Virtual event celebrates legacy of Givens Park

The Givens Park Working Group is teaming up with Forklift Danceworks and Austin PBS to produce an online celebration and community conversation this Saturday. The virtual event, which is free and open to the community, “honors the legacy of Dr. Everett Givens, the namesake of Givens Park and a tireless advocate for the Black community,” according to a news release. “Viewers will learn more about Dr. Givens as well as continued efforts to build community, celebrate Black achievement, document history, and steward one of the most meaningful public spaces in East Austin.” It’s not all educational, however; the event kicks off with a tribute – hosted by KAZI’s Kimberly Holiday – to Givens Swims, a storytelling dance performance that took place in Givens Pool last July. The tribute is followed by a panel discussion featuring Givens Park community leaders. Steven Brown, president of the Givens Park Working Group, said, “We are hosting this event to let city leadership as well as longtime and new Austinites know that as a Black community ‘We are still here!’ Through this event, we will create awareness about the leadership and legacy of Dr. Everett Givens, discuss how there is still much work to do, and let the wider public know how it will take all of us working together to fully complete that work.” Tune in Saturday, July 25, 2-4 p.m. at Forklift Danceworks.