Jan Spivey Gilchrest,
Ashley Bryan,
George Pendergrass
Influences
..
MY AMERICA: EDUCATING A NATION
The ultimate goal and purpose of MY AMERICA
is to launch a national campaign to promote literacy to “at-risk” elementary school aged students; to enlighten them on the greatness of our country, and to show how this greatness is directly attributable to our diversity and values. Our intent is to encourage a spirit of patriotism and love of country. Finally, we will inspire youth to begin mining the richness and power of working collaboratively with one another to nurture and hone their gifts and talents in both the visual and musical arts mediums.
A greater desire to read, artistic expression, self-pride, community spirit, and multicultural awareness are all themes found within THE MY AMERICA PROJECT. There is no question of the positive affect a program like this can have on young lives in our communities. However, this program is also capable of uniting racial, socio-economic and class divisions in our local and national schools.
The MY AMERICA PROJECT hopes to collaborate with school districts, teachers, parents, city governments, churches, corporate and private sponsors, and individuals who share our vision in an effort to provide an experience for young people all across our great nation that will be nothing short of life-changing.
Sounds Like
The "MY AMERICA" song, which was inspired by Jan Spivey Gilchrist's poem, has been wonderfully interpreted by singer, songwriter, and recording artist Mr. George Pendergrass who has, by way of melody, composition, and incomparable vocal styling created an awesome extension to the "MY AMERICA" concept. George's creation covers a multitude of musical styles, from american folk, to soul, to gospel, to rock which makes the song very easy to appeal to a wide cross section of listeners. Diversity is ever present with this piece of music and is in perfect alignment with the theme of Ms. Spivey Gilchrist's poetic vision.
Moving the concept further along, George has placed the MY AMERICA song concept in the capable hands of noted songwriter/record producer/musician Cornelius C. Mims. A native "Los Angelino", Mims' career has spanned over the past 25 years in the music industry and affords him a resume that reads like a who's who of the industry's elite. Names like Beyonce, Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige, and LL Cool J only scratch the surface of his career accomplishments. Also known as "Corney" by friends and family, Mims felt an IMMEDIATE connection to George's concept. But it was after being exposed to the actual "MY AMERICA" book project and the incredible work of Jan and Ashley that the true and potentially life changing effect of MY AMERICA revealed itself. "I've never been this inspired about a project in my entire life, states Cornelius. My America is not only a poem, a book, or a song: I see it as a movement in which all of its facets should be brought together to launch a campaign of artistic excellence that I feel certain can/will positively effect and change the mindsets of our people: young and old, rich and poor, of all ethnicities & religious beliefs all across our great nation, and beyond!"
MY AMERICA exemplifies what we as American people and what our country SHOULD stand for.
This unusual tribute celebrates America's diversity in its landscapes, both urban and rural, its wildlife, but most of all its people: "We hail from every shore." The text is a poem by Gilchrist, 13 lines in three stanzas. Both Bryan and Gilchrist illustrate the poem in alternating spreads: his signature color swirls work in tandem with her muted, blue-toned tableaux and faces. Young and old alike will appreciate the layered message of the poem: that it's our differences that make America one. The words have the potential for choral reading or dramatization, especially since each line of verse is a question directed to the reader: "Have you seen my country? / Seen my magic skies? / Seen my mighty waters? / Have you seen my land?"
ASHLEY BRYAN'S numerous awards and honors include the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration, six Coretta Scott King Honors, the Arbuthnot Prize, and a Fulbright Scholarship. He illustrated THE STORY OF THE THREE KINGDOMS by Walter Dean Myers, A NEST FULL OF STARS by James Berry, HOW GOD FIX JONAH by Lorenz Graham.
He also wrote and illustrated BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD and ALL NIGHT, ALL DAY: A Child's First Book of African-American Spirituals. Mr. Bryan studied at Cooper Union in New York City and earned a degree in philosophy at Columbia University. He lives in Isleford, Maine.
JAN SPIVEY GILCHRIST illustrated the Coretta Scott King Award winning book NATHANIEL TALKING, the Coretta Scott King Honor book NIGHT ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, THE FRIENDLY FOUR, ME & NEESIE, and IN THE LAND OF WORDS, all written by Eloise Greenfield.
An inductee into the National Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African descent, Ms. Gilchrist received an MFA in writing for children from Vermont College and a doctoral degree in english from Madison University. She lives near Chicago, Illinois.
Blessed with an incredible vocal ability, the multi-talented GEORGE PENDERGRASS is a humble and an extremely personable spirit. Educated at La Guardia High School of Music & Art in his hometown of New York City, and receiving further schooling at Southwestern Christian College, Lubbock Christian University, and Duquesne University, George built a foundation of information and knowledge that has carried him to great levels of success in his music career as well as working in multiple capacities with young people: from at-risk youth to college students. He presently serves as Director of Multicultural Enrichment at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas where he and his family currently reside.
George has traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad as a speaker and entertainer. He has performed for and addressed thousands, focusing his energies on the one universal need of the people: positive and inspirational information.
George's voice has been heard on a wide range of projects for such well known artists as Vanessa Williams, U-2, Toto, Billy Preston, Sophie B. Hawkins, Carmen, Michael W. Smith, and Billy Joe Royal to name a few.
In this stunning tribute to our country, Coretta Scott King Award winners Ashley Bryan and Jan Spivey-Gilchrist remind us that America's strength and beauty come from the diversity of it's people, wildlife, and landscape
