Atlanta Media Company Diamond Diaspora Media Announces Inaugural Black Star Week Celebration of Black Excellence

Atlanta’s best come together for a one-of-a-kind week-long experience. Powered by Atlanta Black Star, Black Star Week is a week-long celebration focused on health, wealth and giving back.

Taking place June 17-22, the inaugural event series promises a week of community events, thought-provoking conversations, as well as engaging and educational activities to help bring the diaspora together, starting Monday.

“Black Star Week celebrates our rich cultural heritage, stimulates economic growth and fosters a spirit of mutual generosity and collaboration,” said Neil Nelson, CEO of DDM Group. “This event highlights the dynamism of the city and our commitment to empowering our communities.

“Reciprocal generosity consists of helping each other. By giving and receiving support, we create a cycle where everyone benefits. When one person helps another, that person is more likely to help someone else in return, creating a community where everyone looks out for each other,” Nelson added.

Nelson, working with a team including Tracy Donnelly, DDM Group’s Director of Operations, and Osei Kweku, the company’s Director of Business Development, created a one-of-a-kind experience for Black people in the city of Atlanta to celebrate yourself.

Black Man Lab advocates will continue their mission of mentoring and empowering youth by hosting a mentoring panel on Monday, June 17. The organization was founded in 2016 by Black fathers and sons with the goal of improving relationships and communication between generations of Black people. Men.

Join us Tuesday, June 18 at ZuCot Gallery, metro Atlanta’s hottest black-owned art gallery, as local community leaders openly share their progress in hopes of inspire others. This event is hosted in partnership with Shine2Inspire, a Black-owned organization that accepts and collects backpacks and other school items throughout the year to donate to children in need.

The next day, take time to nourish yourself mentally, physically and spiritually with a day of camaraderie and community. On Wednesday, June 19, get your heart rate up at the local organization-led Metropolitan 5K Community Run, hosted by local fitness brand, Cause of EFFECT, for June 19.

The 5K race will take place in the south Atlanta community along the Metropolitan Parkway.

Later in the evening, those of you who own or rent bikes can join the Atlanta-based Dope Pedalers cycling club, founded by Jay Reid. The group offers regular weekly walks around the city, but for Black Star Week, they host a three-hour evening group ride to promote unity.

Kweku believes now is the time more than ever to cultivate our own culture and find diverse ways to create community.

“We advance community more than anything and I think the community that we believe in and that we know exists is key,” he said in an interview.

“The more we move forward, the more I see a new community emerging from Atlanta that, in turn, can really impact other cities that have Black influence across the country and even the world. This is a global celebration of the black community at the highest level,” he added.

Black Star Week events also include a learning lunch at the Riverside Epicenter in collaboration with The Brand Architects also on Wednesday. The two-hour discussion will focus on combating bias, seeking help and supporting men’s mental health and the unique challenges professional athletes face. The list of guest speakers includes Super Bowl champions Dominique Easley, Jonathan Casillas and Chris Hubbard, among others.

To bring some entertainment to June’s Black Music Month celebrations, listen to the sounds of afrobeats, soca, reggaeton, dancehall, reggae, hip-hop and more in the ‘one of our music houses and markets. Friends and family are invited to come and enjoy the great atmosphere and plentiful food.

On June 16, the party ends at midnight at Blue Martini and on Friday, June 21, the party at Roc Steady ends at 2 a.m.

This year’s Black Star Week aims to enlighten, educate, inform and engage your active mind, body and soul. We help each other when we take care of each other.

For more information on the daily schedule and tickets, please visit BlackStarWeek.com.

DDM Group, presenting sponsor of Black Star Week, is the owner and publisher of Atlanta Black Star..