Vision

The Black School (TBS) is a Black-Centered experimental art school teaching BIPoC and ally students to become agents of change in their communities through art & design education and programming based in radical African diasporic histories, prioritizing local community needs. TBS’s mission is to promote and extend the legacy of art in Black radical politics by providing innovative education alternatives centered on community building for self-determination. We offer art workshops, events, and programming including a free paid Design Apprenticeship for Black youth ages 14 to 22 years, Garden School for community members, and Black Love Fest. Since starting, we’ve taught 550+ students in 150+ workshops, facilitated 125+ workshops, produced 4 Black Love Festivals with 4,000+ attendees, collaborated with 75+ professional artists, and partnered 75+ organizations and trained and employed 30 design apprentices.

Goals

1. 1.We will complete construction of The Black Schoolhouse which will share and preserve Black culture and create a cultural safe space for rituals, traditions, art and innovations of Black voices.
2. 2.The Black School will establish three distinct, interrelated community groups (The Village, The Community Council, and The Vanguard).
3. 3.The Black School Community Garden (TBSCG) will highlight local teaching artists that specialize in Black agrarian techniques, art making, ethnobotany and herbal medicine.