Category Archives: Youth and Education

Black Butterfly

Black Butterfly

black butterfly, sailed across the waters
tell your sons and daughters 
what the struggle brings
black butterfly, set the skies on fire
rise up even higher… 

When Denice Williams sings these lyrics, she is singing about all the little girls who are a lot like our featured youth. Meet Khadejah Bryant a sixteen year old young lady who expresses herself with every move she makes. Khadejah is a dancer. She is in her dance group at school, has tried out and made Dallas Black Dance Theatre and maintains good grades. Khadejah dances as a way to express herself in a positive way. She feels that it is better for her to focus all of her emotions, good and bad ones,  into every move she makes. She believes every dancer should show their entire life through each movement.

Khadejah plans to attend college after high school and possibly major in dance. She would like to open a dance studio when she gets older. There is no doubt she will do all of these things and more. Khadejah loves just about all art forms and some of her favorites from them are: Langston Hughes, Kathryn Dunham, Melanie Moore, Marvin Sapp, Common and Guy. Great taste for a great kid.

When asked about her ability to persevere she says: I have gone through things most could not go through, I have seen things most have not seen. But when you see me – you see fun, if you knew me you would know happiness but my life is deeper than any emotion. So when I go through trials and tribulations- I smile. I fear only one thing and that is God. He made me to be a light that shines for all proud young black women.

Khadejah has been a member of BTGMP for 2 years and is currently student Vice President of the organization. BTGMP is a non profit that aims to change the trajectory of students’ lives. On March 9th at the House of Blues, BTGMP will host “Laugh, Love, Music” a benefit event as well as a celebration of accomplishments to date. Since 2006, BTGMP has sent over 85% of it’s senior members to college and will break ground on a “peer to peer” urban youth library by late February. The purpose of “Laugh, Love, Music” is to help raise funding for BTGMP’s programming. In addition, we will also honor DJ Frances Jaye for her support of BTGMP. For more information about BTGMP checkout our Promo Video and  go to btgmp.tumblr.com or btgmp.bbnow.org.

Make a Joyful Noise … and let it transform minds!

Najmeen "Saxx" Taylor

Saxophone- an instrument that would both be the most powerful and vocal of the woodwinds and the most adaptive of the brass, which would fill the vacant middle ground between the two sections.

At such a petite frame and young age, poet and lyricist Najmeen “Saxx” Taylor’s message is not only strong but she has a way to bridge those who seek purpose and healing to a higher power.  Saxx uses her voice as an instrument to move your spirit. She is also a believer and student that intends to use her gift to express the silent cry for help that she hears from youth. When she graduates from college, Najmeen will open a youth empowerment organization and continue to perform and spread her message on various stages through spoken word. I asked her what artists does she listen to and she said Mali Music, Kari Jobe, Kenny G and Tynisha Keli… Great taste and great purpose, Najmeen “Saxx” Taylor.

The Makings of the David Bing Academy

The Kids Are All Right

Hip Hop artist, dancer and believer, Kevin Kazadi, is a 16 year old Dallas, Texas native who takes to the stage and blesses the audience- not with a sermon but with 18 bars. Kevin is a part of this generation of kiddos we tend to worry about and we think do not get it. But if he is an example of what our youth are, then the kids are indeed all right!

Kevin describes his sound as simply a way to make Christ and positivity famous, relevant, and attractive. After high school, he plans to attend college and major in Criminal Justice. Though he is a scholar and enjoys the challenges of his AP classes, he says that he will always pursue his love for music as well as perform and record.

When asked how he stays motivated during difficult times he simply says “I don’t have a near death comeback testimony, but I can say that life screams Jesus Lives. Whatever I’m challenged with daily I look up to that Giant and speak life to it”.

Follow Kevin Kazadi on Twitter: @RocBoiKazadi for upcoming shows & more info about him

by Mia Street, Educator and Founder of BTGMP