This October 1&2, the Rosenberg Fund for Children is proud to support Sankofa.org's groundbreaking "Many Rivers to Cross" Social Justice Music and Arts Festival. Taking place in Chattahoochee Hills, GA – just outside of Atlanta – “Many Rivers to Cross” will be the largest multi-generational music and arts festival dedicated to progressive social change.
Along with dynamic musical performances, “Many Rivers to Cross” will provide a crucial space for festival goers and artists like John Legend, Common, Chris Rock, Dave Matthews, Carlos Santana, Macklemore, T.I., Jesse Williams, Aloe Blacc, Jussie Smollett, Danny Glover, Estelle, and others to collaborate with activists, thought leaders and community organizers from across the country, and use their platforms to amplify ideas and solutions to advance issues around voting rights, mass incarceration and community/police relations.
In addition to the exciting musical performances, "Many Rivers to Cross" will also feature an integrated “Social Justice Village,” where attendees can meet community organizations on the front lines of the social justice movement, get educated on current issues, and learn how they can take action in their own communities. Through the festival, Sankofa.org will “raise funds to support social justice grassroots partners who are working and organizing on the front lines for progressive social change.”
Founded in 2013 by legendary entertainer, activist and humanitarian Harry Belafonte, Sankofa.org has been building a platform where influential artists and grassroots leaders can work collaboratively to speak out against human rights abuse and injustice. RFC has a long-standing history with Mr. Belafonte going back to 2003, when he donated his time to headline a sold-out benefit event we hosted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the executions of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Soon thereafter, Mr. Belafonte joined the RFC Advisory Board, on which he remains a member to this day along with his daughter, award-winning filmmaker Gina Belafonte, who serves as Co-Director of Sankofa.org.
Since then, RFC has gone on to partner with the Belafontes on other notable events -- including our 25th Anniversary "Artists as Activists" celebration held in Easthampton, MA. In joining Sankofa.org on "Many Rivers to Cross," RFC is continuing its legacy of supporting the critical activism taking place around the country to advance civil and human rights -- particularly on behalf of children, families, workers, prisoners, LGBTQI people, and other historically disenfranchised communities.
If you’re able to attend the festival, please stop by the joint RFC/Kilombo Academic & Cultural Institute booth in the Social Justice Village. Kilombo staff and parents whose children have received grants to attend this progressive school will share more information about both organizations, and be part of what will truly be a historical and momentous event.
For more information and to purchase tickets for “Many Rivers to Cross,” visit www.ManyRiversFestival.com. You can also follow @Sankofadotorg and @ManyRiversFest on Twitter for real-time updates and announcements.