On February 26 and 27, tens of thousands of Maryland children will be introduced to important Maryland Black history and culture in a joyful, dynamic way– all from the comfort of their classrooms, on an easy-to-use platform– thanks to the talented teaching artists at Arts for Learning Maryland.
Blacktastic: A Virtual Festival of Maryland Black History + Culture will stream inspiring and original arts-integrated segments with teaching artists leading students in original songs, spoken word narratives, dance lessons and more. The two hour festival – February 26 for elementary school students and February 27 for middle and high school students – will include field trips to historic sights to learn about Black Marylanders past and present in an arts-integrated and engaging way.
The annual Blacktastic festival was created in 2021 – when schools were closed during the COVID pandemic – as a way for Arts for Learning to continue to enrich the lives and education of Maryland’s youth through culturally diverse arts programs led by professional teaching artists. Last year, more than 55,000 students from throughout Maryland were registered for the program; based on current registration, more are expected in 2025.
Highlights of this year’s Blacktastic include:
– Students will be guided through historic sites in Dorchester County that are important locations (some not open to the public) in the Harriett Tubman’s journey escaping slavery, including her childhood home and workplace, and Bucktown General Store, the site of her “First Known Act of Defiance.” Nine-year old Mala Powell portrays a young Harriett Tubman, and is accompanied on the visits by storyteller Deborah Mims and musical artist Baba Bomani.
– In Hollywood, Jessica “Culture Queen” Smith and spoken word artist Drew Anderson meet and pay tribute to Sidney Clifton, a film producer, Mattel TV Studio executive, and daughter of Maryland’s second Poet Laureate Lucille Clifton. The segment celebrates Clifton’s Baltimore heritage and introduces students to the process of pitching ideas, through song! Smith and Anderson also visit The Clifton House, Lucille Clifton’s Windsor Hills home that now provides mentorship, local and global resource access, training, and development in the creative arts to underrepresented and underserved people.
– Abolitionist and author Josiah Henson’s story is introduced through a moving narrative and tour of the Josiah Henson Museum and Park in North Bethesda. Spoken word artist Drew Anderson’s story about Henson is enhanced with performances by Montgomery Blair High School senior Darryl Wormley (who also directed some of the scenes in the segment) and cameos by Montgomery County Parks staff members who work at the historic site.
– Musician and spoken word artist Jamaal “Mr. Root” Collier and animator Cullen Cook recreate the experience of 1800’s Baltimore – the home of noted organizer Isaac Myers. Mr. Root created eight original songs for this segment, including blues, jazz, and techno.
– Students will travel with Arts for Learning teaching artists and Montgomery County’s Springbrook High School marching band to Maryland Emancipation Day events in Talbot County and watch Montgomery Blair High School students perform as part of Arts for Learning’s Social Justice Residency. Another segment features artist Tyronda Boone and students of Johnnycake Elementary honoring the legendary Smokestack Hardy and Maryland firefighting heroes. Each Blacktastic segment also features a dance lesson from teaching artist Quynn Johnson.
Classes and schools that register for Blacktastic can access a digital Blacktastic Activity Book with interactive activities that reinforce what students learned during the festival.
More information about Blacktastic, including registration, is available at https://www.artsforlearningmd.org/blacktastic/