New Milwaukee event SurvivorsFest inspired by Chadwick Boseman
Milwaukee's first SurvivorsFest takes inspiration from "Black Panther" actor Chadwick Boseman.
Boseman died of colon cancer at age 43 in 2020 . But in the four years he fought against it, he still acted in several hit movies, including "Black Panther," "21 Bridges," "Da 5 Bloods" and his final screen performance, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," for which he was nominated for an Academy Award.
SurvivorsFest embodies his legacy, spirit and tenacity in battling cancer while still delivering his best, said Ericka Sinclair, the event's organizer.
"At the time he was dying, he played one of the strongest characters ever. The strength he showed at the time when he was dying ... just amazes me every time," said Sinclair, CEO of the Health Connections Inc., and co-founder of Milwaukee Black Grassroots Network for Health Equity with Dr. Quinton Cotton.
That's the goal of SurvivorsFest — to celebrate overcoming life's adversities .
It's for anyone who's a survivor of trauma — from gun violence to health challenges to domestic violence to mental health struggles.
The event is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at North Division High School, 1011 W. Center St. It's free and open to the public. It was rescheduled from its original rained-out September date.
"It's an opportunity to really love on each other, share stories and give each other the support that we need," Sinclair said.
Surviving traumatic events or tough circumstances isn't celebrated, she said. It should be up there with birthdays, anniversaries and other milestones in people's lives. Survivorship signals resiliency and wellness.
"That victory you have as a survivor, we have to celebrate that," Sinclair said. "Let's clap that up. I don't think we do that enough."
SurvivorsFest attendees will get colored ribbons to wear, representing what they survived.
To put on the event, Sinclair's organization partnered with Debra Gillespie of Mothers Against Gun Violence, whose son, Kirk Patrick Bickham Jr., and his friends were killed by gun violence Sept. 24, 2003.
SurvivorsFest will feature food vendors, music, dance performances, healing circles and community resources. Therapists will be on hand for anyone needing assistance during the event as well as after. It'll include a food drive for the Northcott Neighborhood House's pantry and a coat drive for the Coalition on Lead Emergency.
Sinclair wanted to create an event where people could connect with each other. That connection, she said, was lost during COVID shutdowns and stay-at-home orders.
"We all survived COVID," she said. "So, we can just call that a survivorship right there."
COVID, she said, hurt so many lives, but especially youth who spent their formative years looking at a teacher and classmates on a screen. That disconnectedness affected people's lives and mental health.
"Their ability to be socially connected to each other is harmed," Sinclair said. "It's a real thing, and it happens to adults, too."
But the goal of SurvivorsFest, she added, is to let people know hope exists, no matter what adversity one faces. Featured speakers will share stories about surviving a kidney transplant, domestic violence, breast cancer and even COVID.
She hoped people, especially Black people, would be inspired to sign up for organ donation.
"That's a hard conversation to have," Sinclair said, "trying to get people to understand, literally, you're saving someone's life, and it could be yours. You may need an organ."
SurvivorsFest is part of Wakanda Wellness Week , started in 2022 and co-sponsored by the Milwaukee Wellness Collective, the Milwaukee Black Grassroots Network for Health Equity and Health Connections Inc. — all co-founded by Sinclair and Cotton.
Wakanda Wellness Week is a series of community experiences aimed at promoting awareness of the connection between cultural healing, civic engagement and health equity.
Previously a weeklong event, Sinclair expanded its programming over several months this year. Events included a fashion show with the theme of cultural healing and civic engagement, as well as a healing summit with author Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy as part of the initiative's book-club discussion.
On Dec. 29, Wakanda Wellness Week will be part of a non-denominational candlelight vigil for homicide victims at Ephesians Missionary Baptist Church, 510 W. Meinecke Ave.
"We just want to grow our community in healthy ways," Sinclair said.
