The 2026 ASNEAA programming season started with CLP x Dance Africa! If you follow ASNEAA on social media- it is no secret that I have been targeted and clearly blacklisted for continuing to pursue the organization’s commitment to DEI(S) and social justice advocacy. Given the past rain date reschedules for the limited CLP outdoor programming over the years – it’s starting to feel like Big Brother is manipulating Mother Nature for weather modification and geoengineering (s/o to the sci-fiers and conspiracy theorists). Let’s just say climate change is real, like racism!
As the ASNEAA creator + board secretary, the past year has provided both professional and personal adversities that forced me to contend with power, cultural responsiveness, and sustainability. This included adapting the BIPOC lens to include White as color and centering the ASNEAA wholistic research as showcased on the “state-of-the-art” website (more proof of concept). In refinement of the ASNEAA multi-dimensional praxis (online + in-person), it is time to address the growing artificial intelligence (A.I.) field and it’s role in the “social justice” business model.
If the world loved Africa for the people and culture as much it does for research and development, what would the state of the continent be? Well if there is one thing ASNEAA is going to do is unpack some racism. And that’s what we did at CLP x Dance Africa 2026 – s/o to everyone that came out in the rain because a little overcast ain’t never stop a REAL CONVERSATION + CELEBRATION!
CLP x Dance Africa 2026 participants were invited to share their BIPOC heritage on the retractable banner and visit the ASNEAA website to explore a global mapping and narrative collection of the African Diaspora:
The fruitful discussions that came with our BIPOC heritage exploration is why ASNEAA created the multi-dimensional experience in our programming like Community Legacy Project (CLP); to counter the artificial intelligence and social networking online. It is easier to be racist behind an anonymous bot v. in community with people of ALL AGES and BACKGROUNDS. It was so beautiful, that by Day 3 even the sun decided to come out and join the party!
It wasn’t all technology + TED Talks! CLP x Dance Africa 2026 participants also celebrated with arts as advocacy creative expressions projects in commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety:
- Advocacy Chalkings + Quotes inspiration
- Social Justice Paintings + ASNEAA swag
Talk about the perfect start to the ASNEAA America 250th Anniversary commemoration! Because what makes America beautiful is DEIIS (diversity, equity, inclusion, intersectionality, safety) in practice – online + in-person (again, that’s multi-dimensional). And as Ruha Benjamin said (affirmed by a CLP x Dance Africa 2026 participant), A.I. is Ancestral Intelligence. Here’s to humanity (and ALL THE ANCESTORS)! Happy Memorial / Decoration Day…
Thank you to the CLP x Dance Africa 2026 host, participants, and donors:
