By Paula Anderson
Memphis community leaders, Dr. David L. Acey, Sr. and Yvonne B. Acey, have dedicated their lives to educating, serving and helping others learn about African history and culture.
Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival Inc. was established in 1986. The annual festival celebrates a country in Africa each year. According to Dr. Acey, the initial meetings were held at LeMoyne-Owen College to get organized.
Dr. Acey is a retired assistant professor of African American Rhetoric and Interracial Communications from the University of Memphis in the department of Communication.
“Dr. David L. Acey Sr. is a founding member of Memphis’s Chapter 100 Black Men, who has always led by example, a faithful member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Westwood, and Executive Director of Africa in April. As a member of the same church, I’ve seen him up close and personal devoted his life to civic, political, educational, and humanitarian causes that made our community of Memphis a better place. I salute and thank Dr. Acey from the bottom of my heart,” JW Gibson, president and CEO of Gibson Companies.
Yvonne B. Acey is a retired Memphis City Schools teacher and a graduate of LeMoyne-Owen College and the University of Memphis.
"As a student at LeMoyne College, Yvonne Brown was very liked, respected and admired for her smarts, organizing skills, dedication, and commitment to helping folks. After college and marriage to David L. Acey, Yvonne has used her qualities, skills and relationships to serve public education, her alma mater, communities, Memphis and the African-American and African cultures. For her outstanding contributions, she has received well deserved numerous honors and recognitions. It is a personal privilege to be her friend for nearly seventy years and fellow LeMoyne-Owen graduate of the Class of 1958, sixty-five wonderful years ago," said Dr. James Bishop, retired educational administrator and 1958 graduate of LeMoyne-Owen College.
“The ‘Arts’ embraces a universal message with memories that touch and engage the entire community educationally, physically, aesthetically, culturally and developmentally regardless of the class, gender or ethnicity,” said Yvonne. B. Acey.
The 36th annual Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival, Inc. will honor the country of Rwanda with a kick-off luncheon on April 19 at the Holiday Inn - University of Memphis location on Central Ave.
The annual festival attracts thousands of attendees, community supporters, and stakeholders to celebrate the honored country along with vendors, food trucks and entertainment.
The schedule of events are:
International Entrepreneur's Luncheon | Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | 11:30AM - 1PM | Ticketed event
Vendor's Set-up Day (Vendors Only) | April 20, 2023 | 10AM - 5PM
Children & Senior's Citizen's Day | April 21, 2023 | 8AM - 11PM
Health Wellness Family & Community Day | April 22, 2023 | 8AM - 10:30PM
International Music City | April 23, 2023 | 8AM - 9PM
The festival will be held at Robert R. Church, Sr. Park near Beale Street in Downtown Memphis.
To learn more, visit africainapril.org.
The article was originally published April 14, 2023.
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