An artist and spoken word poet, Jeffery Boston Weatherford is illustrator of the award-winning book YOU CAN FLY: THE TUSKEGEE AIRMAN. The acclaimed middle grade/YA verse novel was named a best book of the year by National Council for the Social Studies, Association for Library Service to Children, National Council of Teachers of English, New York Public Library and Kirkus Reviews. He has designed, illustrated and published several children’s books: AFRICA, A BAT CAVE: AN ABECEDARIAN BEDTIME CHRONICLE, and PRINCEVILLE: THE 500-YEAR FLOOD.

He has presented in the U.S. and Africa and has exhibited in numerous galleries. In addition to sharing art and poetry, Jeffery discusses research methods and his childhood doodles and demonstrates digital or fine art techniques. He often collaborates with author Carole Boston Weatherford.

Founder of the global hip hop collective Triiibe Worldwide, Jeffery teaches that HIP HOP is an acronym for “Higher Infinite Power Healing Our People” and gives voice to the marginlized and oppressed. Jeffery holds a Master of Fine Arts from Howard University where he was a Romare Bearden Scholar.

TESTIMONIALS

“Working with Jeffery Boston Weatherford as our artist-in-residence utilizing his upcoming book Rap It Up was both an inspiration and a pleasure. The text is a lyrical rap itself that teaches young people how to write poetry and rap by leaning about different types of figurative language. Using different prompts, Weatherford encouraged workshop attendees to develop their thoughts on paper while utilizing rhyming dictionaries and thesauruses that were also available in the free software VersePerfect that he introduced to them. Attendees created, chose background beats from sample tracks that Mr. Weatherford had created specifically for this program. Both group and individual raps were recorded on the last of the four-day workshop. The patience, knowledge, and adaptability, as well as joy in creating shown by Mr. Weatherford was amazing, and he has my highest recommendation as a workshop leader for a school or library.” – Alicia Schwarzenbach Youth Services Librarian, Ascension Parish Library, LA

PRESENTATIONS

#WDUS4? (What do you stand for?) Workshops (1-1.5 hour – Materials fee additional)

Collage and Mural Art—Participants make collages on cutouts of feet to express a value, belief, cause or passion. Participants may take home their collages or add them to a mural. Great leadership development, teambuilding or family activity. Optional “Foot Soldiers” exhibition of shoes honoring freedom fighters. See news clip.

Shoe Art (1-1.5 hour – Materials fee additional)

Participants decorate old shoes to honor humanitarians, freedom fighters and historical figures. This program debuted at Annmarie Garden & Arts Center during a 2017 King Holiday residency.

Hip Hop Workshop & Spoken Word Poetry Performance (1.5-2 hours)

Participants write and perform rap lyrics and learn about digital recording technology. Optional recording session or performance showcase. Conducted for Richmond Public Library, 21st Century Learning Centers, Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search and Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools. Available as professional development, for afterschool and summer programs and in single- and multi-day formats.

You Can Fly: The Tuskegee Airmen (1 hour)

Based on the acclaimed middle grades/YA verse novel, which was named a best book of the year by National Council for the Social Studies, Association for Library Service to Children, National Council of Teachers of English, New York Public Library and Kirkus Reviews. Presentation features poems and art from the book, art demo and discussion of historical research. May also include paper-airplane-folding motivational activity. See interview here.

Optional exhibition of original art from the book.

You Be the Reviewer (1 hour)

A former video game reviewer, Jeffery shows participants how to review anything from books and music to restaurants. This workshop is ideal for struggling writers.

Digital Apparel Design

Using free online software, Jeffery shows participants how to take their unique clothing and accessory designs from idea to the closet. Participants take away images of their designs as well as links to order the actual items.

Read news from Jeffery Boston Weatherford

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Availability and Honorariums