The Women’s Mentoring and Leadership Academy (WMLA) attended Black Girl Magic, Black Women Rock: How Black Women Artists Impact Social Justice at San Francisco State University on Tuesday, April 10, 2018.
This semester, WMLA has had the opportunity to participate several workshops with Skyline College’s 2018 Equity Fellow and poet, Jessica Care Moore. Through these workshops, WMLA participants have been able to learn more about Moore’s Black Women Rock initiative and concert series, and the African-American women who collaborate with Moore such as Nik West, Zakiya Harris and JOI.
This event was a joint collaboration with Hip Hop Journalist, Davey D’s course at S.F. State which featured Moore as a quest speaker. Because of this partnership, Moore and WMLA were invited to San Francisco State University to share that same knowledge with Davey D’s students.
Moore advised students to be producers and consumers of their culture and stressed the importance of listening, taking notes and getting better.
“I’ve got poems of others’ experiences because I’m helping define the times,” explained Moore as she taught students the importance of her work and the power of using your voice as a weapon. “You’re the ones now. It’s your responsibility to know who I am now.”
Moore touched on the importance of travel and talked about her experience in South Africa and encouraged students to make the same effort.
“I learned that black people are everywhere,” Moore said. “You realize you’re connected to the world. You learn so much about yourself.”
Moore wrapped up her with a reading from her latest work Sandra Bland, We Want Our Bodies Back.
“Everything I’m doing is what I’m leaving behind. Take care of yourself, learn to say no, your art is your weapon, the work can be the activism,” Moore said.
WMLA thanks Ms. Powell, Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, and Jessica Care Moore for making this opportunity possible for students on both campuses.
Article written by Jane Arias
