Venice Blvd. The cool ocean breeze blew into the community room of the Venice Library Saturday as local author Denise Sullivan set the stage to celebrate Black History month with her latest book "Keep on Pushing: Black Powered Music from Blues to Hip Hop.” Ms. Sullivan brought music to life having been accompanied by three talented musicians performing acoustically intermittently between reading her excerpts. Being a vast topic to tackle, the author exuded a confidence in her vast knowledge of music, which made for an enticing introduction to her work.
Sullivan broached on subjects of music stemming from Jazz and Blues, the political importance of multi cultural “Freedom Singers”, and the overwhelming impact African Americans have had in the music world. The strongest moment of the event was when musician Lisa Sanders inspired the room to join her in singing along to Bob Marley’s “3 Little Birds”. The moment solidified a poignant role that music has in unifying people, in mind, body and spirit.
Through the readings Sullivan gives yet another voice to the fighting of oppression in today’s society. Paying homage to men and women who used their talents to speak for those in this country that are less fortunate, Sullivan reminded the crowd how Stevie Wonder was a force for change through supporting the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. day as a national holiday. Wonder, Dylan, Guthrie, Tu Pac, and countless others were hailed as forces not only in the music business, but as inspirations in the everyday man’s fight for equality and peace.
The Abbott Kinney Memorial Library has events all throughout the month.
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