Welcome to Young Gifted and Black
We are a school for Black children to teach and learn confidence, self knowledge and public speaking. through the lens of Black History. We are a repertory group of youth ages 7-18 who use our voices to challenge misconceptions about the Education of Black Children. We have been doing this work since 1981.
At YGB we dedicate time to becoming agents of change. We rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays In Oakland for two hours in each rehearsal. The commitment to excellence in every presentation is a result of these consistent and focused rehearsals YGB performs at
YGB rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Oakland, CA. If your child would like to join our program, please fill out an application. If you would like to Book YGB for a performance, please fill out a booking form.
Schools
Churches
Conferences
Festivals
Rallies
and other events throughout the Bay Area.
Support YGB’s Fundraiser by donating or buying merch! Any donation made by our community helps to subsidize costs for parents and makes it possible for more young people to explore and experience Black History through performance art. Though we started as an all volunteer operation, in the interests of sustainability and quality, we offer our staff competitive compensation and to do so we are always fundraising. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR WORK.
DOWNLOAD BLACK LOVE FROM KINGMAKERS OF OAKLAND
Young Gifted and Black is featured on Kingmakers of Oakland’s new album Black Love curated by, YGB Alum and Teaching Artist, Alonzo Henderson aka ZO1. This powerful work features YGB students, alumni, and directors Mama Davis, Baba Hodari Davis, and Ikera Davis. Click the picture above to get access to the album via the EVEN platform and support the work of these amazing artists!
In the past we have performed in other cities outside of California. YGB has even performed overseas in Ghana and Trinidad.
We perform Black Freedom Songs, Historic Poetry and Contemporary Raps curated to serve as instruction for us and edutainment for our audiences. In each presentation we sonically walk audiences on a journey through Black History putting ancestors in conversation with current ideas using art as a bridge across time.
We have had over 200 youth participants who have performed for thousands of people around California, presented in 4 countries around the world, and performed in national and international events, festivals and broadcasts. YGB has served as youth ambassadors for the Bay Area and for Black people in the United States for over 15 years in the Bay Area, and for 40 years since its founding in upstate New York..
YGB has received financial support from individual donors, Zoo Labs, the SF Foundation and Edutainment for Equity.