Just how important is art when celebrating Black history and upholding social justice?
This Black History Month, we celebrate art, especially poetry and music, as a powerful tool for social commentary, inspiring change and calling for unity.
Samantha Motsoe Akwei is a Ghanaian-American award-winning published poet, public servant and social impact extraordinaire that lives to maximize potential, transform communities and drive systems change. The depth of her service includes being an AmeriCorps member, workforce development coach to formerly incarcerated, interfaith, and environmental organizer, Google Fiber Digital Inclusion Fellow, Diversity Director at the Justice and Diversity Center and now Inclusive Talent Manager at Mozilla Corporation. Her quest to become an amazing leader led her to become Curator of the Global Shapers Oakland hub, ForbesBLK Local Advisory Council Member, HandsOn Bay Area and New Leaders Council Oakland Fellow. She obtained a Bachelor in Arts in English from Spelman College and Masters in Public Administration from San Francisco State University. As a Knicks Poetry Slam Winner, Brave New Voices NY Poet and 2015 Best New African Poets Anthology contributor she continues to use her voice as a catalyst for change!
This Black History Month, we celebrate art, especially poetry and music, as a powerful tool for social commentary, inspiring change and calling for unity.
The Californian city has a long tradition of revolt and intellectual innovation. Now, as the world looks to rectify social inequality after the pandemic, it can lead once again.