50th Anniversary Celebration
Laney College, Oakland CA
Aside from the above texts, the autobiographies of Amiri Baraka and Marvin X are critical to an understanding of the Black Arts Movement, the most radical artistic and literary movement in American history.
Black Arts Movement Co-founders, Amiri Baraka (RIP) and Marvin X
Support the Black Arts Movement/Post News Group Isaiah 61 Project
"Bring the prisoners out of darkness"
Welcome from The Black Arts Movement
Welcome to the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Black Arts Movement, the most radical artistic and literary movement in American history. "If not for the Black Arts Movement, African American culture would be extinct, " says Ishmael Reed. We are honored to be in a special partnership with Laney College and the Post News Group. We are also thankful for the support of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and City Council President Lynette McElhaney.
As we look back to the early years of BAM, 1965-66, we recall our Black Arts West Theatre was invaded by San Francisco police because they objected to our use of the socalled English/American language. When we brought Flowers for the Trashman to Laney College, the OPD threatened us with arrest if we performed. We recall the show did go on, in spite of police threats. Fifty years later things have changed a little, and yes, things have stayed the same. We are still in battle with the culture police who want to censure our use of the American language. In the BAM tradition, there are no obscene words, only obscene conditions; no profanity, only profane conditions. We must therefore jump out the box of our psycho-linguistic crisis and deal with conditions rather than cherry pick the American language for political correctness in the era of abject political chaos and moral hypocrisy.
With the above in mind, we welcome you to this celebration of the Black Arts Movement, founded by such artistic freedom fighters as Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, The Last Poets, Askia Toure, Haki Madhubuti, Woody King, Kalamu Ya Salaam, Sun Ra, Barbara Ann Teer, Avotcja, Judy Juanity, Ed Bullins and Marvin X.
The Bay Area played a critical role in the national Black Arts Movement, especially with such publications as Soulbook, Black Dialogue, Journal of Black Poetry and the Black Scholar. Along with Liberator, Black Theatre Magazine and Negro Digest/Black World, the Bay Area provided a critical voice to the national movement of artistic freedom fighters, to quote ancestor Paul Robeson.
We therefore recognize Bay Area BAM workers such as Adam David Miller, Marc Primus,
Ruth Beckford, Ellendar Barnes, Raymond Sawyer, Sarah Webster Fabio, John Doyle, Judy Juanita, Avotcja, Jose Goncalves, Ken and Carol Freeman, Abdul Sabrey, Aubrey LaBrie, Arthur Sheridan, Al Young, Duke Williams, Dr. Nathan Hare and Dr. Julia Hare.
Yes, we are standing on the shoulders of our ancestors. We hear them calling, saying stand up, be free, stand up, be free! But if we have a theme, it is passing the baton to the next generation of artistic freedom fighters. We will showcase some of them today. Those of us who are elders, welcome with open arms the BAM/Black Powers Babies 2.0 and 3.0. It is your turn now, just know we are here to guide you with wisdom so you need not reinvent the wheel and make critical mistakes. As we heard ancestor Martin Luther King, Jr. say in a speech, "Don't get caught in the paralysis of analysis."
In the BAM tradition, we shall go from Laney College to the community. We are calling for the Black Arts Movement District along the 14th Street corridor, from Martin Luther King, Jr. Way to Alice Street. We are honored to have the support of Mayor Libby Schaaf and City Council President Lynette McElhaney. Power to the people! BAM!
In closing, we thank the William James Prison Art Project for making possible (on short notice) the exhibit of San Quentin Prison art. We thank Paul Cobb of the Post News Group for proposing the exhibit under BAM/Post News Group Isaiah 61 Project. Most of all, thank you Laney College Presidnet, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, faculty, staff and students. Thank all you artists for giving your time and talents as we proceed to complete the BAM 27 City Tour suggested by ancestor Amiri Baraka.
--Marvin X, BAM 27 City Project Director
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| BAM co-founder Marvin X and Laney College President Elnora T. Webb in planning meeting with Laney faculty and staff. photo Adam Turner |
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Tamika Brown and Alicia Christenson,Co-chairs of the Ethnic Studies Department Photo Adam Turner |
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| Carol Newborg, MX, Dr. Leslee Stradford, Curator of Laney BAM Exhibit |
Elena Seranno, Director of Eastside Arts, Alameda County Supervisor Marvin Keith Carson and Black Arts Movement co-founder Marvin X. Elena and Marvin X received Commendation from Alameda Country Board of Supervisors acknowledging the 50th Anniversary of the Black Arts Movement, founded on the east coast by Amiri Baraka with his Black Arts Repertory School in Harlem, 1965, and on the west coast by Marvin X and his Black Arts West Theatre in the Fillmore District of San Francisco, 1966.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf supports the Black Arts Movement
“Oakland is lucky to have an incredibly talented and diverse art community. The African American Arts Movement is a vital, historically significant part of the Oakland Arts Community. With its focus on justice, equality and self-realization, the message of black artists is crucial to support. From rage to celebration, art allows expression, and expression is essential to a community as varied as Oakland. The recent 1% for Public Art that I authored ensures that new art will be a priority in Oakland in the future. I agree with Post Publisher Paul Cobb that BAM 50th Anniversary celebration should encompass all cultural genres: visual, literary, and performance. Age-appropriate books for African American students about the Black Arts Movement will literally bring the lesson home for families to share and aspire to.”--Mayor Libby Schaaf
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The depth and breadth of the contributions of the Black Arts Movement to this community are enormous.
– Oakland City Councilmember, Desley Brooks |
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| Oakland City Council President Lynette McElhaney, Empress Diamond, Marvin X |
President McElhaney will introduce a resolution declaring 14th Street The Black Arts Movement District
10:00 AM--Black Arts Movement Physical Wellness Boot Camp, facilitated by Michael Bennett's Wellness Team from the YMCA, HP/Bayview:
Michael Bennett/ Physical Activity, Nutrition Health and Wellness Director.
11:00AM-- Peer Group on Mental Wellness: How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy Peer Group, facilitated by Dr. Nathan Hare and Suzzette Celeste, MPA, MSW
Location: Student Union, Room 401
12 Noon--Book Fair--authors speak, MC Aries Jordan; music by D.J. Lamont
Authors: James Gayles, Aries Jordan, Judy Juanita, Duane Deterville, Menhuam Ayele, Dr. Nathan Hare, Avotcja, Elaine Brown, Kweli Tutshainda, Phavia Kujichagulia, Marvin X
2pm--Open Mike Poetry/Speak Out, MC Javier Reyes
2pm--BAM and Black Women Writers Panel; moderated by Elaine Brown; invited panelists: Judy Juanita, Avojtcha, Aries Jordan, Phavia Kujichagulia, Portia Anderson, Nefertiti Jackmon
Location: Odell Johnson Theatre
4pm Black Arts Movement/Black Power Babies panel, moderated by Davey D; invited panelists: Phavia Kujichagulia and Taiwo; Dr. Ayodele Nzinga and Stanley; Terry Collins and Renya; Walter Riley and Boots Riley; Marvin X and Nefertiti
Performance by YGB of Youth Speaks
Location: Odell Johnson Theatre
Note: BAM/Black Power Babies is the creation of Muhammida El Muhajir, daughter of Nisa Ra and Marvin X. Muhammida now lives in Ghana, West Africa.
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| Nisa Ra, Muhammida El Muhajir, Marvin X |
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BAM/Black Power Baby, Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey,son of Amina and Amiri Baraka |
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| MX and Black Power Baby (Panther Cub) Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr. of the Prisoners of Consciousness Committee (POCC) |
6pm - RECEPTION IN THE ART GALLERY: EXHIBIT OF SAN QUENTIN PRISON ART and Bay Area Visual Artists; curated by Professor Leslee Stradford;
Community visual artists: Emory, James Gayles, Duane Deterville, Malik Seneferu, Woody Johnson, Renaldo Rickets, Claude Clark
Host, Paul Cobb, Publisher, Post News Group
Invocation, Suzzette Celeste, Practitioner & Social Justice Activist
Welcome, Laney College President, Dr. Elnora T. Webb
Words of Wisdom from Elder Conway Jones, Jr.
Proclamation of Black Arts Movement District, Libby Schaaf, Mayor of Oakland
Councilwoman Lynette McElhaney on the Black Arts Movement District
Councilwoman Desley Brooks
Music by Earle Davis and Oaktown Passions
Location: Laney Art Gallery, Tower Building
7pm Laney College Theatre: Marvin X's BAM classic play Flowers for the Trashman,
introductory remarks by Dr. Nathan Hare, father of Black Studies, founding publisher of the Black Scholar Magazine
Produced by The Lower Bottom Playaz
Director: Dr. Ayodele Nzinga
Location: Odell Johnson Theatre
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| Collage by Adam Turner of the Black Arts Movement Poet's Choir and Arkestra performing at the Malcolm X Jazz/Art Festival, May 17, 2014 |
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| BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra at BAM Conference, University of California, Merced, Feb./Mar 2014; a Kim McMillan/Marvin X production |
8pm Black Arts Movement Poet's Choir and Arkestra with special guests John Santos, Muziki Roberson, Phavia Kujichagulia. BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra members: Joan Tarika Lewis, Avotcja, Aries Jordan, Samantha Akwei, Genny Lim, Paradise Jah Love, Mechelle LaChaux, Tureada Mikell, Val Serrant, Tacuma King, Earle Davis, Lakiba Pittman, Kalamu Chache', Rashidah Sabreen, Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, Zena Allen, Destiny Muhammad, Marvin X (Director)
Location: Odell Johnson Theatre
Page 5
Executive Planning Committee
Paul Cobb
Conway Jones, Jr.
Samantha Akwei
Dr. Elnora T. Webb
Dr. Leslee Stradford
Michael Bennett
LaNiece Jones
Nefertiti Jackmon
Muhammida El Muhajir
Amira Jackmon, Esq.
Hasan James
Dr. Nathan Hare
Suzzette Celeste
Page 6
Black Arts Movement Presenters
Dr. Leslee Stradford was born in Chicago Illinois. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Art Education and Master of Fine Arts degrees from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, (SAIC) She also completed her Doctorate in Art Education and Educational Administration from Illinois State University. Dr. Stradford’s visual art includes social, cultural and historical documentation through digital images, painted canvases and printed silks.
San Quentin Artists:Brendan Murdock
Flex Lucero
Ronnie Goodman
Justin Evans
M. Wasi
Gary Harrell
J Fowler
M. Crookes
Rolf Kissman
Michael Williams
Khalfah Christensen
Stan Bey
Mayor Libby Schaaf was elected Oakland’s 50th mayor, taking office on January 5, 2015. A lifelong Oaklander, graduate of Skyline High School, and former City Councilmember, Mayor Schaaf is honored to serve the people of Oakland and to help promote her hometown as the greatest place to live, work, play, and do business. In keeping with Oakland’s heritage as a birthplace of social movements, she is committed to ensuring the safety, education and equitable treatment of all Oakland residents as well as transparency and innovation in government. She is dedicated to bringing about revitalization in the City that preserves and celebrates Oakland’s vibrancy and diversity and leads to direct prosperity for long-time residents and newcomers. Lynette McElhaney
Oakland City Councilmember - District 3
Lynette has more than 20 years experience in housing and community development. Since 2001, Lynette Gibson McElhaney has served as the Executive Director and CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services of the East Bay, a HUD-approved non-profit dedicated to affordable housing development, counseling and advocacy. In her current capacity, Lynette manages a $2 million rental real estate portfolio and supports critical counseling services to more than 400 households annually through well respected foreclosure mitigation and first-time home buyer programs. Under her leadership NHS has developed or rehabilitated over 100 affordable homes including the development of Richmond Village- a 82 unit mixed-income HOPE VI redevelopment effort. NHS East Bay has been at the forefront of Contra Costa's foreclosure crisis, launching the first public awareness campaign with the support of Congressman George Miller.
Lynette is proud to have spent her career working hard to develop housing and economic opportunity in low-income communities. She believes that her experience as the Executive Director of NHS has trained her to balance a large budget, make a payroll, and bridge the interests of the business community with the needs of the neighborhood. Lynette envisions a healthy city as one that balances a vibrant business sector with a commitment to economic justice for all residents. She supports the Black Arts Movement District along the 14th Street corridor.
Conway B. Jones, Jr. is a patriot, businessman and arts patron. His adult life is marked by service to country, community and the Arts.The Arts have always been his passion. He served as chairman of the Oakland (California) Arts Council in the mid 1980s. He is a former member of the Alameda County (California) Arts Commission. As an art patron, he has donated art locally, regionally, nationally, and to foreign governments. From 1985, has served on numerous Music Panels, convened by the National Endowment for the Arts, in Washington, D.C.
During his tenure as chairman of the Western Aerospace Museum (renamed Oakland Aviation Museum), Oakland, California, from 1984 until 1988, he established the Museum’s first home at North Field, Oakland International Airport, Oakland, California.
Dr. Elñora Tena Webb is President of Laney College in Oakland, CA. She has led the College to greater levels of student success and has ensured the College’s reaffirmation of accreditation, integrated planning and budgeting, sound resource management, community partnerships, institutional assessment and overall advancement. Prior to her appointment as President, Dr. Webb served as the Vice President of Instruction from 2005–2009, and as a Division Dean from 2002–2005. Dr. Webb consistently demonstrates ethical, visionary and collaborative leadership in a range of administrative roles within all systems of higher education in California.
John Santos Multi-Grammy-nominated percussionist, and US Artists Fontanals Fellow, John Santos, is a prolific Afro-Latin band leader, composer, teacher, writer, and producer with over 40 years professional experience. He has worked with acknowledged masters including Cachao, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Bebo Valdés, Max Roach, Eddie Palmieri, Francisco Aguabella and Omar Sosa. He has composed and published over 100 original compositions, his record company, Machete Records, was formed in 1984, and he is part of the faculty at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, California and at the College of San Mateo. He has taught nationally and internationally since 1973 and currently directs the highly acclaimed John Santos Sextet.
Val Serrant. Originally from the Republic Of Trinidad & Tobago, Serrant plays the drum and steel drum & has been in-tune with the West Coast "Black Arts Movement" since moving to San Francisco in 1975. At the time he resided with Danny Glover & Family. He is also the co-Founder of "Caribbean All Stars”, “Afrika Heartbeat","Riddim Time"& "The Journey"{with Tarika Lewis & Tacuma King}. He is also a member of: -"Jazzological Muse-Oetry"{led by Kujichagulia Phavia} and. "Avotcja & Modupue".
Ken Johnson South Park Kenny is a native San Franciscan: photographer for Bay View News, Sun Reporter News, and Post News. TV Producer on KQED Ch9, SF Public Access TV, Independent Productions. Presently Co-host The New Stimulus Package. Weekly live cable TV program on SF Comcast cable TV 29 & 76. He is a longtime associate of Marvin X.
Avotcja is a poet, playwright, multi-percussionist, photographer and teacher. She has been published in English & Spanish in the USA, Mexico & Europe, and in numerous anthologies. She is a Bay Area icon with her group Avotcja & Modúpue. Avotcja is a Radio Personality, and the Founder/Director of “The Clean Scene Theater Project (AKA) Proyecto Teatral De La Escena Sobria.” Avotcja is a proud member of DAMO (Disability Advocates of Minorities Organization), PEN Oakland, California Poets In The Schools, and IWWG & is an ASCAP recording artist.
Val Serrant Originally from the Republic Of Trinidad & Tobago, Serrant plays the drum and has been in-tune with the West Coast Black Arts Movement since moving to San Francisco in 1975. At the time he resided with Danny Glover & Family. He is also the co-founder of "Caribbean All Stars”, “Afrika Heartbeat","Riddim Time"and"The Journey"(with Tarika Lewis and Tacuma King). He is a member of "Jazzological Muse-Oetry" (led by Kujichagulia Phavia) and "Avotcja & Modupue".
Tacuma King is a percussionist and master drummer. He regularly performs locally, nationally and internationally. Marvin X would not perform without Tacuma. "He has great respect for the spoken word as a musician."
Poetess Kalamu Chaché was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and has lived and worked in East Palo Alto, California since the 1960s. She is a published poet, singer/songwriter, author, strong community advocate, promotions specialist and the current Poet Laureate of East Palo Alto, CA. She is a Ubiquity Records recording artist with the Sons and Daughters of Lite and Undercurrent Records recording artist on the ‘Frontliners’ album series for the National Black United Front (1984-1987). Poetess Chaché’s current cultural arts initiatives: Ancestors Page & Tribute Publications, Event Flyers Design, Publication Publicity & Promotion Services, Sistahs With Ink Blog Radio Host, Wednesday Poets Showcases & Artist Profiles and Facebook Features
Terry Collins was born in Lansing, Michigan, January 29, 1936. Raised in Connersville, Indiana and Los Angeles, California, Collins participated in the restructuring of the San Francisco State College BSU and TWLF, from the Fall of 1967 to the Summer of 1969, and the strike that continued for 4 months, that
brought the concept of Black Studies and Third World Studies (later renamed Ethnic Studies) to be instituted at San Francisco State University. Terry is President of KPOO Radio Board, San Francisco.
Aries Jordan the poetic goddess is New York native with something to say. Aries weaves prose, proverbs and cultural narratives into beautiful master pieces that provoke thought and inner reflection. She dares to be vulnerable in her writing as she shares the beauty and pain of being alive in this time. In 2011 she released a collection of poems entitled " Journey to Womanhood: A poetic Rite of Passage" through Black Bird Press.
Aries’s poetry has been highlighted in "The Journal of Pan African Studies: Poetry Addition", “Stand Our Ground: Poems for Trayvon Martin and Marissa Alexander” and "Coming Back to Life". Aries is the host and Co-Creator of the “Feeding the Artist Within” a series dedicated to artistic expression that inspires and transforms lives at J Posh Studio and Design. Aries is expected to release her new collection of poems "The Evolution of A Poetic Goddess" in 2015.
Nefertitti Jackmon is a lover of life. She enjoys her work as a mother, a nonprofit consultant and strategist, a published writer and an adjunct professor at Houston Community College. She obtained her BA in English from Fresno State and her MA in Africana Studies from the University of Albany. She appeared in the Nikki Giovanni anthology Grandfathers.
Mrs. Taiwo Kujichagulia-Seitu is a coloratura soprano, dancer, educator and griot (historian, storyteller, entertainer, musician, praise singer). Functionally using the arts to tell the history of African Americans, Taiwo weaves inspiring and uplifting tales for audiences of all ages utilizing a combination of Spirituals, Gospel, Praise Dance and traditional West African dance and drumming. Taiwo’s annual production entitled “Go Tell It! – A Harriet Tubman Christmas Story” has become a Bay Area holiday tradition. Highlights of “Go Tell It!” include the cast’s moving performances of Taiwo’s original arrangements of many well-known and loved Spirituals. Honored by the Friends of Negro Spirituals as a Negro Spirituals Heritage Keeper, in addition to arranging Spirituals, Taiwo lectures on their development, correct historical context and the coding found within.
Currently, Taiwo teaches music for Berkeley City College, and dance and math at Ile Omode School. Additionally, she is the co-founder and CEO of Lyric Performing Arts Academy (LPAA). In addition to this all, Taiwo is a wife and mother and enjoys spending time with her loving husband, Obara ‘Six’ Awoyefa, and daughters, Sassafras Rose and Saije Orisa-Damilola Awoyefa.
Earle Davis Jazz trumpeter and visual artist, Earle Davis began studying the trumpet in 1947. In 1968, Earle played with John Coltrane at the Jazz Workshop. He then moved from San Francisco to New York City, continuing to work as a bandleader, sideman, and visual artist. While on the New York scene, he worked with such renowned jazz artists as Joe Henderson and the Kenny Dorham Big Band for two years. He later joined the Sun-Ra Orchestra as an on – off member until Sun-Ra’s death in the late 90s. During his stay in New York, he also worked with other jazz greats on the Avant-Garde scene (new music movement) such as Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, Oliver Lake, Roland Alexander, Sam Rivers, Roland Kirk, Jackie Byards’s Apollo Stompers Big Band and Roswell Rudd. In 1971, Earle joined the legendary Miles Davis Band for a guest appearance at The Both/And Jazz Club at Miles’ request. Miles’ band at the time included Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, Buster Williams, and Wayne Shorter. Earle Davis is a permanent fixture on the New York City Jazz scene and the underground art movement as well. Earle, now the president of the newly formed Musician Co-op (Blue Gorilla) in New York City, remains focused on his creative sources as a bi-coastal artist. Earle Davis coined the term “En-cog- Negro” in 1984. This term refers to existing outside the box. He is also the father of “Blazz” (2005), which stands for Brain Liberated Artz, a new concept of black classical music.
Nathan Hare was born April 9, 1933. In 1965 while teaching at Howard University he wrote “The Black Anglo Saxons” and in 1968 he was the first person hired to coordinate a black studies program in the United States, at San Francisco State University. He was the founding publisher of the Black Scholar from 1969 to 1975. In addition to numerous accolades, he has written dozens of articles in a number of scholarly journals and popular magazines, from The Black Scholar and Ebony to Newsweek, Saturday Review and The Times of London. Dr. Hare is an author and has written several books in collaboration with his wife, Dr. Julia Hare. The Hares were also catalysts for the black male/female relationships movement and the rites of passage movement for black boys.
Billy X Jennings joined the Black Panther Party at 17 years of age, and worked on the First Free Breakfast Program at St. Augustine Church in 1969. Jennings worked In East Oakland for the Black Panther Party, and later transferred to their national headquarters. He was Huey P. Newton’s aide in 1971 and in 1972, ran Bobby Seale’s mayoral campaign office. In 1995, Jennings helped establish It’s About Time/ Black Panther Party alumni committee and hosted the 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th year reunions of the Black Panther Party. Jennings started the website It’s About Time in 1998 to maintain the BPP Legacy. It’s about Time has a traveling photo exhibit which has been exhibited all over America and in London, Ireland, Portugal, Tanzania, and Australia where he has taught since 1998.
Ms. Joan Tarika Lewis Visual and performing artist J. Tarika Lewis is often referred to as a “Renaissance Women” and Jimi Hendrix on electric violin. She teaches visual arts within the public and charter schools bringing an extensive professional background in illustrating greeting cards, posters, book illustration, banners, architectural and stage design. Ms. Lewis is currently designing an original product line for “Kimmies’s Kitchen” TV program and Strings of Soul Violin classes. Ms. Lewis performs locally with a new dynamic Black Rock Band ‘AMA EVOLUTION’, the Bobby Young Project Blues Band and “The Journey” with percussionist Tacuma King and Val Serrant, bringing West African music and audience interaction to bay area campuses. For many years Ms. Lewis toured nationally and internationally with a jazz band featuring the renowned alto saxophonist John Handy with Class. Ms. Lewis is most proud of her heritage, being the daughter of John Henry Lewis (first African American to win the title Light Heavyweight Champion of the World) and mother Florence R. Lewis daughter of California pioneers. Before California became a state her grandfather Capt William Henry Galt organized a militia in Sacramento California to help prevent California falling into the hands of the Confederacy and prevent rekidnapping of African Americans seeking asylum. Ms. Lewis is a graduate of the Academy of Art and Cal State Hayward.
Genny Lim has performed as a feature poet at the San Francisco Jazz Center’s Jazz Poetry Festival in June 2013. She has collaborated with many musicians, such as Jon Jang, Francis Wong, John Santos and the late Max Roach and Herbie Lewis. She has appeared at World Poetry Festivals in Venezuela, Sarajevo and Naples. Her seminal play, “Paper Angels,” received a SF Fringe Festival Award in 2010 and her solo performance piece, “Where is Tibet?” was presented at CounterPULSE, in 2009 and Afro SoloArts Festival and Women of the Way Festival in 2011. She is author of three poetry collections, Winter Place, Child of War and Paper Gods and Rebels and co-author of Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island, which will be republished in a new and expanded edition.
Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD is Marvin X's prize pupil. She is an actress, director, producer, and internationally published author. Pri Thomas called her the best of our time. Ishmael Reed describes her as a tour de force. Nzinga is by all accounts a renaissance woman; she is the founder producing director of The Lower Bottom Playaz, Inc , Oakland's premiere North American African Theater Company. She is committed to the production of The August Wilson Century Cycle in chronological order. Her troupe in residence at The Flight Deck uptown Oakland, will present the last two installments in the ten installment cycle in 2015, making Nzinga and her troupe the first theater company on the planet to present the entire cycle in order. Contact Dr.Nzinga at wordslanger@gmail.com
Fantastic Negrito
Val Serrant Originally from the Republic Of Trinidad & Tobago, Serrant plays the drum and steel drum & has been in-tune with the West Coast "Black Arts Movement" since moving to San Francisco in 1975. At the time he resided with Danny Glover & Family. He is also the co-Founder of "Caribbean All Stars”, “Afrika Heartbeat","Riddim Time"& "The Journey"{with Tarika Lewis & Tacuma King}. He is also a member of: -"Jazzological Muse-Oetry"{led by Kujichagulia Phavia} and. "Avotcja & Modupue".
James Gayles is an Emmy Award winning artist based in Oakland, California. James attended Pratt Institute in New York, where he studied under renowned painters Jacob Lawrence and super realist Audrey Flack. James has won public art commissions from cities across the US and Asia. He is very committed to cultivating artists and sharing his work in the Bay Area where he has lived for the last 20 years. As a commercial artist early in his career, he established himself in New York as a Graphic Designer and illustrator, becoming Assistant Director of Graphics at NewsCenter 4, NBC-TV. AtNBC he won a television Emmy Award for design and illustration. James is also a two-time winner of Art Direction Magazine’s Creativity Award, one for the News Center 4 logo redesign, and the other for an editorial illustration for the New York Times.James has illustrated for McGraw-Hill, Random House, Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, as well as several advertising agencies on both the East and West coasts.
Aqueila M. Lewis A Bay Area Native and resident of Oakland, CA, Aqueila M. Lewis has been writing poetry since she was in high school. As a multi-talented artist, she is well-versed in composing, singing, modeling, poetry/spoken word, journalism (print and radio) and more. Aqueila is a graduate of Napa Valley College and UC Berkeley. Aqueila’s work has been published in numerous magazines, newspapers, KPFA 94.1 FM Radio’s First Voice Media Apprenticeship Program and Full Circle Show, National Radio Project Making Contact Storytelling Fellowship, Sistah’s With Ink Voices anthology, Reflections: A Collaboration Between Painting And Literature and Til Death Do Us Part All Lady Warrior Zine. She is the Co-host and Executive Producer of “All the Rest of Us” which airs Sundaysfrom 3pm-4pm on KPFB 89.3 FM Radio. She is the Co-host and Co-Founder of Urban Hang Suite,a Open Mic, Showcase and Mixer in San Pablo, CA. She is currently creating children’s books focused on issues in relation to social justice and community.
Samantha Akweialso known as Brok'N Sylance (Broken Silence) is a native of Harlem, New York that shares a love for people, poetry and the planet. After winning the Knicks Poetry Slam in 2005 and the Urban Word Poetry Slam in 2007, Ms. Akwei became inspired to continue to use her voice as a catalyst for change and since has been an active member of several social justice organizations. She currently holds a BA in English from Spelman College and works for the national environmental organization Green For All in Oakland. Having written her final paper on Amiri Baraka she was instantly drawn to assist Marvin X in reviving the Black Arts Movement.
Suzzette Celeste Johnson, MSW, MPA has breadth and depth in the health and human services field which spans public health, alcohol and other drugs services, mental health, criminal justice, and education. Her experience includes direct services, program planning and development, systems coordination/integration, health services administration, and training. Ms. Johnson’s professional and personal mission is to achieve health equity through developing transformational leadership approaches, fostering collaborations and coalitions, changing organizational practices, and educating providers. She is a skilled facilitator, educator, critical thinker and perennial student of cultural humility, shifting paradigms, and Universal Spiritual Principles.
Empress Diamond Healer, Spiritual Consultant, Botanist, Certified Herbalist, Iridologist, and Natural Health Consultant. Specializing in Dry Blood Cell Analysis and Mayan Womb Massage; a protocol used to re-set the fallen wombs of women to its proper place of balance within the Reproductive System. Visit her online: papyrusherbals.com
Sistah Kujichagulia - Griot (Djialli Ba), educator, activist, and cultural artist, Phavia Kujichagulia is a former Professor of Ethnomusicology & African Civilizations at World College West and Stanford University’s Workshop on Political & Social Issues. In 2002, Sistah Kujichagulia was a member of the United States Delegation to the 2
ndWorld Conference Against Racism (WCAR - Culture & Spirituality Committee) in the Caribbean country of Barbados. She has performed and lectured extensively throughout the continental USA, the Caribbean, and England and currently writes for the San Francisco Examiner Online Newspaper. Phavia Kujichagulia’s latest book,
Recognizing & Resolving the Roots of Racismis a must-read for those serious about eliminating racism. It is available online and can be ordered through any book store [ISBN 978-1-4507-4050-0]. For more info visit
www.kujichaguliaphavia.com
CAST of Flowers for the Trashman by Marvin X, directed by Dr. Ayodele Nzinga
Pierre Scott, Negro: debuted as Mr. West in Two Trains Running with The Lower Bottom Playaz, Inc. He also played Fielding in Jitney. An Oakland native who is honored to be a part of the Lower Bottom Playaz Troupe, Pierre is an aspiring writer, voice actor, coach, husband, and active father of six. His crisp baritone voice is melodic and demands of attention. Pierre would like to thank Director Dr. Ayo Nzinga for her patience, guidance, and instruction on self-expression. Pierre would like to give special thanks to his family for their support and an extra special thanks to his father who demanded that he read aloud as a child in order to fine tune his vocal skills
Koran Streets, Wes: Streets recently appeared as Shealy in Jitney and Sterling in Two Trains Running with The Lower Bottom Playaz. Streets is a film star, musician, and a core troupe member. He has appeared in each installment of The American Century Cycle staged by LBP. He played Citizen Barlow in Gem of the Ocean, Jeremy in Joe Turner has Come and Gone and Levee in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. He costarred in the film LICKS and will appear in each coming installment of The Century Cycle.
Stanley T. Hunt, II, Joe: Stanley was named best actor in the film LICKS at the Chelsea film festival in New York. He appeared as Wolf in Two Trains Running. He is a core member of The Lower Bottom Playaz and has been on stage since age 9. He has appeared in over 30 plays. He was named actor to watch by the South-by-South West film festival in 2013. He has appeared in 6 productions of Wilson’s work. He has appeared as Caesar in Gem of the Ocean, Herald Loomis in Joe Turner’s come and Gone, and Toledo in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Stanley is also a talented musical artist.
Reginald Wilkins, Whiteman: appeared as Holloway in Two Trains Running and as Turbo in Jitney with The Lower Bottom Playaz. . Reginald Silverback Wilkins, originally from Baytown, TX, is a distinguished member of the world famous Pan Theatre Improv troupe, lead singer for the band Nephalim and an artist whose work has been featured in various exhibits. He is also the creator of the comic strips "Bete Downs" along with the soon to be published, "Smoke". We welcome his impressive presence to The Lower Bottom Playaz, Inc
Nate Hi Beats Hatton, Jailer, is a music producer, the light and sound director for The Lower Bottom Playaz who is usually more comfortable behind the scenes. He has appeared on stage in Lower Bottom Playaz productions and reprises his role as Jailer in this BAM classic.
Marvin X Born Marvin Ellis Jackmon May 29, 1944, Marvin X is a poet, playwright, essayist educator, organizer, producer, publisher. His parents published the Fresno Voice, a Black newspaper in Fresno during the late 1940s. The family moved to West Oakland. They had a florist shop on 7th Street. Marvin X went to McFeely, Prescott and Lowell Jr. High. He graduated from Edison High, Fresno, then enrolled at Merritt College, where he met fellow classmates Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, founders of the Black Panther Party.
One of the primary movers and shakers of the Black Arts Movement coast to coast, he has published 30 books, including essays, poetry, parables, fables, proverbs and his autobiography Somethin’ Proper. He received his MA in English/Creative Writing from San Francisco State University where his first play was produced by the drama department while he was an undergrad. He has taught at numerous colleges and universities, including Fresno State University, San Francisco State University, University of California, Berkeley and San Diego, University of Nevada, Reno, Mills College, Laney and Merritt. Important books include Fly Allah, poems, Beyond Religion, toward Spirituality, essays on consciousness, and How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy, a manual based on the 12 step Recovery model. Ishmael Reed says, “Marvin X is Plato teaching on the streets of Oakland. Marvin's play One Day in the Life is the most powerful drama I've seen!” His latest book is the Wisdom of Plato Negro, parables/fables, Black Bird Press, Berkeley. He currently teaches at his Academy of da Corner, 14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland. He is carrying out Amiri Baraka's directive to spread BAM to the 27 cities with large populations of North American Africans. Oakland is the first stop and will be a model for other cities, especially the Black Arts Movement District.
Page 7
Academic Committee
William Riley, Peralta College District Board of Trustees
Dr. Elnora T. Webb, President, Laney College
Dr. Leslee Stradford, Instructor, Art Department, Curator BAM Exhibit
Judy Juanita, Instructor, author, activist BAM/Black Power Movement
Phyllis Carter, Laney Director of Business and Administrative Services
Phoumy Sayavong, Dean of Humanities, Social Sciences & Applied Technology
Tamika Brown and Alicia Christenson,Co-chairs of the Ethnic Studies Department.
Jim Cave, Odell Johnson Theatre technical director
Eric Smith, Staff Assistant in Laney Business Office
Kinetta Barnett, Laney Facilities Services Specialist
Randolph Belle, Communications Director for President Webb.
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Documentation
Photographers/videographers/writers
Ken Johnson
Kamau Amen Ra
Khalid Waajib
Adam Turner
Gene Hazzard
Malika Kambon
Aqueila Lewis
Page 9
Donations
Nikki Giovanni
Paul Cobb
Delores Nochi Edwards
Suzzette Celeste Johnson
Dr. Elnora T. Webb
Conway Jones, Jr.
Leon and Carolyn Teasley
Doris and Rashid Easley
Inder Singh
Amira Jackmon, Esq.
Debra Jackmon
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Special Thanks
Paul Cobb, Publisher, Post News Group
Terry Collins, KPOO Radio
Davey D, KPFA Hardknocks Radio
Greg Bridges, KPFA, Transitions on Traditions
KBLX
Laney College Radio
Peralta College TV
Faisa Ali, Peralta Social Media
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Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour
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Dr. Cornel West, Samantha Akwei, poet/organizer, assistant to Marvin X Photo Adam Turner |
Cornel West supports Marvin X and the Black Arts Movement's 27 City Tour that honors Ancestor Amiri Baraka. West called on all cities with populations of North American Africans to invite the BAM 27 City Tour, especially his hometown of Sacramento CA. "If they will bring BAM to Sacramento, I will participate."
Radical Women took up the defense of Marissa because our experience has shown that justice for women who defend themselves is won through grassroots community organizing as much as it is in the courtroom. It is thanks to the collective efforts of many individuals and groups that Marissa is out of prison. Your phone calls, letters, demonstrations and actions pressured the courts to overturn her conviction and 20-year sentence.
Left to Right, Dr. Wade Nobles, Professor Emeritus, San Francisco State University; Elaine Brown, former Chairwoman of the Black Panther Party and Marvin X, co-founder of the Black Arts Movement.
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