Category Archives: Youth Development

Bomani Discussing Fatherhood and Homeschooling on Views & Vibes

When ever Tariiq Omari calls I’m there.  This brother has been hosting this fun and informative show in the DC/PG county area for years now, and I have met some of my most important business connections just networking with his other guest.  On this episode he brought me in to talk about father hood.  First thingContinue reading “Bomani Discussing Fatherhood and Homeschooling on Views & Vibes”

Debut of “The Baba Bomani Show” podcast

W’zup Family! Take a listen to my latest project, “The Baba Bomani Show” podcast!  This podcast is dedicated to everything education and youth development.  Featuring interviews, discussions and tips on art integration, STEM and STEAM, experiential learning, education policy, educational music and much more!  This show is for parents, teachers and everyone else interested inContinue reading “Debut of “The Baba Bomani Show” podcast”

Growing Up Green: Hip-Hop Poetry and Composting

repost from Young Audiences of Maryland Teaching Our Youngest Learners Environmental Citizenship Through the Arts Part 2: Local Ecosystems This Spring, Young Audiences wrapped up the initial phase of its pilot programming for Prince George’s County Public School District’s new arts integration initiative, Growing Up Green. We introduced the program in an earlier blog post,Continue reading “Growing Up Green: Hip-Hop Poetry and Composting”

Bomani Talking Fatherhood and Homeschooling on Views and Vibes

Whenever Tariq Omarii calls, I’m there.  Thanks again brother, for inviting me to talk about fatherhood and homeschooling on Views and Vibes.  To be clear (I realize I might give a different impression on social media) I am not a “single father”.  Olu & Dela’s mom is just as invested and active even though theContinue reading “Bomani Talking Fatherhood and Homeschooling on Views and Vibes”

4 Hip-Hop Resources 4 Your Kids

Whether KRS-1 was screaming “You Must Learn!”, Inspektah Deck admonishing us to “…speak the truth to the young black youth”, Slick Rick teaching lessons in “Hey Young World” or Nas encouraging the youth with “I Can”, hip-hop has always tried (to varying degrees of success) to incorporate the kids.  I get asked all the timeContinue reading “4 Hip-Hop Resources 4 Your Kids”

Bomani Visits 3rd, 4th & 5th Grades by Emily Hill

I had the pleasure of getting across the Bay bridge and working with students in Dorchester County this past Spring.  Ms. Emily Hill did me the honor of publishing a story about it in the local newsletter.  I can’t wait to go back next year! Dorchester County Public Schools Every Child A Success! Henry V.Continue reading “Bomani Visits 3rd, 4th & 5th Grades by Emily Hill”

This Light of Mine

So, yesterday I had the cutest kindergarten girl at an assembly in a private school ask me during the Q&A portion “Did you grow up poor?” and I had a 7th grader at a suburban public school tell me she thought Queen Latifah’s “U.N.I.T.Y.” video was intimidating because the “gang of people” in the streets. Continue reading “This Light of Mine”

How Columbus Helped Me Discover Home Schooling

In fourteen hundred ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue. It’s amazing the things people discover by accident.  Discovering that my sons where learning the poem that began with those lines was the end of my children’s public education.  You see, I don’t pay attention to Columbus Day.  Other than wishing there was a hell forContinue reading “How Columbus Helped Me Discover Home Schooling”

Homeschooling Week 1 aka VEGAN WAFFLES!

The first thing I was told I need to do to start homeschooling is to “unschool”.  To get out of the idea that lessons and learning have to be in a sterile environment with rote memorization of facts.  This seems to be the most fun thing about homeschooling so far, and it’s interesting finding waysContinue reading “Homeschooling Week 1 aka VEGAN WAFFLES!”

Agent Zimmerman and the American Matrix

I’ve spent my adult life working with young black men, from all economic and social backgrounds, arming them with the rules I have learned to navigate the bi-polar United States that we live in.  This world is a complicated matrix of social constructs and unjust laws, a matrix my peers and our elders thought weContinue reading “Agent Zimmerman and the American Matrix”

The Indie Show with Omekongo Dibinga

(scroll down to see a performance and music video from Omekongo) Introduction: Welcome to the even place. My name is Bomani Armah. We are taping my show today called ‘The Indie’. We’re talking about independent thought, independent business, independent art—got one of my favorite independent people sitting here next to me, Mr. Omekongo Dibinga. SayContinue reading “The Indie Show with Omekongo Dibinga”

Single Parenting: Raising Sons with my Ex

“It didn’t work out with me an your mom But yo push come to shove You were conceived in love” –   Will Smith (Just the Two of Us) If you had told me my night would go like this, being out bowled by not one, but two six year olds, I would have never believedContinue reading “Single Parenting: Raising Sons with my Ex”

The Angle Episode #6 (Art Enables)

From the first time the Director for The Angle was introduced to Art Enables in 2009, he has been an advocate for this dynamic organization. When the idea that The Angle would have episodes, featuring Art Enables was early on the list to capture. Park Triangle featured the organization a few years back for TheContinue reading “The Angle Episode #6 (Art Enables)”

I’m Not a Rapper, I’m a TEACHER with a Hip-Hop Style

Have you ever walked into a room full of 20 suburban white kids from a church youth group and said “Hey, let’s write a hip-hop song!”?  No?  You don’t know what you’re missing.  For the past year I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with organizations in a new 2 hour song writing workshop I’veContinue reading “I’m Not a Rapper, I’m a TEACHER with a Hip-Hop Style”

Reading, Rhyming, and Rhythm with Dr. Seuss

I had a wonderful time doing my “Reading, Rhyming & Rhythm” workshop with the 4-6 year old students at the Capital Hill Day School Yoga Camp.  That’s right, yoga for the little ones.  I didn’t think that was possible at first, considering how much radioactive energy emanates from a 5 year old.  But the truthContinue reading “Reading, Rhyming, and Rhythm with Dr. Seuss”

Teachable Moment: What to tell my kids about Trayvon Martin

“Mommy, I’m not black. I’m white like Maya”, is what my  5 year old son said standing at the base of the Martin Luther King Jr. monument.  His mother had just given him the cliff notes explanation of the civil rights movement.  “Why is that?” his mom asked.  “Because if they are going to beatContinue reading “Teachable Moment: What to tell my kids about Trayvon Martin”

Bomani on “Views & Vibes”

Tariiq Omari Walton invited me to be a guest on his CTV talk show Views & Vibes a few weeks ago as they discussed the importance of arts education in the current educational environment that is constantly devaluing and de-funding arts.  Other guests panelists, Ms. Patricia Cruze (the Education Director for Young Audiences), and Ms.Continue reading “Bomani on “Views & Vibes””

Don’t boycott Chris Brown, #BUYCOTT Black Culture

As an educator, artist and father, I am glad to see so many responsible adults express genuine concern about the reunion of Chris Brown and Rihanna (even if only artistically) and the affect it is going to have on young people’s perception of a healthy relationship.  That said, I’m personally disappointed at how many peopleContinue reading “Don’t boycott Chris Brown, #BUYCOTT Black Culture”

SupermanBatman

[bandcamp track=3615065328 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=venti]

The simplest statement,
spoken from the heart,
is more profound
than scripture

I fixed a four year olds favorite toy
With little more then the flick of a button
He looked me in my eyes
And smiled like he was opening a birthday present
postmarked from heaven

saying
“wow daddy, u r superman batman!”.