The 29th Annual Zora Neale Hurston™ Festival of the Arts and Humanities (ZORA!™ Festival), which takes place January 20-28, 2018, will present An Evening with David Banner, Saturday, January 27 from 8:00 – 11:00 PM. Event highlights include a fusion of Jazz, Hip-Hop & Soul by a live band, a fine art silent auction, and will culminate with an intimate “In Conversation” with the Grammy Award-winning music producer, recording artist, philanthropist, actor, and activist. Joshua Johnson, host of 1A on National Public Radio will interview and serve as moderator An Evening with David Banner will take place at the Darden Auditorium, University of Central Florida (UCF) Rosen College of Hospitality Management, 9907 Universal Boulevard in Orlando.
Banner, currently one the nation’s most sought after cultural commentators, has appeared in films such as Lee Daniel’s The Butler and in Tim Story’s movie Ride Along. He is host of Aspire TV’s American Black Film Festival Independent Film series and in his second season as Pastor Green on Bounce TV’s Saints and Sinners. Banner is also founder of A Banner Vision- ABV, a multimedia company that specializes in providing music for commercials, video games and films.
In 2006, Banner received the Visionary Award by the National Black Caucus of the State Legislature recognizing his work after Hurricane Katrina. Also, Banner testified before Congress at a hearing about racism and misogyny in Hip Hop music where he defended his use of offensive language. In 2009 he won a Grammy for his contribution as co-producer of Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III”.
Born in Mississippi as Lavell William Crump, Banner remains committed to and lives in his hometown of Jackson. His alias, David Banner, was that of the Incredible Hulk’s alter ego, fitting Banner’s energy and persona as a prolific individual of the hip hop generation. Banner is a graduate of Southern University where he earned a BA degree in business administration.
ZORA! Festival 2018 is funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program with additional underwriting being provided by the University of Central Florida – Office of the President, Office of the Provost, and by the College of Arts & Humanities, the Zora Neale Hurston Institute for Documentary Studies; Orlando Utilities Commission, Culture Builds Florida, Rollins College, and Duke Energy.
For additional information on ZORA!™ Festival 2018 events visit www.zorafestival.org .
About the Association to Preservation the Eatonville Community, (P.EC.)
The mission of the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. is to enhance the resources of Eatonville, Florida known popularly as “the oldest incorporated African American municipality in the United States” and the hometown of writer, folklorist, and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston; to educate the public about Eatonville’s historic and cultural significance; and to use the community’s heritage and cultural vibrancy for its economic development.
