The Jazz & Democracy Project® (J&D) utilizes jazz as a metaphor to cultivate a profound understanding of American democratic ideals. J&D brings democracy to life, enriches the study and teaching of history, government, civics and culture, and inspires youth to become active, positive contributors to their communities. J&D lessons provide paid gigs to local musicians and uniquely engaging lessons to students of all ages.
J&D's current focus is two-fold: (1) expanding to Australia, and (2) growing The Jazz & Democracy Project® Curriculum Think Tank, which is both the teacher training itself as well as the network of educators utilizing J&D materials and pedagogy in learning spaces from elementary school to higher education. Thus, your donation will support J&D workshops/residencies in Australian schools, plus everything from one-on-one coaching, curriculum design, facilitation of cohort meetings plus the creation and management of the growing library of J&D online materials.
Curriculum Think Tank feedback:
"I thought this was a fabulous experience. Our [J&D] professional development provided me with a different and exciting lens through which to engage students." - Carol Lee Tolbert, McClymonds High School, Oakland, CA
"The primary research documents are presented in a very accessible way. I can use the content to start building a classroom culture immediately." - Dr. Ajamu Stewart, Ile Omode (4th/5th Grade), Oakland, CA
"I definitely learned about the impact of Jazz, but in a way I didn’t expect.... I learned about how current jazz standards or skills can be used as a framework to create/understand what an equitable democracy would look and feel like to those involved. I think this is even better than what I expected because this is applying jazz to our current world rather than a movement of the past." - Audrey Arthur, Roosevelt Middle School, Oakland, CA
Learn More: https://www.jazzdemocracy.com/