We Speak Events

Uniting Christian Creatives: The Inaugural CLEAN Festival Comes to Accra This December

Published

1 year ago

December 23, 2024

This December, Accra will host the inaugural CLEAN Festival, a groundbreaking event celebrating the intersection of Christian faith, African culture, and the arts. Scheduled from December 20th to 28th, the festival aims to bring together Christian creatives from across West Africa, the diaspora, and beyond. Through various artistic expressions, attendees will explore their faith while fostering a deeper connection to their heritage.

The vision for the CLEAN Festival is encapsulated in the phrase “Christ’s Creatives Chilling.” It offers a space for creatives to meet, network, and fellowship in a relaxed atmosphere. The initiative also addresses pressing cultural and spiritual trends, particularly among younger generations of African heritage, who are increasingly reconnecting with their traditional roots. While this renewed interest in heritage is enriching, it has sometimes led to religious pluralism or syncretism—a blending of indigenous practices with Christianity. Additionally, there is a misconception that the arts are incompatible with Christianity or African identity, with some even labeling Christianity as “the White Man’s religion.” CLEAN seeks to challenge these narratives by creating a space where attendees can explore the synergy between African culture and Christian faith. The festival also highlights the rich history of Christianity in Africa, demonstrating its deep-rooted presence on the continent.

The festival’s mission includes building a community of Christian creatives, engaging in meaningful conversations about art and Christianity, exploring the relationship between Christianity and African traditions, and showcasing diverse art forms such as fashion, literature, and film. These objectives are woven into the festival’s lineup of key events.

The festival kicks off on December 20th with “Christ and Canvases” at Ten25, a hands-on artistic expression day where participants can enjoy food and painting with a stunning view of the skies. On December 27th, “The Brunch” at Nouveau Accra offers an opportunity to eat, network, and connect with creatives and others interested in art and Christianity. The festival culminates on December 28th with the “Expo” at Jambo, an exhibition and networking event showcasing diverse art forms, including fashion, literature, and film. The Expo will also feature panel discussions and interactive opportunities for attendees to engage with the themes of the festival.

CLEAN will delve into key themes such as Christianity’s presence in public spaces versus its representation in visual arts, addressing why Christian influence is prominent in West African society but less visible in the visual arts. The festival will also foster discussions on integrating African culture and Christian faith without compromising core Christian principles. Additionally, it will explore the historical relationship between Christianity and creativity, drawing inspiration from Western contexts and encouraging a similar narrative for African artists.

CLEAN invites artists, creatives, and anyone interested in exploring the intersection of faith and culture to join this unique movement. For more information and updates, visit the official website.

For inquiries, contact Kweku Bimpong at admin@cleangh.com or 0551429835. Stay connected with CLEAN on social media: Instagram, X (@projectcleangh), Facebook (@CleanGH), and LinkedIn.

We Speak Events

Atlanta Screening of The Alabama Solution Brings Together Panel of Advocates, Leaders, and Community Voices

Published

3 months ago

March 9, 2026

Justiz Walker

Michael Walker/@UmeekImages

ATLANTA, GA — Community leaders, advocates, and residents gathered in Atlanta for a special screening of the Oscar-nominated HBO documentary The Alabama Solution, an evening centered on film, dialogue, and community engagement around issues of justice and incarceration.

Hosted at 2345 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, the event brought together organizations and community members for a formal evening of reflection and conversation following the powerful documentary. The film, co-directed by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman and co-produced by Alex Duran, offers an intimate and unfiltered look into Alabama’s prison system.

At the heart of the documentary are the voices of justice-impacted individuals Melvin “Bennu” Ray and Robert “Kinetik” Council, whose experiences shed light on the realities inside the prison system while challenging viewers to consider deeper questions about accountability, dignity, and reform.

Following the screening, a panel discussion brought together leaders and advocates working in justice reform and community outreach. The conversation was moderated by Bridgette Simpson of Barred Business, who guided the dialogue with panelists representing several organizations committed to addressing issues within the justice system.

Panelists included Gerald Griggs of the NAACP, Kimberly Jones of Fork the System, Octavious Holiday of the Positive Outreach Development Society, Kevin Marshall of The Marshall Law Group, LLC, Kathryn Hamoudah of the Southern Center for Human Rights, and Christopher Willars of The Life Unit Inc.

Each panelist offered insight shaped by their work in advocacy, legal reform, and community engagement. Their perspectives highlighted the far-reaching effects incarceration can have on families and communities, while also emphasizing the importance of awareness, accountability, and continued dialogue around the issues presented in the film.

The screening was supported by several organizations dedicated to justice and civic engagement, including One for Justice, Dream.org, Barred Business, the Southern Center for Human Rights, The Life Unit, the Center for Civic Innovation, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and the Free Atlanta Abolition Movement.

The evening also served as a moment of connection for those in attendance, including family members and advocates whose lives have been impacted by the justice system. Through film and conversation, the gathering created space for reflection and for communities to engage with the realities highlighted in the documentary.

As conversations continued after the screening, the event underscored the power of storytelling to bring people together, raise awareness, and encourage deeper consideration of issues that often remain unseen by the public.

As momentum continues to grow around conversations sparked by the documentary, organizers are encouraging community members to take an additional step by supporting efforts aimed at protecting justice-impacted individuals from discrimination.

Advocates are currently inviting the public to sign a virtual petition card supporting the establishment of a statewide Protected Class Ordinance in Georgia, which would help ensure justice-impacted individuals are protected from discrimination in employment, housing, and opportunity.

You may find and share the virtual petition here:

Statewide Protected Class

https://www.theprotectedclassnetwork.org/sign-our-petition