Nilija Amhose Bayano Mwata Nubian
Project: Nubian Messengers
Provide 3 presentations to each Bed-Stuy organization identified, serving: Elderly, parents of students; intergenerational (ages 14 – elderly). To learn what Prepared Emergency Plans/PEP) are, their components, how to develop an Emergency Family Plan, and build a GO Bag for each family member, and share your experience(s). Admission is FREE, only via sign-up. The maximum attendees per session is 12. The first presentation will introduce my PEP system, with Q&A. Participants will be asked to pair up. Unassigned participant(s) will be assigned by me. Materials distributed will be in English. I will offer at least one starter GO Bag to a winner at each info- presentation. The method of award will be decided with the collaborating partner.
The second session: Each group will be composed of at least two partners to practice Ujima-collective work and responsibility in developing and organizing a Family Emergency Plan and GO bag. Both will be tailored to the family’s composition and resources. No new participants will be added after the first presentation unless I meet with them, and they must agree to participate and follow the format and practice Ujima. Then I will grant approval and assignment. The final session is an end-of-project presentation to:
1. Present participant’s PEP-—Family Emergency Plan.
2. Briefly present their GO Bag.
3. Briefly share their experience with their PEP Family Plan and GO Bag.
4. Briefly answer the question: How do they plan to share this experience and knowledge with family, neighbors, and friends, with a time frame.
Bio:
I am the founder and director of Nubian Messengers since 1915. We are a Brooklyn-based collaborative of intergenerational artists, inspired by a Brooklyn-born artist, Randy Weston, to share our Afrikan Pulse with our communities and the world. Current members have over 135 years of experience as artists and educators. I migrated from Panama to NYC in 1964. I am bilingual in Spanish and English. I have been a resident of Brooklyn for 60 years and have over 45 years of experience and skills as a manager and organizer for both the NYC Department for the Aging and Fort Greene Council, Inc. I have worked as a consultant to individuals and organizations in NY State and outside the US on organizational and project developments and operations. I have been a practitioner and educator on Kwanzaa for over 55 years. I have lived in Ibadan, Nigeria, for a year. I have a master’s degree in social work from Hunter School of Social Work. Having lived through 9/11 and its aftermath, I am committed to helping residents of Black communities become better informed, prepared, and ready to protect themselves and their families when emergencies arise.