Ebony Vision Black History Month event returns in-person with Ghanaian performance, 'Black Resistance' panel
FOND DU LAC – For the first time since the pandemic began, Ebony Vision's Black History Month event will be in-person, with live music, raffles and Ghanaian music and dance.
The annual free event will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 25 at the YMCA, 90 W. Second St., under this year’s national theme, “Black Resistance,” exploring how recent events illustrate the ways African Americans have addressed historic and ongoing disadvantages and oppression.
A panel discussing the theme at the event will include Leslie Laster from Moraine Park Technical College, Laurice Synder from the Fond du Lac School District, Keywon Brown from the Fond du Lac Police Department and Garry Moise from Marian University, who is also the recipient of the university's 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Award.
Family-friendly and open to all, the event will also include live music from DJ Moe Craine, basket raffles, a Ghanaian music and dance performance by Edi Gbordzi and the 2023 Ishamon Harris Community Award, as well as snacks, desserts and other refreshments.
“As we recognize the diversity of our great nation, taking a month to specifically celebrate the contributions of African Americans helps foster greater appreciation and understanding,” the organization said in a news release.
This month honors and remembers works of the past that influenced the present, including the writings of Zora Neale Hurston, author of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” and other books, and the inventions and designs of Lewis Latimer, which led to the modern lightbulb, air conditioner and more.
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Locally, Fond du Lac also celebrates the contributions of Black leaders like Bishop Haywood, pastor of Bread of Life churches, and Ebony Vision President Daisy Frazier, who all work to educate on and empower the community’s diversity and culture.
As an organization, the diverse group of local residents who make up Ebony Vision aim to improve the community through enhancing African American culture, providing a voice and vehicle for expressing concerns and strengthen unity and inclusivity in Fond du Lac.
Recently, the organization implemented new committees, the program committee and marketing and branding committee, and invites any and all community members to join either committee.
As of this month, Ebony Vision has also moved to a new office space, 14 Western Ave., Suite 203, and is open for its winter hours, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
For more information on Ebony Vision or the Black History Month event, visit ebonyvisionfdl.org or the Ebony Vision Facebook page.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac's Ebony Vision celebrates Black History Month in-person
