It’s not very often a U.S. city gets a blessing from a bona fide Queen Mother. On Oct. 1, 2020 Austin will have that opportunity.
By Cy White. Image via the The Royal Palace of Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna
When Her Majesty Queen Mother Rev. Dr. MA. Dòwòti Désir Hounon Houna II Guely arrives in Austin on October 1, it will mark something quite rare. The Queen Mother comes of her own accord from the Republic of Benin to act as the Keynote Speaker for the Society Today virtual conference. Her presence, however, isn’t singular. As it happens Her Majesty is of Haitian descent. In fact, she’s a High Priestess of Hatiain Vodou. She is also the first Queen Mother of Haitian descent to reside over the Royal Palace in six centuries.
Her Majesty is both humanitarian and teacher. Historian and public speaker. She has travelled between the United States and the Republic of Benin as a purveyor of knowledge. As the founder of The AfroAtlantic Theologies & Treaties Institute, her main mission is to promote human rights for African descendants.
The conference begins Friday, Oct. 2. On Thursday, the Queen Mother is granting an audience at a socially distanced reception. Her presence in Austin aligns with the purpose of the Society Today conference. Founders Chaka and Qi Dada of Riders Against the Storm created the conference “as a bridge for those seeking to transform their relationship to the world around them.”
Our vision is a connected and integrated community stabilized in the principles of Earth-based spirituality irrespective of religious affiliations or beliefs.
–Riders Against the Storm
The Society Today conference highlights the very ideals of what Austin represents. Sustainability, connection and respect for the earth and a desire for all cultures to interconnect.
Please explore the work of Her Majesty here.
Find out more about the conference and reception here.
Donate to Dada Agbessi Hounon Primary School.