Pittsburgh choir helps black boys find their voice
In Pittsburgh, the Afro American Music Institute has used music as an unexpected gateway to life skills and academic success for young black men...
By Forward Ever Media/Game Changers
Conundrum: What does singing in a choir have to do with singing in a choir? Everything and nothing.
In Pittsburgh, the Afro American Music Institute (AAMI) has used music as an unexpected gateway to life skills and academic success for young black men.
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Founded in 1989, the organization’s blueprint is equal parts talent development, classical music training, and self-esteem boosting military-style rigor and discipline. This may be the formula that has assured its members graduate from high school. AAMI boasts a 100 percent high school graduation rate in a city where the dropout rate among black males is nearly 50%.
We sent James Robertson, our Pittsburgh-based GCP Fellow (and also a AAMI member), to listen to the “joyful noise” being made by the young men and talk with founders Dr. James T. Johnson and Pamela Johnson.
His micro-doc is an inspired work, especially amid dire circumstances for young African American males.
To learn more about James and read his blog about making the film, please visit, www.gamechangersproject.org
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