In an effort to support student voice and action related to the Black Lives Matter movement, The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, the UMD Office of Diversity and Inclusion and UMD Office of Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy in partnership with Black Terps Matter announced Vital Signs: Creative Arts for Black Lives Mini-Grants. During the 20-21 academic year, grants have been awarded to artists in the UMD community who are creating projects that affirm Black life and vitality and interrogate white supremacy and anti-Blackness.

During this showcase, members of the Spring 2021 Vital Signs cohort will present excerpts of their projects in progress and discuss the intersection of their personal experiences with their art, followed by a group discussion facilitated by Ghonva Ghauri, Coordinator for Multiracial and Native American/Indigenous Student Involvement and Advocacy at the UMD Office of Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy.

Anthony Aguilar '21 • Art History and Archaeology: a digital reconstruction of the Black Lives Matter Memorial Fence in downtown Washington, D.C.

David Alade '21 • Information Science: a mini-magazine of film photography that focuses on displaying the intimacy and beauty of Black hair

Lauren Floyd '24 • Music Performance–Percussion: Shadows of Lakeland, a vignette-style piece that musically delves into the rich history of Lakeland, the historic African American community of College Park, Maryland

Aliyah Jackson '21 • Theatre and Psychology: a short film about a Black woman who refutes the concept of being “a slave.” This film is being made to celebrate the prideful history of the Black American by capturing the strength, beauty, and regality of individuals of African descent.

Chisom Ojukwu '21 • Public Health Science: a summer-long virtual art tutoring session for BIPOC youth. Her goal is to connect one-on-one with young students and inspire them to explore the concept of identity through the endless possibilities of the visual arts.