April is Poetry Month! Each day this month I will post a poem written by a person of color. Today’s poem, by Lucille Clifton, comes from the Poetry Foundation. This link also includes educator’s resources: discussion questions, writing ideas, and teacher tips.
Won’t You Celebrate With Me by Lucille Clifton: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/poem/181377
On this day in 1875, a noted educator and political activist was born, Mary McLeod Bethune. Here is a short list of resources on this influential woman.
Biography: http://www.biography.com/people/mary-mcleod-bethune-9211266
PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/biography/eleanor-bethune/
National Women’s History Museum: http://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/mary-mcleod-bethune/
National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc62.htm
Audio Podcast Department of the Interior: http://www.doi.gov/interiormuseum/podcasts/Mary-McLeod-Bethune.cfm
Black Past: http://www.blackpast.org/aah/bethune-mary-jane-mcleod-1875-1955
Youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkM_YcJXF7g, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ38PYAIhHM
Lesson Plans: http://www.nps.gov/mamc/forteachers/lessonplansandteacherguides.htm http://www.tolerance.org/lesson/mary-mcleod-bethune
The 2014 Arbuthnot Lecturer was Andrea Davis Pinkney, vice president and editor at large of Scholastic’s Trade Books, will deliver the 2014 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. The announcement was made Monday, January 28, 2013 by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA Midwinter Meeting held Jan. 25 – 29, in Seattle.
“We are honored to recognize Andrea Pinkney for her significant contributions to literature for young people provided through a body of work that brings a deeper understanding of African American heritage,” stated 2014 Arbuthnot Committee Chair Susan Moore.
Andrea Davis Pinkney is a New York Times best-selling writer of more than 20 books for children and young adults including picture books, novels and nonfiction. During the course of her career, Pinkney has launched many high-profile publishing and entertainment entities, including Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Publishing’s Jump at the Sun imprint, the first African American children’s book imprint at a major publishing company.
Pinkney’s work includes such award winning titles as “Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down,” illustrated by Brian Pinkney, published by Little, Brown and Company; “Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride,” illustrated by Brian Pinkney, published by Disney/Jump at the Sun Books; “Let it Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters,” illustrated by Stephen Alcorn, published by Harcourt,a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book;and “Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra,” illustrated by Brian Pinkney, published by Hyperion Books for Children, a Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor Book.
The University of Minnesota was selected as the host site for the 2014 Arbuthnot Lecture. The press release on the host selection can be read here. A digital exhibit, in conjunction with the 2014 Arbuthnot Lecture, can be accessed here.
The lecture can be viewed on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC5y1RTGEZQ
Carmen McRae is June 30 Artist of the day. She was a legendary jazz singer that spanned over five decades. Read about this fascinating vocalist here:
NPR: http://www.npr.org/artists/16892612/carmen-mcrae
Black Past: http://www.blackpast.org/aah/mcrae-carmen-1920-1994
Youtube videos: “I’m Glad There is You” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJaD09M5Iko “I Won’t Last a Day” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h8TaOLsHDY
June 29 Artist of the Day is Reverend Thomas Andrew Dorsey. He became known as the “Father of Gospel Music”. Read about this fascinating artist here:
NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5152069
PBS: http://www.pbs.org/thisfarbyfaith/people/thomas_dorsey.html
Georgia Music Magazine: http://georgiamusicmag.com/the-life-and-legacy-of-the-rev-thomas-andrew-dorsey/
Youtubevideo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJsV495hYhE, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEosw5GUCzQ, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d7foVat8xk
Betty Carter is June 28 Artist of the day. She is a jazz and blues singer and founder of Jazz Ahead Program. Read about this multitalented vocalist here:
AllMusic: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/betty-carter-mn0000048908
NPR: http://www.npr.org/artists/93579473/betty-carter, http://www.npr.org/2008/08/14/93572181/betty-carter-fiercely-individual
Youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6yvktTx2Ug: , “Giant Steps” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4AyCqCHCK0, “How High the Moon” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFywEM5tGOY, Medley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iemkYXz8UNs
Max Roach is June 27 Artist of the day. He was a jazz drummer, and married to Abbey Lincoln. Read about this influential artist here:
AllMusic: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/max-roach-mn0000396372
NPR: http://www.npr.org/artists/15622859/max-roach, http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2012/01/10/144900022/max-roach-drums-front-and-center, http://www.npr.org/2007/08/16/12862395/remembering-max-roach-rhythmic-innovator
Youtube videos: “Cherokee” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9cUWqkHCQ8, “Freedom Now” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Dj7HQEasQ
June 26 Artist of the day is Abbey Lincoln. She was a jazz singer and a civil rights activist. Read about this trailblazing vocalist here:
NPR: http://www.npr.org/programs/jazzprofiles/archive/lincoln.html, http://www.npr.org/artists/15396508/abbey-lincoln
Youtube videos: “Throw It Away” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2OO3vuk3r4, “Afro Blue” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiHS8Hf7Tb4
Cyrus Chestnut is June 25 Artist of the day. He is a jazz pianist who began playing piano at the age of six. Read more about this talented musician here:
AllMusic: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/cyrus-chestnut-mn0000148978
NPR: http://www.npr.org/artists/15039966/cyrus-chestnut
Kennedy Center: https://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=3490&source_type=A
Youtube video: “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw2NCpmZSr0
June 24 Artist of the day is Dee Dee Bridgewater. She is an award-winning vocalist who also starred as Billie Holiday in the musical biography “Lady Day.” Read about this versatile singer and performer here:
AllMusic: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dee-dee-bridgewater-mn0000227415
NPR: http://www.npr.org/artists/15296069/dee-dee-bridgewater
PBS: An Interview with Dee Dee Bridgewater: http://video.pbs.org/video/2365205715/
Youtube video: “Maybe Today” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdRrP7BMAGk
The Eclectic Kitabu Project 