NAAPID at Night
Join us for a Special 20th Anniversary Celebration of NAAPID: National African American Parent Involvement Day….at Night.
February 8, 2016 – 6 P.M.
Ypsilanti Community Middle School Auditorium
235 Spencer Lane, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48198
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Ayinde Jean Baptiste Gifted orator, writer, and strategist, Ayinde Jean Baptiste gained national attention as a 12-year old speaker at the 1995 Million Man March. His speech was the motivating factor for Joseph Dulin to launch National African American Parent Involvement Day. At 14-years old, Ayinde was invited to and spoke at Pioneer H.S. for the 1998 NAAPID kickoff event. Now, 18 years later he returns as the keynote speaker for “NAAPID at Night” to reflect, remind, and renew the call to action. You won’t want to miss this 20th anniversary of NAPPID and hear Mr. Baptiste’s spellbinding message of truth and hope.
There will be a student talent showcase and a reception following to meet Mr. Baptiste. Light refreshments will be served.
Dance Class with Camille A. Brown Dancers

You Can Dance UMS Series
You Can Dance Series: Camille A. Brown
Saturday, February 13th
2:00pm
YMCA
400 W. Washington Street, Ann Arbor 48103
Join dancers from Camille A. Brown’s dance company for an exploration of the company’s movement style. No dance training or experience necessary, and all levels, ages 13 and up, are welcome. Free, but first come, first served until studio reaches capacity. Sign-Up begins at 1:15pm at the Y Welcome Desk. – See more at: http://ums.org/performance/you-can-dance-camille-a-brown/#.dpuf
UMS Night Class: “Constructing Identity Together” with Camille A. Brown Dancers
UMS Night Class: “Constructing Identity Together”
U-M Alumni Center
200 Fletcher
Ann Arbor
7:00-8:30 pm

Black Girl-Linguistic Play
This season, the “UMS Night School” is hosting discussions on the themes of identity and performance. “These 90-minute sessions combine conversation, interactive exercises, and lectures with genre experts to draw you in…” ums
Conversation starter questions include: How do artists’ personal identities help shape their work. Does the identity of an audience member influence what they see on stage?
This class is free, with no pre-registration required. Just drop in and meet classmates with a similar interest.
Ann Arbor Community Foundation NOW Accepting Applications For 2016 College Scholarships
Most AAACF Scholarship Funds use the common online application.
- For African-American students . . .To research any and all scholarships for which you might be eligible, please see a complete listing of all AAACF Scholarship Funds.
Some funds have their own paper applications. For a list of scholarships that use a paper application.
Please note that each scholarship has its own selection criteria and requirements.
To help students investigate what scholarships for which they might be eligible:
- For students attending . . . .
University of Michigan
Eastern Michigan Unviersity
Washtenaw Community College
Cleary University
Michigan public university, college or technical school
- For students graduating from . . .
Pioneer High School
Huron High School
Community High School
Chelsea High School
Hartland High School
Roberto Clemente High School
Saline High School
Taylor High School
A Detroit Public School
- For student Athletes . . .
- For students studying . . .
German Studies (Univ. of Michigan, Eastern Michigan Univ.)
Advertising, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing,
Journalism or a related field
Civil Engineering
- For students and families who have been members of
Community Financial Credit Union in Plymouth, Michigan for at least six months
- For veterans returning home from active duty deployment
in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom
If you have questions, please contact AAACF Community Investment Officer Maryellen Ferro.
About AAACF
The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation works to enrich the quality of life in our region.
- We award more than $3 million in grants and scholarships each year. Since 1963, AAACF has awarded nearly $40 million in grants and scholarships that have made a meaningful difference in the arts, education, the environment, health and human services, seniors, and youth programs.” www.aaacf.org
County “Giants” announced for 2016 “History Alive” Theatrical Production
ATAMI Opens Up Youth Registration and Announces their 2016 History Alive Giants: Mrs. Lola Jones & Mr. John Barfield, Sr.
“Our Arts education program includes classes in various creative media to teach our students to perform their artistic talents skillfully to the glory of God. Course include weekly instruction in instrumental and vocal music, dance, drama/acting, fine arts (e.g., drawing, painting, sculpting), photography and videography.”
This program is open to youth from 5th through 12th grades, and begins on January 23, 2016. Online registration is now open. Go to the Events Page of ataminc.com
To see scenes from the 2015 Giants production go to: ataminc.com

Mrs. Lola Jones is a long-time chronicler of African American History in Washtenaw County. In 1984, she founded Another Ann Arbor, a 501(c)3 non-profit, which conveys the culture, concerns, news and history of African Americans living in Washtenaw County. Jones has produced talk shows, documentaries and books which preserve Black, county history. She has partnered with other organizations to support the education of our youth in STEM, computer literacy and television production.
Mr. John W, Barfield is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who went from working as a janitor to living the American Dream of a billionaire businessman. Barfield opened his first company, J & B Cleaning, in Ypsilanti, with his wife, Betty, in 1954. Mr. Barfield went on to found many companies including The Bartech Group Inc., a leading workforce management and staffing provider to Global 500 firms. Today, Bartech employs more than 3,000 people, and manages approximately 26,000 contract workers worldwide. Barfield, now retired, is considered one of General Motors must successful minority suppliers.
Please Save-the-Date: Sunday, May 1, 2016 for the production, “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants,” in Towsley Auditorium, Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College.
District Wide Black Parent Student Support Group of Ann Arbor Meeting w/AAPS Superintendent
At 7:00 pm, Jan. 12, 2016, at Arrowwood Community Center, Dr. Jeanne Swift, Superintendent of Ann Arbor Public Schools, will meet with the District Wide Black Parent Student Support Group (DWPSSG) to discuss issues affecting students and the African American community. Please attend!!!! Arrowwood Community Center 2566 Arrowwood Trail, Ann Arbor, 48105
Here is more information about the group from their website: dwbpssg.org
Purpose of DPSSG
Mission of BPSSG
John E. Lawrence presents the “Magic of Christmas” Holiday Concert
“Magic of Christmas” is a holiday concert presented by master guitarist, John E Lawrence, and featuring the Power Band, with special guests. Tickets are $25.00. The show runs from 7-9pm in the Towsley Auditorium, at the Morris Lawrence Building, of Washtenaw Community College. All proceeds benefit the children’s programming of *All Things Artistic Ministries, Inc.
This Saturday’s concert will be a homecoming of sorts for Lawrence, who retired last year as the former Director of Music Performance, at Washtenaw Community College. Come out and catch up with John E. Lawrence and his Power Band!
*ATAMI produces “Standing On The Shoulders of Giants,” a yearly, children’s theatrical production, based on the lives of different, local, African American leaders.