Ivory Bay Community Development Corporation hosts The 5th Annual Weeping Time African Unity Festival, taking place at EnMarket Arena Saturday, March 4, 2023

Ivory Bay CDC is proud to bring the African Unity Festival to EnMarket Arena for the fifth year. Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier started the Weeping Time African Unity Festival to commemorate and memorialize the Weeping Time. The Weeping Time occurred on March 2-3, 1859 when 429 enslaved Africans were sold in West Savannah, Georgia, to cover their master's gambling debt. It was coined the Weeping Time because it was said to have the heavens opened up and rained for those two days. because God was hurt that families were being split so carelessly and callously.

After learning about the Weeping Time, Alderwoman Lanier wanted a vehicle to make amends for the atrocity. So, she believed that a festival where Black businesses, organizations, and resources were highlighted was a starting point to help change the trajectory of Savannah’s most marginalized and low-wealth communities. Alderwoman Lanier states, “This burgeoning festival is in keeping with our mission to create generational wealth in low wealth by asset based community and economic development model.” The festival boasts over 20 local Black-owned organizations and has grown over the last four years. This year the festival will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 11am – 3pm at the Waterworks Plaza at the EnMarket Arena since it was created to be an economic engine for all of Savannah but specifically West Savannah due to decades of disinvestment.

As always, the festival will have many vendors, children's activities, information, resources for the community, music, and education about the African and Gullah Geechee cultures. This year we have reintroduced live performances since medical advances in remedying COVID. This event is free to the public.