Staten Islanders Set to Witness History On October 20, 2007 Island Voice, Inc. Launches The First Black Cultural Arts and Heritage Festival A Celebration of African, African-American and Caribbean Cultures Festivities to include Parade from Historic Tappen Park to Ballpark at St. George First Female Elected President of Liberia Invited as Keynote Speaker

Staten Islanders Set to Witness History On October 20, 2007 Island Voice, Inc. Launches The First Black Cultural Arts and Heritage Festival A Celebration of African, African-American and Caribbean Cultures Festivities to include Parade from Historic Tappen Park to Ballpark at St. George First Female Elected President of Liberia Invited as Keynote Speaker

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Bobby Digi, Chairman of Island Voice, Inc. announced that on October 20, 2007 the organization will launch The First Black Cultural Arts and Heritage Festival on Staten Island. Under his leadership, the organization's Executive Committee together with representative community leaders, took on the challenge of formulating and implementing a symbolic occasion to promote cultural pride. This resulted in the planning and production of Staten Island's First Black Cultural Arts and heritage festival.

The three day festivity begins on October 19th and continues to October 21st with planned activities that include a Community Leadership Strategy Meeting, Economic Development and Networking Sessions.

"This is about positive reinforcement for our youths", Digi commented. "For the first time ever, African, African-American and Caribbean Peoples who live on Staten Island home, will come together to promote cultural pride, economic and political progress and unity, he commented. "It is important that we impress on our youth that they are descendants of a resilient people and to help show them the path to economic empowerment", Digi concluded.

The parade festival's parade commences 12:00 noon at Tappen Park and will end at the Richmond County Ball Park in St. George. The festivities will conclude on October 21st, 2007, with an interfaith Clergy and Imams (Religious Leaders) at a prayer breakfast.

With Staten Island home to an impressive diversity of descendants from the African Diaspora, Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the African continent's and specifically Liberia's first elected female president has been invited to be keynote speaker at the celebration.

In commenting on the importance of the event, Rueben Ade Adeshuko, member of the festival's executive committee stated "The changing demographics on the north shore of Staten Island requires an opportunity to bridge gaps among community leaders of the different groups. We are offering an opportunity to encourage bonding among our young population and working ensure various gainful occupation projects that can impact their lives positively", he concluded.

Come and join us in making history on Staten Island, October 20, 2007. www.siblackparade.org

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Island Voice, Inc.

CONTACT: Roz Joseph, +1-718-710-5181, Rozalindo@aol.com

Web site: http://www.siblackparade.org/

---

Profile: International Entertainment