On March 22, Affinity Community Services held its annual Burning Bowl ceremony. Friends and family gathered at the University of Illinois Student Center West located at 828 W. Wolcott for the event titled “Waves of Resistance and Resilience.”
As guests dined on grilled Lebanese Chicken breasts and garlic whipped potatoes with parsnips they were treated to an afternoon of friendship, music, poetry, sharing and awards-giving.
Affinity pioneer Sandi Byrd received the Barbara “Robbie” Smith Award of Excellence from Affinity Board Member Phyllis Johnson and Smith’s daughter, Christina Smith. Before and after the ceremony, e nina jay and Ladaris Martin (accompanied by The Drum Divas) engaged the room with their poetry.
Bryd was praised for her work as an Affinity founding board member, activist, trailblazer, poet, storyteller, community builder, wife and mother who embodied the spirit of the late Barbara Smith. Byrd was also celebrated for opening her home to women and LGBTQ+ individuals when bars and community spaces were closed, raided or shut down.
Reve. Ted Dobbins spoke on the importance and symbolism of “The Burn.” She invited attendees to write down the negative things they wanted to leave in the past on a slip of special paper before putting the notes in the water-based bowls where they would dissolve. As part of the process, attendees also wrote letters to themselves where they outlined their goals for the future. Those letters were self-addressed and, in the fall, would be mailed back to those who participated in the ceremony.
The event closed out with words from artist and Black Arts Movement member Dr. Yaounde Olu, who spoke about the history of The Drum Divas and performed a set with Martin.
