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4th Annual
Louise Bennett-Coverley
Memorial Lecture Series
June 17, 2023

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2022 Louise Bennett-Coverley
Memorial Lecture - Presenter and Panelists

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Lecturer:  Professor Verene Shepherd

Moderator

Professor Donna Aza Weir Soley

Panelist

Lilieth Nelson

Panelist

I Jabulani Tafari

Watch the Presentation
Click Below

The 2022 Louise Bennett-Coverley Memorial Lecture

Presented on Saturday, June 18, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Under the distinguished patronage of the Consul General of Jamaica R. Oliver Mair

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The Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council in collaboration with Florida International University’s – [FIU] African and African Diaspora Studies and the Center for Humanities in an Urban Environment [AADS-CHUE] with Directors, Valerie L. Patterson, Ph.D., Phillip M. Carter  hosted the 2022 Louise Bennett-Coverley Memorial Lecture with Professor Verene Shepherd as an online Zoom event.

 

The 2022 Louise Bennett-Coverley Memorial Lecture topic  – “Miss Lou: Anti-Colonial Champion for National Heroine”

 

The participants of the 2022 Louise Bennett-Coverley Memorial Lecture were - 

Lecturer: Professor Verene A. Shepherd

Moderator: Professor Donna Aza Weir Soley - Moderator for discussion to follow the lecture

Panelist: Lilieth Nelson - Keynote for 2010 LB-C Reading Festival and described as Poet and “Artistic Scientist”

Panelist: I. Jabulani Tafari - Garvey Scholar and Author of “A Rastafari View of Marcus Garvey”

Funding for this project is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.

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Write it Now - Writing Clinic – September 2018

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The Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council was established in honor of the Jamaican cultural icon, Louise Bennett-Coverley, to promote and stage cultural and educational events to preserve her legacy, and provide scholarships to students in the South Florida community and Jamaica.

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The writing clinic was a new addition to this on-going mission and was sponsored by Friends of the South Regional Broward College Library. The council designated Malachi Smith as the coordinator. The one-day clinic - Write It Now – was held at the South Regional Broward College Library, Pembroke Pines, Florida. About 35 people participated in the four workshop sessions.

 

Participants were invited to choose one of three genre workshops, register online and send examples of their work. Geoffrey Philp conducted the Fiction workshop which covered the topics:  - Character   - Setting     - Plot     - Tone  - Point of view  

Christine Craig conducted the Poetry workshop which included: - Harmonizing imagery - -Tuning up musically   - Up-beat editing. This workshop included guidance in practical writing sessions.

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 Malachi Smith covered Performance Poetry with the topics: Heritage Vibing

Riding the Rhythm   - Using the stage /body language - Interpretation and delivery. Audrey Creary and her drumming ensemble provided accompaniment for this workshop.

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 There was a joint session for all participants managed by Judith Faloon-Reid who dealt with Independent Publishing –– branding, editing and marketing.

Each presenter designed his/her own workshop and produced handouts for their sessions. The package of handouts included information on Miss Lou, the work and mission of the Heritage Council and information on how to donate to the scholarship fund.

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 Feedback on all workshops was enthusiastically positive and it was decided to include this event in the Heritage Council’s annual roster.

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Make it Real — Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council’s Writers Clinic

      The second annual Writers Clinic presented by the Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council was a great success. Fiction was taught by Jamaica-born retired Miami-Dade College professor and author of Garvey's Ghost, Geoffrey Philp, and renowned Jamaican author Christine Craig taught Poetry. Malachi Smith taught a join session on Performance Poetry.

      The Writers Clinic is held annually in South Florida to pay homage to Jamaican cultural icon, the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley, and to assist aspiring writers with developing their craft. The Clinic was held in partnership with Broward County West Regional Library, with sponsorship by Friends of the Broward County South Regional and West Regional libraries.

      There were 29 participants and feedback included:

     “Excellent! Delivery was clear and provided a good basis to grow.”

     “Dub poetry presentation was captivating, informative

     “Presenters were knowledgeable, creative, kind and helpful.”

     “Excellent day! Should be held more frequently.”

     “I enjoyed the hands-on aspect and opportunity to share.”

     “I learned so much, I can’t wait to perform my poetry.

      “Good format.” "It was amazing." "Excellent delivery."

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       Geoffrey Philp said this of the Clinic— “I had a wonderful time conducting the Make it Real workshop with Christine Craig and Malachi Smith, two writers whose work I have admired for a long time. The wide range of participants, from retired teachers to middle school students, created an atmosphere in which deep learning could flourish during our conversation about craft. Judging by their probing questions and written responses that I have received so far, many of the writers, especially some of the middle school students, are on the path to becoming outstanding writers.

Lovin de Lyrics Workshop

      So you want to write some hot lyrics – get your songs picked up my major recording artists, hear one featured in a film score…yes…we can all dream. But what if you had a chance to attend a rare, one-of-a-kind songwriting workshop with a master guitarist, composer and arranger?  It’s going to happen on Saturday April 17th from 10am-4pm at JEPA’S Place in Oakland Park, Broward, when Eugene Grey will bring his vast experience as a practicing musician and educator to share with aspiring songwriters in the workshop – Lovin De Lyrics.

      The event is presented by the Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council in keeping with their goal of helping to develop the cultural consciousness of the next generation, highlighting the contributions of various Jamaican artforms to popular culture in Jamaica and abroad.

      Eugene Grey was born in Green Island, Jamaica and started his musical journey playing harmonica in the school band at Russeas High. He taught himself to play trombone, drums, piano and guitar and has earned the title of Master Guitarist, through his talent, hard work and wide-ranging interest in reggae, jazz and classics. 

      As a working musician, he toured as lead guitarist with many well-known musicians, such as, Toots and the Maytals, Ras Tesfa and Fab Five, also with West African singer Abdou M’Bou and Senegal’s Vieus Diop. He was a member of the orchestra in several off-Broadway shows and was Musical Director for the off-Broadway musical ‘Rasta.’

      Back in Jamaica, he worked with the Wailers, Burning Spear, the Skatalites and many other fellow Jamaican musicians, as arranger and musician, and has himself a formidable discography of his own compositions.     

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      Now living in Florida, Eugene and his wife Felicia formed Rootz of Music (www.rootzofmusic.org) which aims to advance music education to underserved communities. One such project is their weekly music sessions with the SOS Villages of Florida. The organization also works with middle and high school students and supports the work of other non-profits in musical education.  

      Due to COVID regulations, participation is limited so interested songwriters need to apply right away. To register, go to: www.louisebennetheritage.com. Participants must wear masks and follow distancing and sanitizing protocols. The workshop is free and lunch will be provided.

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