The Abu Unity Fest is Officially part of V-A's "Stop the Violence" movement..
SATURDAY, Oct. 11, 2008
Location- King-Lincoln Park (in Newport News Southeast Community)
600 Jefferson Avenue Newport News, VA 23607
The Abu Unity Festival highlights the Stop the Violence movement that is focused on re-establishing the bridge between entertainment, unity, and the community.. This is where VA Artists (rappers, singers, comedians, djs) from all over come together on ONE stage for the common cause of bringing awareness back through entertainment and Unity..
Show time: 1pm on the main stage on the 1s and 2s will be DJ Etc and a host of performers... See flyer for details....
FREE food will be served (while it lasts)
Contests and activities for the childrenThe Purpose:
The Abu Unity Fest (Abu Fest) is an event established to increase awareness of criminal activity in the state of Virginia by uniting community leaders, local business owners, motivational speakers, athletes, up and coming Virginia artists, comedians, and non-profit organizations
The Reason:
The crime rate is growing in Virginia and several communities are becoming more dangerous to live in. After the loss of her fiancé, recording artist Abys, birth name LaTonya Denson, felt it was time for Virginia's local entertainment scene to create more events that promote non-violence and provide alternative outlets to the gang and drug influences that affect Virginian youth daily. Made possible with the assistance of Mastermind Entertainment and Hood Platinum Media Group the 1st annual Abu Unity Fest was launched in September 2005. The Fest provides free food for attendees, activities/ contests, and live performances from entertainers throughout the area of various genres.
Proven to have a strong impact on urban youth, hip-hop, R&B, dance, and comedy are used to help carry out the “Stop the Violence†message throughout the show. Using entertainment, The Abu Fest is designed to unite Virginia communities, increase the awareness of crime by incorporating important messages during and between performances, and decrease the number of active gangs by showing that through the Arts one can gain confidence while creatively expressing themselves.
Although the Fest was born in Newport News, Virginia, this year will mark the 3rd anniversary and during the previous years entertainers from South Carolina, Georgia, New York, North Carolina and several other states have participated.
Why Abu?
Quincy “Abu the Butcher†Jones was a well-known and respected hip-hop artist and late member of the group BorNaturals. Being a part of the Bornaturals, made it possible for Abu to touch the lives of many since their music and movement inspired many up and coming artists and residents throughout the Hampton Roads area to pursue their dreams independently. A well-known and kindhearted individual, Abu did all he could to assist the people in his neighborhood.
Regrettably, Abu became a victim to murder while waiting for a cab on December 16, 2003 in Newport News, Virginia’s Southeast community (where he resided since his birth). To this day, Abu’s murder still remains unsolved, which too often is the case in many urban areas throughout the nation. His death opened the eyes of his then fiancé’, Abys to do something to bring attention to the crime that infests the community that she and Abu chose to live and raise their daughter. This awakening gave birth to the Abu Unity Fest and since its launch, the Fest has catapulted VA’s Stop the Violence movement.
The Abu Unity fest also marked the start of the "Kaaleah Jones Foundation" which raises money for Abu's daughter opening up opportunities for her that he wanted her to have.
Abu Unity Fest Committee Purpose & Goals:
Official Block Banga (Columbia, South Carolina) 7 Armz (Newport News, Virginia) Hood Platinum Media Group (Newport News, Virginia) Bornaturals (Newport News, Virginia) Blendzville Entertainment (Norfolk, Virginia)Each member of the Abu Unity Fest Committee is an independent entertainment company that is dedicated to helping artist manage their career and gain exposure through music and media. All the groups are strong believers in giving back to community and are huge supporters of several fundraisers and positive local events both in and outside of Virginia. The Abu Unity Fest committee believes that entertainment opportunities can help decrease criminal activity and aid in taking our youth off the streets.
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