When aaduna started publishing in 2011, the journal provided a direct link to information on an American hero, Harriet Tubman, who is buried in Fort Hill Cemetery, Auburn, NY, the home of aaduna , as well as the Harriet Tubman Boosters Club’s work to promote the legacy of Tubman.   Back then, the rationale was to ensure that as aaduna developed its expanding national and global audience, readers would get to know a cornerstone of American history – a woman dedicated to social justice, peace, human and equal rights, and the dynamic role of women in creating significant societal, political, and economic change. When Tubman’s 2013 centennial was   approaching, a year earlier, aaduna partnered with poetry contributor, Cyd Charisse Fulton, to present her original poems inspired by the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman titled, “Feeding Off of the North Star” at Tubman’s Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church located on Franklin Street in Auburn.    ...

bill berry. jr., CEO/aaduna Inc. and Publisher/aaduna.org In a rare reading, aaduna's publisher, bill berry, jr. spoke at today's "MLK Jam Night" sponsored by the Diverse Auburn committee of the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace.   In an essay titled, "Something to Think About," berry offered a glimpse into other King writings besides his celebrated "I Have a Dream" speech.  Using direct quotes and his own commentary, berry succinctly presented another facet of the King legacy that keenly identified the racial, social, and economic ills that have not been resolved in America since 1958.  And he pointedly reminded the multi-racial audience of adults and children of the importance of this year's presidential election especially the president's role in appointing Supreme Court judges. Heidi Nightengale, poet  The evening was filled with song, poetry, and MLK themed video presentations by Auburn's chi...

South Porch, Seward House Museum (photo by: Lisa Brennan) aaduna, Inc. in association with the Harriet Tubman Boosters presented a reading of words on the South Porch of the Seward House Museum.  Three reading rounds enabled the audience to experience intriguing and enchanting words that were heard throughout the Gardens of the Museum.  This event celebrated the Museum's September First Friday Community Event, as well as the non-profit corporation's fifth year of publishing aaduna , an online literary and visual arts journal.   Bobbie Dumas Panek (photo:  Lisa Brennan) Ron Van Nostrand (Photo by: Jessie Reich) The affair, funded in part by Poets & Writers with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, featured the esteemed Auburn poet, Bobbie Dumas Panek... Special guest, Ron Van...

You know the feeling...being riveted by the thump of the bass and that "blue note" that gets your feet to involuntary tap, tap the floor...and then your fingers and thumb start to drum the table....your body eventually gives up and succumbs... you enjoy the movement and do not want the feeling to stop. Raymond Nat Turner, Photo by Lisa Brennan 5/28/2015 Welcome to the world of this jazz poet...his world.  Raymond Nat Turner! Enjoy video clip #4, "Medicine Man," performed by aaduna featured guest poet and spoken word artist, Raymond Nat Turner at aaduna's annual spring fundraiser, "In the Spirit of the Harlem Renaissance...Revisited 2015"  held at Theater Mack,     Auburn, NY on May 28, 2015.   The event was supported by Poets & Writers and the New York State Council on the Arts.  https://youtu.be/luaob58zq8s * * * * * Raymond Nat Turner, NYC poet, is the artistic director...

Back in the Eighties, Kool & The Gang taught many people how to party with their song “Celebration.”   How and when to celebrate has been a rich and dynamic ancestral tradition among many people and cultures worldwide. aaduna will give you a glimpse of one aspect of that rich tradition through the eyes of Peter Nakhid .   A multi-faceted New Orleans based photographer and documentarian, Peter will exhibit his work that centers on celebration, legacy, and tradition.   Here is one visual image from his exhibition featured in the forthcoming spring 2015 issue just to get you curious.     (c) 2015 Peter Nakhid, Congo Square, New Orleans See much more of Peter Nakhid’s photographs…soon in the spring 2015 issue of aaduna . Help us build community... aaduna-Inc  Visit regularly for updates ! @aadunaspeaks

For our closing celebration of National Poetry Month, aaduna is pleased to share the opening stanza of Kamaruzzaman’s poem, “If You Ever Die, In An Invisible Gondola” If you ever die If you ever die from me - die of death Looking at my longing eyes In guise of a mystic veil, not unveiled Dead drop at the twilight hours White longish fangs, whitish eyes Of the piercing moments Will unfurl its wings of fire Setting sail in an invisible gondola At long last to carry you home To the isle of your birth, somehow Kamaruzzaman's poetry will be presented in the spring 2015 issue of aaduna slated for launch shortly. Help us build community... aaduna-Inc  Visit regularly for updates ! @aadunaspeaks