Diary Entry #9 BPS Associate Superintendent Fatima Morrell / by LeRoi Johnson

It’s Video Friday on the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition Project.

I had planned to do a LIVE video today, but once again an individual connected to the project stepped forward to voice their enthusiasm for this special art endeavor.

I am pleased to introduce Associate Superintendent of Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Initiatives for the Buffalo Public Schools, Fatima Morrell, Ed.D.

In her role, Associate Superintendent Morrell is the person who supported the program goal of including young artists from throughout Buffalo in my upcoming exhibition and facilitated a creative way for Buffalo Public School (BPS) students to participate, learn, and benefit.

This week, she stopped by the classroom at the Northland Workforce Training Center where I’m working with lead instructor, Jay Hawkins Sr., and 20 BPS student artists on creating their interpretive versions of my art.

She not only interacted with the 20 artists and saw their designs on paper, she visited the studio where the students are creating their artwork for a behind-the-scenes preview.

Thank you Associate Superintendent Morrell for your enthusiastic support of these talented young artists and their part in LEROI: Living in Color.

LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition includes the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center. The exhibition will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center through March 26, 2023, presented by M&T Bank, with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the Western New York community.