In this workshop, Lynnée discussed their approach to writing about musicians. They discussed that approach as a methodology that works as a liberation practice that protects the humanity of artists, highlights their legacies, and recognizes the social conditions that produced the work they've contributed to the sonic archives of Black life.

Lynnée Denise is an artist, scholar, writer, and DJ whose work reflects on underground cultural movements, the 1980s, migration studies, theories of escape, and electronic music of the African Diaspora. Denise coined the phrase “DJ Scholarship” to re-position the role of the DJ from a party purveyor to an archivist, cultural custodian, and information specialist of music with critical value. Read more…

Almost exactly one year later, Sondria joined us again to give another incredible workshop on erotica. Participants were encouraged to dive fully into this work, and were provided a safe space to do so.

This workshop was a lesson on the dark side of erotica—emphasizing capturing the state of the senses during not so great experiences. This workshop stressed that erotica can mean heavily sensory, and not just sexy.

“EARTH BASED,” is an introductory workshop that intends to demystify the foundation of Orisha-based spirituality. This session helped participants make distinctions between stereotypical views of god as the embodiment of “man” versus Afro-indigenous traditions that honor deities as spirits of nature.

In alignment with the Yoruba Ifa tradition, participants left with the ability to identify what sacred organic elements and natural spaces are aligned with the different Orisha and how to connect to these spirits without/or prior to initiation.

Held in August of 20222, this workshop gave attendees an overview of the process of independently producing a digital series. Participants walked away knowing how to write a script that's produceable on a small budget, how to raise that budget, how to form their production team, the ins and outs of distribution, and more.

Kyra Jones (she/her) is a Black feminist screenwriter, filmmaker, and actor. She received her degree in Theatre and Gender Studies from Northwestern University. She was most recently a writer on the ABC series QUEENS and the Hulu series WOKE. Read more…

In September 2022, BLAC hosted Davia Spain for a workshop on sci-fi and expanding your mind.

This workshop lead participants through the process of creating new paradigms that challenged and updated the ones handed to us by the white, cis-heteropatriarchy. By harnessing the endless possibilities of science fiction, participants learned to create new visions for our future that center the liberation of marginalized groups. Discussion included time travel, circular time theories, and multi-dimensionality.

This workshop discussed different uses of plant medicine, physical, spiritual, and emotional. It was an opportunity for participants to learn from each other and share knowledge. Discussion included personal ritual, the elements of a ritual, and ways to use plants in our rituals. Participants walked away with a ritual they created for themselves, a worksheet with uses of different nervines, and more.

Melanie Griffin is a non-binary, queer Black artist and herbalist living in Virginia, who has also spent formative time in LA and New York. She is an ardent believer and lover of plant medicine, plant magic and healing justice. They are deeply invested in collective healing and creative paths that center Black and Brown people. Read more…

This past Giving Tuesday, BLAC created new merch, and introduced monthly giving. Find out more information here!

In January of 2021, poet, essayist, and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib shared with us tools on how to strengthen non-fiction pieces. It was wonderful to learn from Hanif and receive the gift of his expertise and experience.

Hanif Abdurraqib is a poet, essayist, and cultural critic from Columbus, Ohio. His poetry has been published in Muzzle, Vinyl, PEN American, and various other journals. His essays and music criticism have been published in The FADER, Pitchfork, The New Yorker, and The New York Times.

During this 2021 Valentines Day workshop we:

•Discovered the words that make you wanna...and created our individual erotic vocabulary lists

•Discussed ideas of sensuality and sexiness and answered these questions: Where did these ideas come from? Do they resonate with you?

•Discussed the importance of recording our OWN history with bold and blatant accuracy.

•Sondra briefly discussed her relationship to erotica and why she loves mixing it with sci-fi

AND MORE!!

We had an eventful Valentines Day in 2021! In combination with Sondria’s workshop, BLAC’s own Angelica Rowell invited you to get cozy in your kitchen as we learned how to make some yummy, and affordable, appetizers.

Angelica is an actress, singer, model, writer, and activist based in Los Angeles, California. She holds degrees in both Classical Voice and Theatre from the University of California, Irvine.

In March 2021, AJ Golden gave us some “golden nuggets” on personal finance and money management.

AJ is a self-proclaimed “money nerd and personal finance geek.” He holds degrees in both Business Management and International Business and is also a Husband, Father, former Director, and award-winning Actor.

In April 2021, BLAC invited you to let your creativity and individuality flow in a virtual dance workshop led by freestyle/improvisation duo Stephen and Aisha! They provided an incredibly safe space for ALL to explore the power of dance.

Stephen and Aisha are a freestyle/improvisation duet collective that have been exploring/performing/ training/ collaborating together since 2016.

In this workshop, Leelee lead artists in helping strengthen their ability to write monologue/dialogue. Attendees were given a writing prompt and the option to hear their work be read out loud by professional actors.

BLAC requested that attendees came with ideas/unfinished work/empty handed and leave with so much more. Selected participants received one published copy of Jackson’s one act play Comb Your Hair (Or You’ll Look Like a Slave).

BLAC turned 1! And to celebrate the anniversary of our launch, we looked forward to an afternoon of Black art and culture. Our program included a land acknowledgement, presented by Andrew P, followed by a director’s note from Leelee Jackson. Bleak Magic was presented thereafter.

Bleak Magic by Ashanti Anderson is a one act dark comedy written for a virtual platform that explores the myths and truths of the danger of "Black magic". When conjure woman Miss Virgo perfects the potion for Black magic, she becomes disgusted with the desires of her clients and how they manipulate Black(ness) to gain access to whiteness.

Kumi James a.k.a. BAE BAE taught our workshop participants about the art of constructing a mix using a linear digital audio workstation (DAW). This workshop focused on the use of emotion, rhythm, and narrative to create a meaningful sonic experience through the production of a sound and music mix.

Kumi James (BAE BAE) is an experienced dj, producer, and sound artist. Her sound work is currently featured as a part of a Las Nietas de Nono installation in The Hammer Museum’s No Humans Involved currently on view. Kumi is earning her Phd in Media Arts and Practice at USC. She has a monthly radio show on Dublab.

BLAC runs a yearly campaign for Giving Tuesday encouraging everyone to Give BLAC. Giving to our organization ensures we’re able to run programming each year, and continue to support and uplift Black artists.

BLAC held our second Wellness Workshop Series. This year, we focused on EFT therapy, yoga, drama therapy, mapping and more. Workshop leaders included Kala Lacy, Alicia Mosley, James Woods, LaTianna Williams, and Ebony T. Perry.

On June 19, 2020, BLAC presented Comb Your Hair, or You’ll Look Like a Slave by Leelee Jackson, our founder.

Juneteenth was BLAC’s first major event which drew in an audience of over 200 virtual attendees.

Cast: Miss Barbie Q, Jyreika Guest, Davia Spain, Shariba Rivers, Shereen Macklin, Melissa DuPrey

Written by Leelee Jackson Directed by Kyra Jones Lighting Design by Ebony Madry

BLAC hosted a book giveaway at our Juneteenth event! ⁣

We curated a list of books we love and shared them with ten lucky followers.

Titles included Wayward Lives by Saidiya Hartman, If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, Playing in the Dark by Toni Morrison, Native Son by Richard Wright, Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis, and many many more!! (June, 2020)

BLAC offered a Writing for Television Workshop on September 6th at 1pm PST/ 3pm CST with writers Kyra Jones and Angelica Rowell.

⁣⁣⁣During this workshop attendees learned tips and tricks on how to start a pilot, how to create a character driven plot line, and what producers look for in a script.⁣⁣⁣ (September, 2020)

Morgan Parker shared poems and encouraged attendees to write their own through various prompts. After the event, attendees received a free copy of Morgan’s book of poems, Magical Negro.

(August, 2020)

On Friday, October 30th, 2020, Mimi Tempestt took over our Instagram page! Mimi’s work is featured in our first Zine, BLAC Imaginarium. In her Instagram Live performance, Mimi performed her song, Sandra Was a Friend of Mine.

Sandra Was a Friend of Mine is available to listen to in our digital Zine, as well as on all streaming platforms.

We said goodbye (and good riddance) to 2020 by nurturing our minds, bodies, and souls. We hosted workshops Sundays throughout December and January that promoted health and wellness.

Workshops included yoga therapy, mindfulness, art, baking, and sound bathing.