Asante Awards: Barrier Breakers

Sunday, February 21, 2021

3:00PM - 4:00PM MST

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Asante calls for us to give thanks. This year’s Asante Awards: Barrier Breakers does just that by thanking and honoring important firsts in the New Mexico Black Community. Join us as we recognize the barrier breakers who bring us closer to realizing America’s promise of liberty and justice for all.

The New Mexico Black History Festival (now a program of the New Mexico Black Leadership Council) launched the Asante awards in 2015 where the Powdrell family was recognized for having the first Black owned restaurant in New Mexico. At that time, the recognition was for Blacks in the hospitality industry and the Powdrells have been undisputed leaders in this and other arenas in New Mexico.

AWARDEES

Honorable Judge Shammara Henderson

NM Court of Appeals

Gerald Byers

District Attorney
Doña Ana County

Dr. Tracie Collins

Cabinet Secretary
NM Department of Health

Senator Harold Pope, Jr.

NM State Legislature, District 23

Marsha Majors

President/CEO
US Eagle Federal Credit Union

Sonya Smith

Cabinet Secretary
NM Department of Veteran's Services

The New Mexico Black History Festival (now a program of the New Mexico Black Leadership Council) launched the Asante awards in 2015 by recognizing the Powdrell family for having the first Black-owned restaurant in New Mexico. At that time, the recognition was for Blacks in the hospitality industry and the Powdrells have been undisputed leaders in this and other arenas in New Mexico.  

Every Asante Awards has focused on different categories of recognition from law, to medicine, to hospitality. Every event includes an arts component as the work done through the New Mexico Black Leadership Council has an arts-based community development framework. This framework is rooted in the idea that the arts can be an avenue for personal, institutional, and community transformation.

BLACK OWNED RESTURAUNTS

We are inviting all Black Owned Restaurants to participate in the launch of “DECADES: Past Present Future,” with two key events in February 2021—the Asante Awards and the Kumbuka CelebrationBy participating, we will promote your business alongside our two events! All we ask is that you share with us any dinner items you would like us to feature to encourage guests to get their dinner from your restaurant in honor of these two events.

Here’s how to join:

  1. Sign up via our form

  2. Choose which night you’d like to participate in the promotion: Asante Awards, Kumbuka Celebration, or both!

  3. List any dinner items you’d like to highlight on the event night’s special menu, which will circulate to the NMBLC’s broad list of local families, citizens, academics, artists, activists, civic and church leaders.

  4. If your restaurant delivers or is registered with a delivery service let us know and we will let your potential patrons know too!

DEADLINE to sign up – Wednesday, February 17, 2021

UPCOMING EVENTS

Afro-Futurism:

Lecture Series

March 10, 17, 24, 2021

A not your run-of-the-mill interactive lecture series about the past, present, and future of Black lives in America.

Black Health &

Wellness Conference

April 16, 17, 2021

A holistic and comprehensive 360° view of Black wellness featuring national and local speakers covering topics on mental, physical, spiritual, and financial wellness.

ONE New Mexico

Gospel Concert

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Soul-satisfying gospel featuring the One New Mexico Gospel Choir in a spirit-filled virtual concert celebrating unity and harmony through music in New Mexico. 

Roots Summer

Leadership Academy

July 2021

The Roots Summer Leadership Academy (RSLA) is a 3-week summer learning program that uses the performing / visual arts and math integrated curriculum to engage youth during out of school time. RSLA works to improve literacy and numeracy, boost self-esteem and teach leadership skills for youth ages 8 – 16.

Tap the button below to be the first to know when registration opens for our upcoming events!