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DreamWeek Creates Dialog. Celebrates Multicultural Community

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Every January, San Antonio engages in a city-wide summit promoting an exchange of ideas on universal issues facing our multicultural communities. 

The mission is to advance and modernize the teachings set forth by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision, to lay the foundation of tolerance by creating dialog across cultures and communities. DreamWeek inspires and motivates participants to exchange ideas and insights on a range of subjects to advance the voices of tolerance, diversity, and equality. DreamWeek events run from Jan. 13-29. 

Each of the days of DreamWeek is dedicated to one of the following themes: City, Sports, Cuisine, Health, Energy, Technology, Education, Arts, Youth, Spirit, Justice, and Business. The global exchange and celebration days will include a series of keynote speaking engagements, mixers, events, and celebrations that will foster discussions centered on universal issues.

The anchor event is the largest MLK March in the nation, in partnership with the City of San Antonio, District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, and the San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission chaired by Dwayne Robinson. 

On Monday, Jan. 16, the 36th annual march will begin at 10 a.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, 3501 Martin Luther King Drive, and ends at Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa St., followed by the park celebration at Pittman-Sullivan Park.

The park celebration will include a main stage with multicultural performances, a health and wellness area, a youth area, food and merchandise vendors, and information booths.

The keynote speaker is Cary Clack, columnist for the San Antonio Express-News. Clack’s interest in politics led him to a Scholar-Internship at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, where he wrote CNN Commentaries for Coretta Scott King.

His career has taken him to many places and introduced him to many influential people. He has worked in politics, paved the way for local Black journalistså, received numerous awards, edited the first anthology of Black Texas writers, “The Kind of Light That’s Always Shined,” and was recently named co-chair of the Coretta Scott King Scholar-Interns Alumni Association.

Here are a few other Dream Week events to attend. To see a full list, visit (DreamWeek.org).

Jan. 14 – MLK Youth Power Jam from 3 pm to 9 pm at The Espee St. Paul Square. Free concert

Jan 18 –  Panel Discussion: “Not a Monolith: Intersectionality of Black Identity from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Brick at Blue Star. Black people in the United States are often viewed as a monolith, where the population is seen as one whole uniform body with shared experiences, views, music, culinary taste, and perspectives. Join us as we delve into a conversation on how we can tackle this monolithic perception and how the Black community can highlight their intersectional identities within their workplace and communities.

Jan. 21 – The first annual “DreamWeek Essence Gala” at the Red Berry Estate from 7 pm to 10 pm. This black-tie event aims to raise funds to support Essence Preparatory Public Schools’ scholars and programs. Learn more at (EssencePrepSA.org).

Jan. 21 – The ÒLÀJÚ African Market Festival from 5 pm to 10 pm at the Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex. Òlàjú Art Group produces the African Market Festival to showcase a wide selection of creative African talents from the continent and its Diaspora. The program features art, fashion, food, drinks, music, and shopping. Tickets are $25. For more information, visit (African-Market.OlajuArtGroup.org).

Community

Emotional Emancipation Circles: Nurturing Black Mental Health

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By Ayana Brown, MHPS

“We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind.” – Marcus Garvey

As Black Americans, we carry the weight of our ancestors’ struggles, resilience, and triumphs. Our collective history is filled with pain, but it is also infused with strength. In the face of ongoing challenges, it is essential for us to prioritize our emotional well-being and seek healing. There are more than 100 types of therapy, yet few are culturally based. Even fewer are made available to Black, Indigenous and People of Color, or the BIPOC community. One powerful tool that can aid in this process is the Emotional Emancipation Circle (EEC).

Emotional Emancipation Circles from the Community Healing Network (CHN) provide a safe and supportive space to confront and heal from the psychological and emotional wounds inflicted by racism, discrimination, and systemic oppression. Endorsed by the late Maya Angelou in 2009 and supported by the Association of Black Psychologists, EECs are rooted in the understanding that our mental and emotional well-being is as important as our physical health.

These support groups are structured and evidence-based settings where people from the diaspora participate in open and honest talks, allowing us to express the various feelings of being Black. We share our tales, worries, hopes, and dreams with the knowledge that we are not being judged. We offer support to one another via active listening, empathy, and affirmation, forming links of healing and resilience. We also discover our genuine history. 

Empowered by what I was first exposed to in Panama, I became a certified facilitator in 2021. I recognize that the BIPOC community struggles with insufficient access to resources and feels their individual needs are overlooked. As a disabled veteran, caregiver, and parent, I am passionate about advocating, consulting, and collaborating with a nationwide network of providers dedicated to education and empowerment. This is a service that REACH Peer Support Services offers to “fill in the gaps” between our community needs and what is offered. 

The Community Healing Network has formed these circles globally. If you want to learn more about CHN and other BIPOC-focused mental health resources and services for your church, organization, or family, go to  (ReachPeerSupportServices.com).  Those who join the newsletter will know about the next EEC location first. 

After serving honorably in the United States Navy, Ayana Brown, MHPS, launched REACH Peer Support Services, LLC in 2021 to use her various experiences towards her passion, empowering families to heal with advocacy and non-judgmental support.

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Business

San Antonio Airport to Set Record for Travel During Memorial Day Weekend

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More people are packing their suitcases for trips in and out of San Antonio International Airport (SAT) than ever before. SAT will see a record-breaking number of travelers – close to 190,000 total – from Thursday to Memorial Day. During that 5-day period, there’s an estimated 14% increase in scheduled seats to and from SAT compared to 2019 and a 19% increase since last year.

We’re expecting the busiest Memorial Day weekend travel in our airport’s history,” said Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System. “People want to fly and it’s getting more affordable to do so. We are seeing more competitive fares with the addition of Spirit Airlines over the last year – and that’s helping our travelers find better deals on flights that are too good to pass up. We’re also expecting our busiest summer ever, but right now we’re focused on making sure everyone has a smooth experience in the days ahead.”

According to the Transportation Security Administration, here’s a day-by-day breakdown of how many passengers are expected to fly in and out of SAT:

  • Thursday: 38,514
  • Friday: 38,600
  • Saturday: 34,000
  • Sunday: 38,100
  • Memorial Day: 37,700

Fly Away Valet has also set records recently. Earlier this month, the company reported a gigantic increase in parking spaces at SAT since the service began in 2020. The service started with 80 spaces and now has 500.

Last week, valet operations were consolidated to the Short-Term Parking Garage for both pick-up and drop-off of vehicles.

For more information and to watch a video showing how to valet park at SAT, please visit the airport’s website.

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Community

75 Years of Providing Worldwide Service as Zetas and Friends

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, The Mighty” Southern Region is hosting its 94th Southern Regional Leadership Conference and 55th Southern Regional Amicae Leadership Workshop from June 8 – June 10, 2023. The conference site is the Marriott Rivercenter, located on the River Walk at 101 Bowie Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205.

The theme,“Celebrating 75 Years of Providing Worldwide Service as Zetas and Friends,” is aligned to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s efforts to address and bring awareness to health disparities and social determinants in Texas and Louisiana.  The Southern Regional Leadership Conference is hosting two events that are open for the public to attend: a Health Justice Townhall and a Public Program that includes a Night of Performing Arts.

The Southern Regional Health Justice Townhall is June 8, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will be moderated by Dr. Stacie NC Grant, International President and CEO of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. The town hall will provide a platform for open and honest dialogue on health justice, healthcare, health disparities, and social determinants.  The panel will consist of experts in the fields of health, civic and social advocates and leaders who serve as Champions for health justice and equity. 

“The Mighty” Southern Regional Public Program is June 9, 2023, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.  It will consist of recognition of San Antonio community leaders who are Embracing the Extraordinary with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and a Night of Performing Arts featuring Billy Ray Shepard.   

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