SOUTH LOS ANGELES — A group formed to foster understanding and appreciation for Afro-Latinos held a “Creating Wellness in the Community” event June 7 in the Central Avenue office of City Councilman Curren Price.
The International Society of Black Latinos conducted the event, which featured several panel discussions, a catered luncheon featuring food from Cameron, and a sound bath during which participants stretched out on yoga mats and meditated while the tranquil tinkling of bells were played by Onyi Love.
“The primary mission of the International Society of Black Latinos is to foster understanding and appreciation for Afro-Latinos and the profound influence of the African diaspora on the rich tapestry of Latin cultures across the globe,” said Juanita Palacios-Sims, who established the organization in 2010.
“Our secondary goal is to actively engage with our local communities and youth, specifically targeting high-risk populations in inner cities,” she added. “We hold interactive workshops and seminars in the local schools and businesses. We aim to emphasize the importance of unity and strength within our community to make a difference in the education and health care of children both in our communities and abroad.”
Kicking off the event was Nadia Calmet, founder of the musical group the Afro Peruvian Experience, which entertained the audience with a native dance accompanied by Peruvian instruments.
Calmet talked about how slaves in Peru were forbidden to use drums by the colonizers, who were fearful that the drummers might secretly instigate a slave rebellion. Instead, the slaves were able to fashion instruments out of wood and even a donkey’s jawbone to create music.
“What a tremendous source of information and inclusion,” said Price who attended the event. “I’m so honored and happy to have the Afro-Latinos represented today.”
Many attendees on the panel talked about the power of music and its ability to heal.
“Music has always guided me personally and spiritually,” said Kianah Longchase, an actress, musician and a single mother. “Music is my revolution. It is always my safe place.”
Commenting on the current climate of political unrest, moderator and marriage and family therapist Melissa Shepherd-Williams said, “No matter what they do to try and harm us, we are still here. We find safety and protection in music because music is power.”
Calmet said that when she immigrated to the United States from Peru, she felt isolated and alone.
“One way that I overcame the sense of isolation was to connect with my musical instruments,” she said. “When I played my instruments, I heard the voices of my ancestors talking to me. ”
Yenifer Espitia Gil from Charles Drew University stressed the importance of heart health.
“The heart is a pump for the whole body,” she said. “Have you had your physical in the past year?”
Gil then used pumps to monitor everyone’s blood pressure followed by a demonstration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation which alleviates cardiac arrest by manually pumping on the chest to help circulate blood.
“Hypertension is a silent killer,” she said. “One way to reduce hypertension is to lessen the use of salt, sugar and saturated fat. Smoking and alcoholic beverages also negatively affect our health.”
