2017 CIIP Program Book 2017 CIIP Program Book | Page 21

Community Partner: Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center
Intern: Blessing Ogunyemi
Site Supervisor: Kennedy McDaniel
What is the Eubie Blake Cultural Center?
The Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center brings artists and audiences from diverse backgrounds together. We support,
develop, promote and advocate for cultural and educational programming in the visual, performing, and literary arts.
"My experience at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center these past few weeks has been
very rewarding and insightful. I came in knowing I would learn more about how an
arts non-profit organization is run and so far that has been true, but I've also
learned so much more. The Eubie Blake Cultural Center brings different cultural
programing opportunities to the community in the form of music, dance, theatre,
visual arts, and education. In the center, there's a strong sense of community where
individuality and creativity is highly encouraged. Many programs are held at the
center, and, like the gifted and talented music program I was involved with, they
teach life lessons that extend past the music on the page or the painting on the
wall. They teach the participants how to appreciate history and those who came
before us. They also teach of the importance of actions and choices and the impact
they can have on future careers and opportunities. The programs instill in the young
ones a sense of responsibility and community, and provide them with guidance.
As a great woman once said, or sang, "I believe that children are our future. Teach
them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess
inside." I think this is an unspoken motto at the center although it applies to
everyone, young and old. We all have a role to play in influencing those around us.
I've very glad I had the opportunity to do so with the center and I know I've also
learned a lot from those at the center. I know more great ideas are being thought of
at the center and I can't wait to see them come to life. It's been a great run at the
center and although the internship is coming to an end, I know I have a place in the
community I can always come back to." -Blessing
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Worked with instructors to coordinate and
facilitate operation of gifted and talented music
program and weekly cultural excursions
Led improvisation sessions with students in the
music camp in order to improve improvisation
skills and increase confidence when facing new
challenges
Created documents to keep track of and
manage financial information
Researched protest music used around the
1960s and 2010s to be used in an exhibit
comparing the 1968 riots to the 2015 uprising
as well as researching and reaching out to
potential guest speakers
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