PLANTED KINGDOM PROJECT

Contact: Amber Miller, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint
Phone: 810.249.3413 Email: amiller@bgclubflint.org

Contact Chene Koppitz
Phone: 248.318.7678 Email: ckoppitz@umich.edu

PLANTED KINGDOM PROJECT BRINGS IMMERSIVE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP TO BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS
On-going Water Crisis prompted educators to connect with Flint’s youth to offer inspiration, learning, activism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Flint, MI – As the school year begins, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint will offer its members a new immersive, multi-discipline afterschool program in Creating a Vegetable Consciousness through Science, Music, Craftwork, Visual Art, Theater and Clean Water. A passion project of poet, playwright, and science educator Semaj Brown and her husband, Dr. James Brown, the program brings together not only the philosophies of the Health Collectors LLC partnership, but other educators across several fields of study, all in service to the young minds of Genesee County. Co-founders of the Planted Kingdom Project and Health Collectors LLC, the Browns have served Genesee County in the areas of public health for over a decade through wide-ranging sponsorship of community health conferences and fairs, vegetable- based cooking classes, edutaining theater performances, and more.

Prior to the Flint Water Crisis, Brown’s production of Onion Revolt: A Healthy Comedy debuted at the Bower Theater hosted by the Flint Youth Theater (now the Flint Repertory Theater) to rave reviews. Plans are in the works to bring the comedy back to the stage following the conclusion of the after school program, which will culminate in a live production staged by the participants in early November 2018. The ongoing Water Crisis served as the catalyst for Brown to rally her colleagues, all members of the Greater Flint Community, to provide this unique learning opportunity to those most vulnerable to the
impact of lead exposure. This project was underwritten by the generosity of Susan M. Kornfield. Kornfield’s gift was inspired because of the innovative programming, pure creativity, and timeliness of the subject matter. Three local chapter of national civic organizations support and value this initiative. Members will participate as associates by providing the human capital through sponsorship/ volunteerism: Pierians, Incorporated Flint Chapter; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Beta; The Links,
Incorporated-Flint Area Chapter.

Pre-registration for Creating a Vegetable Consciousness through Science, Music, Craftwork, Visual Art, Theater and Clean Water begins on Monday, September 17 at 6 PM at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint, 3701 N. Averill Ave., Flint. While the program is free, limited spots are available. A short presentation about the project will proceed registration and parents, caregivers, and those interested in participating are encouraged to attend. Memberships can be purchased the day of the pre-registration event.

For more information about Creating a Vegetable Consciousness through Science, Music, Craftwork, Visual Art, Theater and Clean Water or to arrange interviews, please contact Chene Koppitz by phone at 248.318.7678 or ckoppitz@umich.edu or Amber Miller by phone at 810.249.3413 or amiller@bgclubflint.org.

About Semaj Brown: In 2017, the Flint community became aware of the greater breadth of Semaj
Brown’s literary talents. Semaj, a celebrated published poet who toured nationally had been on
“sabbatical” tending to Flint’s public’s health, creating Planted kingdom™ curriculum with her husband,
James Brown, MD for the past fourteen years. That poetic drought ended abruptly when Semaj was
inspired to write an epic response to the artist/photographer, Jerry Taliaferro’s exhibit, Making of a New
Tribe, of which she was also a subject, at the Flint Institute of Arts in 2017. FIA Executive Director John
Henry recognized great value in the poetic verse entitled Mother Ocean—Making of a New Tribe and
invited Semaj and Dr. Brown as musical accompaniment to perform at the Tenth Annual 2017
Community Gala, and again at the FIA’s “Meet the Women of a New Tribe” forum. Shortly thereafter, an
invitation from Human Rights icon and professor emeritus Gloria House, Ph.D. requested Semaj to stage
the epic poem at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, (where Semaj’s
body of work is archived) as a fundraiser for The Detroit Independent Freedom Schools Movement and
the museum. That evening hosted a full production: Semaj in Performance— By Ocean, By Fire: An
Odyssey in African American History and Culture, (2017). The poetry concert celebrated the work and
return of Detroit’s lauded daughter, Semaj. It was also the debut of the mesmerizing Arborlune™ an
instrument invented by Musical Director, James Brown, MD. Semaj and Dr. Brown have been asked to
create a series of innovations for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, which
range from health-care seminars to Semaj’s poetry represented in 3D animated installations.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint is a nonprofit 501(c) (3)
youth service organization. The Club’s mission is to “inspire and enable all youth, especially those who
need us most, to realize their full potential, as productive, responsible and caring citizens.” Services are
provided to young people ages 7 to 17 during the after school and summer programs. The targeted
programs and activities offered focus on academic success, good character & citizenship, and healthy
lifestyles. Annual membership dues are $10 for a new member and $8 to renew a membership, with
financial assistance available for families. Over 4,000 youth and teens in Flint, Genesee County, and
beyond are served each year. For more information, to get involved, or to donate, please visit
https://www.bgclubflint.org