!BLAM (Black Literature, Art & Music) Youth Project

The Pan African Arts Society created !BLAM programming as a means of providing a more holistic, consistent and meaningful art experience for urban populations and Black youth. Programs are available to youth organizations, schools, community centers and educators for a fee.  Programming includes; !BLAM YouthFest and the “BrownSuga Fest” at the Starz Denver Pan African Film Festival in late April; “A Young Sistah’s Bootkamp” in Summer; the SOIL Emerging Artist Youth Internship Program (year-long); and the Q-POC (Queer People of Color) Lounge (quarterly LGBTQ events for youth).

The overarching goal of this project is to use Black art mediums as a vehicle for observation and transformation of community problems. By combining and understanding of the historical component connected to the creation of the period art, film, music, literature, dance, and spoken-word, and then creating art forms for the current culture, !BLAM uses creativity as a social change agent in addressing some of the root causes for societal disenfranchisement.

Topics can include; Environmental Justice, Racism, Beauty Standards, War, Homophobia, HIV/AIDS, Global Warming & Pollution, Love, Sexism, Career Development, Sexual Assault, Addiction, Mental Health, and Mis-education.

!BLAM Sponsors have included:  Colo. Dept. of Public Health & Environment, The Chinook Fund, Chipotle, Forest City Stapleton,  Starz in Black, the Colorado Hip Hop Coalition,  the Denver Botanical Gardens, Acoma Theatre,  Akente Express, Garden States and Heritage  Apartments, the Gannett Foundation, Kirk Norlan  Gallery, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, the Platte Forum Gallery, and American Family Insurance.

!BLAM Programs:
July 2004 – Dec 2005 the PAAS launched the !BLAM Youth Project's Young Women's Health Swad with our first annual session of “A  YOUNG SISTAS BOOTKAMP” with 23 African American young women from the community-at-large (July-Dec 04).  Gatherings: Week-end Sessions  (Jan – April 05); BOOTKAMP at the Starz Denver Pan African Film Festival (April 05); BOOTKAMP @the “BROWNSUGA YouthFEST” featuring Hip-Hop Youth  Arts Activism (April 05); “Check-In Set” (June – August 05); Solstice  Sleepover (Dec 05).

SOIL Emerging Artist Youth  Internship developing, highlighting,  and encouraging the work of male youth cultural workers by mentoring their creative careers  through presentation, and participation in  local, national, and international forums  including conferences, lectures, and festivals.

Upcoming !BLAM Programming:

April 24, 25, 29th - !BLAM at the 7th Starz Denver Pan African Film Festival + the “BrownSuga Fest” for invited students and the community-at-large.  Hip-hop activism, Performance Art, holistic heath demos and Booksigning with MC Lyte!! Events range from FREE to $8.50.  Developed and coordinated by SOIL Emerging Artist Youth Intern, Ietef Hotep Vita aka DJ CaveM aka Michael Walker III.  Info at http://www.myspace.com/ietef or 303-298-8188

May 19 - Q-POC Fashion Show! The Pan African Arts Society in conjunction with other community  organizations is proud to co-host a fabulously queer event featuring fashion and politics with community youth and young adults. Location TBD.  Interactive art, dope music, great people.  Smoke/alcohol-free. HIV+friendly. For more info contact Liz at andrews.me@gmail.com or 303-298-8188.

June – “A Young Sistah’s Bootkamp” – 4-week arts and self esteem sessions.  $50 per youth.  Location/Details TBD.  Contact Ashara at 303-298-8188 or Blublakwomyn@yahoo.com