By Charles Warren, Contributing Writer
On March 15, 2025, the African American Writers and Artists (AAWA) of San Diego held an exciting event at the Malcolm X Library to celebrate Harriet Tubman Day and recognize the important contributions of Black women in history.
Throughout the evening, Acting President Prince Graham of AAWA San Diego worked behind the scenes to make sure everything ran smoothly and stayed true to AAWA’s mission of honoring African American heritage and artistic expression. Attendees listened to powerful readings from “Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman,” which highlighted her bravery, determination, and dedication to justice.
Gloria Verdieu, a San Diego community activist and AAWA historian reflected on the event, saying, “Turnout was good for San Diego. People came and learned things about our Black women and Harriet Tubman, also that March 10th is Harriet Tubman Day.” This day, officially recognized in states like New York and Maryland, serves as a reminder of Tubman’s fearless fight for freedom.
The event also featured special guests, including Reverend Alyce Smith-Cooper, an ancestral storyteller, and John Parker from the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice. Their contributions made the program even more meaningful, as they connected past struggles to today’s fight for justice and equality.
By organizing this celebration, AAWA San Diego continues to educate and inspire the community, making sure that the legacy of Harriet Tubman and other courageous Black women lives on for future generations.
