Photo: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, World Beat Founder Queen Mother Makeda Dread and unidentified woman, by Camille Appling
On August 6, 2024, World Beat Center House signed a 25-year lease after years of challenges and triumphs. Founder, executive director and Queen Mother Makeda Dread has worked tirelessly with the mayor of San Diego, Todd Gloria, and City Attorney Mara Elliot to complete this project.
The event included a Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgment by WBCS Ethnobotanist Kristi Orozco, a beautiful performance by harpist Mariea Antoinette. Queen Mother Starla Lewis blessed the crowd with African libations that honored the ancestors and loved ones that helped along the way like Runoko Rashidi and Jaimie Shadowlight.
The multicultural crowd embraced the presentations by the Aztec Dancers and the World Beat Centers Drum and Dance Ensemble. The event included favorable presentations for the World Beat Center’s success by the mayor of San Diego Todd Gloria, City Attorney Mara Elliot, Councilmember Steven Whitburn, executive director of the Balboa Cultural Partnership Peter Comiskey, San Diego Parks and Recreation Director Andy Fields.
County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, Lemon Grove Mayor Raquel Vasquez and President, CEO, and RISE Director Leah Godwin also attended. The afternoon was beautiful and included a delicious array of vegetarian cuisine including black eyed peas, collard greens, sambusa, rice, moringa and an assortment of cookies and healthy beverages.
We are so happy that the legacy of cultural pride and cultural sensitivity will continue at the World Beat Center through humanity, education and love.
