Love Is A Parable

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M.A.N.iFest Reflection


How do Butterflies gain their wings?

We are sure that there is a complex scientific response but a simpler perspective would be, with time. While reflecting on yesterday’s M.A.N.iFest Juneteenth Celebration, we are reminded of the beauty of time. Time provides the platform to propel us into purpose and destiny while sculpting our character, shaping our hearts, and forging meaningful relationships.  Time serves us as an agent to chronologize our personal experiences into fragments of time, known as moments.  Yesterday was a beautiful moment where history was embraced and precedence was set.   Yesterday proved that being pro-Black is not anti-White, reflecting on history is a valuable tool in celebrating culture and togetherness. 

Hard work surely does payoff but not in the ways that we would have imagined.  A sparked conversation between friends, Qisoundra Flowers and Shan-Tika Watkins evolved into a two-day event that provided sustenance to an area that we may have not realized was weak.  Morphing into more than an idea, under the direction of Qisoundra and Alex Flowers of BrainSTEMology, in partnership with the Cultural Arts Society of Fuquay-Varina, Inc., Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, Love Is A Parable, and Renewed Covenant Christian Center M.A.N.iFEST, a Music, Art, and Networking Festival was actualized.

With the common goal to celebrate, highlight, and share the rich African American presence and culture within the Fuquay-Varina and surrounding areas, we knew at least three things needed to be accomplished:  

  1. Historic Preservation: Commemorate the significance of Juneteenth while researching and sharing discoveries of local community legends within the Fuquay-Varina area through storytelling with the goal of preserving historic findings in the local and/or state museum(s).

  2. Education Enrichment: Highlight the impact of performing arts within the African American community and their influence in the educational and professional areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Create and establish a future legacy scholarship for youth desiring to pursue education and careers in STEM fields.

  3. Community Engagement: To serve an opportunity to curate a professional networking environment for STEM and Performing Arts professionals with the intent to have yearlong partnerships and workshops.

Yesterday, with varied of emotions, we saw the birth of our tough conversations, hard work, and genuine compassion for humanity manifested.

As stated by one of our participates, Sean Bates:

“I am very glad that I went …the one word I would use to describe yesterday is, wholesome. It was a wonderful display of community, faith, and entertainment.  What a wonderful and revitalizing way to spend a day.  I feel so peaceful today to enjoy my day.  Thank you.”

Though there is still much work to be done, we acknowledge the imprint that was made and the excellence of its execution.  Fuquay-Varina experienced “a dash more of us” yesterday and this is only the beginning of the strength of our fabric.  See, “the fabric of our being built this place, even this place. Therefore, we must honor it, honoring it is honoring us, the unsung and hidden heroes that rose from ashes of charred remains to give way to the hope within our veins, attention to our pains, and a path to our names.”  We understand that everything is part of something, which means, we are part of each other. That alone shows us the beauty of time. Because time serves us, naturally, we must reciprocate the gift.   Each day, we should remind ourselves of what good are we manifesting? 


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Recognition and Acknowledgements

Planning Committee:

Kate Davis

Alex Flowers

Qisoundra Flowers

J. Dwayne Garnett

Emanuel Holland

Marion J. Tucker

Shan-Tika Watkins

Volunteers and Production Support:

Beth Bonar, Greeter

Garion Bunn, Backstage Assistant

Katyna Bunn, Sponsor/Hostess

Stephanie Cogdell (Katyna's sister), Hostess

Bryan Haynes, T-Shirts

Marina Lail Kelly, Switchboard operator

Dan Mercer, Videographer

Elaine Okal, Greeter

Angie Staheli, Floor Manager

Genel Webb, Sponsor/Hostess to the a Honorees

Fuquay-Varina Art Center: Dave Wright & Damion Younts, Production

Special Performances and Presentations by (In order of appearance):

Netanyah Yael

Qisoundra Flowers

J. Dwayne Garnett

Mercy & Grace

LAW Bullock

For Your Glory Mime Dancers

DS Will

Chuckey Robinson Trio

Gran'daddy Junebug

Commissioner William "Bill" Harris

FameDesired

Marcia Neal

DJ Complex

Eternal The MC

Main Man

Vision Elite Royalty Dancers

Shame Gang

Iconic Bond

Alex "ScholAr" Flowers

Ricky Prestige Leverett, Jr

Honoring our Hidden Heroes and Fabric of Fuquay-Varina:

Ms. Beatrice Lee

Ms. Cathy Stuart

Ms. Marion J. Tucker

Ms. Evelyn Smith Booker

Ms. Roberta Burton

Ms. Wilma Hunter

Ms. Jovita Simons

Dr. Evelyn Booker Wicker

Mr. Calvin Leach

Mr. Maurice Leach

Gold Sponsors:

MedScribes
Phoenix Partners NC
Katyna Bunn Legacy Partners

Platinum Partners:

Morgan & Perry, PLLC
CenterPeace Home HealthCare & Companion Services



J. Dwayne Garnett, BSRT, MHA, QP
Chief Executive Officer
Love Is A Parable
Available for Empowerment Speaking Engagements, Consultations, Uncovering Sessions, and Instruction.
Find out more about J at by clicking HERE!

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