The Power of Culture: Black Arts, History, and the Future of Urban Education with Dr. Lasana Kazembe (Part 1)

Welcome to another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast . Today, we are joined by special guest Dr.

Lasana Kazembe, an Emmy Award-winning poet, educator, and critical Black scholar, for a powerful conversation about how Black arts, history, and culture can transform urban education. Dr.

Kazembe reminds us to challenge the negative narratives surrounding urban education and empower students to succeed academically. Dr.

Kazembe speaks honestly about the challenges facing urban schools, from poverty and unequal resources to systemic barriers that affect students and educators. But he refuses to let those challenges define our community.

He says, the promise in the possibilities, the beauty, and the culture of the people eclipse what the challenges are. His approach to education focuses on connecting culture to children and children to academic excellence.

Dr. Canada reflects on her experiences as a proud Harlem native, and shares her perspective on how the strengths and richness of urban communities can shape identity and prepare students for success, despite the negative narratives often surrounding these communities.

A major part of our discussion is Dr. Kazembes exploration of the 20th-century Global Black Arts Movements, including the Indigniste Movement in Haiti, Negrismo Movement in Cuba and Puerto Rico, Ngritude Movement in Paris, French Guiana, and Senegal, the New Negro Movement (Harlem Renaissance), the Black Chicago Renaissance, and the Black Arts Movement in Harlem.

Across these movements, artists used poetry, music, visual art, performative arts, etc. to express Black identity and imagine a better future rooted in the past. That rich history helped inspire Dr.

Kazembes to create ELEV8te, a multi-week arts and history immersion curriculum implemented in Indianapolis public schools. ELEV8te was designed for middle school students to explore influential artists and cultural movements, learn about the creative process, and produce original works inspired by the artists they study.

We highlight the power of culturally grounded learning. Dr.

Kazembe challenges us to look beyond the limitations in urban education and recognize whats possible when culture becomes a foundation for learning. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the Global Black Arts Movements, culture, history and the future of urban education.