Black Literary Awareness for Cultural Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.)

Lady Kauit Takes a Drink by Nadia Fogg

Thousands of years ago, a “creative explosion event”, described by researchers as a sudden blossoming of early man's symbolic thought--the ability to identify, create, and represent things--occurred in Africa long before it occurred in other parts of the world.  Evidence of early man's advanced human behavior and symbolic thought is abundant in Africa to include fishing, the manufacture of bone tools, the use of decoration, and the production of art. The Ancient Africa Classes' Virtual Art Gallery represents their artistic creative expressions at depicting these archaeological findings from prehistoric Africa.

We hope you enjoy the Virtual Art Gallery as much as the B.L.A.C.K. students enjoyed creating it.  For optimal viewing, it is recommended that you take your virtual tour on a PC, where you can enjoy the CoolIris 3D technology; However, you  may still view it on your IPAD and other platforms!

Click here to view the Virtual Art Gallery

 Black Literary Awareness for Cultural Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) is an Afrocentric homeschooling community dedicated to increasing Black awareness, cultural expression, and self-pride in young homeschoolers. It was founded in 2013 by three homeschooling mothers.  After following the classical model of education for many years with their children, they realized that their children's history as descendants of the African Diaspora was lacking in the traditional classical homeschooling curricula.

Desiring to give as much value and credit to the study of their children's own history as they have given Western Cultural History, or Latin, or Biology, for example, these pioneering women set out in the summer of 2013 to develop an Afrocentric Black history course to teach their children the hidden truths about their African-American culture and heritage. Drawing on the limited Afrocentric curricula available, Pan-African revisionist history books, and web-based media and audio visual information, they developed an Introduction to African American History course, which they began with their five teens in the Fall of 2013.  They opened up the class to a few other students so that their children would have the great resource of many minds coming together and opportunities to bond with others their age.

While traditional African American history courses typically commence with the transatlantic slave trade, the B.L.A.C.K. series of history courses begin with the rich history of ancient Africa and the historical period when people of color were important builders of world civilizations. This sequential approach follows the conventional wisdom of many noted Pan-African scholars that the history of Africans and their descendants in the Americas and in the Caribbean Islands is "incomplete without an examination of the Africa past." (Dr.John Henrik Clarke)

As the first B.L.A.C.K. class progressed throughout the fall of 2013, it became readily apparent that two distinct courses were needed to adequately deal with the vast information that the tutors and the students were uncovering about their rich history.  The ancient Africa lessons, which begin with prehistoric Africa and end with the classical period of African history, were segmented to form the basis of the Ancient Africa history class.  It is recommended as a prerequisite to the Introduction to African American History class, which covers the journey of liberation in the Americas and the Caribbean of the people of the African Diaspora.

B.L.A.C.K. plans to offer classes in Black history, art, literature and more in the 2014-2015 academic year for all ages. On Line Course Work will also be available so be sure to check the B.L.A.C.K. blog for details.

2013-2014 Ancient Africa Class

Greetings, 

     I’ve been keeping this under wraps, but finally have permission to share.   When I first enrolled Zion in Black Literary Awareness for Cultural Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.),  he quipped, “Why do I have to take another history class when I’m already in Baba Obi’s class!?”  I responded, “We can’t ever get enough of our history!” But, as a history minor, I am biased!  However, as the class went on I realized it was very different from Baba Obi’s class, yet they complement each other very well—like theory and practicum.  One class starts in ancient Africa and educates the children in a multi-disciplinary way, while Baba Obi’s class teaches the children about our history of resistance and prepares them to change the world.  What a beautiful combination!

     What I love most about both classes as a parent, is that I learn something new each time I sit in the classes. Anyway, here are some photos from one of my favorite B.L.A.C.K. classes when each child had to create 4 art works, using different mediums, about the art explosion in Africa.  I love that the class pushes Zion to do things he wouldn't ordinarily do.  He put his Corcoran Art Gallery research skills to good use.  One assignment required a PowerPoint presentation for which Zion won first prize.  All kinds of quizzes and fun activities are incorporated into the class.  The cherry on top is the Metro Journeys.  Imagine sending your teens out on a history mission in the city all day.  Pictures to be taken, research to do, and even some signing at the metro--all to be reported in a student-developed blog (not a boring research paper).

     When I get all giddy inside about the classes, Zion gives me the “mom you are embarrassing me teen look.”  But he doesn't know how I dreamed about a class like this and one that will take him though the African American Journey of Liberation text by Dr. Molefi Asante.

Amir Price Sharing His Ancient African Astronomical Megalith, Nabta Playa

The Art Contest...yes, there was a prize!

History Art Work by Nadia Fogg

Zion posing in front of his 4 works of African Art--the Afro Comb; the 8,000 yr old Nigerian Dufano Canoe, the Ishtango Mathematical Took; and the South African Balabos Art Cave.  I didn't know about these Ancient African contributions to civilization before Zion's Project!

   

     We put down a lot of curricula for Zion to participate in the B.L.A.C.K. class.  But it was worth it because the class allows him to apply all that he has learned thus far.  The proof is in the pudding!  I am so proud of Zion and the other teen participants.  I am also grateful for B.L.A.C.K. tutors, Kyna Clemons, Anna Fogg, and Tammy Richards, for espousing the B.L.A.C.K. vision.  I look forward to this talented trio teaching again in the fall.



Monica Utsey is a homeschooling mom and co-founder of Sankofa homeschooling community.  She is a prolific writer who is passionate about everything she does, "especially the education of her King-Men", a coin termed by her late husband for their sons, Zion and Aiyande.  Although Monica's son, Zion, is the youngest in the Ancient Africa Class, he is a dynamic contributor with his mature, African-centered world view. We look forward to hearing more from Monica as a guest blogger here at B.L.A.C.K. 

Read all about Monica Utsey's fascinating homeschooling adventures with Zion and Ayinde at http://chocolatecoveredboyjoy.blogspot.com/.

Metro Journeys began as an academic concept several years ago by one of the founders of B.L.A.C.K., who wanted her high-school aged children to have an independent day of research, discovery, and adventure outside the home. They are included as a component of the B.L.A.C.K. series of history classes to provide students opportunity for a fun day together navigating the Washington, D.C. area via the Metro Rail to uncover hidden Black history.  For the students, it is the best part of the B.L.A.C.K. series of history classes.  Students are given assigned topics, landmarks, museums, and other points of interest to research in advance and are responsible for planning their day as a group without parental involvlement.  Metro Journey's foster independence in high-school aged B.L.A.C.K. students, while building skills in photography and design, creative writing, leadership and team work, research and analysis, and public speaking.  All photos in the Metro Journey Photo Gallery were taken by B.L.A.C.K. during their Metro Journeys.

Currently, there are 12 dynamic homeschoolers in the 2013-2014 B.L.A.C.K. Ancient Africa Class, who are embracing the truth, beauty, and grace of their black heritage and culture in such a beautiful and personal way.  The Ancient Africa class meets twice a month on Thursdays from 1:00-4:00 pm at the Francis Gregory and Helen Burroughs D.C. Public Libraries (the third Thursday of the month is reserved for Metro Journeys).  During class time, students are engaged in three hours of fun, engaging, and highly-challenging African-centered activities including lectures, holistic activities, and Kemetic Circles.