Black Lives, Black Words aims to explore black diaspora experiences in some of the largest multicultural cities in the world. From Chicago to London, people have gathered to seek an answer to one question, Do Black Lives Matter? This project serves as a comparative study to raise awareness of the shared and different transatlantic experiences in the black community and evaluate the impact it has had on the black community at large.
Black Lives Black Words gathers visual artists, spoken word poets, and local black playwrights and have them write ten minute plays based upon this question. Each play is written, cast, and rehearsed throughout weeks of preparation for a single night, script-in-hand production presented free to the community.
Already playwrights Nambi E. Kelley, David Barr III, Shepsu Aakhu, Elana Elyce, Marsha Estell, T, Reginald Edmund, Kristiana Rae Colón, Aaron Holland, Celeste Cooper, Tsehaye Hebert , Loy Webb, and Elana Elyce have produced plays in Chicago through the Congo Square, MPAACT, ETA Creative Arts, Black Ensemble Theatre’s Black Playwright Initiative, and Pegasus Theatres
In Minneapolis at the Guthrie Theatre with Carlyle Brown and Company, Bedlam Theatre, Freestyle Theatre, and the Million Artist Movement with E.G. Bailey, Sha Cage, James Austin William, Idris Goodwin, ShaVunda Horsley, Kyra Crawford-Calvert, Khary Jackson, Abdi Phenomenal, Junauda Alma, Harrison David Rivers, Toki Wright, and The Million Artist Movement
In London, produced by the Artistic Directors of the Future and the Bush Theatre with the support of WAC Arts and Theatre Royal Stratford East, featured playwrights Oladipo Agboluaje, Gbolahan Obisesan, Firdos Ali, Mojisola Adebayo, Max K, Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, Trish Cooke, I.K Ssebandeke, Somalia Seaton, Omar El-Khairy, Sharmila Chauhan, Courttia Newland, Deborah Williams, Ryan Calais-Cameron, Milli Bhatia, Yolanda Mercy, Davina Cole and Theresa Ikoko.
In Toronto, produced by Buddies and Bad Times Theatre, Obsidian Theatre, and the National Art Centre, featured playwrights Leelee Davis, Kanika Ambrose, Jordan Laffrenier, Tawiah Ben Eben M’Carthy, Motion, Luke Reece, Meghan Swaby.

All have striven to join their predecessors and speak their truths to the world, and succeeded. Thus far this project has showcased to over sixty writers from around the globe, and the number of diverse actors we’ve placed on stage to almost two hundred strong. We are proud to say we are still counting.
Selections from the multitude of cities served have gone to an anthology published by Oberon Books. We are looking for other cities and communities to expand to as well and would love to discuss the possibility of bringing this exciting project to your town, and your institution.
We need your help to continue the mission...

With your monthly support, Black Lives Black Words International Project (BLBW) will provide a exciting events across the global community giving Black Playwrights control of their own narratives. Here is what I have planned: the continuation of Black Lives, Black Words, The College Takeovers- which brings Black Lives, Black Words to college campuses providing Black university level students the encouragement to become not just artists but activists, Real Black Talks- which will showcase exciting Black Artists as they speak about their experiences, workshops, as well as special events. These activities will help to bring life to the works of emerging and veteran playwrights, and ensure Black artists have control over heir own narratives.

Here's my goal:
This project has grown exponentially since, it's inception. Now I would like to start immediately with sustainable infrastructure for this project.

With your support, I can bring an important and interesting addition to the cultural scene for audience members, participants and artists around the globe.