DALLAS, Texas — After a 30-day call for entries, winners for the black album.mixtape. were announced during a virtual Block Party event. The black album. mixtape. is an initiative of Regina Taylor – the Golden Globe-winning actress, playwright, and activist – in partnership with Southern Methodist University’s (SMU) Meadows School of the Arts. In response to the historical significance of 2020 defined by COVID-19 and social protest, the black album. mixtape. invited students, professionals, and the community to explore identity, activism, art, and change.
“The recipients of the black album mixtape awards represent a myriad of voices in several fields who are shining their transformative light in these difficult times,” said Ms. Taylor. “We received entries from all over the U.S. and abroad. I’m very honored to have hosted this initiative to showcase a shining array of talent on this platform to be a witness and recording this moment as we find our footing towards paths to a better tomorrow.”
The black album.mixtape. submissions were evaluated by an 11-judge panel for the eight $500 cash awards in the youth and adult categories of art, activism, innovation, and STEM. The winning entries can be viewed here and are as follows:
YOUTH WINNERS
Activist Award: “Through My Mind,” a short film by SMU students Leon Jones, Rhett Goldman, and Caleb Mosley that explores racial injustice, black mental health, and what it means to be black in 2021 through visual art, dance, film, music, and monologues.
Artist Award: “In the Dark,” an original song written and performed on guitar by Alexandria Carrington, a senior at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas.
Artist Award: “All,” a song by SMU theatre student Ben Woods. The track is about freedom. Finding it. Seizing it. And running with it. Then, eventually passing it on to the next generation.
STEM Award: “I Believe,” a spoken word piece presented by sixth-grader Nya Smith from Atlanta, GA.
ADULT WINNERS
Activist Award: “This Voice,” a song written by Bobby Daye, Sylvia MacCalla, and Yvette Cason, with a video created by Arnetia Walker, New York, NY. The song was created to highlight the importance of voting and having your voice heard.
Artist Award: “Culture Loop,” by Wilfredo Rivera, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Chicago, IL. The work represents a female African American choreographer’s personal response to and meditation on the racial injustice movement explosion following George Floyd’s assassination in 2020.
Artist Award: “Make the Change,” a song by John Tyler, Baltimore, MD.
“Make the Change” is the closing song to John Tyler’s EP titled “No Color.” The song was heavily inspired from ’60s and ’70s soul and blues but is relevant today. The lyrics convey that there’s still hope for justice for Black people in America and that soon they won’t have to fight for their lives. The song encourages all listeners to help make a change.
Innovation Award: “Portrait of a Nation,” an audio-driven visualization by Mark Hirsch, Santa Barbara, CA.
Other entries can be viewed here – https://blog.smu.edu/theblackalbum/the-mixtape-submissions/
Over the past several months, the black album project has hosted virtual roundtables, dinner discussions, and more than a dozen individual interviews featuring leaders in arts and activism across the country. Videos of the interviews and discussions are posted on the black album website.
“Everyone across the globe is going through the same things all at once with different perspectives, each speaking on it in these conversations through their work in various disciplines,” said Ms. Taylor.
The black album.mixtape. Award Winners https://blog.smu.edu/theblackalbum/winners/
The black album.mixtape. Submissions https://blog.smu.edu/theblackalbum/the-mixtape-submissions/
The black album mixtape. Events https://blog.smu.edu/theblackalbum/events/
More about Regina Taylor: https://www.thereginataylor.com/
YouTube Link
The black album.mixtape. Black Bone China Dinner and Discussion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss4MRF-hxmM
MEDIA CONTACT
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*Caption: Golden Globe-Winning Actress, Playwright, and Activist Regina Taylor Announces Winners of the black album.mixtape.com
Related link: https://www.thereginataylor.com/
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