The following description comes from the event organizer.

On Sunday, April 28, come celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti and commemorate the life and legacy of the historic Dalit civil rights leader Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. 

Born on April 14, 1891 in what is now Madhya Pradesh, India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a visionary social reformer, economist, and public intellectual who fought for the rights of oppressed and minority communities in India. He was the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, helping to protect the rights for all people regardless of caste, religion, or gender. Ambedkar’s writings and teachings have inspired millions globally.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar continues to be an empowering figure in Indian and Dalit political and intellectual life. His birth anniversary, on April 14 each year, is celebrated around the world as Ambedkar Jayanti, and this year marks the 133rd birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar. 

Inspired by Black History month, Dalit organizers in 2015 declared April as Dalit History Month, expanding the celebration of Ambedkar Jayanti. During the month of April, Dalit people and their allies and accomplices in the shared work for caste abolition, come together to honor and celebrate the varied experiences of  Dalit-Bahujan-Adivasi people surviving, fighting against, and ultimately thriving despite caste violence.

Ambedkar Jayanti in Portland will be held on Sunday, April 28 across two locations: Leaven Community Center and the Bhakti Movement Yoga Center. Please RSVP here.

At Leaven Community Center  from 1:30–4:30 pm, join a teach-in on Dr. Ambedkar’s life, activism, and writing, and the liberatory movement he catalyzed led by a scholar of caste, race, and gender; attend an art show by a local artist; take part in a kids art corner, and engage in connective interactivities. 

Then, starting at 5 pm at the Bhakti Movement Yoga Center, self-identified BIPOC community members are invited to a Caste Abolition Meditation and Movement session for BIPOC community members. 

Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations in Portland are co-sponsored by the Oregon Caste Abolition Collective (OCAC), Oregon State University’s (OSU) Office of Institutional Diversity (OIC), the Bhakti Yoga Movement Center (BYMC), Desi Fest, Leaven Community Center, Chaiwallah PDX and BIPOC Mindfulness PDX.

You can find out more by following the Oregon Caste Abolition Collective on instagram via @oregoncasteabolition and also search for Oregon Caste Abolition Collective on Facebook.