Youth Engagement – BC Black History Awareness Society

In October 2020 we hired Charity Williams, OLY as our Youth Engagement Coordinator. Charity used a series of workshops for youth to dive in and explore the five elements of Hip-Hop: Knowledge, MCing, DJing/Lyricism, Breakdancing/African dance, and Graffiti.

Woman crouching front left side of oversized completed graffiti work “Hip-Hop”; cans of spray paint in foreground

Using hip-hop pedagogy, the program delves into themes of identity, power, resistance and creativity to speak with and re-engage Black and Indigenous youth in this society.
These discussions/workshops create space for youth to understand self-development, create awareness of how systems influence and impact their lives, and give them the tools to be critical of the world in which they participate.
The youth develop skills to challenge the inequities around them and become transformative agents of change for their community.
Our program is rooted in partnerships with progressive and innovative members from the Black and Indigenous community.
It gives the participants an opportunity to meet mentors and have their lived experiences voiced and reflected within their everyday environments.

The first element “knowledge” refers to the historical knowledge of the movement, it’s all about our consciousness or lack thereof. This is the thread that weaves all the elements together, for this workshop we will educate the youth on the origins of hip-hop.

Ernie Panicciolli with one of his latest album covers

Knowledge: An online discussion with Ernie Paniccioli, legendary Hip Hop Photographer and member of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame and Shane Book, Canadian poet and filmmaker, Associate Professor of Writing at UVIC took place on February 20, 2021. Watch

Graffiti, the fifth element, allows artists to express themselves with art; widely used to visually highlight injustices in many urban communities. This element is often held with a lot of controversy, but we want to show the youth that graffiti is not vandalism, rather a beautiful and expressive art form that often speaks louder than words.

This two-day Graffiti Workshop, on August 16 and 17, 2021 brought together BIPOC professional artists and youth from around Lekwungen Territory. The event was free; the goal for youth to learn basic graffiti techniques and the history of graffiti in Hip-Hop. Their work was then featured in the Esquimalt Community Art Hub (ECAH), 901 Esquimalt Rd.

“We are so grateful to ECAH for uplifting the youth and their art in this way” Charity Williams

The Graffiti Workshop

outside in park setting, man bent position left side using spray paint creating graffiti on large plywood piece — Professional artists and youth at the two-day Graffiti workshop. August 16th and 17th in Victoria. 20 youth attended over the 2 days.

outside in park setting, woman crouching on right side/front facing 2 large graffiti works on plywood, applying finishing touches bottom right corner — Professional artists and youth at the two-day Graffiti workshop. August 16th and 17th in Victoria. 20 youth attended over the 2 days.

The Art

2 graffiti art pieces hanging in gallery; each piece is approx. 24x36in./60x90cm

3 graffiti art pieces hanging in gallery; each piece is approx. 24x36in./60x90cm

graffiti art piece hanging in gallery approx. 24x36in./60x90cm

graffiti art piece in gallery approx. 24x36/60x90cm

4 graffiti art pieces hanging in gallery; each piece is approx. 24x36in./60x90cm

ECAH images courtesy of BC Black History Awareness Society, Photographer Tracy Guinchard

This Youth Engagement program has ended. If you have ideas for more youth engagement, we would love to hear from you at info@bcblackhistory.ca. Thank you Charity and to all those who participated.