On Saturday, Sept. 8, leaders of the arts will come together for a special, day-long event to explore the vibrant arts and culture of the Alabama Black Belt entitled, ”Black Belt Arts & Culture Symposium: Powering Up for the Arts.” The event will take place at The University of West Alabama and is being presented by the Black Belt Community Foundation and UWA through support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

“We are excited to present this special daylong event in partnership with UWA and ASCA,” said BBCF President Felecia Lucky. “While we will be celebrating and exploring the arts and culture of our Black Belt with educational, entertaining and informative presentations from state arts leaders, our overall goal is to focus on economic development education by empowering people on how to leverage the arts to go to work for their communities.

“The symposium’s theme is ‘Powering Up for the Arts,’ as the arts can be powerful assets to put to work for ourselves. Black Belt art and culture has always been unique and special, and fortunately in recent years the rest of the world has started to recognize, respect and celebrate it on a much larger scale.”

Joey Brackner of the Alabama State Council on the Arts and Alabama Center for Traditional Culture and host of Alabama Public Television’s “Journey Proud” TV series and Dr. Billie Jean Young Assoc. Professor and Artist-in-Residence on the Fine and Performing Arts Faculty of Judson College in Marion will be the main presenters at the symposium.

Other presenters will include Kristen Law, Donna Russell and Diana Green.

Due to limited space and resources, it is important to RSVP for the event by calling 205-652-3828 or by e-mailing centerforblackbelt@uwa.edu. There is a $10 cover charge to provide for each participant’s lunch on-site. A scholarship program will be in place to help those if cost is a hardship. This can be applied for by calling this number and writing the email above.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, August 29 issue of the Demopolis Times.)