In 1997, The Black L.U.V. (love, unity & vision) Festival was established
by artists in the historic U street community who continue to be dedicated to
social change. This FREE one-day multi-cultural outdoor event, dedicated to
upliftment, has used the cultural arts as a vehicle to inform and enlighten
communities of the Nation’s Capital. The Black L.U.V. (love, unity &
vision) Festival informs and enlightens communities on social injustice,
gentrification, healthcare and educational issues that disproportionately affect
poor people in general and black people in particular in our communities and
neighborhoods.
Over 13 musicians, 6 poets, and 6 community activist grace the main stage
along with food vendors and community organizations on this spectacular day of
unity. For the past 6 years national featured artists have included: Black
Sheep, Yahzarah, Fertile Ground, and Urban Ave 31 featuring Jive Recording
Artist Raheem DeVaughn. Several institutions and social organizations commit to
the L.U.V. festival’s message of upliftment, empowerment and world community
awareness and outreach: Max Robinson Aids Clinic/Whitman Walker, Us Helping Us,
American Diabetes Association, Ummah Endowment Fund, Black Men Coalition, DC
Commission on the Arts & Humanities, Criminal Justice Policy Foundation,
Cease Fire Don’t Smoke the Brothers, Men on the Move, and Common Sense for
Drug Policy.
Through The Black L.U.V. Festival's prominent coverage and recognition has
come from various respected media: Washington City Paper, Afro-American,
National Public Radio, WPFW 89.3 FM/Pacifica, DCTV and Rolling Out Magazine.
This coverage will continue with the 2005 Black L.U.V. Festival with radio,
print and Public Access television.
Why Sundays? The Black L.U.V. Festival embraces the institution of Sunday
being a day for family. Meridian Hill Park (known as Malcolm X Park) is chosen
to best exemplify a natural gathering of people of different cultures and ethnic
backgrounds continuously.
The Black L.U.V. Festival seeks sponsors who have a vested interest in
reaching our targeted market while being a driving force behind addressing the
unique challenges and issues through their corporate contributions to the
festival.
