Welcome!

We are excited to announce the Ministry of Arts & Culture’s 2011 National Conference to be held June 24-26, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.  This three-day event will include a series of clinics, workshops, exhibitions, performances, networking events and an evening dinner engagement.  Various artistic and cultural disciplines will be highlighted throughout the conference with a particular emphasis on new artistic expressions and their ability to empower and change communities. 

Theme

The theme of this year’s conference is Current and NEW Artistic Trends.  The purpose of the conference is to present new artistic and cultural development inspired by or in harmony with the teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad under the direction of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

Schedule

Friday

"Interactive Arts Exchange"
Youth Write/Perform Spoken Word, Rap and Poetry

Sis. Victoria Brady
Ray of Hope Center of the Arts

9:30 a.m.

In 2008, the Hononable Minister Louis Farrahkan said that he desires to see our young people creatively express their everyday issues on the theatre stage in their communities. Sis. Victoria Brady, founder of the Ray of Hope Center of the Arts, has been championing this mission ever since the organization was founded on September 9, 2002. She conceived, co-wrote, and produced “Blair’s Story,” The Story of Blair Holt, based on the real-life story of Blair Holt, a teenager who’d been murdered on a Chicago Transit Authority bus.

As a Humanitarian, Playwright, Singer, Artistic Director, Ordained Minister with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies from the International College of Bible Theology, Sis. Victoria has led hundreds of children, teens and adults to perform in a wide array of high quality productions geared to ignite social justice and change.

Tribute to KATHERINE DUNHAM

Spiritwing Dance Ensemble

11:00 a.m.

Sis. Laurie Goux, founder of Spiritwing Dance Ensemble, has been performing and choreographing for the Nation of Islam family since 1991.  She debuted as choreographer for the Saviours' Day musical "Trials of a Queen", directed by Donna Farrakhan.  Sis Laurie is also the student of legendary Katherine Dunham and is presenting the 14 annual tribute to Ms. Dunham with special guests Max-A-Million, Lestine Muhammad, Penny Godboldo, Sadira Muhammad and Khalfani Rivers. 

11:15 a.m.

Musical, Energetic, Creative and Fun!!!

Singer, songwriter and storyteller Sis. Niambi Muhammad presents Niambi's House - which provides quality educational experiences through song, music, movement, and storytelling...

MUI Chicago Performing Arts Group

Muhammad University of Islam - Chicago, IL

12:20 p.m.

Students from MUI Chicago's Music department will be presenting music solos during this recital-style concert. 

"REVEALED"

Muhammad University of Islam - Miami, FL

2:00 p.m.

MUI-Miami Performing Arts Class presents: A Dramatic Dance Ensemble entitled “Revealed, Out of Total Darkness Emerges One - the Best of Creation.” This performance portrays the Beginning of Time and the Self-Creation of Allah in triple darkness, the womb of space. The male and the female in this dance series represent the masculine and feminine essence of Allah, Say He Allah is One. A combination of modern dance and martial arts the female dancers demonstrate the graceful and delicate womb of the universe and the male demonstrates the powerful and mighty warrior spirit and nature of the Originator. Allah God, the First Man, a Blackman, went to War with the Dark Matter of space in His self-creation and in the creation of His Second Self, the female.

Muhammad School of Music

2:30 p.m.

MSOM was established in 1999 with only 10 students and has grown to currently serve over 100 students throughout Western New York.  The MSOM Youth String Ensemble has performed in countless venues including concert halls, churches, community centers and for nearly every setting from symphony orchestra concerts, weddings, birthdays, and outdoor festivals.  MSOM has been featured in newspapers and magazines, on television and radio appearances, and with artists such as Bill Cosby, Herbie Hancock, Beverly Johnson, and Minister Louis Farrakhan.  The MSOM Youth String Ensemble has toured statewide and has performed in cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C and Detroit.

Art Exhibition

Sis Shernett Muhammad

Sis. Shernett Muhammad's goal is to capture and develop the ideas and genius of the creative mind; to conceptualize and give form to ideas and expressions whether through the use of a paintbrush, or computer software.

Bro. Carey Muhammad

Bro. Carey Muhammad uses visual arts to help promote a cultural revolution by  helping the artistic community to see its responsibility to the overall mental and spiritual health and well-being of society and the world.

Saturday

Culinary Arts

Who are the Best Cooks in the Nation of Islam 
The FOI or the MGT?
Survival Cooking Competition 

12:30 p.m.

Be a part of the culinary arts event of the year with some of our finest chefs titled: "Who are the Best Cooks in the Nation of Islam - The FOI or the MGT?" Watch the showdown between Brothers and Sisters in a survival cooking competition, as they demonstrate how basic ingredients from "How to Eat to Live" can be prepared by anyone in almost any situation.

Redefining "Artists"
Examining Our role in Cultural Transformation

Sis Arian Muhammad  

12:30 p.m.

Featured Presentations by Sis Shernett Muhammad (visual artist), Bro Henri Muhammad (composer/violinist), Bro Tony Muhammad (social studies/hip-hop educator)

Sis Arian Muhammad is a songwriter, cultural analyst and founder of The MIA Music Is Alive Campaign for Cultural Responsibility. She has developed workshop presentations which were featured in Atlanta Georgia for The Bridging The Gap Art Exhibit and Florida International University for The Organic Hip Hop Conference in Miami, Fl. As a performance artist she has opened for Jessica Care Moore and KRS ONE and currently works as the executive director of CHANGE a nonprofit arts and self-image organization for youth in Flint, MI.

“Redefining Artists” is an interactive presentation and discussion on the transformative power of music and art, its spiritual and scientific influence, and the role of artists in cultural transformation. Participants will view live demonstrations of visual, hip-hop and classical art and explore ways to collectively invigorate and enliven their communities through artistic and cultural development.

How to Create Your Own Multimedia Presentation

 
Sis Nisa Muhammad
INation News

2:00 p.m.

Sis Nisa Muhammad, creator of INation News, will lead a workshop on how to create your own multimedia presentation using photos, sounds and video.

Martial Arts

United Schools Of Survival 

2:00 p.m.

Join Grandmaster Anthony Muhammad, founder of the art of V.S.K. Ryu Jiu Jitsu and head of the United Schools Of Survival (U.S.O.S.) Federation, in a training workshop session for Brothers and Sisters that is destined to bring out the ultimate fighter within you!

How to Succeed in Music Without Selling your Soul

Bro. Jasiri X

3:30 p.m.

Internationally recognized Hip Hop artist and Student Minister Jasiri X, will lead a workshop titled “How to Succeed in Music Without Selling your Soul”. With almost one million Youtube hits and a featured spot in XXL Magazine, the quickly rising artist has received 100,000 downloads of his album, American History X, which has sold thousands of copies.

Dinner Fundraiser

Kindred the Family Soul

7:00 p.m.

Be a part of this dinner fundraiser featuring the neo soul duo Kindred the Family Soul. This $50 a ticket concert will take place on Saturday, June 25, at 7:00 p.m. during the conference weekend, and proceeds from the event will support Muhammad University of Islam.  Tickets for this event are sold separately, so book your ticket today while they last!