dir. Sha-Shonna Rogers
"Is It Better on the Other Side?” is inspired by D.Watkins' book, “We Speak for Ourselves: A Letter from Forgotten Black America,” in which Watkins shares his perspective of growing up in Baltimore City and dealing with consistent death around him. However, through it all, Watkins and his peers were always told by elders that things would be better on the "other side"; life would be better after death.
As Black people we are always seeking freedom in the afterlife, but, do we really have to die in order to experience freedom? This project highlights the youth's perspectives but it also challenge our radical viewers to ask themselves the same question,
New Generation Scholars is a study abroad leadership institute under Muse 360 Arts, founded by Sharayna Christmas and Bashi Rose in 2007. It provides Baltimore city youth ages 13-21 with the opportunity to gain knowledge of self through studying the influences of the African Diaspora. Scholars grow as strong leaders, understand the importance of collectiveness and community, and learn to grow as creative people.
is an African American author who was born on February 10th, 1980 in Baltimore, Maryland. Watkins often talks about how it was hard growing up and going through poverty, police brutality, and witnessing homicides. At just eighteen years old, D. Watkins lost his brother which pushed him to sell narcotics. After several fateful encounters, he decided to leave the drug game alone and go to college. After writing and publishing four books, including "We Speak for Ourselves: A Letter from Forgotten Black America," where he discusses life growing up in Baltimore City. D. Watkins continues to leave his mark on Baltimore.
iN BALTIMORE CITY, THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS THAT DWELL WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, ONE BEING THE GAP BETWEEN YOUTH AND ELDERS. OUR ZINE "LOR RADICALS: A LOR RADICALNESS FOR MY DUMMIES" HIGHLIGHTS DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES OF THIS PROBLEM AND WORKS TOWARDS A SOLUTION. FEATURING A 9 POINT PROGRAM FOR TRANSFORMATION, A LESSON ON BALTIMORE SLANG, INTERVIEWS WITH RESPECTED ELDERS, AND MUCH MORE, OUR ZINE PAVES THE WAY TOWARDS A BETTER BALTIMORE.
COVER DRAWN BY A'MAHAYAH CALLOWAY
Gyasi was a New Generation Scholar during the 2020 season having traveled to St. Croix. Gyasi is a photographer, videographer, and film maker currently attending NYU Tisch.
Click HERE to read Gyasi's article, "Move Till Still"
Click HERE to watch the trailer for Gyasi's film, "SAVE THE MANCHILDS, FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH"
Follow Gyasi on Instagram to stay updated on pieces that he's working on
Justin Scott, known creatively as "STR33T," has been a New Generation Scholar since the age of 12. Justin Scott has traveled to New Orleans, London, Paris, and Ghana under NGS. Justin is a singer, songwriter, and music producer who is currently attending UCLA.
Click HERE to listen to Justin's latest single, "Speeding," now streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, & Spotify.
Click HERE to watch the music video to "Speeding" now streaming on YouTube
Follow Justin on Instagram to stay up on projects that he's working on
