Whew! After months and months of planning and procedures, the National Black Arts Festival has finally arrived! And not only has it arrived for the summer, but it is celebrating 20 years of existence in a major way. NBAF kicked off with a wonderful and powerful exhibit by reknown artist, Carrie Mae Weems, entitled Constructing History: A Requiem to Mark the Moment. NBAF also presented a night with the Georgia Peach herself, Gladys Knight. However, one of the most powerful events this weekend was the Creatively Speaking featuring a conversation with Dr. Cornel West, Wynton Marsalis, Carrie Mae Weems, and Baraka Sele as the moderator. This was highlighted as an Atlanta Dialogue event and was sold out and standing room only (I sat on the floor in the aisle)! It was truly an amazing, thought provoking and inspirational dialogue that creatively fed the mind, body and soul. Their are so many things that can be said about the conversation and the other events this past weekend and we would like to hear your thoughts on anything that may have moved you, inspired you, or just made you think. Please share.

Share your thoughts and experiences! The kickoff events for the NBAF have attracted a wide array of people, thoughts, and ideas. We’d love to hear what you thought about the Carrie Mae Weems exhibition,The Amen Corner, the Children’s Village and more.

Add your comments to the Atlanta Dialogue blog now.

Participate in the living legacy!  The Atlanta Dialogue’s public blog provides an opportunity to talk with others about events and exhibits or share your opinions about what it means to be an American today.   Choose one of the topics below and join the conversation:

This new film will be showing tonight for an Atlanta premier at the Woodruff Arts Center. Please post your reviews below.