Posts Tagged bh4yp
Week 6: Where did the time go? Last Class for Black History 4 Young People 2010!
Posted by drkwaku in Uncategorized on July 28, 2010
Do not forget! This is the last class of the session! This one is for parents/guardians and students of BH4YP only. During this culmination class (At Lucy Florence, corner of Degnan and 43rd PLACE), the parents/guardians are invited to join the enrolled students who will receive their certificates. Dr. Kwaku has a message for them. We will also play a brief video from the semester featuring the students. Note: All students are not in the film since they had full schedules and some were not present when filming was done. Special thanks to Eso Won Books and Ben Caldwell, owner of Kaos Studios where the class was held. Many children's activities happen in that space. Check with Ben Caldwell for class offerings.
This week's winner of the Black History Quiz is Travon Tisino who has been a delight to have in the class the last three years.
In case you missed it, here is the letter we sent home last week:
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Greetings! Our next class, which is our last, will be held around the corner at the Lucy Florence Coffee House (3351 W. 43rd Street, on the corner), in their auditorium. (Starts the same time, at 10 a.m. sharp!) It is one of the most important cultural locations in the Leimert Park area.
During the last class, we will have one more lesson, and each registered student will receive a certificate of completion. We will also have some wonderful prizes for our no cost raffle for the adults, and our regular student prize of a free meal for two at the marvelous Simply Wholesome Health Food restaurant.
We all want to know where our own family ancestry originated from on the continent of Afrika. Our grand prize (for all who qualify) is a DNA kit from African Ancestry Inc., in Washington D.C. This will allow the winner to know exactly where their place of origin and cultural group on the continent of Afrika, on the matriarchal side of the family.
We look forward to seeing you. There is plenty of metered parking directly across the street. For those who come early, you will see a short film Isidra made of the students in the class. See you then.
Peace,
Dr. Kwaku
Week Two: A Recap and a Preview of Week Three!
Posted by drkwaku in Uncategorized on June 24, 2009
The topic is: Africa Today. Still too often kids giggle and joke about Africa because they simply are not aware of the treasures Africa has brought to the world. Moreover, they do not appreciate the customs, see the progress and ingenuity by African business owners nor do they appreciate the culture and sadly, even the food and music. Try an African restaurant near you and you will know where the Soul in Soul food came from! African recipes are all over the Internet and there are even You Tube videos that will show you how to prepare certain dishes! Delicious!
When we, the class, interviews Tosin, as we call her, she will talk to us about discipline and school work, which is why many Nigerian or contineal born African students seem to excel. She will tell us about how Nigerian teens show respect to their parents. We will practice back-wrapping babies with two and a half yards of cloth (with stuffed dolls, no real ones!!) We will practice carrying large items in baskets on our heads, and show you how you can design African textiles, such as mud cloth online! And we will see African teens enjoying a good concert with the same stars our southland teens enjoy.
Week Two: Setting the Voyager Columbus Straight
Last week, Dr. Kwaku helped the students make a connection between themselves and the descendants of the first humans on the planet–the Baka People. We watched as they solved the challenges of the life in the forest. We also heard a lecture by Dr. Ivan Van Sertima challenging the long held belief that Columbus discovered America. He showed proof that Africans had been voyaging to the Americas from Africa long before the Europeans arrived–and that includes Mexico! We saw pyramids and Olmec heads and learned that even when evidence (such as wide noses and lips) is destroyed our Africanness still has a way of showing up in the art, and tools and statues.
We Have a Winner! The winner for week two 's Black History 4 Young People quiz is pictured above: His name is Paris Patterson. He was very quick and accurate in his answers.
TO PARENTS: Isidra set up a Social Networking Site on Ning which is limited to students of Black History 4 Young People. Unlike Facebook which is a whole other thing, this is a teaching tool that the participant signs up for, and we control who is invited. (They must be approved.) When you get your invitation in your email box please visit the page that is viewable by the public to see what I mean. When your child logs on, they can ask questions, take Black history quizzes, and check out articles and videos we find along the way that have interesting historical information. Consider it. It is TOTALLY OPTIONAL, free and designed to stimulate discussion for those who are a bit on the shy side. Let us know what you think!
Hope to see you all June 27, 2009, 10-12 noon!
NEXT WEEK: NO CLASS 4th of July Weekend! Be sure to enjoy your family time! We will see you on July 11, same time, same place!
Week One: A Full House!
Posted by drkwaku in Uncategorized on June 15, 2009
During each semester of Black History 4 Young People, we are pleasantly surprised to meet students who are thirsty for knowledge. This first week, Xavier Scott asked thoughtful questions, exhibited prior knowledge and even won the first Black History 4 Young People quiz at the end. His prize? A Gift Certificate for two to Simply Wholesome, our sponsoring restaurant which whips up delicious whole foods right there on Slauson and Overhill in Los Angeles. Congratulations, Xavier!
After a series of videos looking back on the class, Dr. Kwaku kicked off the summer session with a riveting power point presentation which travels all corners of the globe and finds the presence and accomplishments of Afrikan people.
From the Afrikan origins of chess, ballet and martial arts, to inaccuracy that Columbus could discover America–(especially when native Americans were already here), Dr. Kwaku covered a wide body of knowledge and set the record straight with evidence.
Terms used that might need more explanation:
Ankh: (dictionary.com) The ankh was the Egyptian hieroglyphic character that read "eternal life", a triliteral sign for the consonants ˁ–n–ḫ. Egyptian gods are often portrayed carrying it by its loop, or bearing one in each hand, arms crossed over their chest. It is also known as the key of life, the key of the Nile, or as crux ansata, Latin for "cross with a handle".
Deities: Usually means "Gods" or sacred beings. (Dictionary.com) A deity is a postulated preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers.
B.C.E.: Usually students learn that historical events happen B.C. (Before Christ) or A.D. (After Death). In scholarly circles, B.C.E. is used which means "before the common era."
Next Class:
20 June Afrikan Origin of Humanity: We Came Before Columbus
A.) Let's investigate the lives of the original descendants of the first human beings and their genius, creativity and ingenuity to survive. Multimedia
B.) Is there proof that Afrikans were in the Americas before Columbus and helped establish America’s first civilization? Dr. Kwaku will show us!
A bit of housekeeping:
Since the session is full, we may not be able to accommodate students who only want to take one class. We will hold the seats of the pre-paid student until 10 minutes after class starts, then seat "per class" students based on seating availability. For that reason, please be on time!
We appreciate our parents for bringing the students on time and picking them up on time. We advise all students to stand just outside our doors when dismissed so your parents can find you. See you next week!
It’s time for Black History 4 Young People 2009
Posted by drkwaku in Uncategorized on May 14, 2009
We are excited about the 5th year of Black History 4 Young People
Class (ages 12-18) will start June 13, 2009.
This year, class will be held at Ben Caldwell's KAOS Network, 4343 Leimert Blvd., at 43rd Place in Los Angeles. Your youth may be interested in other classes offered there as well–violin, drama, dance and more.
Below are the documents you need to download in order to enroll your son or daughter or young person dear to you in this amazing, enlightening class. Just six Saturday mornings–hope to see you there!
By the way, this winner won a gift certificate for two to dine at Simply Wholesome one of BH4YP's sponsors! The winner for July 12 , '08 was De Voux Grant who got the most answers from reading Heritage: 365 Days of the Black Experience. All students received a free copy. Congrats, De Voux! He is pictured with Jaaye Person-Lynn,Guest Lecturer.
REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM AND FLYER
Class Starts: June 13, 2009 through August 25, 2009
Dr. Kwaku Person-Lynn ~ Instructor
Fees: $60 per semester (6 classes) or $15 per, class payable in advance
2009 Class Schedule
Class Schedule: Saturdays 10:00am ~ Noon
Dr. Kwaku Person-Lynn ~ Instructor
http://www.drkwaku.com (213) 368-4976 ~ voice mail.
2009 SUMMER CLASS SCHEDULE
13 June From The Nile Valley To Sasha & Malia
A.) A Slide/Video trip around the world illustrating the Afrikan origin of civilization, art, science, mathematics, medicine, engineering and more.
B) The Name Game
20 June Afrikan Origin of Humanity: We Came Before Columbus
A.) An intimate investigation into the lives of the original descendants of the first human beings and their genius, creativity and ingenuity to survive.
B.) Is there proof that Afrikans were in the Americas before Columbus and helped establish America’s first civilization? Dr. Kwaku will show us!
27 June Exploration Of Afrikan Culture, Also, Toward a More Healthy Youth
A.) A rare look into modern Afrika. Understanding Afrikan symbols and experiencing customs such as: back wrapping, respect, using your head to carry things, Origins of Ebonics, etc.
B.) The End of the Couch Potato: An interactive discussion about junk food, sluggish children, keeping your teeth and more.
4 July No class – holiday weekend
11 July Intra Color Discrimination and The Use Of Negative Images
A.) We will investigate how slavery was used to divide people of Afrikan descent on the basis of kink and color and how it is being practiced today. Also the use of negative images on screen and in advertising.
B.) The way to get A’s on exams: plan and prepare!
18 July Afrikan American Accomplishments, Safety Measures & the Leimert Park Tour
A.) Exploring Afrikan success and the creations of our inventors and scientists.
B.) What to do when stopped by peace officers and appropriate behavior.
C.) A tour of Leimert Park Village, the cultural center for Black Los Angeles
25 July A special presentation for parents and students (Last Class)
A.) Parents, Sponsors Welcome!
B.) Looking Back: A special video and spoken word presentation.
C.) Student Completion Awards.
Become a Sponsor!
Summer class begins June 13 – June 25, 2009
In this uncertain economy, won't you help a student attend?
Mail Check Payable to:
Dr. Kwaku Person-Lynn
Box 2946
Inglewood, CA 90305
(213) 368-4976 ~ voice mail
For a list of past sponsors: Click Here
Dr. Kwaku Person-Lynn is a native of Los Angeles, a husband, father of five sons and two grandchildren. Professionally he is a historian, musicologist, educator, author, filmmaker, and radio producer. He has two books published, with a third being published during spring 2008, and over 120 articles, essays and chapters in books published.
In the early 1980s, his dissertation chapter "Rap Music – Afrikan Music Renaissance" was the first scholarly publication on rap/hip hop and has been published in several books and the Internet. In the early 1970s, he was a record producer for A&M Records, the first Black recording engineer at the company, and only one of four Black record executives in the country.
He was also founder of the Malcolm X Center in Los Angeles. He received his bachelor degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills, his master and doctorate from UCLA, being the first person of Afrikan descent in the history of UCLA to graduate from the Individual Ph.D. Program, requiring two majors (Afrikan World History and Afrikan World Music, and a minor, anthropology). He has produced two films: Afrikan World Civilizations, covering the history, culture and accomplishments of Afrikans around the world, the first of its kind, and Afrikan World Masters, featuring John Henrik Clarke, Ivan Van Sertima, Frances Cress Welsing and Fela Anikulapo Kuti. He also teaches adult and youth history classes in the community.
Dr. Kwaku's Blog 
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