July at QANC
Greetings,
How are you?
When I ask that question it is because I truly care about you and how you are. I ask how you are because being a leader and role model for our children requires a deep dive when times are hard. It requires all of us to remain in community with one another.
It has been difficult to operate in a changing social environment that is in direct contrast to our values, our constitutional rights, our history and who we are as humans. When things feel particularly hard, I remember that Queen Ann Nzinga Center has existed long before the DEI movement–because Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was the foundation of this organization before it was a requirement.
QANC is rooted in the belief that we are stronger when we know who we are and where we came from. We are better when we appreciate each other, know our history and learn from it. We are better when we help our brothers and sisters. We are successful because we use the arts to creatively express ourselves. We honor our elders, are guided by our ancestors and revere our children. We see the potential in all young people, who are our most valuable asset.
No matter how the world around us changes, we will continue to operate in a manner that aligns with our mission, vision and core values. When things are difficult we must come together, remember we are better together, and support one another. Although the challenge is large it is not larger than the hearts, resilience, and power we have as a people.
History will teach and we will prevail. I look forward to our programs in the upcoming season.
In Gratitude,
Dayna R Snell LCSW
Founder & Executive Director
Juneteenth
We hope you were able to join us in Plainville for our Juneteenth event! It was a beautiful day with entertainment for all interests, from musical performances to dance productions and even a fashion show. View more images from the event here.
For those who missed it, here is a recap of the celebration:
We heard compelling stories from local leaders encouraging us to come together as a community and support our neighbors. We were also lucky to hear from Destiny Baldwin, a long-time Watoto participant, who helped us remember what Juneteenth is all about. Here’s a bit of what she had to say:
“We celebrate Juneteenth because we know that freedom is more than a date. It’s lived in how we treat each other, in how we pass on culture, and how we raise the next generation to believe they are powerful…Today, as we honor Juneteenth, let’s also honor the work being done right now – the everyday, often quiet work of lifting each other up, of teaching our children to walk with pride, and of reminding ourselves that freedom isn’t a moment, it’s a movement.”
Thank you for your beautiful words Destiny! We’ll be spending the rest of the summer planning next year’s Watoto curriculum, guided by this vision of empowering youth and communities to thrive.
It’s not too early to mark your calendar–Watoto will kick off with an Open House on Saturday, September 20. We hope to see you there.
In the meantime, have a great summer. We are so grateful for your continued support and look forward to seeing you soon!
