I am humbled when I think of the many individuals and organizations who saw the vision and generously offered time, resources, and services to ensure our success- Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Samaritans Purse, CrossPoint Community Church in Edgewood, MD, Children's Defense Fund YALT, Harford County Cultural Arts Board, APEX Museum in Atlanta, Venus Chapter No. 56, OES PHA Maryland and Its Jurisdiction, Harford County Public Schools, fellow FAMU alum and the University of Minnesota peers, and my mother Lynne Blanks were among the first to see the vision of bringing people together in celebration of African culture as an educational pursuit that raises our global consciousness. Their early support made it possible to sustain, grow, and thrive through many challenges. The hundreds of young people in Liberia who advanced crucial social and political issues through theater against all odds over the last twelve years are the real heroes of the B4 story. They boldly put their bodies, time, and often financial considerations on the line to champion gender equity, education access, voter engagement, Ebola awareness, stigma, and countless other issues facing their communities. They also brought joy and heightened pride in Liberia and its diaspora as they staged classic Liberian literature, facilitated a graduate-level course at the University of Pennsylvania, guest lectured in courses at Johns Hopkins University, presented at international conferences, traveled and performed in cultural exchanges, supported years of Juneteenth African fashion shows, hosted renown international artists such as Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's Museum Theater Department in our recent 200 Years of Returns production, led the Global Youth Arts Collaborative which was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, and established new program sites and partnerships with youth in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, and several parts of the African continent. Our young people are remarkable, and their time is now. I am overwhelmed with joy to embark on a new journey at the moment when our young people are best positioned to lead. As the Executive Director of the Center for Social Concern at Johns Hopkins, I will be advancing the work of civic engagement in Baltimore City, Maryland (US). In December at the opening performance of 200 Years of Returns on Providence Island in Liberia, I shared that the dream was always to have B4 YOUTH Theatre under the direction of young people. I could not be more pleased with how everything has come together to make a smooth transition inevitable. As my church folks say, There's no time like God's time. Former B4 Youth Theatre student, Sr. Arts Instructor, and Partnership Director Hannah N. McKay has been appointed as Interim Executive Director of B4 Youth Theatre. This young woman has a heart for her peers, her community, and for seeing that all children and youth have opportunities to engage in African culture through arts education. I could not be more excited for Ms. McKay and her leadership team which includes several professionals who have committed to providing pro bono services in volunteer staff roles to support the organization moving forward. I look forward to mentoring Ms. McKay through this year of transition as she burns barriers and builds bridges with African and African diaspora young people across the globe! |
