Mosaic Literary Conference

SOYA's founder Khadijah Ali-Coleman presented at the Mosaic Literary Conference yesterday. View more photos HERE.

Don't forget to register for Mosaic Literary Conference in NY--TOMORROW-- Nov. 7

The Mosaic Literary Conference presents creative ways for keeping books and reading valuable sources of knowledge and creativity. This day of professional-development workshops will help educators incorporate literature into existing curricula to further explore course work that focuses on cultures, history, and social studies.

I am presenting in the afternoon and had the pleasure of presenting last year when the festival was called the Re:Verse Literary Festival and Conference.

Conference Date: November 7, 2009 Location: Hostos Community College 450 Grand Concourse at 149th St., Bronx, NY

Workshop Schedule

9-10am• Registration/Breakfast
10:00-11:00• Mosaic Literary Magazine Workshop: Using literature and lesson plans in the classroom
Facilitator: Eisa UlenOur workshops and lesson plans help educators present creative ways for keeping books and reading valuable sources of knowledge and creativity.

11:00-12:15
• Harlem Renaissance Poets: Creating An Authentic VoiceFacilitator: Femi LewisThis workshop will offer insight to educators and teaching artists on how to incorporate literature, art and history in the classroom. For parents, it will help them understand the connection between history and literature and how to help students become ready to ace standardized tests and hone reading and writing skills for college preparation.

• The Door of No Return: Finding Self and Home in Historical FictionFacilitator: Zetta ElliottDrawing on my historical time-travel novel, A Wish After Midnight, and an excerpt of Dionne Brand’s meditative essay on mapping home, we will consider the metaphoric value of “the Door of No Return.”

12:30-1:45
Lunch

2:00-3:15
• Integrating Literacy and Art in the Classroom: Using Historical and Current Events to Inform Literary Criticism and Visual NarrativesFacilitators: Gabrielle David and Nikita HunterFor years, the general perception has been that literature is an isolated discipline worth of the humanists alone; that there are few, if any, connections between literature and other various art forms, and that culture is an all-inclusive phenomenon. As a result of the 21st century technological advancements that spur the increased exchange of information and ideas, the popular perception of the world shrinks to a global village.

• Flipping the Script: Using Movie Adaptations to Generate Students’ Interest in Reading
Facilitator: Sofia QuinteroMany kids have watched the movies Twilight or Holes, but how many have actually read the novels on which these films are based? One challenge facing adults who strive to encourage reading among youth is the proliferation of competing media such as television shows and video games. This workshop aims to give participants’ concrete strategies on how to use movies adapted from books to spark interest in reading the books themselves.

3:30-4:45
• Story Quilting: Using Imagery & Descriptive Word Play to Develop Literature AppreciationFacilitator: Khadijah Ali-ColemanThe “Story Quilting…” workshop engages workshop participants in an activity that will illustrate how arts-based activities can develop key language and literacy skills in emerging readers. Workshop participants will learn how to link books of different reading levels to relevant arts activities while also learning strategies to use arts activities as pathways to discussion to inquiry.

• Literary Mentorship: Building a Pipeline of Great Readers, Writers, and Thinkers
Facilitators: Tracey Michae'l Lewis and Jessica HarrisParents, educators, and writing professionals can play a critical role in the development of literary talent and literary appreciation in young people. In fact, individual or organizational mentorship is one way we can make a significant impact in the way student’s view reading and writing, as well as in their ability to increase their literacy and critical thinking abilities

Visit HERE for more details!

SOYA Thanks You for Your Support Since 2005

As sad as this makes my heart to write, I am formally announcing that So Our Youth Aspire, LLC will end as an incorporated entity today, Wed. Sept. 22, 2009.

I have been very honored to have been working actively this past year in a half as the other half of the business entity Liberated Muse Productions and producing numerous events throughout the DC area promoting arts and social justice. I've also been working on arts and literacy projects for nonprofits while serving as content manager of the arts community http://www.liberatedmuse.com/. Because of this work, I have not had adequate time to further the branding work necessary to keep SOYA afloat. However, I will continue to serve the mission of SOYA through my work with Liberated Muse and as an independent contractor. Currently, I am beginning playcations for aspiring creative writers and continuing to work with nonprofits in need of services.

I thank you for following this blog, reserving SOYA services and keeping abreast of my work through this blog. I bid you best wishes as you continue to do work for the best of our youth!

Cheers,

Khadijah Ali-Coleman

SOYA Founder Promoting Literacy & the Dream of Publishing a Book

While I serve as founder and a consultant through SOYA, I've also had the incredible priviledge of growing a thriving arts community with the online space www.LiberatedMuse.com. I edited a collection of literary art and visual art by members of the network and published it this past June. The book, Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul (Outskirts Press, 2009) has already enjoyed the sale of over 100 copies since its availability began.

We've been touring with the book since June, performing in evening venues complete with musical entertainment and readings from contributors to the book. Yesterday was a day event, however. The executive director of Southeast Ministries in southeast DC asked me to talk about my process in publishing the book, and sign copies for emerging adult learners. What a great day it was!

I am looking forward to coming to your school this calendar year. Click here to get an overview.

The Mosaic Literary Conference for Educators to Beef Up Literacy Content

Last year, I was a workshop facilitator in this wonderful conference which was formerly known as the Re:Verse Literary Conference and I encourage educators and youth workers to schedule to attend this conference this fall.

Click HERE to get details. There is also a call for proposals for this year's conference. Click HERE for details.

The US Department of Education Affirms Arts Education

"Under ESEA [the Elementary and Secondary Education Act]," the Secretary noted, "states and local school districts have the flexibility to support the arts. "

Read this informative blog by a member on my site www.LiberatedMuse.com. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL BLOG

The Beat Ya Feet Kings Debut on America's Best Dance Crew on MTV this Weekend

(photo above of the Beat Ya Feet Kings & manager Diallo Sumbry is by Kanika Tolver and is found @ Amadi Magazine )

DC natives will tell you that the official music style in the city is Go-Go. The DC-based band Experience Unlimited (EU) let the world know just that in the 1980’s Spike Lee movie “School Daze” when they performed their hit song “Da Butt” during a scene in the film. Come this month, folks in DC and around the world will learn the official DC dance step-- the Beat-ya-Feet. The DC-based dance troupe, the Beat-Ya-Feet Kings will be appearing on MTV’s popular dance show America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC), hosted by Mario Lopez on August 9. They will be showing the world just how it’s done in DC.

Hailing from southeast DC, the Beat Ya Feet King members are Dante Hancock, 24, Jose Hancock,26, Richard Ogunsiakan, 24, Brandon Faulkner, 23 and sole female member Porche Anthony, 22. During the school year they give back to the community, recently wrapping up in June a successful after-school program they facilitated in Hart Middle School and other area schools where they taught students how to dance.

The dance crew is managed by entrepreneur Diallo Sumbry who also manages the African drumming group Farafina Kan. The members of the Beat-Ya-Feet Kings are hometown celebrities, garnering a buzz whenever they perform, recently showing their stuff off in the month-long Artomatic which was housed in the Navy Yard area of town on M Street.

The Beat-Ya-Feet Kings have dozens of Youtube.com videos and have performed in events throughout the city and in national venues such as Harlem’s famous Apollo Theatre.

Be sure to catch them when ABDC premieres Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 9 pm ET on MTV. You can watch the Beat-Ya-Feet Kings on Youtube.com by typing in the name “Beat Ya Feet Kings”