Blog

Conversation with Paul Coates and Obari Cartman

Somatic Workshop at The Lyric

The students enjoyed their second in a series of Somatic Movement Workshops led by Ms. Ebony Evans, Education Specialist and Resident Artist at The Lyric. There was an exercise that focused on boundaries and the importance of understanding and setting your own as well as respecting others.  It was surprisingly revealing for everyone involved. The students also did an exercise with impromptu movement to music performed by Antonio Eyez.

The worksop also had the students develop and perform a short act play built around a prompt.  Finally the students worked with Denise Kumani Gantt, Director of Education and Resident Artist at The Lyric,  on their journal writing which culminated in several students reading from their work.

This was a meaningful and enjoyable event.  We deeply appreciate the lunch and the great seminars which Denise, Ebony and The Lyric provide for us.

Conversation with Liberian Students

The students shared a unique experience today with a group of young people from Liberia.  They met via ZOOM with youth from the B4YT program in an introductory session.This program was established in 2009 in this West African country to “empower young people to become educated citizens through the arts.”

The Community School has been in discussion with their staff since being introduced by Jasmine Blanks Jones, its founder and now current Executive Director of The Johns Hopkins University Center for Social Concern.

After months of preparation today was the first student to student meeting. We were challenged by internet connectivity issues, but were still glad to have the opportunity to begin to build this relationship. It is our hope that our young people will get together via ZOOM monthly to discuss issues of mutual interest  and develop a bond together.  Ultimately, we would like to see an exchange where a group of our students would go to Liberia and a group from B4YT would come to Baltimore.

Stay tuned for more on this budding relationship.

Budgeting! Financial Literacy Seminar

Conversation with Mary Pat Clarke

We had a terrific “Conversation with…” former City Council President Mary Pat Clarke. Mary Pat has been a supporter of TCS since our beginning many decades ago and has been involved with us in a variety of capacities from teaching a year long weekly course called Climate Change: Baltimore, to helping students seeking college scholarships to being a faithful advocate for the school.

The students were riveted as Mary Pat spoke about early efforts to build Black representation among Baltimore’s legislators in state government. She also spoke of her efforts to increase the representation of women in government. Mary Pat was the first woman elected to citywide office in Baltimore when she became City Council President in 1987.

Mary Pat is a legend in Baltimore and beyond for her legislative work and constituent services and many people in politics today owe their start to her efforts. To the students of The Community School, Mary Pat is the familiar and friendly face who frequently stops in with an encouraging word and helping hand.

Thank you Mary Pat!