Joinville holds Afro‑Brazilian cultural contest and historic reparations hearing

The Kênia Clube in Joinville, Santa Catarina hosted two significant Afro‑Brazilian events. On July 25, the city launched the first edition of the Concurso Essência Negra, a cultural contest featuring 15 participants (10 women and 5 men) aimed at celebrating and reaffirming the contribution of Afro‑descendants to the city's identity. Musical acts such as Fio José, Pagode dos Meninos, Seleção Guanabar and guest sambista João Martins from Rio de Janeiro performed during the event.

Earlier, on July 18, the same venue held a public hearing on constitutional amendment PEC 27/2024, organized by the Movimento Negro Maria Laura. The hearing, attended by deputy Renato Freitas (PT‑P) and open to the public, discussed a proposal to add a chapter on racial equality to Brazil's constitution and to create a National Fund for Economic Reparations and Promotion of Racial Equality. Advocates highlighted the need to address centuries‑long inequalities stemming from slavery and to fund policies on education, culture, entrepreneurship, and quilombola communities.