By Alexis LaRue
AFRO Intern
alarue@afro.com
This February marks the much-anticipated return of “Blacktastic! A Virtual Festival of Maryland Black History and Culture,” presented by the nonprofit Arts for Learning Maryland.
Returning for its sixth year, the program will feature a one-and-a-half-hour remix of audience favorites from the last five years, including virtual performances, field trips to historic sites and storytelling that pay tribute to the notable Black leaders across the state of Maryland.
In addition to the diverse performances throughout the event, the program will also include post-performance interviews, allowing students to understand the teaching artist’s process and the inspiration behind the figure they chose to portray.
Bomani Armah, also known as Baba Bomani, has been a teaching artist at Arts for Learning Maryland for the past 13 years.
As a teaching artist, he uses his knowledge of the arts and education to teach young individuals the importance of Black History Month.
“You can augment a child’s experiences with artistic experiences,” said Armah. “Artistic experiences leave an impression on the brain and on the soul that a regular classroom can’t.”
He also mentions the current state of America’s climate, speaking about the attempts to erase Black history and why it’s doubly important to educate youth during Black History Month and every month.
“I think a lot of young people don’t have context for why the world is the way it is,” said Armah. “When you start explaining things to them, it really opens their eyes.”
During the program, Armah will collaborate with world-renowned mezzo-soprano opera singer Denyce Graves. Their segment will include a peek behind the scenes of Graves’ vocal studio and a performance by the two in a music video, and is set to be a fun energetic rap about Graves being a “real life diva.”
“We were at her house. I went and saw her horses, and she was like, ‘Should I bring out my husband’s Ferrari?’ I was like, Denyce, this is a rap video; of course you should bring out your husband’s Ferrari,” said Armah.
Other figures that will be shown in the Blacktastic program include: Verda Freeman Welcome, the first Black woman to be elected to the Maryland State Senate; Chick Webb, legendary drummer and band leader; and Lillie Carol Jackson, a civil rights activist and organizer. Their stories will be depicted by singing storyteller Debra Mims, SOLE Defined dancers, and Jamaal “Mr. Root” Collier.
But for Armah, this is more than just a Black History Month program. It’s a way to keep young adults engaged in learning about their history through the art form of spoken word, rap and even tours of historical places.
When asked how Armah would thrive with this kind of work as elected officials are attempting to silence the teachings of Black History Month, he said, “I was born into the world to do this work, and I am not concerned with losing the opportunities because even if politicians are trying to change how the history is told, educators and artists are the salt of the earth.”
The “Blacktastic!” festival has achieved significant reach in Maryland classrooms, engaging over 56,000 students in 2024 and maintaining a similar level of participation the following year.
“We hope to maintain the same amount,” said Shana Teel, the special arts director at Arts for Learning. “We always hope to grow every year, but we also recognize that this year’s school budgets are tighter.”
Even with potential budget cuts for schools, Arts for Learning Maryland still intends to make the event more affordable, so that more students can participate with an eye toward keeping history, especially Black History, alive and remembered.
The “Blacktastic!” virtual festival returns on Feb. 26, offering an engaging, celebratory, and accessible experience held entirely online. Register now on the official Arts for Learning Maryland website at: https://www.artsforlearningmd.org/blacktastic/.