VocalEssence – Philip Brunelle, artistic director

For more than 10 years, Kelechi Jaavaid has worked in the Minneapolis Public Schools as an educator, mentor and tutor, reaching students with poetry and spoken word while incorporating comical and dramatic twists. He has performed as a poet, comic and spoken word artist throughout the Twin Cities including the National Association of Black Journalists, First Avenue, Acadia Theater and Acme Comedy Club. He has also read and performed poetry in Ghana, West Africa.

Workshop Description
Kelechi will help students examine the content of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech "I Have A Dream," by using instrumental music and group writing exercises that promote evaluating the content of King's speech. Students will use critical thinking skills and group discussion to formulate an opinion poem or creative writing that express their points of view. The goal is to have students recognize their dream and be aware of the influence Dr. King had on liberating America from injustices with his leadership and dream. Students might feel inspired to examine other speeches as well.

To Prepare Your Students
Read excerpts from the "I Have A Dream" speech on pages 101-102 of the WITNESS Teacher's Guide and ask students to write down their thoughts and opinions on the meaning of the speech.

Please Note
This workshop requires an overhead projector as well as a CD player.