Performing Identities: Cohort Reflection

By: Sabriaya Shipley with Myla Baxter, Madison Coleman, and Taylor Townsend

Myla Baxter

Madison Coleman

Taylor Townsend

Our cohort recreated some of the images we discovered during our Ile Ife archiving at the Charles Blockson Collection.

Our first cohort writing assignment was a poetic or lyrical reflection on one of the images found in the Ile Ife archive. Our final performance piece will feature a poem we found written by Arthur Hall, one of the founders of Ile Ife, to the Ile Ife African American Dance Assemble. ​

Myla chose to write her poetry piece “I Came to Dance” based on this image! ​

Madison chose an action shot for her reflection ​-

While for Taylor there was an importance to collage all the photos together into one art piece!

It has been nothing short of amazing and awe inspiring to watch their many growths and discoveries along this journey. They have really captured the Colored Girl in Germantown’s Ile Ife and in addition so many beautiful parts of themselves. As a Teaching Artist, there is nothing cooler than baring witness to young artist start their journey. As a Black Woman, it is healing to witness young Black girls stepping into themselves with such confidence! ​