Speaker: Jaqueline Alexander-Sykes

Reference: https://f.io/rgq-_tPQ

Description: Ms. Jacqueline Alexander Sykes is a visual artist and the director of St. Elmo

Village. Founded in 1969 by her late husband, Roderick Sykes, the Village is a sacred

community for artists, activists, and creators interested in providing spaces to advance

creative disciplines and address human concerns. Jaqueline’s efforts have cultivated so

much learning through hands-on engagement by accessing the community's capabilities and building real-world skills for creatives who have contributed to the world in impactful ways. Through the experiences of loss, art, and community, this chapter unpacks how her investment in cultivating community has inspired generations of change-makers and amplified collective voices.

Creative and Community Expression Workshop

Community Mapping Activity:

Create a map of local organizations with which you can collaborate and discuss plans to integrate their services and benefit your environment.

Use Google Asset Maps to create the nutrition map. Link to YouTube video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3toaUiBgoys

Guided Reflection Questions:

1.     How can community organizations supplement the learning and academic experience and operate as alternative educational spaces? Identify organizations in your community that you might be able to partner with or have already partnered with to enrich the classroom dynamic. Share any success stories and questions you might have about getting started.

2.     Through St Elmo Village’s example of community, what can we learn about how environments impact nurturing healthy bonds for children and families? If a child’s environment doesn’t have access to these types of organizations, how can educators strengthen healthy interactions in the classroom/ learning environments?

3.     Self-Reflection: Community involvement allows us to be seen and feel heard. In what ways have your community challenged you to be better, uplifted your achievement, or impacted your learning? How can your individual experience further embrace connections with children, parents, and the broader community?