Black Love Day

2013 BLD SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

 LOCALLY – In 24 hours, demonstrate the 5 acts of love, perform the rituals and

Wed, Feb. 13, 2013. Blackburn Center- Gallery Room, Howard University, Washington, D.C. from 6 – 9 p.m,

Heal Relationship Conflicts & Pain in the Ritual of Reconciliation* Celebrate 5 Acts of Love * Spiritual Anointing *

Inner-Attainment featuring latest recording artist, Wazximill *, Poet, Eric Powell aka E.L.P.J.

Love Message by Ayo Handy-Kendi, founder, Black Love Day

Free and Open to the Public with suggested $5 Love Donation.

Sponsored by Office of the Blackburn Center, H.U., African American Holiday Association (AAHA) and PositivEnergyWorks

AROUND THE GLOBE– Feb. 13th:

At 7 a.m, and 7 p.m. use the times and date of Feb. 13^th as moments to pause, meditate, visualize and affirm the vision of a peaceful world, devoid of gun violence and other forms of outright violence.  This can serve as the first significant tenet (act of love) demonstrated by you for Black Love Day. 

 Then continue the day, demonstrating the other 5 tenets (acts) of Black Love or Love in Action.

SOME TRADITIONAL THINGS TO DO ON BLD:

· It's NOT where you go for Black Love Day - it is WHAT YOU DO to demonstrate (show) love.

*** The greeting is Nya Akoma (N yah Ah comah) means get a heart, be patient.

*** Display the Akoma , an ancient African Adinkra symbol of love, patience, goodwill, faithfulness and endurance. It was re-named and co-opted a s a Valentine;

***Wear the colors Purple and Black – purple for spiritual growth and royalty; black for the color of the people and freedom from evil (Psalms 7 or 12)

***Buy BLD conscious-raising gifts from Black merchants, an act of community love;

***Get “The Black Love Book”, 3^rd edition, by Ayo Handy-Kendi, founder, Black Love Day – The rituals of BLD, History of Valentine’s Day, Self-love and relationship tips, more.

$6.50 E-book:   $13 Hard copy

Use credit card payments: Pay Pal info@aaha-info.org

OR  Send check or money order to:

African American Holiday Association (AAHA)

1855 Third Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 (allow 3-4 weeks shipping)

***In-gather the people at a Black Love Relationship Ceremony with the Ritual of Reconciliation

NATIONAL PRESS RELEASE:  Contact:  Rashida Thomas, publicists for Ayo Handy-Kendi Office: 202-667-2577  Text:  202-717-2282  Email:   ayomeansjoy@yahoo.com

20 Years of Increasing Peace to Stop Violence thru Black Love Day-Feb. 13th

“In alignment with President Obama’s inaugural vision of a more peaceful America, in alignment with the evolutionary New Age -Black Love Day, Feb. 13^th -celebrates its’ 20 year impact on the climate of violence and gears-up for new challenges to increase peace”, stated Ayo Handy-Kendi, founder of Black Love Day (BLD) Feb.13^th. BLD is the 3rd nationally, commemorated African-American holiday (wholyday) observance of atonement, reconciliation, celebration and 24 hour demonstration of Black Love through 5 tenets (loving acts) - for “The Creator”, for Self, for the Black Family, the Community and the Race. BLD also encourages Whites to "show love in action", in the 24 hour period towards Blacks, by working on their own racial attitudes, behaviors and reconciliation towards Black People.  BLD’s goals are to increase peace, stop violence and end racism along with providing a spiritual, African-centered, alternative to the commercialized, Valentine's Day.  While the Nation pauses at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb 13^th to visualize a peaceful, non-polarized country, without gun violence, the official 20th Black Love Relationship Ceremony will be held at Howard University’s Blackburn, Center Gallery, 2397 6^th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. from 7 – 9 p.m., open to the public.

In commenting on the successes of Black Love Day, Handy-Kendi said, ”Today, evidence of how BLD has positively impacted an un-estimated number, are seen in the many colleges and universities, like Howard U and FAMU, who host BLD ceremonies;  the 1,520,000,000 BLD Google results and numerous books, articles, and social network mentions; the products and greeting cards developed by artisans; and the many community-based leaders who encourage BLD instead of Valentine’s Day activities and events.  I’ve been a frequent guest on radio, t.v. and in print, sharing the tenets of BLD and the commemorative rituals, inspiring millions. We have actually experienced couples who met or re-united at BLD relationship ceremonies and we’ve had murderers atone for their crimes”. 

Lovingly called Mama Ayo, this native Washingtonian asked “The Creator” what she could do to stop Black on-Black violence after seeing Spike Lee’s movie version of Malcolm X on New Year’s day, 1993.  When she heard “the message Black Love repeated over and over”, she believes that she was chosen to establish a Black Love Day from this inspiration, due to her tenacious climb from childhood sexual abuse, drug addiction and substance abuse, domestic violence, homelessness and the murder of her teenage  son.  Her compelling story of returning to self-love and embracing forgiveness is chronicled in her "Black Love Book - the how-to guide on celebrating BLD- the Wholyday".   Mama Ayo is also the founder/director of the non-profit, African American Holiday Association (AAHA), and CEO, PositivEnergyWorks, founding the concept “Breathology”, a transformative healing practice for stress release, trauma, conscious-raising, physical and interpersonal development.

Mama Ayo affirms, "Love provides the highest vibration for the greatest healing power.  By spending 24 loving hours on BLD, we galvanize a chain reaction in the climate of violence, racism and polarization to increase peace.  To evolve in ALL communities - Black on Black, Whites towards Blacks-  WE return to love to heal ALL of our relationships”.  For further BLD activities, view www.AfricanAmericanHolidays.org or contact, 202-667-2577. ###.