Poet and Peace Advocate Sonia Sanchez Leads Star-Studded FOOTPRINTS OF PEACE Celebration at the Penn Museum Sunday, September 21, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Multigenerational International Peace Day Program Features Performances
By T.C. Carson, Black Ice, Lady Alma, Danny Simmons, Jr., Vinie Burrows, More

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 2014—This International Peace Day, the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, in collaboration with City poet laureate emeritus and peace advocate Sonia Sanchez, invites the community to join in a spectacular and life-affirming celebration, FOOTPRINTS OF PEACE.

Tickets to the Sunday, September 21 event, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, are just $10 per person; ACCESS Card holders: $2 (up to 4 people); STAMP card holders, free. Admission is free for Penn Museum members, PennCard holders and children 5 and under. FOOTPRINTS OF PEACE, a featured event of Peace Day Philadelphia, takes place throughout the international galleries and gardens of the Penn Museum. The program is made possible with support by Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell; the Philadelphia Foundation; PECO; Haverford Square Properties; Prime Properties; and other private donors.

A Star-Studded Lineup of Performers

In a city, a country, and a world where violence is too often in the news, FOOTPRINTS OF PEACE brings together a multigenerational lineup of concerned poets, musicians and other artists, plus Philadelphia children and families, in a call for and celebration of peace.

Philadelphia's Sonia Sanchez, an internationally renowned peace activist, lends her vision and hosts a joyful and transformative day designed for all ages. Artists, musicians, and poets scheduled to appear at the event include American singer and television actor T.C. Carson; poet and hip hop artist Black Ice; composer/performer Karma Mayet Johnson; poet, abstract painter and Founder/VP of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation Danny Simmons, Jr.; actor, storyteller, and activist Vinie Burrows; poet, CEO of Moore Black Press, and Executive Producer of Black Women Rock jessica Care moore; singer/songwriter Lady Alma; and vocalist/composer/interdisciplinary artist Imani Uzuri. Harrisburg poet laureate Rick Kearns and Philadelphia's new youth poet laureate Soledad Alfaro-Allah, join in the day.

Dr. John H. Bracey, Jr., Professor, W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies, University of Massachusetts, offers a short talk, "Peace in African American Thought: W.E.B. Du Bois, Howard Thurman, and Martin Luther King, Jr."

(Schedule of appearances and performances TBA.)

Children and Families Share in the Vision

The event includes the art and poetry of hundreds of Philadelphia children, participants of the ACE (Artistic and Cultural Enrichment) Camp and Afterschool Programs in West Philadelphia, and the United Block Captains Association Hospital Summer Fun Program. ACE camp children worked with the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program's Peace is a Haiku Song curriculum materials throughout the summer. Pieces for peace—a creative puzzle project of children in the United Black Captains Association Hospital Summer Fun Program, will also be on view.

Everyone can be a poet at the event, as guests have an opportunity to create poetry through newspaper headlines, at an afternoon workshop by Arts Holding Hands and Hearts, Inc. (AHHAH).
The presentation of a Peace Warriors certificate and the unveiling of a new City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Peace Bench for a community location—celebrate a brighter future as they mark the intentions of the day.

This program is part of Peace Day Philly 2014—for more information, other events, and Peace Day ideas, go to www.PeaceDayPhilly.org.

Photos, top, left to right: Sonia Sanchez (Photo: Beacon Press). Jazz vocalist TC Carson (Photo: David Carlson). Karma Mayet Johnson (Photo courtesy of the artist). Danny Simmons Jr.(Photo courtesy of KMW Studio Publishing).

Photos, left, top and bottom: Philadelphia children in the ACE (Artistic and Cultural Enrichment) Camp and Afterschool Programs in West Philadelphia prepared peace art and poetry, some of which will be shared at the event, over the summer. (Photos courtesy of ACE).