THE OEI BULLETIN
This edition of the OEI Bulletin is published in celebration of Black History Month. By exploring the influence of Black historical figures, artists, institutions, and stories, this newsletter aims to uplift the Black community at Porter’s and beyond. This bulletin will dive into the life and legacy of Black writer and activist James Baldwin, appreciate the influence of Black artists in the music and art industries, and highlight the importance of His-
torically Black Colleges and Universities. We are incredibly grateful for our guest writers, Jamiah Bennet, Katrina Council, and ashley amoabeng, for their contributions to this bulletin. Their pieces insightfully and personally explore Black identities in education, and welcome exploration of Black heritage. We hope that this bulletin allows you to both learn about and celebrate Black identities during and past Black History Month.
Black History 365
By Katrina Council - Guest WriterWhat Black History Month means to me.
As a historian and educator, I always frame my teaching through the lens of what I would have wanted to see in the curriculum growing up. I remember once in high school, I asked my teacher why we were only reading books by white male authors, and he remarked that it’s canon and they are essential. In his response, I heard that people who look like me are not important enough to study or read literature.
So whenever I teach, I try to highlight Black artists, historians, and authors who have made my life better by learning about them. At some point in adulthood, I looked into this “canon” to see who is represented, and there was only one Black author, Toni Morrison, and her book Beloved. While this is a phenomenal book, to me it highlighted that Black people were only significant when discussing the trauma and struggles we go through. Think about all of the books that you have read and how many of them specifically celebrate Black joy; this list is too short I understand that the Black experience is essential, but I would have loved to have Tiana when I was younger; I would have loved to have Tomi Adeyemi and her books to show me that African and Black culture, folklore, and storytelling are essential to understanding who we are, from where we’ve come, and where we are going.
Black History Month always makes me cringe because it is when companies, schools, and various other businesses have sales and new items to highlight the contributions Black people make, all of which come across as disingenuous. Black history didn’t happen in a vacuum and therefore should not be studied in a vacuum. As an educator, I try to ascribe to Black History 365 because without the contributions of Black people, this country would not be the country it is today. As a young kid, I spent time at the library picking books that interested me. During this time, there are three people I learned about, who
have guided me throughout my life.
• First is Thurgood Marshall, an activist and the first Black person to sit on the Supreme Court. I wanted to be like him and break barriers wherever I went.
• Shirley Chisolm showed me that it is possible for not only a woman but a Black woman to be president of the United States, being the first Black woman to be elected to Congress, and the first Black woman who was a major party’s candidate for President of the United States.
• Madam C.J. Walker taught me not only to love my natural hair but also how to care for it.
These pioneers gave me the confidence to understand that anything is possible, and I have spent my entire life trying to live up to the example they gave me. Black history should not be relegated to one month; there shouldn’t be a time frame on when we highlight, teach, and discuss the importance of the same few Black people. Let’s branch out and learn about the trailblazers who made it possible for all of our favorite modern-day celebrities to have the opportunities they have now. We also need to let our Black students know that we are a phenomenal group of people who are worthy of being celebrated all year round, and they are worthy of being a part of the curriculum we teach. This month, for Black History Month, there are two bulletin boards in Hamilton, one on the first floor which highlights impressive Black women in history, and the second floor which celebrates various Black men in history. I focused on some famous Black historical figures while also using the space to highlight some people who may not be as well-known to our Porter’s community. I wanted to show you the past and the present of Black history, and my fellow Black, African, and African American students, are the future, so go and find your hero and remember that just because it isn’t taught in school does not mean that it isn’t vital.
Questions from students for Jamiah Bennett
By Jamiah Bennett - Guest WriterWhat are some moments where you have felt empowered by your identity as a Black woman in the field of education?
There are a number of moments where I have felt empowered by my identity as a Black woman in the field of education. I’ll speak to one of them. I don’t think I will ever forget one of the first interactions that I had with the parent of a Black student here at Porter’s. It was at one of the BIPOC family receptions at the beginning of the 2021 - 2022 school year, the beginning of my first year here. The parent came up to me and told me that my presence on the campus has made a difference in their child’s life. She went on to say that their child could see someone daily who looked like them, felt they could relate to, and was representative of a goal that they had. The parent thanked me for coming to work here, and for being a role model to their child.
As I mentioned this was at the beginning of my very first year here and, in complete transparency, I was having feelings of imposter syndrome. I was also not super confident in the work that I was doing. However, this interaction helped me feel empowered to continue doing what I was doing because it made a difference in the life of at least one person, without me even knowing.
Are there any particular role models or mentors who have inspired you in your journey as a Black educator? If so, who are they?
My grandparents and parents are my biggest role models. Growing up, my grandparents often told my sister, cousins, and me how much they loved learning and continue to love learning. However, growing up in the South during times of deep segregation and prejudice, they didn’t have as many opportunities to engage with learning inside and outside of the classroom to the extent that they would have liked to. My grandparents didn’t let that stop them. They took whatever opportunities they could to ask people questions, read, and build skills so that they would never stop learning. They did not do this by themselves or only for themselves. Through being in community with others, they engaged in storytelling and other forms of sharing/gaining knowledge.
Additionally, my parents have always talked with my sister and I about the various experiences that
we may have in our educational journey as Black girls and, now, women. They would provide us with tools as well as demonstrate what we would need to do to overcome some of the systemic barriers that could present an obstacle to our learning.
How do you choose to carry yourself daily?
For a while, I would choose how to carry myself based on what I believed to be the expectation of how I should carry myself in whatever spaces I was going to be in. While I certainly still keep that in mind, I now choose to carry myself based on what’s in alignment with my vision and values. Joy, love, and liberation are at the center of both of those. So, every day, I decide to carry myself in a way where I feel, and hopefully demonstrate, joy, love, and movement toward liberation.
Can you share advice for students, particularly those with Black identities, on overcoming obstacles and achieving success?
Please take care of your well-being. Obstacles that often come up for those with marginalized identities, particularly racial identities, are typically root-
Photo Credit: Jamiah Bennetted in systems of oppression that have hundreds of years of history. Trying to overcome those can take a toll on your well-being (physically, mentally, and emotionally). So, as you are overcoming obstacles, please prioritize taking time to pause, slow down, and rest. Tricia Hersey, founder of the Nap Ministry, talks about rest (which she defines as anything that connects your body with your mind and slows you down) being a form of resistance. So, you can think of resting and taking care of yourself as a form of resistance against whatever obstacle you’re facing.
I also encourage students to think about their understanding of success. If success is a matter of achievement, we achieve things regularly. We achieve progress towards a goal. We achieve getting dressed in the morning. We achieve nourishing our body. We achieve joy and being in community with one another. These are very general examples, but they show how success can be the achievement of many things. It’s important to recognize that and to celebrate the achievements that we have every day, even if others don’t see them.
AKWAABA
By ashley amoabeng a·kwaa·ba/ɑ:ˈkwɑ:.bɑ:/ noun
a word from the Akan language of Ghana, meaning “welcome.” Its literal translation is “you have left and come back,” embodying the spirit of returning to one’s roots.
Akwaaba. A word that carries the weight of history and the warmth of homecoming. As Black History Month unfolds, it serves as a beacon guiding us back to our origins, back to the lands where our ancestors roamed, back to the heart of Africa.
But Akwaaba isn’t just about physical return; it’s about reclaiming our identity and honouring our ancestors. It’s about acknowledging the sacrifices they made and the resilience they showed, paving the way for us to walk proudly in their footsteps.
As Black History Month reminds us of the struggles and triumphs of our forebears, let us also heed the call of Akwaaba, beckoning us to come home—to reconnect with our roots, to celebrate our culture, and to embrace our shared heritage.
So, here’s to Akwaaba—to the journey of coming home, to the spirit of welcome that transcends borders, and to the enduring legacy of resilience and strength that defines us as a people.
Welcome home. Akwaaba.
Danny Wonders
For
wide shot Ashantehene (@wondervision) The Asantehene, ruler of the Ashanti tribe, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and his advisors at the marking of his Silver Jubilee. Let’s go to the market ––Postcards from a Black Star Series 2014 cape coast slave ships (@musah botchway)
The Asantehene is highly revered in Ashanti culture and plays a crucial role in the traditions and governance. Gold has a cultural and historical significance in the Ashanti Kingdom.
Danny Wonders
The days seem longer and the sun sets later ––Postcards from a Black Star Series 2014 A behind the scenes shot as his closest advisor prepares my uncle for an appearance. Each event he attends must include an elaborate formal invitation. detail shot Ashantehene (@wondervision)Black Influence in Music
By Aizah AliBlack musicians have heavily shaped today’s music, especially in America, through their history, culture, and creativity. These contributions have inspired the music industry and influenced social movements nationwide. Every American-born genre of music has Black roots, but this history is rarely acknowledged. Some prominent genres that exemplify the impact of Black musicians are jazz, rock n’ roll, and R&B.
Jazz was born in the aftermath of enslavement when large Black communities across America had their own heritage and influences. With these mixed influences, they combined African rhythmic styles with European harmonies to create the musical fusion of jazz. This genre is an expressive form of music through its focus on improvisation and its roots in slavery. It is emotionally rich in the story of Black people in America, making it more than just a musical style. Billie Holiday was a revolutionary musician who embraced these forms of expression, was skillful in improvisation, and conveyed emotion through her melodies. Jazz faced backlash and was seen as inferior because it was a cultural and political outlet for Black musicians. Still, it significantly impacted the future of music as inspiration for genres such as rock n’ roll. Jazz is a vibrant genre that has shaped much of the music industry and lives on in the mainstream.
Rock n’ roll became a prominent genre in the late 40s to 50s when segregation and Jim Crow laws were oppressing Black Americans. It popularized Black music, especially with white teenagers, and catalyzed change during the Civil Rights Movement. Rock n’ roll took sound properties from many other genres founded by Black people to create an energetic, revolutionary, and youthful music style. It was a new rebellious sound that resonated with its listeners and sparked ideas of social nonconformity and self-expression. An iconic rock artist who broke boundaries was Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Tharpe was the first female rock guitarist whose big break came with her single “Rock Me.” She amazed and surpassed her male counterparts through her loud and joyful skills. Though rock n’ roll was popularized with white people, creating a false narrative of “rock is white,” it is deeply rooted in the history of Black people and their revolt, self-expression, and freedom.
Rhythms and blues, more popularly known as R&B, was initially used as a general marketing term for Black secular music, covering many genres such as boogie-woogie and swing. As R&B developed, it took influences from these genres to create the genre that is known today. It is still used as an umbrella term, but it is typically used to categorize songs that combine elements of pop, jazz, blues, and gospel with a strong backbeat. Like rock n’ roll, rhythm and blues emerged during the post-war period when segregation was a growing social issue. It was seen as a dangerous genre for white youths as it increased their interest in and support for Black people. Artists like Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige, and Etta James are all significant names in R&B and many other genres who all shaped rhythm and blues into what is known today.
Without the influence of Black musicians, genres such as jazz, rock n’ roll, and R&B and the music industry would not exist or be what it is today. Their history and culture laid the foundations for music in America, influencing the country in many ways, even outside the music industry.
James Baldwin: Writing for Change
By Mary ZhengIn the realm of American literature and civil rights activism, James Baldwin stands as a towering figure. Born on August 2, 1924, in Harlem, New York, Baldwin’s life and career were marked by his profound commitment for social change.
Picture the streets of Harlem in the 1920s, alive with the rhythms of jazz. It was here that Baldwin’s journey began. His literary prowess stood out at an early age when he fell in love with reading and demonstrated a keen awareness of the world around him. In his early essays, Baldwin discussed the complexities of race, sexuality, and identity, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths and examine their own prejudices.
One of Baldwin’s most iconic works, “The Fire Next Time,” published in 1963, remains a seminal text in the civil rights movement. In the book, Baldwin explores the pervasive impact of racism on American society and calls for a radical transformation of the nation’s moral conscience. He also discusses social activism from a personal standpoint, writing that “We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of
my humanity and right to exist.” Baldwin’s powerful language reveals the enduring legacy of race-based oppression in America and the deep-seated prejudices that continue to shape American life. Meanwhile, his writings served as a rallying cry for justice and inspired a new generation of activists to take up the mantle of civil rights advocacy.
Beyond his literary contributions, Baldwin was a formidable presence on the front lines of the civil rights movement. He marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X while remaining steadfast in his pursuit of a more just and inclusive society.Reflecting on the tumultuous landscape of American politics and culture, Baldwin remarked, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” His words encapsulate the essence of his philosophy: a steadfast belief in the necessity of confronting injustice. Baldwin’s legacy is a reminder of our collective responsibility to confront oppression and strive for a more equitable world even when such commitments are faced with difficulties along the way
James Baldwin Public domain image
Black Artists
By Georgia AchillesFor as long as people have created it, art has documented stories, uplifted identities, and stirred progress. Historically, when Black voices have not been heard or valued, art has been a means of expression, resistance, and joy. When so much artwork has rested on anti-Black narratives, Black artists have persevered. The effect that Black artists have had on the art world is immeasurable. Beyond just the art world, Black art has shaped and continues to shape society at large. The three incredible Black artists highlighted below use diverse mediums to tell diverse stories, bringing their Black identities to the forefront of their work.
Black Panther demonstration, Alameda Co. Court House, Oakland, Calif., during Huey Newton’s trial. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Ambrose Rhapsody Murray is a self-taught multimedia artist who works largely in fiber and film. They were born in Florida and raised in North Carolina, where they currently work. While majoring in Black studies at Yale, they were inspired by the writers and visionaries of the Black feminist movement. They often explore themes of colonialism, history, memory, grief, and healing. Their work centers largely around Black feminine bodies, and utilizes shape, texture, and color to articulate the theories and feelings of Black feminists in the physical world.
Murray, Ambrose Rhapsody. Dismembered, Unburied, Remember? 2022
Murray, Ambrose Rhapsody. Thru The Waters, She Is A Witness. 2021.
The images in these pieces are archival photographs from the late 1800s and early 1900s which had been historically used as colonial propaganda. These photos are used to “bear witness to the buried stories” of the photographed women without utilizing narratives of violence or victimization. Instead, the misshapen, draped, blurred, and sewn fabrics visualize the complexity of memory and grief, while protecting, reclaiming, and placing power on the Black feminine body.
Shikeith is a multimedia artist who works in photography, sculpture, and music, among other mediums. Born in Philadelphia, Shikeith received degrees in photography and sculpture from Penn State University and the Yale School of Art. His artwork explores the experiences of Queer Black men and interrogates the ideas of Black manhood. His artwork is known for its uncensored depictions of the Queer experience, which confront taboos and other forms of social control. Through his art, Shikeith examines the complexities of the Black, Queer identity and advocates for the acceptance of Black manhood as a “malleable, unfixed space”.
These photographs are a testament to Shikeith’s talent. The color, light, and composition of each are seemingly simple, but so effectively evoke emotion and visual interest. In each piece, a Black man is centered in the frame, one in an embrace, and the other solitary. Each depicts moments of vulnerability, whether in the form of love or melancholy, while uplifting Black masculinity rather than undermining it.
Taylor Simmons is a painter who works in a balance of acrylic, oil, and airbrush. Though he lives and works in Brooklyn, Simmons was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and cites the city’s artistic cultures and rich history as major influences of his work. His paintings center elements of Black culture and predominantly portray Black people. His art is known for its vibrant color, expressive line work, and unique perspective. His paintings aim to celebrate and document the “subcultures and niches” of the Black community. Many of his works simultaneously work to address the conflicts associated with the Black experience.
These paintings, both in oil on canvas, exemplify Simmons’ gorgeous style and personal narrative. The vibrant color, line and texture which bring these scenes and portraits to life are what make Simmons’ art so impactful. The works in particular showcase how effectively Simmons highlights all stages of life, from childhood to adulthood. By illustrating these stories, Simmons documents and appreciates the beauty and conflict of Black experience.
Shikeith. To Be Held. 2021. Shikeith. The Smoke Made The Night Blue/ I Have Walked In The Rain. 2020. Simmons, Taylor. The Witch Is Riding Your Back. 2021. Simmons, Taylor. Visions After The Sermon. 2022.HBCUs
By Sophia Seraile YamAnother prominent experience that many Black people participate in is HBCUs, which stands for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. There are 107 HBCUs throughout the United States, all with the principal mission of educating Black Americans. HBCUs are public and private institutions that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and granted Black people the gift of a higher education, which was denied to them during slavery and segregation. The first colleges for African Americans were started through the second Morrill Act of 1890, “which required states-especially former Confederate states-to provide land grants for Black students if admission was not allowed elsewhere”, as well as efforts of the American Missionary Association, the Freedman’s Bureau, and Black churches. The original mission of HBCUs was to provide a supporting environment for African American students because they had few other college options. Today, HBCUs are open to anyone, have a diverse student body, and offer a rich cultural history to their students.
Other than schooling, a major part of HBCUs is the community. Sororities and Fraternities are big parts of social life and allow students to meet lifelong friends. Many people choose to attend HBCUs because they provide an uplifting environment for Black students to learn new things with like-minded people. A few HBCUs you may have heard of are Howard, Spelman, Morehouse, and North Carolina A&T. Some notable graduates of HBCUs are Oprah Winfrey, Kamala Harris, Chadwick Boseman, and Taraji P. Henson. Many people attend HBCUs, and attending one could be a life-changing decision for the better
Black Influence in Music - Aizah Ali
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James Baldwin: Writing for Change - Mary Zheng
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Black Artists - Georgia Achilles “About.” AMBROSE RHAPSODY MURRAY, www.ambroserhapsodymurray.com/about.
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HBCUs - Sophia Seraile Yam
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