On Nov. 10, Join the San Diego Diplomacy Council for an unforgettable evening celebrating the arts in diplomacy with this year’s signature event. The evening will feature a tapas-style dinner, drinks, entertainment, photo exhibits, and stories of impact. The San Diego Diplomacy Council connects San Diego to the rest of the world through professional, educational and cultural exchange programs. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, SDDC is one of more than 90 national organizations designated by the State Department to deliver programs that allow San Diego to connect and participate in the international sphere and extend its influence around the globe.
Celebrate art diplomacy as a way to build bridges between the United States and other nations through music, visual and performing arts. A live auction and raffle will also be available to attendees. The experiential event will feature select images from a photographic exhibition entitled Jam Session: America’s Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World, curated by the Meridian International Center.
Also featured will be Adam Clayton Powell III as keynote speaker. Powell will share the impactful story of his father, unapologetic civil rights activist and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and his intrepid efforts to use jazz music to connect the U.S. with the rest of the world during the Cold War era.
Artists of Honor, Amirah Sackett, and Todd Cochran will share performances and stories about their experiences. Amirah Sackett is an internationally recognized hip-hop dancer, choreographer, teacher, and arts envoy who has used hip-hop to transcend stereotypes about women and the Muslim community in the U.S. and abroad. Todd Cochran is a jazz pianist and composer who has collaborated with Herbie Hancock, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, and other notable musicians. He wrote the film score for the movie “Keep the Faith, Baby” (2002) about Congressman Powell’s life.
Jam out on Saturday, Nov. 10 at the Museum of Photographic Arts at 6:30 p.m. A pre-event contemporary cocktail reception with speakers and performers beginning at 5:45 p.m. will be available to VIP ticket holders. Tickets, sponsorships and more information are available at sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/2018-signature-event/!.