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Showing posts from January 11, 2022

My African Centered Education Experiences

        NationHouse Anniversary 1980s   I gave away this dance outfit many years ago.  NationHouse 1982       NationHouse 1989   I gave away this outfit many years ago.     NationHouse Anniversary 1980s   I gave away this outfit many years ago. My African Centered Education experiences were traumatizing and somewhat uplifting for me. I was exposed to a different set of men, standards and principles that completely focused on my culture and heritage as a black female living in America. I was enrolled into an African centered school when I was 2 years old and that was NationHouse. Some of my instructors include Mama Afia, Mama Nkechi, Mama Esi and Baba Michael. At NationHouse, I had the opportunity to learn about my roots, culture and heritage. I participated in numerous Kwanzaa programs and events. When I left NationHouse in 1991, I continued to recognize and celebrate my roots, culture and heritage.  Many years later, I learned that NationHouse got demolished and shut down. Recen

My High School Experiences

  The above photos were taken while I was a high school student at Bell from 1991 - 1993.  I gave away the clothing articles and jewelry shown in the photos above . Additionally, I donated the artwork shown above. My high school experiences were diverse and somewhat traumatizing for me. I had the opportunity to exhibit my artwork in New York City in 1993 at The New Harlem Gallery (New York City, New York) and Wisteria ArtSpace (New York City, New York). I was 16 years old at that time. Additionally, I participated in the Congressional Art Competition from 1992 - 1993.   I was exposed to a diverse set of people with different backgrounds and sexual orientations from 1991 - 1993. I was often bullied about my name, height, and size. Fortunately, I expressed my anger throughout my visual artwork. Each of these experiences allowed me to produce a different set of artwork and develop a wide range of skills.  (Please note in the above photos that I was 14 - 16)!

My College Experiences

  The above photo was taken in 1996 when I was 19 years old at the Corcoran School of the Art. I donated the charcoal drawing shown in the above photo. Additionally, I gave away the clothing articles and jewelry shown in the photo above.  My college experiences were diverse. I had the opportunity to exhibit my artwork in New York City in 1993 at The New Harlem Gallery (New York City, New York) and Wisteria ArtSpace (New York City, New York). I was 16 years old at that time. Additionally, I participated in the Congressional Art Competition in 1993.   I was exposed to a diverse set of people with different backgrounds and sexual orientations from 1993 - 1997. I had the opportunity to met Ms. Lois Jones when I was a college student and exhibit my artwork in several exhibitions from 1996 - 1997. Among them include: "Evolution of Historical Symbolisms." Corcoran Gallery of the Art, Hemicycle, Washington, DC. 1997; and "All Senior Summer Show." Corcoran Schoo