La Soul Renaissance’s 2nd Annual New Bedford Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday “Children’s March” Teach-In cordinated by Erik Andrade with keynote presentation from internationally spoken word artist and renowned activist Jared Paul as the keynote

 

La Soul Renaissance’s The 2nd Annual Martin Luther King Day “Children’s March” Teach-In also began with an opening address from Rev. David Lima of Greater New Bedford Inter-Church Council. And was followed with Leanne Neves, reciting Martin Luther King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” Speech while Michael Jo Santos video from La Soul Renaissance’s First Annual Martin Luther King Day “Children’s March” to Gifts to Give.

Master of Ceromony Erik Andrade introduced Teaching Tolerance’s  documentary “The Children’s March”. The film tells the story of how the young people of Birmingham, Alabama, braved fire hoses and police dogs in 1963 and brought segregation to its knees. Their heroism complements discussions about the ability of today’s young people to be catalysts for positive social change.

The film was processed by Erik which lead into the introduction of keynote speaker Jared Paul.

JARED PAUL’s Biography

Having toured internationally in over 200 cities throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe playing alongside legendary poets, musicians, journalists, and speakers such as Amy Goodman, Saul Williams, Bill Clinton, Sage Francis, Our Lady Peace, Paul Hawken, Jello Biafra, Immortal Technique, Anti-Flag, Atmosphere, The Misfits and many others, Jared is widely recognized as one of the premiere performance poets in the world. His work has been featured on the Canadian Broadcast Company program, “Zed TV,” as well as in CMJ Magazine and The Providence Journal. Jared is a two time Individual World Poetry Slam Finalist and has been a featured poet at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Post Secret national book tour, South By Southwest Music Festival, and Net Roots Nation. He was also the headlining act for the 2009 Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach grand opening at the nationally acclaimed Villa Stuck gallery in Munich, Germany.

“Jared Paul is a stunning performer – staring audiences in the eyes and calling for conscious responses to injustice. His talent at sharing complex ideas through verse should not be missed.”
-The Eureka Times Standard

“Jared Paul has some real flow mastery.” 
-Vice Magazine

“If the United Nations needed a representative from the Slam/poetry community, we’d send them Jared.” 
-Buddy Wakefield, 2004 & 2005 Individual World Poetry Slam Champion

“(Jared) rocks like Public Enemy bumrushing a basement hardcore matinee…”
-CMJ Magazine

  AS AN ACTIVIST…

With over a decade of anti-war/animal rights/environmental protection organizing and a storied career laden with protest arrests, Jared Paul has become somewhat of a modern folk hero within the underground American counter-culture. In his capacity as an organizer he has interviewed, photographed, or featured on NPR, WPRO, RI Channel 5, 10, and 12, as well as in the New York Times, The Denver Post, the Associated Press, and many other outlets. His most notable run-in with the law happened during the 2008 Republican National Convention, where Jared was the victim of a mass arbitrary arrest. Fans and supporters jumped to action via online fundraisers and live benefit shows, through which an attorney was hired and the case was eventually dropped. His “Conspiracy To Riot” creative non-fiction series was published by the quarterly Providence periodical “The Agenda” and Strange Famous Records.

Jared is featured in the following radical documentaries:
Manufacturing Dissent
Life Is Easy
This Revolution
Slam Planet
5 Days In Denver

“Jared Paul is a firestorm of conviction and flow. In a world long on words and short on action, Jared delivers both.” 
-Peter Young, nationally renowned animal rights organizer and advocate for social justice.

“Emerson said that character is higher than intellect. What happens when someone has both character and intellect, as well as a sense of conviction that can be described only as humbling? You have made Jared Paul’s acquaintance.”
-Columbia Recording Artist, Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace

  AS AN EDUCATOR…

Jared is an artist in residence at AS220, the award winning Rhode Island arts collective dedicated to providing unjuried spaces for local and national artists since 1985. He is the founder and an 8 time coach of the Providence National Youth Poetry Slam Team, assisting and encouraging Rhode Island youth to seize the reins of performance art since 2001. Under Jared’s direction Team Providence advanced to finals stage at The Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Festival in 2004, 2006 and 2007. Jared has facilitated performance poetry and direct action workshops at festivals, conferences, universities, prep schools, youth correctional facilities, public schools, and writer’s groups across America.

“The only thing stronger than Jared Paul’s convictions is his ability to change yours with the craft of his language.”
-Sonya Renee, 2004 Individual National Poetry Slam Champion

“Jared Paul is a juggernaut who lives his politics. His work speaks to the political – which is his personal – that he lives with sincere conviction and integrity.”
-Michael Cirelli, Executive Director URBAN WORD NYC

“Jared Paul is the watchdog of poetry, a force not unlike a hurricane– a very skinny, loud, sweaty hurricane that wants you to know your life is worth everything and that this planet belongs to us all.”
-Mike McGee, 2003 Individual National Poetry Slam Champ and 2006 Individual World Poetry Slam Champ

Jared has presented at the following colleges and universities:

Boston University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, University of London-Goldsmiths (UK), Georgetown University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Michigan, Amherst College, NYU, University of Washington-Seattle, Emerson College, Bates College, Rhode Island School of Design, Humboldt State University, Brandeis University, Evergreen University, Stonehill College, University of New Hampshire, Massachusetts College of Art, Hampshire College, Clark University, Smith College, Wheaton College, University of Rhode Island, University of Delaware, SUNY-Albany, Culinary Institute of America, Washington University (St. Louis), University of Northern Colorado, University of Idaho-Moscow, Boise State University, Western Washington University, University of Oregon-Eugene, Chico State University, Sacramento State University, Rhode Island College, Sierra College, Santa Clara University, University of California-San Jose, University of California-Santa Cruz, Johnson & Wales University, SUNY-Oneonta, Los Positas State College, University of California-San Diego, University of New Mexico-Albuquerque, University of Washington-Tacoma, Providence College, College of the Redwoods, Northeastern University, West Valley College, University of Connecticut, St. Michael’s College, and more.

 

Following the keynote. Erik facilitated the group reflections as volunteers were asked to reflected upon the modern issues of these times that they are concerned with and to focus on things in the world they wish to create in response.  Creating a signs as affirmations of those dreams members where given markers and poster boards and were encouraged to be creative.

While students designed signs, Joshua Letourneau began painting a mural of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A live Jazz performance from La Soul Renaissance’s The Overflowing Cup Project: Native Spaces shaped the creative soundscape with:

• Tony Menotti – Electric Guitar
• Evan MacLeod – Upright Bass
• Al Nawrocki – Percussion
• Miles Flisher – Electric Keyboard
• Erik Andrade – Spoken Word Poet
•  DJ Anghelli – Freestyle Emcee

During performance Venc Cultural Soul Academy began distributing Martin Luther King “Evolutionary Love” sweatshirt designed by artist Erik Andrade and Master of Fine Arts illustrator and painter Nick Mello for La Soul Renaissance. Hand Printed locally by master silk screener Mamaodou Doumboya for MA2K Impressions in Wamsutta Mills along with volunteer Erik Andrade. La Soul Renaissance’s MLK “Evolutionary Love” Sweatshirt were sponsored through generation donation by Jim Stevens of Gift to Give.

Gifts to Give founder and CEO Jim Steven’s gave presentation on the mission and the vision of the South Coast “all volunteer” community non profit. Jim’s presentations highlighted the success and need of Gifts to Give.  Mr. Steven’s message encouraged youth graduate high school and sought  to inspire student leaders to develop more compassionate community. This presentation helped give context and  a sense  purpose to the volunteers. As it is crucial that volunteers understand the value and the impact of their community service.

From La Soul Renaissance’s  2nd Annual “Children’s March” Teach In, volunteers then march one mile to major event sponsor and the Greater New Bedford Martin Luther King. Jr National Service site of Gifts To Give one mile from Normandin Middle School. The march was lead by crowd energizer Dj Anghelli aka Angel Diaz, and parade safety and direction was managed by Reverend David Lima Executive Minister of Inter-Church Council of Greater New Bedford and the New Bedford City Police Department under the leadership of New Bedford Police Chief David Prevencher. With additional support from La Soul Renaissance’s volunteer leadership, UMass Volunteers, New Bedford Public School Staff, Our Sister School Staff, Morton Middle School Staff, New Bedford Teachers Union, and event Chaperones.

New England celebrity  mix-show Dj Jules of JAMN 94.5FM Boston and iHeartRadio’s Master of the Mix show donated his sound and his service providing a positive and uplifting soundtrack at the Gifts To Give service site, and managed sound during the afternoon closing ceremony which special guest (to be listed at a later date)

Group ice breakers in the early morning where facilitated by volunteer mentors from Umass Dartmouth Track Team and Leduc Civic Engagement Center recruited by Volunteer Outreach Coordinator (SCI AmeriCorps) for SouthCoast Serves, Ashley Nunez under supervision of Diedre Heally.

Service Site Saftey  volunteers at the GiftstoGive were supervised and managed under leadership of volunteers Jim Stevens, Sarah, Mary Kay,  Gilbert, Russell Souza, David, Vivian, along with volunteer leadership from Bristol County Saving Bank, the District Attorney Quinn, members of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Ward 4 New Bedford City Councilor’s Dana Rebeiro, State Representative Keating Office, Mayor of New Bedford Jon Mitchell, Chancellor Davina Grossman of University of Massachesetts in Dartmouth, City Councilor at Large Naomi Carney and many more to all the community volunteers whom choose to invest their Martin Luther King Jr Holiday at our event.

The student leaders were feed lunch donated by Dominoes Pizza in the North End of New Bedford and which was delivered and distrubted by New Bedford Teachers Union under leadership of president Lou St. John with water donated by New Bedford Marathon committee cordinated by Jim Stevens of Gifts to Give.

• Videography by Erik Andrade &  VENC Cultural Soul Academy ( Nair Andrade &  Vanila Silva)
• Additional photography by Michael Jo Santos Photography & Desa Van Laarhoven of Round the Bend Farm.
• Sound provided by Chris Chambers of Normandin Middle School Music Department under leadership of Principal Stephen Farrell.
• Additional sound system provided to La Soul Renaissance via the United Way of Greater New Bedford’s Mini-Grants Resource Library.
• “We March For” signs designed by Nick Mello for La Soul Renaissance