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"Young, Gifted, and Black" (formerly called the "Black History Showcase") aims to unite Black students and alumni from across the African diaspora each February in a theatrical production that will both pay homage to our heritage and give Black artists and creators a chance to showcase themselves. The updated title is in honor of Lorraine Hansberry, the Black playwright who originally coined the phrase. We begin meeting in September and October of each year and are open to all interested Afro-descendants, whether it be through music, dance, acting, instrumentalism, poetry, live art, drag, fashion, promoting a Black-owned business, or any other expression. The theme for 2023, "A Love Letter to Black Culture," is all about celebrating various aspects of the culture and livelihood of Black people across the diaspora. In addition to the performance, Black student-owned businesses were invited for audience members to interact with and make purchases during preshow and intermission.
"Young, Gifted, and Black" (formerly called the "Black History Showcase") aims to unite Black students and alumni from across the African diaspora each February in a theatrical production that will both pay homage to our heritage and give Black artists and creators a chance to showcase themselves. The updated title is in honor of Lorraine Hansberry, the Black playwright who originally coined the phrase. We begin meeting in September and October of each year and are open to all interested Afro-descendants, whether it be through music, dance, acting, instrumentalism, poetry, live art, drag, fashion, promoting a Black-owned business, or any other expression. The theme for 2023, "A Love Letter to Black Culture," is all about celebrating various aspects of the culture and livelihood of Black people across the diaspora. In addition to the performance, Black student-owned businesses were invited for audience members to interact with and make purchases during preshow and intermission.
Program Design by Judah Norman (See Digital Program)
Young, Gifted & Black 2023 was my first show as a director and producer. The production opened with a brief history on how Black History Month came to existence and a celebratory dance to kick things off. Below is the curtain spiel audio for top of show. (Song: “Young, Gifted, & Black” by Nina Simone)
4. Young, Gifted, and BlackThe Black History Showcase has been a tradition at Reinhardt since 2019. Here are a few of my own pieces from previous showcases. The audio from my dance solo, "Shades of Blackness," for the 2020 performance addresses the issue of colorism and advocates for the celebration of the diversity that exists within the Black Community. (Song: “Solomon” by Hans Zimmer from 12 Years A Slave). The first video from the 2021 showcase (which was virtual due to COVID-19) is a tribute to Dorothy Dandridge, the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in Carmen Jones. The second video from the same year is an original spoken word piece addressing police brutality.
5. Shades of Blackness
The duet below with Avanni Cherie is a tribute to African-style dancing and the African roots of all Black people throughout the diaspora (Songs: "He Lives In You" by Lebo M; "Circle of Life acapella arrangement" by Sam Robson). The trio with Avanni Cherie and Jalyn Bentley is dedicated to Hip Hop dance and Black music (Song: "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyonce).
This was a rather small cast due to the dwindling number of African American students at the time, yet we still put on a strong performance full of passion, creativity, and overall unwavering love for our history and heritage. As coined by Lorraine Hansberry, we are young, gifted, and Black (to the left is also a cast picture in front of Hansberry's portrait in the hallway of our Black Box theater).
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