In Detroit: ADA Legacy Project/Tour July 21, 2015

ADA Legacy Project/Tour -­ Americans With Disability Legacy Tour -­ Michigan Detroit, MI www.adamichigan.wordpress.com PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Susan Fitzmaurice, susan@disabilitysavvy.com, 248-­767-­2217 Loren Glover, LorenGlover@ymail.com, 313-­831-­0202 Brooke Blackwell, bblackwell@dwmha.com, 313-­580-­2101 ____________________________________________________________________________ Americans with Disability Act (ADA) 25th Anniversary Celebration in Detroit -­ July 21, 2015 ADA Legacy Tour Bus comes to Detroit Eastern Market ____________________________________________________________________________ July 2015 marks the 25th Anniversary of the groundbreaking passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the United States civil rights legislation that protects and addresses the diverse rights of people with disabilities-­-­the world's first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities. To commemorate this Anniversary, the national ADA Legacy Tour, (http://adalegacy.org/), a two year-­long, cross-­country traveling education exhibit and "Road to Freedom" Bus will be at Detroit Eastern Market, Shed 3 on July 21st from 9:30am to 3:00pm to raise awareness and educate the public about the ADA, disability rights and advocacy. The Detroit community is honored to be selected as one of the hosts for the ADA Legacy Tour as it heads to Washington D.C. for the July 26 National ADA Celebration and Parade. We are equally honored that The Honorable John D. Dingell, Member of Congress 1955-­ 2015, one of the sponsors of the original ADA legislation, will be the distinguished speaker at the event at Eastern Market. With the passage of the ADA in 1990, Congressman Dingell declared, “Enactment of this landmark legislation opens the doors of opportunity to millions of Americans with disabilities who will be able to realize their highest hopes, ambitions and dreams.” Other highlights include Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Circuit Court Judge Deborah Thomas, Ms. Wheelchair Michigan Kristen Milefchik, former MSU Basketball player Anthony Ianni, Human Rights Activist Elizabeth Bauer, Paralympian Winner & Wheelchair dancer Cheryl Angelelli, Tom Olin's iconic photographs of the disability rights movement, the Matrix Theatre Company's Justin Dart Hero Puppet, Kuungana African Drums, wheelchair dancing, performances by Wild Swan Theatre, with a deaf and hearing cast, music, photo booth, many interactive activities, face painting, and recording and telling of your own story. Come celebrate and commemorate the civil rights legislation, the ADA in the "D”. The Legacy Tour Bus and events are a momentous opportunity for ALL people, young and old, disabled and non-­disabled to celebrate the sweeping disability activism, to enjoy accessible activities, education and entertainment-­-­-­all of which are FREE, fun, enriching, and fuel us to continue our work to create a world where everyone is intentionally welcomed and included. Media interviews with speakers and persons who have been impacted by the ADA can be arranged. "Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down." George H. W. Bush, July 26, 1990 at the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act -- -- Rich Feldman 248-225-8037 @rfeldman60

Aurora Harris Detroit and Poetry Update 2014-2015

January 20, 2015 I haven't had a chance to blog until now. Hopefully, I will have more time... 2014 was a real interesting year in Detroit, Michigan. The United Nations came to address the water shut off crisis and determined that shutting off the water to thousands of families was a human rights violation. There were several protests across the City of Detroit concerning water shut off, pensions, foreclosures, utility shut off, lack of public transportation, emergency management, and other life affecting decisions that primarily affect African Americans and the poor. We The People of Detroit set up emergency water stations around the city for those who need water. In October 2014, I won the Howard Zinn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Peace and Justice Studies Association. I received the award at their conference in San Diego. It was an honor to open the plenary with my poem "This Poem Has Checkpoints" and meet with many wonderful colleagues. The award winners in the photo below are: 1. Almudena Bernabeau: International Attorney and Transitional Justice Program Director- Recipient of the Social Courage Award. 2. Aurora Harris: Author-Advocate-Educator. Lecturer at the University of Michigan Dearborn. Recipient of the Howard Zinn Lifetime Achievement Award in Peace Studies. 3. Nico Amador: Writer-Organizer-Educator. Recipient of the Peace Educator Award 2 4. Loreta Navarro-Castro: Program Director of the Center for Peace Education at Miriam College, Manila Philippines. Recipient of Peace Educator Award 1 Poetry News: 2014: Broadside Press had the honor of working with the Motown Museum to host its first Motown Poetry Slam. The winner was One Single Rose, who wrote a great poem from the lyrics of Motown hits. We look forward to working with the Motown Museum again this year! 2015 news: Broadside Press is now in its 50th year. There will be upcoming events to celebrate the legacy of Broadside Press. We are still hosting the Broadside Press Poets' Theater every third Sunday of the month at the University of Detroit Mercy campus in the Grounds Coffee Haus, lower level of the Student Union from 3:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. Poets, writers, and playwrights who would like to attend or read on the series should contact me through the Broadside Press Facebook page. Condolences to the Vest family: This past Saturday, we received news that our Board member Emeritus, Don Vest passed away. See Broadside Press' Facebook Page. Yesterday January 19, 2015, Detroit had a successful 11th annual march down Woodward Avenue for Jobs, Peace, and Justice and cultural event of local poets and folk musicians. As part of MLK week at the University of Michigan Dearborn, tomorrow evening, there will be a poetry reading: "Unsilenced" by Broadside Press Poets and students in the University Center Kochoff Hall rooms B and C from 6-8 p.m. January 21, 2015 Aurora Harris

Broadside Press Open Mic Poetry at African World Fest Detroit, MI Today

From: Aurora Harris Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 Subject: African World Fest Open Mic Today Good Afternoon, The theme of this year's African World Festival Theme is Rising To The Top!  What's your poetic style? Jazz, Blues, Sonnets, Haikus? Broadside Press Presents: Positive Poetry for Positive People (open mic) hosted by Aurora Harris, Saturday August 17 from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. in the Nile River Jazz and Blues Club ( lower level of the Museum, the indoor cafe/cafeteria) that will have doors open to the lower level courtyard.  Poets who would like to read should show up a few minutes early to sign the open mic list. Each person will have 3-5 minutes to read. Since the theme of the festival is Rising To The Top, poets are encouraged to read positive, uplifting, community (local and diaspora) consciousness raising poetry.  Please keep in mind that the festival is a family affair, no profanity. Also see this message at our Broadside Press Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Broadside-Press/191974004228386?ref=hl African World Festival Page:  http://thewright.org/african-world-festival Aurora Harris, M.A.  * Winner of the 2012 PEN-Oakland Josephine Miles Award for Excellence in Literature for "Solitude of Five Black Moons" c. 2011. Co-published by Broadside Press and the University of Detroit- Mercy Press. * Board Member of Detroit's Broadside Press. http://broadsidepress.org/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/BroadsidePress/191974004228386?ref=hl * Spoken Word Artist: In The Tradition Jazz Band: http://www.inthetraditionjazz.com/ 313 673-6313

BBC Film: First Americans Were Black

The BBC has released new historical information in a film that shows the first people in America / USA were Black. Click the link to watch the film. http://originalpeople.org/first-americans-were-black-aborigines-2/#.UfanndhComI

Aurora Harris' "SOLITUDE OF FIVE BLACK MOONS" WINS A PEN-OAKLAND AWARD

It has been a great week! I celebrated my birthday and on Wednesday, I received a phone message from Dr. Rosemary Weatherston that my book of poetry, "Solitude of Five Black Moons" was selected as the winner of the PEN-Oakland Josephine Miles Award for Excellence in Literature. Thanks to everyone. I'm going to take a break so I can write the acceptance letter! Below is an official announcement for the public: Message from Broadside Press and U of D-Mercy Press: "It gives Broadside Press and the University of Detroit-Mercy Press great pleasure to inform you that Aurora Harris' poetry book "Solitude of Five Black Moons" is the recipient of a 2012 PEN Oakland-Josephine Miles Award for Excellence in Literature. The PEN Oakland-Josephine Miles Awards were created twenty years ago to honor writers of exceptional works often not acknowledged by the mainstream literary community. Judged by respected writers, the awards honor books published the previous year that both reflect a multi-cultural or marginalized viewpoint and represent the highest standards of literature. Congratulations Aurora!" You can find more information at the PEN web site: http://www.penoakland.com/ Aurora

My Poem With In The Tradition Jazz Band

More wonderful news! The Sirius Cd is now getting heavy airplay in South Carolina and a station in Brazil confirmed receipt of the cd for airplay! Also, last Saturday, I received my BMI registrations for my poems in the mail! Go to semja.org to see the reviews of "Sirius" with a sample of my poem Pan Afrikan Prayer. Peace. Aurora c.2012 by Aurora Harris

Poetry Honoring Faruq Z. Bey Tonight

What: Poetry Honoring Faruq Z. Bey Where: African World Festival Main Stage of Charles H. Wright Museum Detroit, MI between East Warren Ave, John R, Farnsworth and Brush Streets Who: Dr. Gloria House, Rayfield Waller, ML Liebler, Anita Jones, Kim Hunter, Ann Holdreith, Aurora Harris When: Tonight. 7:30 pm to 7:50 pm