Music and arts flourish throughout local black youth
“I’m singing. I have a passion for music…that’s something that I’ve always done. I’ve always loved music and essentially, I just want to stay on a positive path.” These are the words of Quay’shawn Montez Bell, a student of Howard High School. Bell and other local young black artists are taking their talents to “Young, Gifted, & Black”.
Created by Garrell Woods and titled after a profound song written by Nina Simone in 1969, “Young, Gifted, & Black” showcases many of Chattanooga’s young and talented black artists to display their creativity through arts.
The majority of artists are high school students who urge other teenagers from Chattanooga’s black community to strive for their dreams despite their background.
Special guests include Erika Roberts-Blackmon, a local writer and poet. Her poem titled “How Do the Gifted Dream” was written in honor of the event. As Blackmon stated, “Lately, the news is about the violence in our community involving young people. This show will shine a different light on our gifted kids.”
The lineup features the talents of Ladarrius Slater, Quay’shawn Montez Bell, Kevon Jackson, Zach Grant, Jessyka Jazz, DeNayzia Millsap, Dajourne Waller, Chelsea Crosby, Erika Roberts-Blackmon and Marley Fox.
Young, Gifted, & Black
Friday, 8 p.m.
Mercy Junction Justice and Peace Center
1918 Union Ave.
(423) 629-9872
mercyjunction.org