Black Arts Movement Dream and Wish List

Black Arts Movement Dream and Wishlist

 

I want to see artists and craft persons in the Black Arts Movement Business District along Oakland's 14th St., just as their are vendors on Berkeley's Telegraph Avenue and San Francisco's Market Street, and up and down the East coast.  This will inspire entrepreneurship or do-for-self economics in our community, as well as inspire cultural consciousness. If youth can sell drugs, they can sell anything, legal goods, gear, music, educational tapes, books, healthy, juices, food and vegetables. Why  should the dope man be the number one employer of our youth? I don't want to hear problems, I want to hear solutions! Let's teach our youth to be entrepreneurs. --Marvin X

Black Arts Movement chief architect Amiri Baraka (RIP), Black Panther Party Co-founder Bobby Seale, BAM baby (Marvin X's star student), Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, founder of the Lower Bottom Playaz, Ahi Baraka, surviving baby child of Amina and Amiri Baraka, and Marvin X at his Academy of da Corner, 14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland, in the BAM Business District. "My favorite story teller is Shirley Caesar who has a song calling us to the front of the line. She says you been in the back of the line too long, come to the front of the line! Every child in the world needs to hear her story song No Charge."
photo Gene Hazzard

 Marvin X at his Academy of da Corner in the heart of the BAM District, 14th and Broadway.

photo Adam Turner

graphics Adam Turner

The 50th anniversary celebration of the Black Arts Movement was celebrated at Laney College, Oakland, February 7, 2014. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf issued a proclamation recognizing BAM 50. Left to right: Paul Cobb, publisher Oakland Post News Group, Laney College Professor Dr. Leslie Strafford, Rt. Col. Conway Jones, Jr., National co-founder of BAM, Marvin X, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf with Marvin's granddaughter Naimah Joy and grandson Jamiel; Laney College President, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, Dr. Nathan Hare, father of Black and Ethnic Studies in America, Lynette McElhaney, President of the Oakland City Council.

The BAM Poets Choir and Arkestra at the University of California, Merced, BAM Conference and Celebration, produced by Kim McMillon and Marvin X

Keith Carson, member of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, issued a commendation honoring the 50th anniversary of the Black Arts Movement. Accepting the commendation is Elena Serano of East Side Arts and Marvin X, co-founder of the National Black Arts Movement.

 

The Black Arts Movement originated in Harlem, New York,

1965 with the Harlem Black Arts Repertory Theatre/School. Black Arts West Theatre, San Francisco, 1966, was co-founded by Marvin X and playwright Ed Bullins, along with Ethna Wyatt, aka Hurriyah Asar, Duncan Barber, Hillary Broadous and Carl Bossiere.

Hotep,

On January 19, the Oakland City Council passed legislation establishing the Black Arts Movement Business District. We thank them, especially City Council President Lynette McElhaney and Moveon.org. It is time for the BAM Poets Choir and Arkestra to hit the road to complete the 27 City BAM Tour ancestor Amiri Baraka suggested to continue our cultural revolution and united front of progressive people.

That's why I created a petition to Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, which says:

"We call upon Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf to support a benefit concert for Straight Outta Oakland, The Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour, featuring the Black Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra. We suggest the benefit concert happen at the Paramount Theatre with the Oakland Symphony performing with the BAM Poets Choir and Arkestra. "

Will you sign my petition? Click here to add your name:

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/straight-outta-oakland?source=c.fwd&r_by=15569191

Thanks! 

Marvin X,

Producer/Director, Straight Outta Oakland, BAM 27 City Tour

Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, Co-producer/director