Article Courtesy of Patricia E. Murray
To God Be the Glory on a beautiful summer evening Saturday, August 26, 2023, where the Multipurpose Room at Bayview Baptist Church held our 3rd WAKANDA FOREVER EXPERIENCE 2023.
This year, Patricia Murray (Founder of ERRRVERYBODi Line Dancers), and her loyal dancers and committee members worked tirelessly to bring homage and honor to the 4 Honorees: Shaun Manning, The Youth Visionary Award; Centenarian Helen Adams, The Living Legacy Award; Calvin Mason, The Theatre and Arts Visionary Award, and Queen Mother “Dr. Kathleen Harmon, who has made a lasting mark on San Diego’s Black community, received the Fan Flame. We also recognized our youth (Links to STEM with certificates for winning first place in the national robotics competition at the NSBE 2023), acknowledging 10-year-old Paris Hollins, Junior first place winner of the Junior Olympics and the young men of The Blue Heart Foundation were our volunteer escorts.
The Incomparable Carolyn Johnson was the Mistress of Ceremonies. It was an evening of heartfelt stories, moving presentations, and dancing with a spectacular tribute performance to late icon, Tina Turner. With over 250 attendees, dressed in their Finest African attire, it was a sea of faces glowing with a sense of joy and cultural pride. The Wakanda Forever Experience Theme of 2023 consisted of Community, Civic Duty, Family, Education, and Rich Cultural History, emphasizing the importance of passing down to the younger generations to stand tall, be proud, give back, honor the past, and celebrate as one. We all were strengthened by the bonds that make our community truly exceptional for an unforgettable moment in this wonderful experience.
