SPA 2020 @ St. Louis Black Repertory Company (USA) (August 1,2020)

Earlier this summer, I learned about the Summer Performing Arts Program (SPA 2020) at the St. Louis Black Repertory Company and decided to make a donation which would cover two places for a week’s attendance at the summer camp. Back in 2009, while I was a Visiting Professor Saint Louis University Law School, I attended a performance of “Tell Me Something Good” by the Company at the Grandel Theater which was near to where I was staying on campus. I enjoyed the performance so much that I contacted the Artistic Director, Ron Himes who invited me to perform a couple of songs from my first album, “We’re Inside Out” (RPR/Women’s Voice Productions-2007) as part of a Company Artist Showcase at the Grandel Theater. I have never forgotten how everyone at the Company made me feel so welcome during my stay in St Louis that I have always tried to stay in touch with their performances, activities and projects. So make a donation. Or donate your time or money to a local arts organisation that organises similar arts education programs. We need the arts. We need educational initiatives that provide access and opportunities for young Black artists to evolve, flourish and thrive in ways that are sustainable. I believe in the arts. I believe in education. And I support the St. Louis Black Repertory Company in all of their initiatives and projects in making this happen.