Central Alabamians can discover the relationship between art and activism at a local cultural event in Montgomery this weekend. The Civil Rights Memorial Center (CRMC) will host its Art is Activism Block Party on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center is located on 400 Washington Ave.
Art is Activism is spearheaded by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a Montgomery-based nonprofit that monitors hate groups and advances justice and freedom initiatives. The block party will include free food, live music, poetry and cultural performances. Beyond the sights and sounds of the capital city, visitors will also learn more about voting rights, civic engagement, wellness initiatives and violence prevention. Tafeni English-Relf is the director of the CRMC and SPLC’s Alabama State Office. In an online statement, English-Relf said art can be a powerful tool to advocate for social justice, and this event is proof of that.
“Addressing racism through the spoken word and creative images helps articulate activism, evoking emotion, thought, and an appetite for change,” English-Relf said in a press release. “Conveying the realities of injustice through art unites people of all ages and backgrounds. We hope this Block Party not only ignites engagement with our communities but serves as a healing space that leads to awareness and progress.”
Below is a list of featured community partners and guest organizations that will be at this year’s block party:
- 21 Dreams Arts & Culture: 21 Dreams is a local nonprofit. According to its website, the organization’s mission is to advance creative and cultural arts in Montgomery.
- The King’s Canvas: The King’s Canvas is an arts organization that gives opportunity and access to underdeveloped and underexposed artists in the Montgomery area.
- Alabama Appleseed: Alabama Appleseed is a local nonprofit that specializes in economic justice, the criminalization of poverty, mass incarceration, racial justice and systemic racism and government accountability.
- Alabama Forward: According to its website, Alabama Forward is a statewide civic engagement network that brings nonpartisan organizations together in an effort to build power around progressive civic issues and freedom initiatives. Its member organizations include the Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood Southeast, Rollin’ to the Polls, South Alabama Black Women’s Roundtable, SELC, The Ordinary People Society and several others.
- Office of Violence Prevention (OVP): OVP partners with government, nonprofit, neighborhood and faith organizations to implement violence prevention and address other community needs. OVP is a City of Montgomery department. It reports directly to the Chief of Staff.
- Mothers of Gynecology Wellness Pod: The Mothers of Gynecology Wellness Pod is a mobile maternal health unit that offers preventive health services to underserved, rural communities in Alabama. These services include safe experiences for people during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.
- Rollin’ to the Polls: Rollin’ to the Polls is a local organization that offers services such as voter registration, voting rights restoration and voter education and mobilization to the Montgomery community.
The block party will also feature artists and other local talent, including DJ Meek, Jonathan Michael, T. Baldwin & Boogie, OKRON and Sir Lit.
SPLC’s Art is Activism event is free to attend. No registration is required.
