Tamika Mallory‘s social justice organization Until Freedom was criticized for throwing an event called BreonnaCon — a four day community convention in Louisville in honor of Breonna Taylor this past weekend. A press release of the event described it as a “first-of-its-kind community convention that will include a community ‘Bre-BQ’, workshops, trainings, plenaries, women’s and men’s empowerment programs, a school supplies giveaway, and a Faith Revival at Kingdom Fellowship Center. An Instagram post for the event promises “free gifts” while promoting “beauty, money, and justice.”
In addition, on “Good Trouble Tuesday” there will be a “massive demonstration” throughout the streets of Louisville calling for justice Taylor, who was gunned down by police while she slept in her home.
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams and former RHOA star Phaedra Williams, Love & Hip-Hop's Yandy Smith-Harris, Real Housewives of Potomac’s Gizelle Bryant, Pastor Jamal Bryant, Mysonne, TV and radio personality Rickey Smiley and more all participated in the event.
In addition, the families of Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Atatiana Jefferson, George Floyd, and Antwon Rose also participated int the event as well.
Some people felt like the name of the event was innappropriate and felt like the event was s “tasteless”, “capitalistic.”
After receiving some criticism, Mallory opened up about the meaning of the event. During a radio interview, she said, “We believe when we go into a community, it’s not just protests, it’s gotta be also helping to organize in that community and community service. Last week we gave out 2,000 boxes of produce with the Louisville Urban League and we’re doing that again. Immediately following there will be Women’s Empowerment Events, Yandy Smith-Harris will be, Porsha Williams, they’re coming back! We’re not people who get arrested and get their photo opportunity and not come back to the community.”