WORD.

Super-powered creative learning

English Language Arts (ELA) Component

The Superpower of Me project’s poetry/spoken word workshops and one-on-one zoom sessions make space for children’s self expression. By articulating in their own words their vision of themselves, it’s an act of imagination, liberation and strength. Creatively with these words, the power of language and the arts are combined to create an enhanced, yet casual learning experience. The workshop is a way to give each child a platform to directly voice their super power. All poems and writing created at the Dr. Ronald McNair Park workshops summer of 2022 will be displayed at The Youth Wing in the Brooklyn Public Library, Central location at Grand Army Plaza.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

July 20, 6-7:30 pm Dr. Ronald McNair Park, Brooklyn

July 23, 2-3:30 pm Dr. Ronald McNair Park, Brooklyn

August 16, 6-7:30 pm Dr. Ronald McNair Park, Brooklyn

Limited capacity. To reserve your child a spot, REGISTER for either workshop by RSVPing with an email through our contact page (or send to [email protected]) and tell us how many children will be joining us. Parental or guardian accompaniment required for duration of the workshop.

EJ reads Yamiah’s poem during our first summer workshop. We start the workshops with a brief tour of the murals to help inspire our young poets and writers.
A group from our first workshop read Eléna’s poem with our educator, Kellie Diodato.
Reading and listening for inspiration before our young poets start to write their own poem.
Adam reads his poem
Zaria reads her poem
Maya reads her poem
Jai reads his poem
EJ reads his poem
Ohm reads his poem
Yamiah, age 7, shows her first poem from the first workshop. She later wrote the poem about Mae Jemison that is displayed on her mural. In working with Yamiah over zoom, she quickly became my teacher–informing both me and her mom, that “Mae Jemison was the first Black woman to go to outer space.” Please visit our exhibit at the park and read this brilliant poem by Yamiah!

My background in poetry (MFA, Columbia University) inspired me to combine this art with the photography to further engage with the children around what it means to be “super powered.”

Our first workshop was in October 2021, with multidisciplinary artist, educator, and organizer, Timothy Prolific Edwaujonte, leading the children in movement and inquiry around their super powers. After the workshop I worked with each child through zoom sessions to complete the poems that are now on display alongside each children’s portrait in the park.

The goal of the writing component is to give the children an opportunity to think about and articulate their super power in their own words.

Our first workshop was held at the Asser Levy Playground on October 2, 2021 at Brighton Beach.

ONE-ON-ONE POETRY ZOOM SESSIONS WITH PHOTOGRAPHER/POET KZ

Throughout the winter months of 2021/2022 I worked with many of our “super powers” to create a poem or prose poem/essay around what makes them powerful. Using their power of imagination, each child was able to express their own vision of who they are now and who they hope to be. These writings will be displayed alongside each of their portraits.

Full exhibit of portraits and poems now on view at the Dr. Ronald McNair Park, a NYC Park located along Eastern Parkway & Washington Avenue in Prospect Hts, Brooklyn. July 14-Sept 30, 2022.

© 2021 The Super Power of Me Project