About this Event
WorldBeat Center is excited to once more welcome Mama Charlotte to San Diego. She is returning with us as part of our Pathways to Freedom exhibit programming speaking on her experience as a “maroon”, someone who fought and found freedom from racist oppression.
About “Mama Charlotte
Charlotte Hill O’Neal or “Mama Charlotte” is a former black panther who has lived in the village of Imbaseni of northern Tanzania for decades now. She travels spreading art, knowledge, and culture around the world. Also known by her Orisha spiritual name of Osotunde Fasuyi she is a priestess in the 10,000-year-old Yoruba belief system. Yoruba originated in present-day Nigeria; it has been brought throughout the world by enslaved Africans where it has blended with other beliefs and is still widely practiced. Wearing various jewelry representative of Orisha deities, Maasai beadwork and tattoos, she is decorated in an unapologetic expression of art and culture. After becoming one of the youngest members of the Black Panthers and marrying her husband Pete O’Neil they were both exiled to Algeria. Later moving to Tanzania and joining the African American and international revolutionary expatriates who helped President Julius Nyerere’s Nation building project. Together she and her husband founded the United African Alliance Community Center in 1991 with a mission to spread knowledge, creativity and empowerment for the youth of Tanzania in any setting they may find themselves in. In addition, they have made the leaders of tomorrow's children's home, improving the lives of the disadvantaged youth in their community. Overall Mama C is an amazing artist, activist and human who is an inspiration to all.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Avenue, San Diego, United States
USD 0.00