2019 marked my fifth year in Breaking Walls and my third year as an Ambassador. There were times where I watched the Breaking Walls Artists perform and sadness would infiltrate my joy and overwhelm me. Not only has it been an amazing opportunity and honor to become an Ambassador, but it has also been a challenge. Part of stepping away from my role as an artist was taking on new responsibilities, developing my leadership skills, but also learning when to step back and let others lead, or in many cases perform. I found myself caught up in the bittersweet understanding that I would no longer perform in each Breaking Walls summit, but would work behind the scenes to develop it. Each year, Breaking Walls hosts a fundraiser to gather donations and support for our international summits. As many of you may already know, this year we are visiting Tangier! Our February Fun Fest marked a new era for myself and other ambassadors, it represented a revival of poetic activism. Each piece was carefully chosen and organized in a beautiful script that we, both Breaking Walls Artists and Ambassadors brought to life. It was an honor to meet with several esteemed guests, that not only shared their profound wisdom and guidance, but also their overwhelming love, support, and recognition of what Breaking Walls is and what we stand for. As I listened to Heiko Schwarz (Head of Cultural Department, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany) speak on Breaking Walls, I was astounded to hear him acknowledge the power that Breaking Walls has not only to break down walls but also to rebuild the necessary bridges after opening the space for change and transformation. I was taken aback by the admiration expressed by Lorenzo Roache (Harlem International Film Festival, Director of Operations) when he described his journey with Breaking Walls and how it began with our insatiable documentary: Brooklyn Bridges: To Bethlehem & Back. The inspiration he felt as a result of our documentary did not end with the film, instead to this day he has shown continual support that we could not live without. I was also personally honored to hold a conversation with Christopher Marte (Community Activist, NY State Committeeman, 65th Assembly District), who motivated me to believe and reassured me that politics aren’t just for heterosexual white men, but for us, the underprivileged and disenfranchised youth of America. This event and this performance brought me back to my early beginnings, reminded me how often we can overlook where we began and reinvigorated my love for performing. Breaking Walls has valued this love and because of it, we now have our Breaking Walls Spoken Word Troupe. Our Troupe is composed of artists and ambassadors that cherish the value of poetic activism and long to perform outside of exclusive Breaking Walls events. We are currently searching for venues and platforms that will host or invite us to perform. I am very excited to announce that we had our very first performance February 20th at the Open Mic Showcase hosted by the Jill Chaifetz Transfer School Breaking Walls artists, hosted by Teaching-Artist, Jay Howard. If you are aware of any venues that may offer us a temporary home, please do not hesitate to reach out. As you can see, before and since our Fun Fest Breaking Walls continues to grow in support and activism. We would like to thank each and every honored guest who graced us with their presence, support, and wisdom; it was a night to never be forgotten.
Miana and fellow Brooklyn Ambassador, Naya, speak with Christopher Marte. (Photo credit: Andre Whitehead)
