Dillard University Student Ambassador Update

Written By Akilah Northern

Because this week is spring break, there were no classes to present to or meetings to attend. So, I spent the majority of this week researching in the archive, emailing to set up presentations after spring break, and creating Instagram content.

I had the idea to do something interactive on Instagram stories and I settled upon The HistoryMakers Trivia this week is TV Edition. I searched in the archive for interesting stories and facts about television to feature. These are the two that I have created so far and I plan to create a few more in the TV theme and then do a different theme in the future. This allows our followers to engage with the content and then go to the archive to find out more.

I also emailed the Dillard University Theatre Department about demonstrating the archive to them. I recently attended their production of Knock Me a Kiss which is a historical fiction play about W.E.B. Dubois’ daughter Yolande. After the play, the actors and actresses discussed their creative process and mentioned watching videos to get into character and study body language and voice inflection.

During my research for the TV Trivia piece, I found a clip of Kevin Clash talking about his struggles as an African American puppeteer. Clash talks about how he was not acknowledged by Jet, Ebony, or Essence and how he has multiple Emmy awards but still no acknowledgment from Black publications and entities. This clip moved me because you can see his irritation and frustration in his face and body language. And unfortunately, this is not an unusual issue, oftentimes Black spaces and publications do not always do the best job of supporting our own. As I watched Clash talk about it, I recalled an interview I had seen with celebrity stylist Law Roach who talked about getting invited to all these award shows but not the BET Awards or getting featured in magazines but not Essence or Ebony. Clash speaks to the fact that oftentimes certain Black professionals do not get featured because they are not relatable. He discusses how actors and singers are easy to feature because people understand what they do and can relate. But people like Clash are important to feature so that people can expand their views. Imagine learning about a puppeteer for the first time in Jet and discovering a new interest in puppetry. This clip should be a call to action for all of us to promote Black professionals in all industries.

Akilah Northern

Akilah G. Northern (she/her) is a third year student at Dillard University. She is pursuing her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Originating from Nashville, Tennessee, an influential civil rights city, has deepened her love for Black history and culture. And her rich family history of Black excellence has grown her love for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Akilah is inspired by poet, writer, and activist Audre Lorde and her work in womanist thought and literature. She loves to support small Black businesses and learn about Southern Black tradition! She is passionate about advocating for underrepresented groups and promotes cultural awareness through her involvement in In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda. Furthermore, on campus, she is involved in Dillard Collegiate DECA and the Melton Foundation Global Fellowship. She is excited to be a HistoryMakers Ambassador and help spread Black history through modern oral tradition.

Previous

Wellesley College Outreach Week of April 3rd
Next

How I Was Birthed From A Mango Seed