Zen and the Art of Juneteenth is a community conversation on the meaning of Juneteenth. This pre-recorded conversation was posted on June 14 and presented by The Betsy Hotel, FIU Miami Beach Urban Studios, and the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.
This event features five distinguished panelists.
Dr. Valerie Patterson
Director of the African and African Diaspora Studies Program, FIU
Clinical Professor, Public Policy and Administration, FIU
DeAnne Connolly Graham, Chief Engagement Officer, ROI Media Consultants
Member Miami Beach Black Affairs Advisory Committee.
Chair, Women's Business Council of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce
Member, Pillar Board or Governors of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce
André Williams, Esq
President, Law Offices of Andre Williams
President, Pendragon Title and Escrow
Co-Chair, DEI Council, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce
Member, Pillar Board, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce
Chair, Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce
Heather Shaw
Assistant Director of Tourism and Culture City of Miami Beach
Kunya Rowley
Director of the Juneteenth Celebration for the City of Miami Beach
Founder/Director, Huesongs
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This event is hosted by:
Dr. Deborah Plutzik Briggs
VP Arts and Community Engagement @ The Betsy Hotel
Member, Advisory Board, FIU Miami Beach Urban Studios
John Stuart, AIA
Vice Chair, Executive Board and Member of the Executive Board, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce
Distinguished Professor, FIU/College of Communication, Architecture, and the Arts
Executive Director, FIU/Miami Beach Urban Studios
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ABOUT JUNETEENTH 2021 @ THE BETSY HOTEL
The Betsy Hotel will host two events to honor Juneteenth in 2021.
The June 14 event is a remote panel discussion
The June 19 event will place LIVE from 6PM - 11PM @ The Betsy Hotel. See our June 19 event page for details.
Juneteenth —A combination of "June" and "nineteenth" - recognizes the date the formerly enslaved African Americans were informed that they were finally free. Though African Americans have long celebrated Juneteenth, the National Museum of African American History and Culture notes "this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans." Juneteenth celebrations remind us that freedom and racial equality have always been and continue to be a hard-fought battle for African Americans. The Betsy Hotel and its community partners envision that this year's Juneteenth celebrations will inspire honest conversation about societal inequities that continue to threaten, disrespect and devalue the lives of African Americans and also provide a forum to celebrate African American excellence.
