Intro to GradeSKLL
GradeSKLL is GRYSKLL’s initiative to support various forms of wellness for children. Along with hosting live conversations for adults on topics that affect less advantaged children, GRYSKLL releases some music that is kid friendly, inspirational and educational such asDescendants, a song that was also performed live for the students at Chicago International Charter School’s Lloyd Bond campus in March of 2023.
The GradeSKLL Story
GRYSKLL has two educators in the crew who are passionate about education and the arts. These two members are helping us define how we can best be of service to students. One of the teachers in the crew, Tobias Black, teaches Hip Hop for a living in Chicago to K-6 children. He incentivizes students by recognizing them in songs he creates to celebrate their academic accomplishments. Through his curriculum he introduces his students to the History of HIPHOP, the culture, and creative wellness practices.
Problem
A number of children live in homes and communities where their creative wellness is undernourished and / or discouraged. This affects the children and their communities by dimming their light before it even gets a chance to fully turn into a flame and often sends these children toward harmful outlets instead. This affects how these children go out into the world as adults, the jobs they seek and the life paths they choose.
Solution
GRYSKLL would like to augment Tobias’ efforts by rewarding and supporting the children he works with, with additional prizes and incentives such as guest speakers in class that have active music careers or passion projects that can serve as inspirations, music highlight opportunities on the GradeSKLL YouTube channel and limited edition GradeSKLL merch.
GRYSKLL has plans for a read to the children program where we’d get other artists and creators to submit videos of them reading kid friendly books in really engaging ways that may include animation. We hope to get authors of children’s books to read some of their own works as part of this program as well.