Capturing History

Through guided discussions and hands-on activities, students will understand the political and economic reasons for the African-American migration to the north between the World Wars. Students will learn about similarities and differences between the north and south and how these changes affected the people who migrated. (Black History Month Residency Program).

Journey through Black Music History

Students will be guided through discussions and hands-on activities the history of African American music from the slave work songs, the talking drum to modern-day hip-hop. Students will also learn the significant musical figures and their styles and how it affects popular culture. Students will create their own style of music.

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Students will explore and understand the meaning of "The National Negro Anthem" in reference to author, time, purpose, circumstance, and mood. Students will use critical thinking skills and be able to discuss the language and imagery of the poem and music.

Making Your Words Dance

Students will participate in an action-packed creative learning environment where they will learn to put their words to dance. They will learn to use the various genres of African-American dance. This energetic program will link the historical and cultural significance of dance forms through the ages.

What Would You Do?

Interactive residency where students will engage in signing, storytelling an acting to examine and understand the best practices for self-control, respect, courtesy, kindness, and other good character educational traits.

Passage to Freedom (A Four Part Exploration of the Underground Railroad)

The Underground Railroad was made up of a network of people who helped slaves escape to the North, Canada and to the Rio Grande in Mexico. For the enslaved individual, running away was anything but easy. This four-part exploration of the Underground Railroad will cover the following:

The Sounds of Freedom: Music of the Underground Railroad - Students will learn how songs were coded with instructions to guide slaves on the Underground Railroad.

Signs & Symbols of Freedom: What to Look for and What to Do - Students will learn that signs and symbols of the Underground Railroad was a form of communication and used by various cultures throughout the globe. Students will learn how the Journeymen and Journeywomen used various methods to get to freedom.

The Characteristics of Freedom - Students will learn about the key characters and the characteristics that were instrumental in the survival of slavery through discussion, songs, stories and arts and crafts.

The Movement of Freedom: Dances of Freedom - Students will participate and learn the significance of the Ring Shout, Cakewalk and other dances of freedom.