​The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs’ (OCA) annual ELEVATE public art festival recently partnered with Facebook to install five new murals, which are a part of this year’s festival — presented digitally on the ELEVATE website, Facebook, and YouTube from October 4 to 10.

With 2020 marking a pivotal election year, Facebook launched the “Voting is Voice” campaign and set a goal to register 4 million new voters during the largest voter drive in U.S. history. Facebook’s partnership with the OCA and ELEVATE was a natural fit as the festival will explore the concept of social justice and equity through this year’s programming.

​For the “Voting is Voice” campaign, five artists from across the U.S. created original artwork commissions in response to the prompt “Voting is Voice.” Within this theme, each artist explored voting as a powerful tool of the personal and collective voice, the importance of a diversity of voices to a healthy society, the powerful impact of personal narratives as vehicles for change, and our collective responsibility to acknowledge and amplify a broad spectrum of voices. These five murals are a part of Facebook’s push to increase voter engagement and participation during this election year.

Each mural will feature the artist’s bio, Q.R. codes, and URLs that direct viewers to Facebook and Instagram’s Voting Information Center, where they can find more information on the 2020 U.S. election and a quick and easy way to register to vote.

In addition, the murals encourage public interaction through compelling, relevant design & digital features that create multiple levels of access for every member of the community.

This year’s ELEVATE Art Festival examines arts and culture through the lens of our changed reality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have experienced racial unrest, economic recession, isolation due to social distancing, and a divisive political climate. The festival theme is Equity, Activism, Engagement, and through our programs we seek to provide hope, inspiration, and food for your soul. Join this year’s free virtual programs from Sunday, October 4 through Saturday, October 10.  It’ll be streaming live via Facebook, YouTube and website. Check elevateatlart.com for details.  Below is the music lineup.

This year’s ELEVATE Art Festival examines arts and culture through the lens of our changed reality due to the COVID-19 pandemic, racial unrest, economic recession, and a divisive political climate. Dance performances being presented are dazzling, dreamlike, and defiant. They provide insight into issues that we, and our communities, are dealing with including inequity, food insecurity, and isolation, but also seek to inspire hope, resilience, and activism as we move forward. Join this year’s virtual programming from Sunday, October 4 through Saturday, October 10.

NEWS SOURCE:  Hatchett PR

​The City of Atlanta - Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs will bring its annual ELEVATE public art festival to Atlanta’s historic West End neighborhood from Sunday, October 4 to Saturday, October 10, 2020. This year’s festival events will be virtual. 

​• Musical performances by Kebbi Williams and The Wolf Pack, The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra, Gritz and Jelly Butter, Tony Hightower, and Julie Dexter. 
​• Mural installations honoring civil rights leader Reverend James Orange and Black women activists from the West End community. 
• An online and in person voter registration event at the West End MARTA station. 
• A conversation with New York Times best-selling authors Pearl Cleage and Tayari Jones, who frequently feature Atlanta’s West End community in their work.  
• The opening of Hammonds House Museum’s exhibition Elements of A Revolution. 
• A conversation between the executive directors of Atlanta Contemporary and Les Abattoirs/Toulouse to discuss challenges of promoting art during COVID-19, issues of gender equality and racism in their field. Since 1974 Atlanta and Toulouse have been Sister Cities. 
• A screening of the stirring new documentary, “John Lewis: Good Trouble,” an intimate account of the legendary U.S. Representative’s life, legacy, and more than 60 years of extraordinary activism. 
• An Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance of Lazarus created by acclaimed hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris. The ballet connects the past and the present in a powerful work that addresses racial inequities America faced when Mr. Ailey founded his dance company in 1958 and still faces today.
• Renowned artist Carrie Mae Weems, in collaboration with SCAD, will launch RESIST COVID/TAKE 6, a public art initiative raising critical heath awareness about COVID-19 and the ways racial inequities have manifested in the pandemic. 

​Percussionist YemiConga shares with When We Speak TV, how he became the only musician in his family.  

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KEYWORDS
yemiconga - song of hope - african drums - african drummer - afrojazz - yoruba music - atlanta musicians - jazz - jazz in the alley - african conga - percussionist - yoruba percussionist - african music - percussion - when we speak tv 

​Remey Williams is a Drummer, Producer, Singer, Songwriter, and Performer.  He has toured all around the world with artists like Summer Walker and has opened for artists such as Jagged Edge and Carl Thomas.

​Actor, Jermel Howard, speaks about growing up in foster care, acting, auditions, and how acting changed his life.  Jermel Howard has acted in such shows and films as, Power, Luke Cage, Orange Is The New Black, and All Eyez On Me.  

​Grammy nominated guitarist, Rod Harris Jr shares with When We Speak TV the joy of being a musician.

Many 2020 events have been either cancelled, rescheduled, or going virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic.....added to that list is the Riverfront Jazz Festival in Dallas, Texas.

The Riverfront Jazz Festival founded by Curtis King, President of the Black Academy of Arts and Letters, is a multistage musical festival, that promotes, cultivates, and spotlights renowned musical artists from around the world as well as promising young artists from the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

​The perfect online platform for exhibitors around the world to meet, showcase their products and services, and connect with the largest minority-owned hair care customer base in the world. 

​The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) President and CEO H. Beecher Hicks III and Mayor David Briley signed lease that officially gives the museum control over the space the museum will occupy at Fifth and Broadway.

​​The 51st Running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race will be held across the country and around the world as the race moves to a completely virtual event in 2020.

We have definitely learned plenty since the start of When We Speak TV. 
Jermaine Sain​, owner of When We Speak TV, shares what he attributes to be the most valuable lesson he's learned about starting a media company.

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​​We had so much fun speaking with Rhonda Ross and she was super cool and down to earth!  We feel so blessed for this opportunity and hope that this interview inspires you!!!! 

​During the 2019 Black Music Honors Red Carpet, singer, Major., salutes When We Speak TV of Atlanta.

​​​Jermaine Sain, shares his childhood memory of calling the radio station and requesting "My Liberty", recorded in 1982, by Southeast Inspirational Choir with Yolanda Adams on lead vocals.  

​Huge thanks to VoyageATL for featuring Jermaine Sain and When We Speak TV!!!!  Thank you so much for the love and support!!!! 

​Along with vision and hard work of Jazz in the Alley’s creator and Event Director, Ziggy Warfield, JITA has become one of the most sought after jazz events held in Historic Downtown Norcross, GA. The annual summer series has gained local notoriety from artists and jazz enthusiast of all ages.

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​WATCH THE FULL SEGMENT WITH EMRAH KOTAN ON WHEN WE SPEAK TV 

Can you find Jermaine Sain singing in this video?
Happy Birthday (Gospel Style)