THE 5TH ANNUAL 'ARISE'

PUPIL OF THE EYE

JUNETEENTH WEEK CONFERENCE INFORMATION

JUNE 15-19, 2023
 
5-Minute Video Update 6/7/2023
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM ARISE UNTIL SEATS ARE FILLED!
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!

THIS YEAR'S ARISE 5 WILL BE BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL. STRINGENT RULES WILL STILL HOWEVER APPLY FOR THE IN-PERSON CONFERENCE. YOU MUST BE A PERSON OF AFRICAN DESCENT, IMMEDIATE FAMILY, BIPOC, OR AN APPROVED ALLY TO ATTEND IN-PERSON!

BIG CHANGES! THE IN-PERSON CONFERENCE IS NOW CLOSED, BUT WAS OPEN TO OUR BIPOC FRIENDS! I DEFINE BIPOC AS: Racialized as Black, Indigenous or brown or otherwise treated as a minority, oppressed or marginalized, because you are not considered white even if you ethnically ambiguous.


THE VIRTUAL REGISTRATION, OPEN TO EVERYONE, WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL SPACES ARE FILLED THROUGHOUT THE CONFERENCE. YOU CAN COME AND GO AS YOU WISH, ONCE YOU ARE REGISTERED!

THERE IS A SEPARATE REGISTRATION FOR ZOOM AND IN-PERSON! CLICK THE RED BUTTON ABOVE FOR ZOOM REGISTRATIONS ONLY. NOTE THAT IN THE PAST FOR OUR VIRTUAL CONFERENCES, ONLY POTE, THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES, AND SELECTED ALLIES WERE ALLOWED TO COME. THIS YEAR ANYONE CAN COME TO THE VIRTUAL PROGRAM WHICH WILL BE IN WEBINAR FORMAT. ONLY PRESENTERS ARE VISIBLE.

UNDER THE CAPABLE ORGANIZATION OF GERI PEAK, THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG WILL HAVE AN EXPERIENCE EQUAL TO THAT OF THE ADULTS! WE PLAN TO:

  1. Expose POTE/Black/BIPOC children to Black arts, history, and culture through conference programming and excursions!
  2. Immerse them in our African cultural experiences through the arts (storytelling, flash dances, performances, art making, poetry classes, singing, African proverbs, prayer, virtues focus, and cooperative games).
  3. Share stories about our culture, unique experiences, and the constructive actions of Africa and Africana people (E.g. any African/Indigenous people racialized as Black and subject to oppression and marginalization). We will inspire them to have pride in themselves as they learn about our unsung heroes, local treasures, and historic Bahais/Friends!

IN-PERSON REGISTRATION IS CLOSED!

IF YOU REGISTERED EARLY, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT!

  1. African American History Museum on Thursday, 6/15/2023
  2. Welcome @ the Harriet Tubman Center on Friday 6/16/2023
  3. Gala at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Saturday, 6/17/2023

BELOW FIND Q/A, VIDEOS, CONFERENCE BROCHURE, HOTEL INFO, AND MORE

Who Can Come in Person?

Well, for one thing, space is an issue. Secondly, limiting the invitees is necessary for creating a safe space for those who have for so long received "such grievous and slow healing wounds." This conference is for people of African descent and their immediate families whatever the ethnic make-up. A few allies and accomplices have been personal invited because of their supreme efforts in the race work. I know it's hard for some to understand why everyone can't come to a program organized by people who say that they are about unity and oneness. I have created a video to help you understand.
Why Can't Everyone Come In Person?

WANT A PRINTED COPY OF THE PROGRAM? CLICK ON THE RED BUTTON BELOW!
PROGRAM BOOKLET

Program Schedule

We've got five full days of excursions and activities. To, help you understand all the detail, I have created a video-narrated schedule for you to watch.

View Video Narrated Schedule

Q/A (if your question is not answered here), send email to [email protected]

  1. The In-Person registration closes on June 8, 2022 at midnight, when does the virtual zoom registration close? The virtual registration will be open until zoom spots are filled.
  2. Do I have register everyone in my family separately? Yes for all adults and young adults. Everyone needs a badge for entry, meals, buses, demographic tracking, and physical space limits. Every adult needs to register separately to be admitted. Also, we are planning for children and youth, please list their names and ages for the in-person conference. We need that information to plan for them!
  3. Since there are space limitations for some of the events, African American History Museum on Thursday, the Welcome Ceremony on Friday, the Gala on Saturday, how will we know if we can come? This will be based on the time you register. Each registration is time and date-stamped. So, register early.
  4. Who can come to the in-person conference? Only POTE (people of African descent, BIPOC, their immediate families, and approved allies and accomplices can come to the in-person, safe-space, healing and empowerment conference!
  5. Who can come to the virtual conference? Anyone can come to the virtual conference.
  6. I have friends that are people of African descent. Can I invite them to the in-person conference? YES! Just send this link to this page. https://forms.gle/vxbe53R1xBqkt8F7A
  7. Which airport should I fly into? BWI- Baltimore Washington Airport is the closest to the venue.
  8. How close is the airport to the hotels and McDonogh School? Around 30 minutes.
  9. How do I get from the airport to the hotel? Well, there are many options. Some people have volunteered to transport people from the airport depending on the time of arrival. Some prefer renting a car, while others may choose a ride share program or public transportation. For budgeting purposes, a ride share is about $50-$65 whereas the train takes an hour and is under $6. This link is provided to help you make your choice.
  10. What is the hotel deadline for a reduced rate? The deadline has passed for the Hyatt and the deadline for the Hilton $115 ends on May 29.
  11. Why weren't we given more notice and a longer time to reserve our hotels? The hotels have short cut-offs and could only be longer if we guaranteed to pay 80% of the rooms reserved if not filled. We don't have the budget for that.
  12. If I miss the cut-off rate, what should I do? There are many hotels in the area if you miss our short window reserving those above. The main conference will be in Owings Mill Maryland, just 2-3 miles from McDonough school, so you can search travel apps for the best price.
  13. I am not a person of African descent but would still like to support this important work, how can I help? We thank you for your commitment to supporting this important educational and healing work. Information is at the bottom of the page to make a donation.
  14. I am not a person of African descent, can I still come? Very few will be allowed to come. This is a safe-space conference for people of African descent and BIPOC folks. Other ethnicities are welcome if they are immediate family of a person of African descent, or have a special invitation from me by phone to come because of their ally-ship in the race field. Watch this video if you want to understand why this conference isn't open to everyone!
  15. Someone forwarded this email to me, and I am not a person of African descent nor a BIPOC, does that mean I can come? So sorry, sometimes our mailing lists get mixed up. While I have some conferences for everyone, this is not one of them. You can however attend virtually.
  16. I know that Bahai's are organizing this, do you have to be a Bahai to attend? No, in fact we hope to have many people of different faith traditions, or of none to join us. The conference is focused on people of African descent and their mission, issues, empowerment, and responsibilities, so all are welcome who care about this!
  17. Will the conference be streamed over zoom? Yes, most portions will be zoomed on Friday-Monday. The Friday welcome program and the on campus programs Saturday through Monday will be streamed on zoom.
  18. How do I register for zoom? Click on the big red button above or click here.
  19. I made a mistake on my registration, how do I correct it? You should be able to edit the registration. If not, just re-register.
  20. How much is registration? There is no set amount for registration as we are aware of many who have financial difficulties or fixed incomes. We trust that people will pay what they can afford and extra to help others.
  21. I want to pay my fair share, so what's covered at the conference? There are a lot of expenses that go into an in-person conference. We have to pay for three separate venues (The Harriet Tubman Center, the McDonogh School, and the Gala at the Reginald F. Lewis Center, some of the meals (Friday dinner, lunches on Saturday and Sunday, a catered dinner at the Gala, supporting those who need help attending, buses (if we can get funding and a decent rate), conference materials, swag, and other miscellaneous costs.
  22. Should I include costs of my excursions in the registration? NO! Excursion costs are for your budgeting only. However, if there is a great interest in particular excursion, we will attempt to connect folks together and see if we can get a group rate and connect to the many local people are volunteering rides. The various options are presented for people to enjoy Maryland and DC before the main conference begins on Friday night.
  23. Many different excursion options are mentioned in the registration? I want them all, what should I do? There are more options presented than you will have the opportunity to attend. Check off all that you are interested in and we will help to arrange groups wanting the same excursions. You will be responsible for any fees.
  24. Can I register just once for my family? Each adult should have a separate registration. You may register your minor children under your registration. We are keeping track of demographics, age, gender, ethnicity, etc.
  25. What if I can only come on certain days? No problem, just indicate on the registration to assist our planning.
  26. Will there be people offering their homes for those who can't afford the hotel? Yes. Please indicate in the registration form the kind of support you will need.
  27. What time is the excursion to the DC African American Museum? Our tickets are for 1:45. We plan to leave Owings Mills by 11:30 am to have additional time in DC. The trip is about an hour to the DC. The museum closes to visitors at 5:30. That gives people about 3.5 hours to tour the museum. There are restaurants on the premises if you get hungry.
  28. How much are the tickets to the African American History Museum? Tickets are free, but we only have 100 tickets, which will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.
  29. How will we get from Owings Mills to DC? We are working on getting a bus, leaving from the two hotels above.
  30. What am I to do with my luggage since checkin is at 3pm and we have to leave earlier. You can check your luggage at the hotel. Also, if rooms are available, you may get an early check-in.
  31. Can you help me find a roommate? Yes! Indicate that on your registration and we will do our best to connect you with someone desiring to share a room.
  32. Will there be a children's program? Yes, from age five and up! Space will be made for mothers of younger children to be together, but they will be responsible for their children. Mothers must stay with very young children.
  33. What about my teenagers and young adults, is there anything specifically for them? Yes! We've got lots planned for them, so they don't get bored. We want them to make friends and have a good time. We are on an 800 acre campus and there will be spaces to play and have fun!
 

Reserve a hotel room for your family ASAP.

Hilton Hotel, $115, (pay for breakfast) https://tinyurl.com/HiltonArise5 - Guaranteed until June 9, 2023

Hyatt Hotel $139 (free breakfast for all parties) https://tinyurl.com/HyattArise5 - Price guaranteed until May 25, 2023.
 

This is the Hilton above. We have rate of $115 through June 9, 2023. Register asap! Laundry facilities on site. Breakfast NOT included!

The room above is the Hyatt. They are like suites and sleep six. Free breakfast for everyone in the room! You will need to call the hotel to see what rates you can get or shop around the area, as there are many hotels in the vicinity.
 
 

INFORMATION TO HONOR YOUR PLEDGE


Zelle: [email protected]

Paypal: PayPal.me/BarbaraTalley

Venmo: @Barbara-Talley-6

CashApp: $BarbaraSTalley

Bahai OCS: LSA of Howard County Maryland, (Make a notation that it is for the ARISE conference and add .01cent more to differentiate.

Credit Card: 5013c (Organic Oneness) will accept your tax deductible contributions at the link below: 

https://organiconeness.networkforgood.com/projects/114420-pupil-of-the-eye-general-campaign . It is tax deductible, so please be sure to choose Pupil of the Eye in the drop-down list. Thanks for your support. (Barbara)
 
BE generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men.  `Abdu'l-Bahá,  Paris Talks , p. 136
 

Questions? Contact Barbara at

[email protected]
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