Renowned Caribbean historian, Barbados’ Dr. Hilary Beckles, and African-American basketball icon, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, are expected to receive the prestigious Sweet Cry Freedom ’07 award, when the groundbreaking Antiguan musical event returns on 5th May 2007. This year’s award is named for Haitian revolutionary Toussaint L’Ouverture.

Johnson is, of course, legendary for his leadership of the Los Angeles Lakers and, after contracting the virus that causes AIDS, helping to raise awareness about the still formidable disease. Additionally, as a businessman, he continues to make meaningful investments in the black community in the United States.

Dr. Beckles’ honour, meanwhile, recognizes his continued work as a leading Caribbean historian, principle as well as director of the Centre for Cricket Research at the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill campus, professor of economic and social history, and author of some 10 books and editor of several others. In addition to his various other roles, Dr. Beckles is expected to play a leading part in the Reparations work that needs to be done throughout the African Diaspora with respect to the British Empire’s Atlantic Slave Trade.

Past recipients of the Sweet Cry Freedom award – re-named each year for a hero from the African Diaspora – have included music legends Stevie Wonder, Osibisa, David Rudder, and Third World; and achievers along the lines of former Windies captain Sir Vivian Richards, late Antiguan Prime Minister Sir V. C. Bird Sr., Jamaican hotelier Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, and others.

The much-anticipated music event, returning after a 10-year break, is, meanwhile, expected to feature its usually stellar musical line-up. Confirmed acts include soca’s Shurwayne Winchester & Traffik of Trinidad, Red Hot Flames – all three from Antigua; dancehall’s Cham and Macka Diamond; Calypso’s Black Stalin; reggae greats - Third World and Freddie MacGreggor; and Antiguan hip hop artiste Logiq. That’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg in a mega-show that is also expected to feature musical tributes to late greats, James Brown, Ray Charles, and Joseph Hill of Culture.

This high profile, international line-up is in the spirit of Sweet Cry Freedom’s of yesteryear, when the show positioned itself as both a culturally potent event and unique tourism attraction. From the very beginning in 1993, the festival has always aimed high; it’s annual roster, a veritable who’s who in vintage and popular music from across the Diaspora. These have included breakthrough soca legend, Arrow; dancehall ‘Champion’, Buju Banton; beloved Reggae crooner, Beres Hammond; French Creole heavyweights, Kassav and WCK; soca’s super bands – Square One, Atlantik, Burning Flames; and Antigua’s soca legend Short Shirt, of Tourist Leggo fame.

Still, as good as the music is; the festival has never been just about the music. In 1997, for instance, the attached ‘Celebrity Event’ – including beach volley ball, jet skiing and other diversions – attracted the likes of actress Vivica A. Fox, Former Ms. USA Kenya Moore, former NBA great Charles Smith, and renowned jazz musician, Ronnie Laws. It also attracted in excess of 20 million people thanks to its broadcast on Black Entertainment Television. The Celebrity Event is, also, expected to make a return in 2007, beginning on May 3rd, with anticipated coverage by Caribbean Vision, Tempo, Hype TV and U.S. cable stations.

More than just a social event, however, Sweet Cry Freedom has strived, from the very beginning, to shine a light on Caribbean and African-American achievement. It is for this reason that the awards have, over the years, been dedicated to the memory of true exemplars of freedom – people like Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., Bob Marley, and, now, L’Ouverture, who helped secure Haiti’s place in history as the first liberated African nation in the western hemisphere. Sweet Cry Freedom’s return and the dedication of the 2007 award to the memory of this leader of the Haitian revolutionary (1791 – 1804), a pivotal point in the liberation of all Africans, is particularly significant in light of that other great anniversary of 2007 – the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade.

As a tourist attraction, meanwhile, one title sponsored by Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Tourism, Sweet Cry Freedom ’07 scheduled for Saturday 5th May is timed to coincide with the end of one of the world’s top regattas, Antigua Sailing Week. SCF ’07 is co-sponsored by some of the world’s premier brands to include:- Stanford 20/20; b-mobile; Red Stripe; Punche Diva; Guinness; Hennessy Cognac; ABS TV; West Indies Oil Company; Hitz Fm and Karib Cable.

The presentation of the awards to Johnson and Beckles and the concert will bring things to a fitting climax to what will be un-parallel entertainment, fun and great times to be had by all.