U-Matic

African American World Festival 1989
Tape 3

The tape begins with footage of the opening ceremony, continued from tape 2015.008.181. First, Representative John Conyers concludes his speech on the main stage. He is followed by City Council member Maryann Mahaffey who denounces apartheid in South Africa. Next, the master of ceremonies, Ali Abdullah, introduces City Council member Clyde Cleveland. He gives a brief speech about diversity. Afterward, Jamaican ambassador Sharon Brown gives a short address. She is followed by Michigan State Senator Jackie Vaughn III, who talks briefly about civil rights. Then, Liberian Consul General Robert Chapman discusses the ties between Detroit and Liberia. Afterward, Dr. Amer Araim of the United Nations Center Against Apartheid then speaks. Abdullah then recognizes a series of dignitaries on stage. Next, the Museum of African American History director Dr. Juanita Moore recognizes staff and cultural organizations that helped put the event together. She also explains that the event's theme is "Ancestral Ties, The Unifying Link." She also introduces Dr. Eugene Gilmore of the museum's board, who speaks briefly. Abdullah then returns to the microphone to recognize more people seated on stage, before introducing the event's chair and co-chair, S. Arthur White and Akua Budu-Watkins. They both speak briefly, and then Abdullah introduces the next master of ceremonies for the weekend's entertainment section.

The new master of ceremonies talks about the weekend's theme and African identity, and then begins to introduce Sundiata Keita and the Omowale Cultural Society. A woman provides a further introduction to Keita, listing some of the artists he has worked with.

Sundiata Keita begins his set with a libation ceremony, observing the anniversary of the birth of Marcus Garvey, and honoring a long list of historical and contemporary figures. Afterward Keita returns with his djembe and begins playing with the other members of his group. There are numerous cuts in the recording throughout his performance. At various points during his set he is joined by dancers, a rapper named Cool King C, and a performer on stilts.

After Keita's segment, City Council member Erma Henderson presents S. Arthur White with a proclamation honoring the festival.

The next section of the tape shows the children's craft area in Hart Plaza's underground area where children try traditional fabric dying techniques. One of the women working at craft table explains the activity to the camera.

Following several shots of the food court area, people are filmed as they leave messages in tribute to Mickey Leland on a special board posted in the amphitheater area.

The camera then pans from a vendor's table near the food court area over to the food court.

The first of two reggae bands on the tape are featured in a series of shots showing them and the crowd dancing to their music.

After a short night time shot of the Dodge Fountain, another reggae band is featured for the remainder of the tape. They include a cover of Peter Tosh's "I'm The Toughest" in their set. This tape ends in the middle of their performance, but more of their set appears at the beginning of tape 2015.008.183.

The video is on a 3M UCA-60 U-Matic tape with a handwritten 3M label on its top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching case with a matching label on its cover.