✊🏾 KIPP NC Celebrates BHM:

African Americans and the Arts ✊🏾

This year, the country acknowledges the descendants of the African and Black Diaspora, and their influence and contributions to the arts, with the theme "African Americans and the Arts". Every day, KIPP North Carolina celebrates the lives of all Black folx of every ethnicity and nationality, and their creative contributions to the cannon of the arts - especially those who are North Carolina KIPPsters.

Each week in February, we will spotlight the artistic expressions of our Black students, alumni and staff who are unapologetically standing in their truth through their visual art, literature, music and more.

This week we highlight KIPP Gaston Pride High alumnus, Bobby Hill, '15.

If there are others who you believe should be celebrated in our upcoming newsletters or future communications, please email your recommendations to social@kippnc.org.

Bobby Hill's "Togetherness" illustrates the power of lifting as we climb🎨

Artist, graphic designer and pro bodybuilder Bobby Hill, '15, shares the story of his KIPP NC journey in this week's BHM feature. Raised in the rural recesses of Halifax County, Bobby arrived at KIPP Gaston to find a village of teachers and peers who supported his evolution as a student - and an artist - eventually earning him admission to the prestigious BFA program at Manhattan's Parsons The New School for Design. In 2023, Bobby earned a master's degree in UX Design from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

"I found that art was...an outlet for me to pique my curiosity, in terms of exploring different facets of the world, and trying to understand what [was] out there, outside of what I saw in my community," Bobby said.

At the core of Bobby's artistic journey lies a deep commitment to community and connectivity, mirroring KIPP North Carolina's core values. His painting, "Togetherness," was commissioned by KIPP North Carolina, symbolizing our shared ethos. Bobby describes the diverse hands in this piece as representing the individual journeys of our students, while their interconnectedness symbolizes our collective growth, united in purpose.

Join us in celebrating Bobby's journey and his dedication to the intersection of art and advocacy, in harmony with KIPP North Carolina's principles of excellence, integrity, curiosity, and love.

❤️ For the LOVE of KIPP ❤️

We want to hear your love stories! If you are a KIPP NC alum who met your significant other while attending a KIPP NC school, a staff member who met the love of your life working for KIPP, or you currently work with or go to school with your significant other, we would love to feature your story. 

We are collecting love stories from the KIPP NC community and would be honored to share yours. Your story can inspire others and spread love. Please take a moment to share your story with us by clicking this link or emailing us at social@kippnc.org.

Make an investment by:

• Texting 2024 to 980-400-6164
• Visiting our website at www.kippnc.org/give
• Making checks payable to KIPP North Carolina and mailing it to 1107 Holloway St., Durham, NC 27701

Durham, are you ready!?