Join us online as we live video stream from the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center on Wednesday, March 20 from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's special presentation of a Tom Dent Lecture Series dedicated to celebrating the legacy of Big Chief Victor Harris, affectionately known as Big Chief of "Fi Yi Yi" Spirit of the Mandingo Warriors. After 48 years of masking, Big Chief Harris has decided to pass the torch to his son, Victor Harris, Jr., marking a significant chapter in the history of the Black Masking Indian Tribe.

The in-person event and video stream are free and open to the public.

Speakers:

Big Chief Victor Harris, Fi Yi Yi Spirit of the Mandingo WarriorsVictor Harris, Jr., 2nd Chief of Fi Yi Yi Spirit of the Mandingo WarriorsBig Chief Tyrone "Pie" Stevenson and son Jeremy Stevenson of the Monogram HuntersSkulls and Bones Second Chief Zohar Israel and Big Chief Solomon Mason, Golden Feather Hunters, Big Queen Rukiya Brown, Creole Wild West

Moderator:

Big Queen Theresa Crushshon, Golden Feather Hunters

This educational lecture series will delve into the rich oral traditions stemming from Africa, exploring how these traditions are passed down and preserved through family lineage. Big Chief Victor Harris' journey will serve as a focal point, highlighting the significance of the Mandingo Warriors and their unique contributions to the Black Masking Indian Tribe.

About the Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series:

The Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture is a program produced and presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The Foundation uses the proceeds from Jazz Fest, and other raised funds, for year-round programs in education, economic development and cultural enrichment. For more on what they do, please visit www.jazzandheritage.org.