By Tihut Tamrat, Contributing Writer
On May 21st at 6pm, the San Diego Black Arts and Culture District Advisory Committee Meeting was held at Second Chance on Imperial Avenue. Dr. Denise Rodgers, President of the Committee, and Professor of Art History at San Diego Mesa College, called the meeting to order to address new business occurring in the community.
The first order of business addressed was the World Design Capital of 2024 in San Diego/Tijuana which Dajahn Blevins, Committee member and Executive Director of Urban Warriors, and a representative of San Diego Arts Commission, provided information on opportunities available for artists interested in participating in the programming.
After having gone to Tijuana for the program Blevins states, “There was a big piece missing. The total invisibility of African American presence in this international showcase. San Diego has been remiss in acknowledging the fact that black people, and black arts, and black culture exist in San Diego,” urging the community to show up by any means necessary. “We have the rest of the year to show that we are here. It’s bringing the attention of the entire world to San Diego.”
The next order of business addressed was a proposed art installation that the Urban Collective Project, represented by Carmina Paz, brought forward in conjunction with CalTrans and in partnership with Maxx Moses, muralist and graffiti artist from New York. The art project proposed is a 2-ft wall mural on Imperial Avenue, next to the I-805 Bridge, called “Connectivity”. The mural contains hues of orange, blue, and white depicting a cascading wave-like shape symbolizing the “transferring from one section of town to the next so they can feel as they enter into our communities the energy and vibration that we are,” expressed Moses.
The mural sparked a lot of questions and feedback that provoked conversation, showing the passion and love that San Diego residents have for their community. Many questions were asked and answered amongst the body creating fruitful conversation and inclusion of any concerns or comments anyone had, with the same goal in mind, to do what’s best on behalf of the black community in San Diego.
Shortly after, Fourth District Councilmember Henry L. Foster II discussed his vision for the San Diego Black Arts and Culture District of prosperity and economic stability.
The last order of business addressed was committee events and announcements happening in the month of June to give residents the opportunity to participate, as well as allowing space for residents to speak on improvements for the City to work on to make San Diego more hospitable for the Southeastern community!
