Dear Christina Gibson:
The Black Dandelion: Convergent Voice™ Integrative Literacy and Wellness Platform Catalog lists over 100 courses, ranging widely in subject and developmental levels.
Based on our conversation, considering the goals you shared with me, I selected five courses that I thought might be a perfect fit for the teachers and students at East Pointe Community Schools. Three of the 5 courses have dual functionality as Professional Development and as Classroom Instruction, for Teachers: BD100 Being Black Dandelion, BD300 Where Poetry Meets Art, and BD400 Art of Unimagined Ecosystems.
The following courses are both Professional Development workshops, SM705 Passcode to Literacy - PSL /Poetry as a Second Language: The Semajian Method™, and PSL800 The Semajian Classroom: A Communal Classroom and School Exploration.
Cover Art by Amanda Thomason
A combination of worlds unseen: space and the cell of a dandelion, both, at one time, were unimagined ecosystems
What is Black Dandelion?
Black Dandelion: Convergent Voice™ (BDCV), is a multimedia integrative literacy & wellness education platform that functions as a technology to increase the capacity of literacies with an emphasis on reading, writing, and critical thinking through a Social, Emotional, Learning lens (SEL). BDCV derives from Flint Poet Laureate, Semaj Brown’s “Black Dandelion” poem, practice, and innovative learning tool— PSL/POETRY AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: THE SEMAJIAN METHOD™. Engaging with students from the 3RD grade through graduate studies, professors, and the community- the “Black Dandelion” poem is taught through a myriad of disciplines: English Language Arts, history, art creation, plant-life studies, geometry, ecology, social work, gender studies, anthropology, Africana Studies, Science/Mathematics, and more. The poem is utilized in mental health wellness, and for neurodivergent learners. BDCV is a self-esteem builder via the contextualization of social hierarchies, and the application of public speaking presentations. The genesis of BDCV is Flint, but BDCV like dandelion seeds are blowing, and are now growing in cities across Michigan: Lansing, Ann Arbor, Grand Blanc, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Holly and further. BDCV has also taken root in North Carolina, California, New York and Togo West Africa.
“Fewer than 5 percent of Detroit 4TH graders are proficient in reading according to the Education Achievement Authority (EAA). The traditional methods used to teach literacy are not working and have not worked for populations of students for a long time. The literacy crisis is a national epidemic. As you peruse this literacy and wellness proposal, you may note that these courses do not resemble the typical literacy lessons, as you will encounter art, science-plant studies, and balloon games – all in the name of literacy and wellness – reading, writing, and comprehension. Integrative learning is key to unlocking barriers to literacy for this generation. The enthusiasm factor for reading and writing is noticeably increased when traditional methods are threaded with subjects seemingly unrelated to reading. However, in the BLACK DANDELION: CONVERGENT VOICE™ World, everything is related and connected. The success of this education platform has been phenomenal from Flint to California. Thank you for the opportunity to bring my award-winning literacy and wellness platform home to the deserving people of Detroit.”
Semaj Brown
POET LAUREATE
Selected Courses
BLACK DANDELION: CONVERGENT VOICE™ (BDCV)*
6-HOUR COURSE INTERACTIVE LECTURE / WORKSHOP/ LUNCH
9 AM to 3 PM
Based on a group 10 or less
A DAY OF BDCV - COURSE OUTLINE
9 am to Noon
PowerPoint driven Interactive Lecture, mini breakout sessions (3 hrs)
Noon to 1 pm
Round table Lunch Discussion (catered in) and Guided Q&A
1:05 pm to 2:30 pm
Workshops
2:35 to 3 pm
Wrap Up and Evaluations
TOTAL FOR EACH 6-HOUR COURSE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8, 345.00
(Select the Series Option (3 courses), and save $4,000.00)
Pricing effective until May 22, 2026
*Let's discuss the wonderful opportunity for students to enter the BLACK DANDELION: CONVERGENT VOICE™ Writing/Oratory/ Arts and Science Exploratory Competition. Win Monetary Prizes and receive National Recognition!
Skill Reinforcement: literacy enhancement, reading comprehension, and interpretation; critical thinking skills (geosocial spectrum analysis), writing, cultural competency, social emotional learning applications
(In partnership with The Flint Institute of Arts Department of Education) Matthew Osmon, Director of Education
Skill Reinforcement: literacy enhancement, reading/comprehension, critical thinking, writing, art making, imagination expansion, public speaking/presentation
(In partnership with The Flint Institute of Arts Department of Education) Matthew Osmon, Director of Education
Skill Reinforcement: literacy, reading/comprehension, critical thinking, writing, public delivery, artistic expression, model scapeing, synthesizing exercises, Imaginative Realism
Skill Reinforcement: interdisciplinary/integrative learning and lesson planning, reading comprehension, test taking skills, writing
Skill Reinforcement: classroom management, interclass room communication and flow, parent guardian communication, collaborative learning and socialization, classroom management, contextual content focus