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NAEA Committee on Minority Concerns

December 2009 article submission

Dr. Debra Ambush Founder: Akwabe Visual Art Curriculum Design Architectural Concepts and Solutions

Identify early in life your

Goal, or your dream.

Work toward it,

Every human being should

Leave a legacy for those who

Come after, a bridge for them to

Cross over on, such as Harriet

Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells,

And others left for us to cross over on

What will your legacy be?

How will your life help those

Who come after you?

On a crisp autumn evening this past September, Poet and founder of the Chicago DuSable museum, Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs posed these questions during a reading of her poem, "My Philosophy". As the honored guest for the gathering of an opening exhibition of the Washington D.C. Chapter of the National Conference of Artists, Dr. Burroughs electrified hundreds who had gathered to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this organization while posing the timely question of service, mentorship, and cultural legacy. Embedded in her poetic questions are the timely cues for a dynamic program of work for the Committee on Minority Concerns which is poised at an intersection of change and legacy.

In assembling a national contingent of artists for this occasion who make the east coast their home, the dual role of artist and teacher resonated in conversations taking place in the Parish Gallery. The energy permeating the gallery that evening seems to confirm the notion of "a/r/tography", the practice of making art, dialoguing understanding, and reflecting on ones position while integrating knowing, doing, and making (et al Silverman in Irwin and Crossin 2004.).

Within the framework of culture this relationship is at the core of COMC constitution and by laws. Any agenda set forth at this time should reflect the mission and vision which includes promoting the role of