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In this workshop, the students will make a connection between significant figures that played major roles in the life of Ancient African culture (the Griot, the Warrior, the Drummer, the Dancer, the Elders) and people that play important roles in the African-American community in today’s society. They will examine how these roles have evolved and who, in today’s society, fit these roles. They will study specific lyricists/poets, activists, socially conscious performers, and Spiritual Advisors of the 20th and 21st century. 

Once the connection is made, the students will organize their material, answer the question of who they think they are in today’s society, choose a role that answers that question, and then give a presentation, virtually or in an assembly, explaining and/or demonstrating that role. 

This workshop begins with Music History in which the students will examine significant events in African and African-American history from the 1600’s through the 1960’s and then be able to explain how these events affected the music of this time in a presentation or performance. 

The workshop will end with chosen students participating in a traditional or virtual African Dance class that uses the rhythms discussed in the powerpoint presentation. 

This workshop begins with Cultural Literacy in which the students will examine the relationship between the geographic and religious structures of the classical civilizations in Medieval Africa. Following this, the students will study the sun and explain why some natural objects are seen only in the night sky, the day sky, and some at both times and then chart their findings on a line graph to measure time and distance between shadow measurements.  They will present their work.

This workshop begins with Social Studies in which the students will examine how the racial climate of the country during the time period of 1800-1900 gave rise to slaves and former slaves who spoke out against the institution of slavery. They 

will use the 4th of July speech of Frederick Douglas and the poems of Sojourner Truth and quotes from Harriet Tubman. Following the History lesson, the students will participate in a Performing Arts class in which they will act out skits based on original speeches they wrote in the Social Studies class. Lastly, the students will write a rap that speaks to today’s social issues in America and present it, virtually or in an assembly.