The Return of the Original AfricaTown Folk Festival

Mr. Robert Battle, CEO and Executive Director of the AfricaTown, USA Community Mobilization Project, Inc., an Alabama based non-profit organization, is gearing up for a grand three-day cultural symposium March 16, 17 and 18th. Expected to arrive is a 14 member West African delegation of Filmmakers, Artists, representatives from the African fashion and hair design industry and culinary specialist. Two of the members of the African delegation Mr. Thomas Akodjinou from Benin and Mr. Felix Eklu from Togo are returning to Alabama to continue the due diligence they began in November and December 2006 on their AfricaTown documentary project. Embarking on a 3 state tour, of South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama they gathered research and visited several African American & Civil Rights locations.

One of the key moments of the event is a special appearance by renowned and celebrated Senegalese author Sylviane Diouf. Dr. Diouf received a doctorate from the University of Paris and has taught at Libreville University in Gabon and New York University. She is the author of “Dreams of Africa in Alabama: The Slave Ship Clotilda and the Story of the Last Africans Brought to America”. As the CEO of AfricaTown, USA, “Dreams of Africa in Alabama” was especially interesting to Battle because it documents historically the work that he has been doing for over twenty years. He went to New York recently to meet with Dr. Diouf and to facilitate the planning of her Alabama visit.

On Friday, March 16th the City of Mobile Museum will host Dr. Sylviane Diouf in a Meet The Author and book signing of DREAMS OF AFRICA from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. At 7:00 pm the Mobile County Training School * 800 Whitley Avenue * Plateau, Alabama will also host a book signing for Dr. Diouf.

Saturday, March 17th kicks off with the Original AfricaTown Folk Festival Community Day from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Come out and meet Mr. Thomas Akodjinou, Mr. Felix Eklu and the other members of the African Delegation. Enjoy the music, fashions and cultural presentations.

On Sunday, March 18th the closing ceremony “Feast of Relatives and Friends” will be held at the Plateau Community Center * 850 Edward Street * Plateau, Alabama. Special African cuisine and other culinary delights will be available. Dr. Sylviane Diouf will be the guest speaker