A Youth Centered Night of Exploring
"Freedom Through the Arts"
“History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us.
We are our history.” - James Baldwin
Over the years youth have expressed that they have artistic genius waiting to shine through however the routine of the school day sometimes leaves them feeling at a loss for art spaces. Scholars also told us that knew very few Black artists who have made contributions before, during and after the visual and performing artistic boom known as the Harlem Renaissance.

On the evening of Friday February 23, 2018 The Village Method (TVM)- along with our community of local artists and volunteers- worked to create a space for TVM Scholars to highlight their study and exploration Black art on stage. Scholars created performances that were based on a month long unit exploring how Black art forms started in Africa and evolved rhythmically and visually in the Americas. The Scholars then developed youth-led interpretations of Black art while working alongside artistic mentors in our after school programming once per week for two months at two middle schools.

Please click here to see our featured article in the East Bay Times.
THANK YOU TVM VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to all of the volunteers, donors, and participants who supported the evening! If you'd like to support our program by donating, please click here.
OUR STORY BEGINS IN AFRICA
Youth and families spent four Fridays learning about dances and language of the Congo. TVM Scholars then showcased West African rhythms and traditional children's games with dance teacher Kiazi Malonga and the Mbanza Kongo dance troupe.

PAINTING TO TELL OUR STORY
TVM Scholars studied artists like Jacob Lawrence and Aaron Douglas to recreate stories of the Great Migration to the Harlem Renaissance. Youth were mentored by TVM parent-artist Natalie McBride at both middle schools created the murals featured in the pictures above.

OUR STORY IN SONG & DANCE
TVM Scholars created choreography as tribute to the Alvin Ailey, Gullah Geeches (those with ancestral lines of the Nigeria Igbos who now live in the Georgia region) and other songs of freedom.
POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD
Scholars explored the artistic expressions from the Harlem Renaissance of the works of poets and writers like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston and other spoken word pieces.
STORYTELLING THROUGH VIDEO
TVM Scholars created a digital story chronicling the Great Migration where over six million Black families left the South and moved into the Northern Cities of Harlem, Chicago, Detroit and out further West to California.

MUSICAL MENTORSHIP
TVM Scholars received musical mentorship from jazz artist Kevin Moore. Please show your thanks to Mr. Moore volunteering his time by visiting his website to purchase his music and attend upcoming shows found on his link below.

BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES
TVM sends a big thank you to the artists and vendors who shared their talents at the event. Please continue to support those who pour into our youth by choosing their services and telling others about their their expertise in your networks.

If you're interested in helping to elevate our scholars to continued greatness, please contact Info@TheVillageMethod.org in future events.
The Village Method (TVM) is an Afro- centric, grassroots nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with a vision to build capacity for social change and the advancement of Black communities in South Alameda County. Our core program is a college and career cohort system of support for youth and families from sixth grade to and through college. 

Contact Us: Info@TheVillageMethod.org (510) 470-1721
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