The awardee for the Winnie Mandela Humanitarian Award is expected to be announced on July 1, 2025 during International Reggae Day.
Courtesy of Jamaica Arts Holdings
July 1 signals International Reggae Day.
Actually for the 31st consecutive year, the dateline has been marked by a global appreciation of Jamaica’s home-grown music.
The irony is that on that day, a community of fans unify by blasting the beat, wearing the colors of red, gold and green, plant trees to, gather together to create pictures, entertain virtual meetings and lively up themselves by deejays across the planet hosting a salute to the genre.
Call it a 24-hour funfest but the aim of advocates is to punctuate the influence of reggae music on the world. The concept birthed 31 years from long lingering conceptions from Andrea Davis, a devout Kingston, Jamaica-based Rastafarian, evolved into reality after South Africa’s Winnie Mandela visited her island.
The freedom fighter was there soon after the release of her captive husband Nelson Mandela was freed from Robyn Island after 27 years of confinement at apartheid ruled imprisonment.
Jamaicans embraced the couple with a concert at the National Stadium, honorarium at the University of the West Indies and processions of exaltation.
Davis said after witnessing the crowd swell of like-minded citizens in her homeland capital, she felt compelled to rally reggae fans to action.
“Reggae music emerged from the grassroots and became a soundtrack for justice, unity and truth,” the trailblazer explained, “International Reggae Day is a powerful reminder of what can happen when music becomes movement.”
Initially, Davis promoted the music in concerts, art exhibitions, culinary and fashion feasts in the city. She carefully chose landmark locations to spread her gospel.
From Devon House, a mansion and former home of the first Black millionaire to the 56 Hope Road address Bob Marley resided and even a lush Courtyard location IRD has made the rounds to prominent locations for a day of revelry, celebration and pride.
From those significant sites, Davis twinned tropical and cultural excellence. But with Toots Hibbert and deejays of note she took the same spirited IRD offering to the pinnacle of the world, hosting similar activities on a New York rooftop.
Relentless in her pursuit, Davis has seen her brainchild resonate in more than 30 countries.
She cites, France, Canada, Costa Rica, Anguilla, India, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Bahamas, Brazil, Argentina, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Indonesia, Namibia, China, Panama, as reflectors of the diversity engendered by the culture.
But adds that “from Kingston to Cape Town, London to Lima this year’s global fest” will be themed by the mantra “One Love, One Voice, One Day.”
“This year’s theme reflects the strength of collective action — amplified across cultures, countries and communities.”
Evidenced by bombardments of press releases during Black Music Month, Davis has saturated media and the landscape with suggestions. proposals and infotainment aimed at boosting the global profile already established when she collaborated with JAH (Jamaica Arts Holdings) to launch IRD in 1994.
Among the features — a playlist featuring some of the most iconic recorders of the genre. Another spotlights transformative artists and still another recognizes the legendary trail blazers.
This year, IRD will repeat last year’s presentation of the Winnie Mandela Humanitarian Award.
Added to that, the Peter Tosh Rebel With A Cause honor is already designated to recognize an individual who display “bold leadership and revolutionary ethos.”
Harlesden Library in London will host a panel discussion, Mexico’s PullitUp Radio promised 24-hour reggae stream with a showcase of 20 local artists across Guadalajara and Mexico City; and Jamaica boasts a slew of local gatherings including a film screening spotlighting the convergence of music and film in a grassroots storytelling session at the Bob Marley Museum.
In 2024, drones in Florida shaped spectacles in the air forming images of Bob Marley and other icons.
Davis and her collaborators are urging fans to wear red, gold and green, plant a tree, play the music, but spread love.
Her admonition to fans: “from your corner of the world” … “whether you’re a deejay, a podcaster, a school teacher, or a fan” you have a role to play on July One.54th annual returns African arts to Brooklyn’s Commodore Park.
All roads will lead to Flushing Ave. In Brooklyn from July 4 to July 6 when the 54th annual cultural and heritage festival convenes another International African Arts Festival (IAAF). Regulars to the holiday treat maintain reference to the salute to Caribbean and African outdoor marketplace by its former naming as the African Street Festival. However, after relocating from Boys and Girls High School a name change broadened the scope of delivering everything cultural to the Black community.
Needless to say, two stages will provide entertainment, vendors promise an array of offerings — food, fun, and even massages to the weary. Hair braiders will also set up outdoor salons to plait, twist and satiate the needs of every member of the family. By the way, the place to stock up on Shea butter, Black soap and fashionable African prints, T-shirts, hats, jewelry, pins, carvings, posters, wooden stools, flags of all nations, musical instruments and continental imports will be nearby the Brooklyn Navy Yard. And don’t miss out on the roast corn, jerk chicken and lemonade. There will be plenty of everything. Check their web portal for details.
