AfroArtivism

Dr. Warren in partnership with the Vanderbilt Black Cultural Center, Blair School of Music, and National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) was awarded an inaugural Arts, Discovery, and Innovation grant from the Vanderbilt Office of the Provost. In February 2023, this team staged “Afro-Artivism: Evening of Art & Hip-Hop” at NMAAM. The signature event funded by the grant celebrated the artistic contributions of Black Vanderbilt and Nashville community
members while highlighting the concept of Black Resistance, the 2023 national theme of Black History Month. Augustus, Dr. Warren’s artist name, performed two songs at the event including an original titled Song for Them.

The NMAAM event introduced the practice of artivism and allowed participants to engage in meaningful reflection as they discover the innovative ways social justice work can be pursued through diverse mediums of creativity. Attendees were also invited to register for biweekly workshops that further delved into the arts and their impact on history while learning of the current liberatory pursuits of Black artivists. Workshops included experiential opportunities, such
as visiting the NMAAM and engaging in their existing opportunities, attending roundtable discussions with local artivists, and creating various forms of artistic expression that honor the Black experience today.