Our First Art Connect Session:
Honoring Black History Month through Art
FEBRUARY 2015
Our very first series of Art Connect sessions took place throughout the month of February, during which Amanda Gorman and students from New Roads in Los Angeles, CA coordinated weekly sessions dedicated to highlighting the themes of Black History Month through art. In this way, Amanda not only honored Black History, but also, promoted awareness of the arts, namely poetry as well as music and dance. The first week began with a bang; students read poetry and danced for an audience of their peers.
New Roads students performing in honor of Black History month.
The second week, New York Knicks Poetry Slam Champion Tonya Ingram performed spoken word for the student body alongside other young poets from the high school. The third session featured Donzaleigh Abernathy, civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy's daughter, as she recounted the trials of the civil rights movement. The fourth and final session showcased student performers who read, sang, danced, and spoke about Black History Month.
Apart from the weekly sessions, posters of famous African Americans decorated the school, and civil rights themed music such as Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" was played at lunch times.
Apart from the weekly sessions, posters of famous African Americans decorated the school, and civil rights themed music such as Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" was played at lunch times.
Amanda said, "Through the various events we wanted to display how art and youth can effectively remind us of the important social and peaceful activism within Black History."
Thank you, Amanda, for sharing your passion for the arts as our Art You representative in L.A.!
Thank you, Amanda, for sharing your passion for the arts as our Art You representative in L.A.!