Added: Jul 25, 2010

From: MAThompsonFrenk

Duration: 7:32

FESTIVAL ORGANIZED AND PRESENTED BY THE MEMNOSYNE FOUNDATION, HOSTED BY LIFEWAY CHURCH DALLAS (June 22, 2010) -- More than 300 people attended the second annual Walking 2 Destiny Festival, organized and sponsored by the Memnosyne Foundation's Center for Interfaith Inquiry, Saturday, June 19, 2010 as part of the foundation's Interfaith Service Network that empowers diverse faith communities to work together to serve the city of Dallas. The festival took place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lifeway Church. The festival, built on last year's success in celebration of the yearly Juneteenth celebration, was held to serve young people between the ages of five to 18 and their families in South Oak Cliff Dallas that are underserved. This year's festival was dedicated in honor of the late Bishop Larry McGriff who suffered an aneurysm and passed away earlier this year. His wife, Reverend Dr. Karen Hollie and many others, including Dallas mayor, Tom Leppert, shared kind words in remembrance and celebration of McGrif throughout the festival. The festival opened with a welcome from Reverend Dr. Hollie as well as many board members of the Memnosyne Foundation, including co-founders, Mary Ann Thompson-Frenk and Joshua Frenk, Reverend Dr. Todd Collier, Anthony Chisom, Phillip E. Collins and Coke Buchanan. Mayor Leppert took the stage and praised the event and expressed his support of Walking to Destiny's mission and purpose. Following the opening remarks, the stage, provided by Tom Kipp of Firehouse Music, remained filled with live entertainment for the remainder of the festival, including dance, a traditional african prayers and music by both Bandan Koro and Kweku G. Cordrington, thanks to the Office of cultural Affairs Lunch was provided free of charge to all festival-goers. Ken Cambell, a volunteer in The Memnosyne Interfaith Service Network from The Center for Spiritual Living led the team of volunteers from diverse religious backgrounds who came from all over the city to lend a hand. Tables and chairs were donated by Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church, and the guests were treated to hamburgers and hot dogs donated by the Baha'I community and graciously prepared by volunteers from the Ismaili Muslim Community. Festival activities were also going on inside the Lifeway Church building. Dusti the clown was on hand making balloon animals and painting children's faces. Multimedia artisan, Julia Schloss, held a class that educated children on the importance of creating sustainable artwork and recycling. Children enjoyed making crafts out of Styrofoam and other recycled materials. Thanks to Phillip E. Collins, Melody "AFI" Bell from the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs came dressed in traditional African dress and captivated the audience of both children and adults with her dynamic storytelling. She incorporated instruments, songs and chants to educate the audience in a dynamic, interactive way about the history of black people in America and specifically the reason behind the celebration of Juneteenth. Freddie Jones, nationally acclaimed composer, producer and trumpeter, provided a music workshop for children inside. Jones also took the main stage outside and entertained the crowds with his contemporary jazz music. Please look at Memnosyne foundation's Facebook page to learn more at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Memnosyne-Foundation/68210254859?v=app_2347471856#!/note.php?note_id=404805921283 Titled: The Memnosyne Foundation: SECOND ANNUAL WALKING 2 DESTINY FESTIVAL HONORED THE LATE BISHOP LARRY MCGRIFF

Channel: Nonprofit

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