Live Well Live Fit Expo

 

There is something to be said, when bringing together a community in Natural Health, Wellness and Fitness!



Sponsor & Community Partner
http://www.traderjoes.com/
 

Agape Wellness and Fitness' focus is to promote overall wellness; mind, body, spirit and soul! We would like to invite you to the "Live Well Live Fit" Expo!  This will be a day of fun for the whole family! 

Kicking off at 9:00 am we will have fitness demonstrations! All kinds! Level U Zumba, Circuit Training, Yoga, Tai Chi, FABulous Soul Line Dancing, BodyByKen Bootcamp Training and more! We will also have an awesome Children's play area with face painting, ceramic, crafting and a special visit from Ms. Hello Kitty!  Special musical performances by Romonta, Joselyn Best and Montreal! See schedule below!



Over 25 vendors will be present selling items from jewelry to natural based products and holistic services! We have some great raffles line up! You will also have the opportunity to get free health check ups as well! Visit AFI online at for more info!



 

Also on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/events/509238095842633/

Full listing of vendors and community partners here:

http://www.agapefoundationsinc.com/CommunityPartners_Vendors



Sponsor & Community Partner
http://afacpc.com/about/



Sponsor & Community Partner
https://www.facebook.com/LEVELUFITNESS





Sponsor & Community Partner
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/famousradio
 

Get Your Fitness On For Free!



9:30 AM Tai Chi

 

10:00 AM Level U Zumba Kick Off

 

10:30 AM Level U Circuit Training Session

 

11:00 AM Living Divinity Yoga with Amani

 

11:30 AM Fabulous Soul Line Dancing with Erica Still

 

12:00 PM Body By Ken Bootcamp Session

 

1:00 PM Level U Zumba

 

1:30 PM Level U Circuit Training Session

 

2:00 PM Living Divinity Yoga with Amani

 

2:30 PM Fabulous Soul Line Dancing with Erica Still

 



 

 

Culture Club: African Landing Day; Honoring the Truth!

"If the Atlantic were to dry up, it would reveal a scattered pathway of bones, African bones,
marking the various routes of the Middle Passage" Dr. John Henrik Clarke

Elder Blessing & Welcome Native Tribute

Spiritual Sunday, came on a Tuesday for me. The weather was warm, the sun kissed, the beach calm.  I was honored to bear witness to the 2nd Annual African Landing Day "Ritual of Remembrance" Event. August 20th, has been officially proclaimed by the City of Hampton, as the day we remember our ancestors who lost lives and endured 246 years of bondage. I am sure the beach was far from a welcoming sight that fateful day in the summer of August 1619.  

"Opening Of The Way" 

African Landing Day commemorates the first ship of enslaved Africans who came ashore at Point Comfort. Unbeknownst to them, these human beings who arrived on English Territory-North American would go on to lead to the beginning of the institution of Slavery. Our ancestors from Angola, Africa would eventually go on to help build this place we call the United States. 

With the aroma of burning sage and inscent in the air, the event started off as tradition would have it with the "Drum Call to The Ancestors."  We marched behind the beat of beautiful African drums, from the Seashore to the Gazebo. We were then officially welcomed by Chadra Pittman Walke Founder/Executive Director of the Sankofa Projects, with an "Elder Blessing" from Dr. Dawson, who's young age of 91 had everyone up

Sage to represent our ancestors ashes. 

in cheers! The "Opening of the Way" came from Priestess Auset, Priest Khepra and a dear friend of mine Priestess Amani. 


We then witness a traditional dance by the Ubuntu Dance Collective Childrens group! Adorable! In addition to the many special dedications, one of the highlights for me, was to hear Mr. Calvin Pearson, Founder of Project 1619, Inc., speak.  He told the story of what some historians fail to revive. He told our truth. I was instantly intrigued. I yearned to learn more of this truth....

Mr. Calvin Pearson, Founder of Projects 1619 Inc. 

"In May of 1619, the Sao Joao Bautista started loading 350 Africans who had been captured from the Ndongo region of Angola.....The Bautista was attacked by two ships, The Treasure and The White Lion.  Sailors from the White Lion boarded the Bautista looking for gold and sliver. When they opened the cargo hole all they saw were Black faces staring at them. They were not equipped to take on human cargo because they did not have room or food...So the White Lion split up the 60 or so of the healthiest Africans with the Treasure and headed to Virginia. In August of 1619, John Rolfe, widower of Pocohantas, was at Point Comfort on this fateful day and he wrote in his diary "About the latter end of August, a Dutch man of Warr of the burden of 160 tons arrived at Point Comfort, Commanders name was Capt Jope.  He brought not anything but 20 and odd Negroes."  In the memoires of Capt. John Colyn Jopne, captian of the White Lion, he wrote in his journal that he unloaded 20 and odd Negroes at Point Comfort..." 

"Drum Call To The Ancestors"

Excerpt from the African Landing Day Commemoration Symposium 2013 by Mr. Pearson. 

He went on to say that those "20 or so" Africans were traded for a bushel of corn.  

Members of the Angolan Embassy joined this special occasion and were welcome by the City of Hampton. At this point, I was almost in tears. Wow. Full Circle.

"Drum Call To The Ancestors" walk from the seasore. 

At the conclusion of the event, I can tell you one thing, we had a "Higher Power" amongst us! Proof of the full moon that lit our path to the ocean. We were given a longstem white carnation to represent those we lost and our ancestors.  As the drums played, we were lead to the seashore, some marching, many dancing, everyone smiling! I took a deep breath, with a prayer and kiss to the carnation, I tossed mine into the ocean. To see the love, honor, and joy on everyone faces as they tossed their carnations....priceless. 



I left feeling so full of life, history and with such appreciation for all of those that came before us. I felt enlightened. So much pride in knowing that, our strength, really, really, comes from somewhere. Our strength came from those who shed blood, sweat and tears, as they fought for humanity. Those who shed blood, sweat and tears, so that we can have the rights we do today. 

Efforts are being made to build a monument in honor of the arrival of the Africans at Fort Monroe. For more information please visit: www.project1619.org. 

Temple of the True Living Waters

"The Forest of Family Trees" Ms. Maat Free, Guardian of Ancestral Remembrance

Let's continue to encourage our beautiful youth! They will shine bright in our future! 

"Ritual of Remembrance" 

Continential Park Gazebo,
National Monument of Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia

The City of Hampton welcoming members of the Angolan Embassy. 

Priestess Auset & Priestess Amani 

What a gorgeous full moon! The Carnations in the silky ocean against the moonlight,  breath taking!

Culture Club: Sawadee Ka! Thailand Candle Festival

Wat Pasantidhamma 

 I was four years old, when I stepped foot on my mother's homeland. Growing up,  if my summer's weren't spent in St. Louis, I was in Bangkok & Ubon, Thailand.  Every trip, we went straight to the temple to receive blessings. Some of the happiest moments in my life, were spent in the beautiful, gold trimmed courtyards of Thai Temples. Mom a devout Buddhist would go in and pray, I would be exploring the grounds outside! Feeding baby chicks, or pretending I was a princess and this was my golden domain! Then she would come out and sprinkle me with holy water! We always celebrated the Thai Holidays! I remember always having fun times and LOTS OF FOOD!
Tradition still stands!  Mom had me out at the Thai Candle Festival in Carrollton, VA. She is pretty active and lends a hand all over! I go every year, and each year, I love it! Might I add, I still continue to get those blessings by the Monks! The Thai community comes together to make this event spectacular! There is a mini market place that sells all your authentic Thai cuisines, desserts & street foods. (Ahh, the smell is so enticing-you want to try it all) Vendors selling Thai material and mementos.
There were Raffles & a Peace Park to enjoy! There is also huge buffet of anything and everything Thai you could ever want, that is offered to Festival patrons and guests of the temple, free. As a "Thank You" for joining in this Spiritual Sunday! Mom helps prepare and serve the authentic cuisine.  I LOVE the traditional parade around the temple. Oh, Mom helped lead the parade by the way.  This "Taste of Home" for me, usually ends with traditional Thai drums being beat and Thai traditional dancers.  You know it-Mom, loves to play the drums AND dance! At the end of the day-that's where you can find her!     

Before the Thai Buffet Lunch, the Monks will bless the food!

Amazing Food! Just like home! Yummy Thai Soups! 

Plenty of Fruits! 

My Mom,  the beauty with the big smile, helps prepare the Thai lunch buffet to everyone in attendance! 

Working on a new building! Donations are accepted!

These Thai Rice Cakes drizzled in dark carmel are sold in packs and usually gone in minutes! My grandmother always had some ready for my arrival! 

Love fresh Thai veggies! Smells beautiful! Thai Basil, Bamboo, Lemongrass! 

Real Chicken Satay! All you need is Sticky Rice and Somtham!

Fried Fish, Tod Mun, Steamed Bamboo. Are you serious? I will take all three. Thanks. 

These incense & flowers are for the traditonal Prayer Ceremoy!

Jack Fruits & Thai Desserts were also sold in the "Thai Marketplace" 

This lady has to be my fav! She sold Som Tham or Thai Papaya salad fresh! You tell her how spicy or how lemony you want it...She got it! She is actually slicing up the Papaya in this pic!   

Thai Sausage is the best! Especially with Sticky Rice and Som Tham aka  Papaya Salad. 

Mom, far left, will help lead the Candle Fest Parade around the temple 3 times! Thai Tradition!

Everyone offers the Monks food for blessings, prior to our lunch and prayer session.

What I love about this pic? The Monk taking pics with a very nice camera! There's Mom again! Tired, but happy after the parade! 

My favorite childhood dessert! Tapioca with Sweet Corn topped off with Sweet Coconut Milk. Ahhh. Amazing.

Mom and all the pretty Thai babies after the parade. Tired but they were troopers. And so Adorb!

A stroll in the Peace Park leads to many Statues and outside alters. 

Our Meal! Pad Thai, Pad Woon Sen, Thai Beef Salad, Fried Crabs, Thai Chicken, Kai Palow, Chicken with Basil/Thai Eggplant, Fried Rice Patty, Som Tham, Sticky Rice, Jasming Rice. Yeah. We smashed!

Thai Gong rang after Monks were finished with prayer.  Kind of wish I was the "Gonger"! You have no idea! I was so close!!

Every Thai household has this! It holds Kao-Neuw or Sticky Rice.

The Sanctuary

Candle Festival. These are traditionally used to light up the Temple, back when no there was no electricity.  The community comes together to make the huge candles!

Thai Traditional Drummers end the event as everyone breaks out in Dance...Thai Style!