Written by and photos by L. M. Land.
Featured photo: Literacy week began at the City Hall dome. (l to r) Reading Writing Word Warriors: Roberta Sweet, Edith Withey, Rose Ray Henderson, Jennifer Seymore-Dunn, City Council members Dr. Ladel Lewis and Leon El-Alamin, and Flint’s first poet laureate, and Black Dandelion Convergent Voice creator, Semaj Brown.
When Semaj Brown, Flint’s first poet laureate, posted her poem ‘Black Dandelion’, she had no idea that the poem would affect people around the world and change her own world view. This sparked a creatively effective educational curriculum which was showcased at Flint Literacy Week.
Literacy week was full of events. Some were fun, like the open mic night at Totem Bookstore. The local Zeta Phi Beta ladies and others were on hand with stories, original poetry, and even a few songs.
Other events were to learn more about and experience the Black Dandelion Convergent Voice curriculum, such as the Neurodivergent Learner class lead by Dr. Sharon Simeon and Jennifer Seymore-Dunn. Poetry workshops, literacy for older learners and Black Dandelion and Mental Wellness were just a few of the workshops available.
Years ago, Brown posted her poem, Black Dandelion on the web, and responses came back to her from around the world. The feedback changed her life as much as it changed those who read the poem.
Black Dandelion even saved more than one life, literally, as Brown explained:
“I want to tell you a story about Amy. Amy was a 14-year-old high school freshman. She was the first one to tell me that ‘Black Dandelion’ saved her life. I said to her, how could this be? How did a poem, how could Black Dandelion, save her life? She was the first to say it, but she wasn’t the last to say it.
“She described a series of untreatable traumas. She said hurt was stuck somewhere inside her, as she grasped her chest. She explained after reading and studying the poem, that the feelings that she had were no longer buried.
“To me it seemed that the poem gave a voice to what she did not know how to express.
“She responded to the poem and to herself perhaps, by writing a play. She told me, quote: ‘My pain is now outside of me on the page and on the stage.’ She went on to say I no longer ‘want to un-alive myself’.
“We were able to obtain the necessary services for her.
“Amy was a turning point for me. I started to listen differently.
“I taught and learned from hundreds of students, educators, social workers and parents. I designed a curriculum that’s implemented by me, Black Dandelion Convergent Voice, (BDCV), and BDCV instructional leadership team, also known as the Reading Writing Word Warriors: retired special education teacher Jennifer Seymore-Dunn, retired para-pro Rose Ray Henderson, retired Kettering University Dean, Edith Withey, and Roberta Sweetman, board member for Fenton library.
“Poetry. Poetry is ear buzz to the heart. Microscope to the soul. I believe we all have creative imagination of our futures. I understand that thoughts, thoughts are the poetic spark thru which all things manifest. Thoughts are architectural, building words into language, constructing societies that define earth’s social ecosystems.
“The phenomenon that is Black Dandelion, the poem or Black Dandelion Convergent Voice, an international creative education platform has impact…through a literate landscape. It enhances critical thinking.
And, like Amy, as teachers and social workers have attested, Black Dandelion also excels in changing lives and saving lives.”
Flint Literacy week included a press conference, open mic night at Totem Bookstore, workshops on neurodivergent learning, student readings at MW Gallery and a grand event at the Flint Institute of Arts where the students read their poems and displayed the artwork they made to illustrate it.
“We are delighted and excited to announce literacy week and poetry month in the city of Flint.” Vanessa Pringle, senior assistant to Mayor Neeley said as she opened Literacy Week on the morning of April 7th.
Dr. Ladel Lewis, Chairperson of the Flint City Council, shared facts of how lack of literacy affects Flint and Michigan.
“A literate society is an educationally healthy society. In essence, literacy is essential to our well being…Literacy is defined as the ability to read write and speak in a way that allows us to communicate effectively and make sense of the world. Literacy supports the development of self-understanding, the understanding of others, and self-expression.
“According to the Flint and Genesee Literacy Network, 29% of 4th graders are below the State of Michigan standard in reading.
“11% of adults do not have a high school diploma. Moreover, there is a link between low literacy and incarceration. Michigan economy would see a combination of crime related savings and additional revenue of approximately 280 million dollars each year if the male high school graduation ratio increased by 5%. A one-year increase in average education levels will reduce arrest rates by 11%.
“More than 60% of all State and Federal inmates can barely read or write.”
Lewis continued. “As elected officials, we have a vested interest in promoting free thinking, conversing, reading and writing as among the most valuable assests for our residents, residents of all ages…so we must protect our future by investing in our future. And that is exactly what this collaboration called Black Dandelion City of Flint Literacy Week is all about.”
Lewis also read a proclamation from the city of Flint declaring April 7, 2025 as Semaj Brown day.
At the MW Gallery and the Flint Institute of Arts (FIA) event ‘An evening to remember,’ students read their poems to an audience, as public speaking is part of the curriculum.
The 3-D illustrations of their poems were created under the direction of Matthew Osmun, Director of Education at the FIA, and were also on display for all to see. A banner made by third graders welcomed everyone. Phrases from each child’s poem were taken and made into one class poem.
These workshops highlighted the intelligence, compassion and commitment Semaj Brown has made to the citizens of Flint (and dare I say, the world…), as a ‘microscope to the soul of’ Flint. BDCV will continue to grow and bloom like all the dandelions in my yard.
For more information about BDCV, go to:
https://semajbrown.com/black-dandelion-convergent-voice/
Other sources: https://poets.org/poem/black-dandelion
https://flintliteracynetwork.org/
https://dropoutprevention.org/resources/statistics/quick-facts/economic-impacts-of-dropouts/
https://www.sendrelief.org/story/5-effects-illiteracy/
https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/illiteracy-among-adults-in-the-us
