The Wrap-Up
To God Be the Glory! Power to the People! Let Freedom Ring!
“. . . It’s such a change/For us to live so independently/Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so joyfully/Just look about/You owe it to yourself to check it out/Can’t you feel a brand new day?/Can’t you feel a brand new day?”
“A Brand New Day,” Diana Ross w/Michael Jackson Music by Quincy Jones from the movie soundtrack: The Wiz
This sums up the reaction of those who had experienced The Positive Community’s 3rd Annual Great American Emancipation Day Awards Gala on February 19, at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ. Just ask anyone who attended the event. It was a wonderful, soulful affair— a blessed occasion! This year’s theme: Saving Our Own Community.
We are forever grateful for our community of readers and an amazing network of clergy leaders, congregations, and friends; leaders in business, healthcare, and education; in the arts, in government, and community service. Thank you for being there for the people. At The Positive Community, we win when you win; and together, we are a winning team! We appreciate our dear sponsors, the forward-thinking small businesses, corporations, and institutions that care. But most of all, it was our community that came together on this day to remember our freedom journey, reflect upon our victories, and celebrate our collective talents and gifts.
Folks travelled to Newark from Washington, DC; Baltimore; Delaware; Philadelphia; South Jersey; and from throughout the greater NYC/NJ/Conn. region to endorse and promote the community-building ideals of freedom and progress—positive change! A spirit of self-acceptance, self-reliance, self-respect, and love filled the room. Yes, a good time was had by all! Shout out to Host, Rev. Jaques DeGraff, Producer Kim J. Ford, and the The Positive Communiuty production team.
On that day we honored wonderful, extraordinary people and institutions—our best and brightest. It was a pageantry of grace and dignity. The truth, beauty, and goodness of a loving and gifted race was affirmed!
Review the images on the following pages of this special section, visit online thepositivecommunity.com for videos and more. Download your copy of the “Cultural Narrative” poster that was presented to each honoree. Tune in to our commercial-free music streaming service, TPC Radio. Stand by for upcoming events and activities and future marketing opportunities. We at Positive Community Media remain ever steadfast in our commitment to only represent and promote our very best—America’s best!
Save-the-Date: January 1, 2023, the 160th anniversary year of the Great Emancipation—A Jubilee Celebration!
The next stop in “Our Year of Positive Change,” Juneteenth/Black Music Month, 2022!
. . . Because a positive community is everybody’s business. It really pays to care!
