CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA
100CAMERAS X LITTLE BLACK PEARL WORKSHOP
MADE POSSIBLE BY FRAMEBRIDGE
100cameras X Little Black Pearl Workshop is a part of a 8 class course that is custom designed by 100cameras to equip passionate creatives with the tools to empower youth in a community they care about with the opportunity to learn how to process their stories and create change. Pictured here are 100cameras students during the course. This program was made possible by Framebridge.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
100cameras X Little Black Pearl Workshop took place in Chicago, Illinois USA in partnership with Little Black Pearl Workshop (LBP), an enriched academic environment that infuses project-based art practices provided within an educational program that guides, strengthens and inspires youth to think critically/creatively, explore art/design career pathways, and discover the importance of giving back in an interconnected world. The key characteristic that enables LBP to fulfill its mission is the belief that every student can be empowered to learn through their own creativity.
Little Black Pearl Workshop is dedicated to creating access to art, culture and educational training opportunities in the arts for youth and young adults. To provide the highest caliber of education and art-practice engagement that strengthens communities as it guides and inspires youth to dream big, work hard, think creatively and make life-long contributions to the world.
Their vision is to provide a unique creative secondary education and business environment that nurtures and promotes the product of design, originality, and imagination. LBP builds on a school culture that encourages lifelong learning and ingenuity. Learning at Little Black Pearl Workshop is project-based, arts integrated, and interdisciplinary. The learning model is grounded in four pillars that include students as researchers where all students are actively engaged in inquiry based learning which forms students as problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and active learners. The second pillar involves students as collaborative creators where all students engage in creation through the active integration of the arts throughout the curriculum. The third pillar is that students are the narrators of a new story, engaging in social emotional learning and the building of competencies grounded in culturally relevant pedagogy. The final pillar is that students are leaders taking an active role in designing projects to serve humanity. The learning model is focused on problem-based learning experiences in which students use inquiry to research, collaboration to create projects that will positively impact others, and use social emotional competencies to lead and create a personal narrative of success.
By utilizing STEAM, unique art programs, and partnerships within the community, the organization believes the experiences provided can create well-rounded students. Relevant technology and resources are utilized to ensure students have the learning methods and techniques that equip them for the 21st century.
“Little Black Pearl Academy is an enriched academic environment that infuses project-based art practices provided within an educational program that guides, strengthens and inspires youth to think critically/creatively, explore art/design career pathways, and discover the importance of giving back in an interconnected world! The learning model is focused on problem-based learning experiences in which students use inquiry to research, collaboration to create projects that will positively impact others, and use social emotional competencies to lead and create a personal narrative of success.
The 100cameras program will give our youth an opportunity to explore these 4 pillars through their own lens.”
Little Black Pearl Workshop counters the challenges urban youth face by providing a safe environment, access to positive role models, rigorous programming, skills development activities and social growth opportunities. As quoted on their website, LBP shares, “For the past 22 years, LBP has responded to the notion that Art, like everything else in under-served communities, must respond to the reality and needs of society. We strongly believe that the battle being waged is for the “minds and hearts” of our children. We also believe that individuals can make a major difference in every effort to ensure that our children have a true opportunity to thrive.”
“It was fun taking photographs and learning about how to take different types of photographs in different styles.”
MEET THE STUDENTS
ABOUT THE PROGRAM LEADER
Branden Little. Branden Little was born in Birmingham, Alabama. After his family moved to Atlanta, Ga in 2002, Branden attended Lakeside High School and became a star running back. Branden attend West Virginia University on a football scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education Management. Because of his passion for music and audio production, Branden enrolled in SAE College in Chicago, IL where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Audio Production. He shares his passion every day in the classroom where he teaches both PE and Audio Production to students.
He is always finding ways to expand his learning. An example of this is that he is currently in the Chicago Public Schools Certification Cohort program. Branden has been a teacher at Little Black Pearl Art & Design Academy for 8 years. He is very organized, a positive role model, and enjoys seeing students thrive in their talents. He quotes: “Since becoming an educator, my philosophy has been to motivate youth in the right direction, no matter which path they choose. I stand firm as a positive example of where education can take you. I am a student of my students and the more I learn from them, the better educator I become."
STUDENT IMAGE GALLERY
Follow us on social media to see images from the field as captured by the 100cameras X Little Black Pearl Workshop team and the student photographers. Thank you to Framebridge for making this program possible!