This year YGB has been engaged in more performances than ever in our history. We have delivered dynamic presentations at historic events like the 50th Anniversary of the Black Panther Party, community events like the Life is Living Festival, churches and schools, and even for the Council for Islamic Relations. All of the groups have been very active, including the group that returned from Africa in August and has been performing as a reflection of Black Gold ever since.
2016 was a tremendous year where YGB was able to meet many historic and important contemporary heroes and sheroes, including many legends from the BPP. Elaine Brown hosted YGB in a performance to open for Nate Parker at a screening of Birth of a Nation. Colin Kapernik hosted members of YGB at his "Know Your Rights Conference", and gave those who attended copies of The Autobiography of Malcolm X. The Black Sheroes met and performed for Alicia Garza, founder of the Black Lives Matter Movement and along side Cat Brooks, founder of the Anti Police Terror Project. The Young Black Kings were featured on Sway in the Morning, and delivered several stellar individual performances as part of this experience. The Kings were also featured at the Coalition for the Education of Boys and Men of Color in New York City. Members of YGB competed at the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival with one member competing on the finals stage at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. The Kids were featured on National Television in Iran, and in Ghana in 2016, and were featured in several multi media projects including a film tribute to the great Civil Rights hero Harry Belafonte.
YGB has taken a bunch of new members including a reconstituted Black Sheroes, and about 10 - 15 new members of YGB the Kids. This years group features several singers, a large contingent of 8th graders, and is led by our Junior Youth Director Masi'a Abrams. Masi'a is also a member of the Black Sheroes and the newest member of the joint Kings / Sheroes group.
