Empowerment through the hip-hop arts, civic engagement and activism, creative expression, critical thinking, and organic relationship building were themes that saturated the atmosphere as students, faculty, and staff corralled together in Engbretson Hall on January 24 for an engaging and enlightening kindred meeting of minds.
Braid Tales: the Zigzags and Twists of Urban Classroom Pedagogywas a delectable pre-performance prelude moderated by Dr. Rashidah Muhammad. Those commanding the panel during this compelling discourse included Jacinda Bullie, co-founder of Kuumba Lynx; Jaquanda Villegas, Co-Executive Director of Kuumba Lynx; Keith Redmond, member of Kuumba Lynx Adult Ensemble; and GSU’s very own Dr. Patrick Santoro, Assistant Professor of Communication, Visual, and Performing Arts.
“Peace, Love, Respect, Respect for Myself, Respect for Everyone” is the declaration that resonated within the confines of the hall as members of Kuumba Lynx opened the space by leading the audience in a call and response.
Kuumba Lynx is a relevant arts and education movement that was founded in 1996. Kuumba Lynx expressed how their organization teaches using hip-hop to connect to current events and issues of life, being authentic, and that no one’s story should be silenced. Every day, marginalized youth across the Chicagoland area are encouraged to grow and heal by connecting to each other’s souls, spirits and stories.
Through Braid Tales, Kuumba Lynx weaves (braids) genuine stories by incorporating hip-hop’s relevant vernacular to educate and inspire youth rather than build walls by encouraging the use of theater and performance to change each participant’s reality.
Braid Tales features Chicago’s FootworKINGz and the South Shore Drill Team.