From "I Am a Man" to "We Still Stand": A Powerful Kickoff to Books, Beats & Bloom
- readingwithmrsrich
- Oct 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 6
On Saturday, we officially launched our first session of Books, Beats & Bloom: A Literacy Pop-Up Experience—and it was nothing short of transformational. Held at Raleigh Egypt Middle School, our focus was on the historic 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers' Strike, but the conversations, creativity, and energy from our youth proved that history is still very much alive.
🖼️ Walking Through History
Students began the session with a gallery walk featuring powerful images from the Memphis Sanitation Strike. They observed, questioned, and reflected using prompts like Notice. See. Wonder., then engaged in deep conversations comparing then and now—especially the current deployment of the National Guard in Memphis sent by the President.
They made powerful connections between the injustices faced in 1968 and the realities their communities still face today.
🎧 Listening to Voices from the Movement
Our scholars watched videos and listened to firsthand accounts of what it was like to live in Memphis during the Civil Rights era, especially the mood of the city following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The heaviness, courage, and calls to action echoed through our classroom as students took it all in.
📝 From Protest to Poetry: Making Their Voices Heard
After discussion, students channeled their emotions into protest poetry and rap using a beat by Memphis artist Big Boogie. The result? Powerful spoken-word pieces that honored the past and demanded justice in the present.
They stood tall, mic in hand, not just as learners—but as protestors, poets, and future leaders.
💥 What’s Next?
We’re just getting started. Our next session will focus on The Memphis 13 and the bravery of young children who desegregated Memphis schools. If this past weekend is any sign, we’re about to witness something truly extraordinary this fall.
📍 Space is limited—so make sure you register now. We can’t wait to see what our young changemakers create next. Click HERE to register.
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