Summer 2015

Festival News
Educate  Motivate  Celebrate
V O L U M E
Est. 1987
Mission
Statement
The mission of the Black
Heritage Festival of Louisiana is to develop,
expose and educate audiences to the arts and culture of African-Americans,
and provide arts and
humanities opportunities to
all citizens of Southwest
Louisiana, thereby expanding tourism opportunities,
enhancing economic
development, and providing cultural and educational
opportunities to the diverse
regional population.
EDITOR
Claudia Jacobs Williams
CONTRIBUTORS
Carolyn Clemons Johnson
Lillie Wilson
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From the Desk of the Executive Director
Welcome, welcome, welcome, to what will be a very exciting year for the 2016 Black Heritage Festival. I would like
to congratulate our newly elected board president Glenda Gay, and board treasurer, Marianne Peltier Rankins.
Rest assured that the board is in good hands with these newly elected officers. I am excited about the new ideas
and creative thoughts that our Board and committee chairs will bring to the table. As a result, these thoughts and
ideas will indeed add a new dimension to the 2016 Black Heritage Festival.
I am very proud to announce a new sponsor of our festival, The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation. Their
generous sponsorship donation will allow the festival to expand its reach to Louisiana artists across our region. The
2016 festival is scheduled for March 3-6, 2016 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. We are excited to once again
enter into a partnership with McNeese Banners and present Cirque Zuma Zuma. This performance will be the kickoff for two nights and three days of exciting performances from the best artists Louisiana has to offer; mouthwatering foods that will expand your pallet; and a Kids Zone designed to educate, intrigue and add spark to a child's
imagination like none other. If you are a vendor or an artist and you're interested in participating in this four-day
event, please feel free to visit our website at www.bhflc.org or call 337-304-0620.
Entering our 29th year, we have worked hard and now we are extremely pleased to once again be named a
Southeast Tourism Top 20 Event. Not only are we tops in Southwest Louisiana but we are tops in the southeastern
portion of the United States. None of this would be possible without the support of the community and the numerous volunteers. We need YOU to volunteer. Whatever the amount of time you can spare, we have a job for you.
Please consider becoming an integral piece of our puzzle... the unique group known as the Volunteers of BHF. It's
a rewarding experience and a chance for you to give back to your Southwest Louisiana community. It is both an
honor and a privilege to serve as the Executive Director of this award winning festival. I look forward to working to
ensure that this and each festival becomes one of the best that the Lake Charles community has to offer.
It's almost time, don't be left out! I’ll see you at the 2016 Black Heritage Festival of Louisiana!!!!!
Judith Washington , Executive Director
Countdown to the Festival...178 days
Look
Who’s Making
It Possible!
FESTIVAL
NEWS
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Gallery News
AUGUST 7, 2015
Book signing by Lela Tizano
Sponsors: Sweets & Treats, Special Events Unlimited, Spectra Energy
and SWLA Sickle Cell Support Group
Stella Miller, Gallery Curator
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Pomp & Pageantry
Black Heritage Festival Queens at the Armed Forces
Pageant held this past June.
If you aspire to wear the crown and the sash, log on to
www.bhflc.org for pageant information or contact
Cynthia Metoyer, Pageant Director at 337.930.1533.
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Cooking From Across the Tracks
1 lb. fresh shrimp
1 egg beaten
1 lg. onion
2-1/2 C. cooked mashed potatoes
1 med. Bell pepper
1/4 C. oil
2 cloves garlic
2 C. bread crumbs
1/4 C. parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 green onion
Sauté onions, bell pepper, parsley and garlic in oil until wilted. Pour them into a large mixing bowl with potatoes, bread
crumbs and ground or chopped shrimp. Add egg to all ingredients. Form into patties and roll in bread crumbs. Fry in
deep fat until brown. Yield: 10 to 12 patties.
-Betty Toussand
To order your copy of our cookbook Cooking From Across the Tracks, contact Judi Washington at 337-304-0620 or
Makeitta Broussard at 337-540-3145. Cookbooks are $20.00 plus shipping and handling.
Gearing up for 2016
Kids Zone needs
bicycles donated for the
2016 festival. If you or
your organization would
like to
donate, email
Malinda Stevens at
ms7061@aol.com
and put a smile on a
child’s face.
Applications for the
2016 Black Heritage
Festival Pageant are
now available.
Log on to
www.bhflc.org
or contact
Cynthia Metoyer
337-930-1533
VOLUNTEERS
Coming Soon!
WANTED!
Come share your
ideas and talents
with us.
2016 Black Heritage
Festival Scholarship
application.
Volunteer at
www.bhflc.org
www.bhflc.org
If you are interested
in showcasing your
art, being placed on
the mailing list or
would like to support
the Gallery, email
Stella Miller at
blackheritagegallery@gmail.com
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Our Partner In Education
“The EXPERT in anything
was once a beginner”
-Helen Hayes
Future leaders on board!
Preparing ALL students for academic success!
Dr. Dinah Robinson, Principal
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It’s Never Too Early
to become a part of the
2016 Black Heritage Festival of Louisiana
March 3 - 6, 2016
To secure a Vendor Booth or become a Service Provider, contact
Makeitta Broussard at 337.540.3145
Performing Artists, contact Judith Washington at 337.304.0620
To share Scholarship and Financial Aid information, contact
Claudia Williams at 337.842.8445
Pageant information, contact Cynthia Metoyer at 337.930.1533
To become a Volunteer, Sponsor, or Friend of the Festival,
contact Judith Washington at 337.304.0620
To become a Sponsor or Friend of the Gallery, contact
Stella Miller 337.488.0567
General Festival Information, contact Judith Washington at
337.304.0620
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Mark Your Calendar
2015
September 12: Sickle Cell SWLA Gospel Musical
September 25: Gallery Promenade - Black Heritage Gallery
September 26: Sickle Cell SWLA Walk-a-Thon
September 27: Calca-Chew Food Festival
Never Too Late to Learn
by Alix Beaujour
October 3: Literacy Council SWLA “Musicale”
October 17: Banners Rouge et Blanc
October 23 & 24: Culture Fest
2016
February 13: Black Heritage Festival Pageant
March 3 - 6: 2016 Black Heritage Festival
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Mr. Rufus Mayfield—
city’s first AfricanAmerican city
councilman
"Not only must we be good, but we must
also be good for something."
Henry David Thoreau
Contact Us
-Carolyn Clemons Johnson
Black Heritage Festival & Gallery
Phone: 337.304.0620
809 Kirby Street
Fax: 337.478.0105
Suite 102
E-mail: jwashi4568@aol.com
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Past
us on Facebook and visit us at www.bhflc.org
Issues
Log on to bhflc.org
We’re more than just a festival!
End