About this Event
51 years. One man. A lifetime of healing.
Veronza Bowers, Jr. joined the Black Panther Party in the 1960s. In 1973, he was wrongfully incarcerated. He spent 51 years as a political prisoner in U.S. federal prisons — and during those decades, he studied African, Asian, and Native healing arts. He learned to play the shakuhachi. He developed hands-on healing techniques he used to help his fellow prisoners. He found peace amid loss, pain, and chaos.
He was released in May 2024.
Now, he's coming to Detroit.
Join BYP100 Detroit, the Detroit Jericho Movement, and the Detroit Black Panther Honor Guard for an intergenerational evening of healing and justice — bridging our fight across time and centering meditation, music, and the long struggle in Detroit.
Who Should Attend
- BYP100 Detroit members and supporters
- Detroit organizers, activists, and community members
- Former Black Panthers and movement elders
- Youth and young adults ready to learn from our elders
- Anyone committed to healing, justice, and intergenerational solidarity
About Veronza Bowers, Jr.
Veronza is a veteran Black Panther, musician, author, meditation practitioner, elder, sound healer, historian, and one of the longest-held political prisoners in U.S. history. He joined the Black Panther Party in the 1960s. During his 51 years of confinement, he studied African, Asian, and Native healing arts, developed hands-on healing techniques to help fellow prisoners, and cultivated inner focus — discovering how to find peace amid loss, pain, and chaos. He mentors youth in chess and shares conversations, music, and meditative practices centered on resilience, freedom, purpose, healing, and self-determination.
Co-Hosted By
BYP100 Detroit • Detroit Jericho Movement • Detroit Black Panther Honor Guard
A Note on Honoraria
Veronza is offering his time and practice as an elder. Hosting organizations are asked to provide honoraria. If you'd like to contribute to Veronza's honorarium, please reach out at Detroit Jericho at [email protected].
Agenda
🕑: 05:30 PM
Arrival & Welcome
🕑: 05:45 PM
Opening & Framing
Info: Reflections from BYP100, Jericho Movement, and the Black Panther Honor Guard.
🕑: 06:00 PM
Sound Meditation with Veronza
Info: A guided meditation paired with live shakuhachi music. Please arrive on an empty stomach — water only before the meditation.
🕑: 07:00 PM
Dinner Conversation
Info: A catered dinner with Veronza as Guest of Honor. Former Black Panthers will be seated alongside guests — BYP100 members, Honor Guard, and Jericho Movement. Table swapping during dessert to deepen connections across generations.
🕑: 08:15 PM
Closing Circle
Info: Reflections, gratitude, and closing words from Veronza.
Event venue & nearby stays
General Baker Institute, 15798 Livernois, Detroit, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.