Celebrating Black History Month at the Fourth Annual 1619Fest Orlando!

1619 historically marks the arrival of African captives from Angola, Africa, to Point Comfort, Hampton, Virginia. The nationwide celebration of 1619 is a solemn yet, celebratory remembrance of over 400 years of African descendants' perseverance and struggle through the institutions of slavery and racism in America. Yet, unfortunately, public memory has primarily excluded people of African descent from America's original narrative. Therefore, 1619 celebrations also include awareness and education regarding the contributions and social history of peoples of African descent and their history in America.

Who we are:

The Equity Council Corp. ("ECC"), a West Winter Park nonprofit and community advocacy group, was organized in 2018 to fight for equity in education for disfranchised students and their community. In 2019, the ECC received rights from the National Parks Service: 400 Years' African American History Commission Act, which allowed the first commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the first African captives to arrive in Point Comfort, Hampton, Virginia. Our award-winning festival is now in its 4th year and is an annual event in Winter Park, Florida.

Festival Theme:

This year's 1619 Festival theme is "Black History Month Health Check."

Since 1619, the myths about Africans and their bodies were used to justify the enslavement of a people. Unfortunately, those same myths are now used to justify poor treatment by healthcare professionals and facilities across America. The reality is that Black People in America are in a state of emergency regarding their health and well-being. Negative Health Outcomes for African Americans are the leading cause of Maternal Death, Infant Death, adverse COVID-19 health outcomes, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and adverse mental health outcomes. To combat these health disparities in 2010, the American College of Physicians noted that "strengthening health literacy among racial and ethnic minorities and creating cultural competency initiatives" could lead to more positive health outcomes in the Black community. At this year's 1619Fest Orlando, we are excited to do just that!! Please see our schedule of Black History Month Health Check of activities below, and commit yourself to make adverse health outcomes in the Black community a thing of the past.

**1619Fest Orlando Day 1**

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park

1050 W. Morse Boulevard in Winter Park

7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Our two-day Black History Month Celebration kicks off on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 7:00 a.m., with our Rebel Run 5K at 1050 W. Morse Boulevard in Winter Park, FL, with a 3.5 running path through the historic African American community of Hannibal Square.

Beginning in 2021, the Red, Black & Green Rebel Run 5K was added to the 1619Fest to pay homage to Hannibal Barca, esteemed as North Africa's most famous war general and the namesake for Winter Park's Hannibal Square. The Rebel Run Race is for runners and walkers of any age or pace! Race registration fees cover your race registration, Rebel Run bib, and medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers. Water and hydrations stations will be along the route. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. sharp. Race registrations begins at 6:00 a.m.

Runners, get ready to let your inner Rebel run free! Rebel Run "Early Birds" can register online through Eventbrite to run in the Rebel Run 5K.

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

After the race, enjoy light refreshments and a free cool-down yoga session sponsored by 2004 American Track and Field Olympic Gold Medalist and Certified Yoga Instructor Ms. Moushaumi Robinson. The yoga session starts at 9 a.m. in the clearing behind Community Playground and between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park and the Winter Park Library. After the cool-down with Ms. Robinson, stay and enjoy the 1619 Fest Orlando Health and Wellness Fair and support "Black Owned Businesses" of all types at the SOKO Marketplace, Hannibal Square's economic empowerment engine for businesses owned and operated by people of color. Enjoy a full day of festivities and live music all day!

**1619Fest Orlando Day 2**

Sunday, February 19, 2023

721 W New England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

12 noon to 6 p.m.

On Sunday, February 19, 2023, our festival continues inside the Winter Park Community Center for an intimate affair discussing the state of health in the Black community. We will have a panel of health experts that can speak to the current "State of Emergency" affecting Africans in the Diaspora regarding health. Hear from experts regarding both Western Medicine and Traditional Medicine and how both can aid you in having better health outcomes. Get a chance to talk to medical and dental professionals of color and learn more about the traditional healers in our community practicing therapeutic wellness techniques that can help make gains towards preventative wellness.

Whether you are looking for a dietician or a personal trainer, we got you covered. Also, check your blood pressure, see a CPR Demo, and learn life-saving techniques in real time.

Special thanks to our event sponsors:

The Equity Council Corp.

The SOKO Marketplace

The Winter Park Community Center / The City of Winter Park

The Hannibal Square Heritage Center

Cultureborn

The 400 Years African American History Commission

Rebel Run early birds can register online through Eventbrite to run in the 2023 Rebel Run 5K. Come wearing red, black, and green and pay homage to Hannibal Barca, esteemed as North Africa's most famous war general and the namesake for Winter Park's Hannibal Square. The Rebel Run Race is for runners and walkers of any age or pace! Race registration fees cover your Rebel Run bib and a T-shirt. In addition, water and hydrations stations will be along the route. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. sharp. Race registration begins at 6:00 a.m. So, get ready to let your inner Rebel run free!

On Saturday, February 18th, 2023, celebrate The SOKO Marketplace’s 4th anniversary! The SOKO Marketplace is Hannibal Square’s economic empowerment engine for businesses owned and operated by people of color that takes place at Shady Park weekly. Enjoy musical performances and vendors all-day as we celebrate the restoration of Black businesses to the historic African American Neighborhood of Hannibal Square in Winter Park, FL, founded in 1881.

Host or Publisher The Equity Council Corp. / ECC