A Special Screening of “And Still I Rise”

Thursday, March 30, 2017 6:00 pm-9:00 pm

[ Community College of Philadelphia, Bonnell Auditorium ]

Click [here] to RSVP

Join us on Thursday, March 30 from 6:00 to 9:00pm at Community College of Philadelphia's Bonnell Auditorium for a screening of And Still I Rise, the first film to be made about literary and performing artist Dr. Maya Angelou.

The film presents her journey, shedding light on the untold aspects and painting an intimate portrait of Dr. Maya Angelou’s life. Distinctly referred to as “a redwood tree, with deep roots in American culture,” Maya Angelou gave people the freedom to think about their history in a way they never had before. Dr. Angelou’s was a prolific life; as a singer, dancer, activist, poet, and writer, she inspired generations with lyrical modern African-American thought that pushed boundaries.

Stay after the film for a conversation with Philadelphia artists Ursula Rucker (LTA '08, ACG '08) [poet, activist, and recording artist], Andrea Walls (ACG '14) [writer and poet], and moderator Pia Deas (ACG '16, WOO '17) [creator of Contemporary Black Canvas and professor of African American Literature at Lincoln University] around the impact of Dr. Angelou’s life and what it means to create a spiritual and moral grounding that honors the blending of artist-activist roles.

Presented by Community College of Philadelphia's Office of Diversity and Equity and Leeway Foundation.

Admission is free, but registration is required.

 

About the Panelists

Ursula Rucker is a Philadelphia born poet, mother, activist and recording artist. She has been performing, recording and releasing works for over 20 years. Ursula has traveled and toured extensively, throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Africa…sharing her poetry…her heart and soul. She is dedicated to art as/for social change…and committed to freedom fighting, truth-telling and peace-(and a little trouble making through her chosen art form.

Ursula believes in taking her art as far as it can go…whether it be through teaching ,activism,  lecturing, conducting workshops, merging it with music and recording or rocking mics and stages.

To date, Ursula has released five solo albums (Supa Sista, Silver or Lead, ma’at mama, Ruckus Soundsysdom, SHE SAID)…as well as collaborated on over 100 songs, in a wide array of musical genres, with producers/artists from around the world (such as King Britt, Bahamadia, The Roots, 4 Hero, Jazzanova, Louie Vega, Incognito).

Ursula was awarded both the Leeway Foundation’s Art for Change & Transformation Awards. She is the feature of a documentary short called POET. Last year she successfully premiered her first one-woman show/live memoir My Father’s Daughter, and is touring with it. Currently, Ursula is working on her 6th solo album, and planning her first book project.

 

Andrea Walls is a poet and digital artist. She is the author of the chapbook, Ultraviolet Catastrophe, (Thread Makes Blanket Press, 2011) and the creator of theblackbodycurve.com, an interactive poetry and digital arts collection. She is a Pushcart Prize in Poetry nominee and a recipient of a Leeway Art and Social Change Grant. She is a participant in the VONA/Voices Summer Workshops for Writers of Color and an alumna of the Hedgebrook Residency for Women Authoring Change. Her poetry and visual art have been published in venues including, Callaloo, Journal of African Diaspora Arts & Letters; Solstice Literary Magazine; Tidal Basin Review; Kweli; bozalta: Arts, Activism & Scholarship and heart (human equity through art) online journal. She is a teaching artist who lives and makes art in Philadelphia and is the host of a bi-monthly gathering of artists at Arts Sanctuary in South Philly. She hopes to see you there!

 

Pia Deas is the creator and host of Contemporary Black Canvas, a podcast that celebrates the depth and breadth of the Black artistic and intellectual tradition from the African diaspora and Africa. Through in-depth interviews with emerging and established artists from all disciplines, this multi-disciplinary project highlights the most engaging and dynamic Black artists from across the globe. Pia Deas is an Assistant Professor of English at Lincoln University with a speciality in African American literature. She lives in Philadelphia with her partner and their two cats. Contemporary Black Canvas is available via iTunes, Stitcher, and SoundCloud: contemporaryblackcanvas.com

 

Thanks to our community partners for their support of this screening.

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