E94. The Black School with Co-Founders Shani Peters And Joseph Cuillier, III

The Institute of Black Imagination.

Welcome to the Institute of Black Imagination, beaming in conversations from the galaxy of black genius. Today, we're thrilled to present Shani Peters and Joseph Cuillier III, the co-founders of The Black School—an innovative art institution dedicated to teaching radical Black politics through experimental approaches to art and design education.

Both artists and organizers in their own right, Founded by Joseph Cuillier and Shani Peters, they're mixing art with talks about Black politics and community projects. Inspired by past community-run schools, like those from the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, they're making a difference today.

The Black School has three parts: the School itself, the Festival where students show off their work, and the Studio, where students learn about design and get job training. It's all about helping students understand their neighborhoods, make art that matters, and get ready for the future.

Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram @blackimagination, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and support the show by clicking this support link. and explore more content on blackimagination.com. Join us as we explore how organizations like The Black School are changing the game in education and beyond. Now, let's warmly welcome Shani Peters and Joseph Cuillier, the Co-Founders of The Black School, to our conversation.

Key Links

Joseph A. Cuillier Career Center - We are a school dedicated to providing an education that empowers our students to succeed in the workforce and beyond.

bell hooks - American author

Alma Thomas - American artist and teacher

Rosenwald/Booker T. Washington Schools- Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee Institute and Julius Rosenwald, philanthropist and president of Sears Roebuck, built state-of-the art schools for African American children across the South.

Augusta Savage -American sculptor

Harlem Community Art School - The Center was a place for the Harlem community to receive education in the arts for free or little charge.

Oakland Community School - was a Black Panther-run liberation school that operated in Oakland from 1973 to 1982.

Emory Douglas - The former Minister of Culture and Revolutionary Artist for the Black Panther Party

Black Love Festival- presented by The Black School, is an art and music festival promoting a cultural movement for Black love.

Project Row Houses - a community platform that enriches lives through art with an emphasis on cultural identity and its impact on the urban landscape.

Booker T. Washington - American educator and author

What to Read

Salvation: Black People and Love - bell hooks

The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations - Toni Morrison

Character Building: Education that Educates - Booker T. Washington

What to listen to

DNA. - Kendrick Lamar

Seize The Time- Elaine Brown

This Is America - Childish Gambino

F.U.B.U. - Solange Knowles

We The People - A Tribe Called Quest

Previous IBI Episodes to check out

E2. Dr. Mabel O. Wilson, Architect and Scholar

E26. A Revolutionary Life with Black Panther Chairman, Elaine Brown

E86. Sketching a Revolution with Emory Douglas

E53a. Frank Wilderson III: On Afropessimism I

E53a. Frank Wilderson III: On Afropessimism II

Who to follow

W: The Black School

IG: Joseph Cuillier (@josephcuillier)

IG: Shani Peters (@shanipeters)

Linktree: The Black School

This conversation was recorded on March 21, 2024.

Host Dario Calmese

Producer: K.T. Thompson

Lead Designer: Elliott McKnight

Director of Digital Content: Vicky Garcia

Production Asst: Noa Lesche

Archivist & Research: Cyle Warner

Original Music composed by Adam Radice

Sound Engineer: Adam Radice

Visit us at blackimagination.com

Watch other episodes on YouTube at The Institute of Black Imagination.