Youth Changemakers Taking Action to Support Black Lives

Welcome! This is the first in a series of newsletters LearnServe is publishing to amplify the changemaking of our student social entrepreneurs and alumni working to combat anti-Blackness specifically. You can keep up with the series on our website here.

LearnServe students and alumni have pursued this work in many forms ‒ from taking action against police violence, mass incarceration, and racial discrimination to fighting for and celebrating Black representation and creative expression. We're excited to introduce you to these changemakers and their impact!

Malachi: Art, Activism, and Scholarship
In the Battle Against Anti-Blackness

A long-time rapper and spoken word artist, Malachi 'MalPractice' Byrd (LearnServe Fellows 2013) has always believed in the intersection of art and activism. From the mix of his African-American studies degree and Gender & Sexuality certificate from Princeton University, to performing through Split this Rock and being selected as Washington DC’s inaugural youth poet laureate (2015), to publishing his dually named book and mixtape, Crowning Too Early (2017), Malachi displays in his artwork where his research interests lie: fully interrogating the evaporation of Black childhood.

Malachi performed his poem Done Waiting on July 7th in memoriam “For George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, for every name.” Done Waiting draws upon deep emotional underpinnings to denounce police violence and anti-Blackness in an urgent, powerful piece. You can watch the performance on his Instagram @seemalpractice or YouTube channel.

You can learn more about Malachi’s art, activism, and scholarship on the LearnServe Blog, and follow his social channels here.

Toni: Increasing Black and Latinx Representation in
Classical Music

“Hi my name is Toni, and I’m a Sophomore at School Without Walls High School. But more importantly, I’m a musician.” It’s clear from the first words of her elevator pitch that Toni (LearnServe Fellow 2020) cares deeply about music.

As both a classical cellist and electric bassist, Toni is acutely aware of the lack of representation of Black and Latinx musicians in classical music. And she knows first-hand just how much of a difference representation can make. As she shared with us, “I can recognize the importance of having influences that look like you from a young age.” 

In April, Toni launched Cadenza, a social venture bringing musical awareness campaigns and workshops to DC high schools. Her goal is to encourage Black and Latinx, female musicians to pursue music in college and professionally by breaking down barriers in the college audition process. "In the coming months, I hope to figure out how I can further spotlight black musicians, and give them a platform where they feel supported."

Want to learn more about Cadenza? Watch Toni's elevator pitch and read our interview with Toni on the LearnServe Blog.

Peniel: New Lenses on Africa

“This organization is not meant to supplement personal research on Africa. It is not a free pass that gives you the title of “woke” or “enlightened” on the happenings of Africa. Instead, it is just the start of learning about the food, culture, economy, and lives of people in Africa. It is a place to generate buzz and a more complex way of thinking about Africa and life in general."

Peniel (LearnServe Fellow 2019, Abroad 2019, Incubator 2020) was frustrated by the widespread ignorance about the African continent that she encountered in the United States. With her website New Lenses on Africa, Peniel has created a space for young people to share their perspectives and deepen their knowledge of African countries. She has built out an active blog with multiple authors, a resource center, and a membership program to encourage dialogue.

“The current political climate has inspired me to continue doing my work,” she shared. “It has reminded me that the work for freedom and justice is not over, and I want to continue to discourage ignorance."

Want to learn more about New Lenses on Africa? Read our piece on the LearnServe Blog and get involved at www.nloa.info.