offers a unique opportunity to help build a community dedicated to seeing and understanding the history of racism and resistance, how that history is manifest today, and learning, together, how we can create a free and just future for all Americans.
Join us at the historic Bombyx Center in Florence, MA, April 4 and 5, where you can:
- watch and discuss multi-media documentaries about the history of racism and resistance that are often ignored in traditional history books and classes
- hear from ground-breaking scholars and authors who will challenge you with their profound knowledge and cutting-edge insights
- listen to live music—including hip-hop and jazz
- talk with people of your own and other generations about critical issues that affect us all
- participate in creative thinking and doing—making art, writing in a workshop, and collaborating in a shared project
- go on a walking tour of racial and social justice history sites
and so much more…..
This two-day Festival will leave you vibrating with the energy of discovering long-buried moments in American history that shine a blazing light on today. You’ll find new ideas, connections to new acquaintances and friends, and possibly new ways to think about yourself and your life.
Day 1 (April 4) will include workshops, a film screening, a live performance from the Northampton High School Jazz Band, and the Ajanku Brothers.
Day 2 (April 5) will include workshops, a film screening, a keynote address from MacArthur Fellow & poet Reginald Dwayne Betts, and the newest edition of "Know the Ledge: Hiphop History Live!"—a theatrical production that combines multimedia storytelling and honest historical exploration. Narrated by Akrobatik, along with performances by
Sa-Roc, Dutch ReBelle, Marcia Gomes, Adrienne Mack-Davis, and more, this show harnesses music, dance, visuals, and storytelling to critically explore the histories and legacies of systemic racism in the United States.