Racial Radical: Generating New “Woke” Words

Join us for a multimedia event featuring Milwaukee-based visual and spoken word artists Fondé Bridges, Mikal Floyd-Pruitt, and Dasha Kelly. Drawing from hip hop and the Black urban experience, they will bring their linguistic, cultural, and collaborative talents to USC, where they will work with audience members to identify familiar-but-unnamed racial experiences and generate new language to describe them. Building on experiences working with USC students in classes taught by Taj Frazier (Communication), Lanita Jacobs (American Studies and Ethnicity), and LaVonna Lewis (Public Policy), the artists and attendees will brainstorm, sprout, and spread new vocabulary for a new era.

Bios:

Fondé Bridges is a parent, author, lecturer, and Healthy Words advocate who promotes the conscious use of beneficial vocabulary in the lives of children and adults. He is the author of Healthy Words 101 and 101 Simple Suggestions for Better Living.

Mikal Floyd-Pruitt started rapping and producing music as a youth, taking up the moniker MC Mikal. After graduating from Harvard University in 2006, the multi-disciplinary artist—whose works include paintings, sculptures, modified clothing items, and found-object assemblages—moved his art practice back to Milwaukee, where he grew up.

Dasha Kelly is a writer, performer, facilitator, and creative change agent who seeks to amplify community connections by facilitating discussions about topics that often divide communities, such as race and class. She utilizes her talents and experiences to reach audiences in venues ranging from college campuses to correctional institutions.

Presented by USC Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative. Organized by Andreas Kratky (Cinematic Arts), Anne Bray (Freewaves), and Sara Daleiden (MKE<->LAX) in collaboration with the Designing Equity initiative. Co-sponsored by RAP (Race, Arts, and Placemaking).