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In
today’s music world, the rap music genre, has had a profound
effect on young and old alike. From the risqué themes of many
new artists to theater troupes new interpretations of
Shakespeare, rap has become a viable means of musically
communicating ideas. Why not use this format to educate and
inform young people about science?
That’s exactly what Tyraine Ragsdale, DVC-NOBCChE member
and chemist with the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Institute in
Spring House, PA, decided to do.
On Friday, August 2, 1991, the rap song “Knowledge is Power”
along with two others, “Education” and the “Scientist
Afro-American” were performed by Ragsdale a.k.a. “Grand Hank”
and the rest of his crew at the Franklin Institute in
Philadelphia. The performance was part of a party for the
soon-to-be-released singles from a forth coming album called “Education
of a Nation.”
The “Education of a Nation” album is one part of an
Educational Rap Lecture that Grand Hank Productions, Inc. has
developed. The Educational Rap Lecture is a program that
promotes education through rap music performances at area high
schools.
The release party started with a reception where refreshments
were served and the “Grand Hank” video was shown. The video,
a 30-minute promotion for the Educational Rap Lecture, starts
with a jam session in Ragsdale’s basement where the music and
the lyrics for the album were first developed. The video then
moves to the studio where the album was produced. The video
shows the artist and his crew performing on local talk shows as
well as discussing the purpose of the Educational Rap Lecture.
Also shown in the video are performances at Philadelphia area
schools.
The reception was followed by words of
welcome by Mrs. Gwendolyn Ragsdale, Mr. Ragsdale’s
step-mother.
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Mrs. Ragsdale spoke of her enthusiasm and support of the
Educational Rap Lecture. She
thanked everyone for coming, asked
for
their continued support and then introduced the guest
speaker of the evening, Mr. J. Justin Ragsdale, her husband and
the artist’s father.
The elder Ragsdale expressed pleasure and pride in his son’s
project and said his support for the project would always be
present.
A 45-minute concert followed, the
three singles were performed as well as a new dance called the
“Tist”. “Grand Hank” and his crew taught it to the
audience. Following the concert, Ragsdale addressed the
audience, saying he felt it was necessary to do his part in
educating young African-American students about science and
increasing their interest in education in general.
He asked everyone for their continuing support and thanked
them for coming.
Ragsdale gave special recognition to his family for their
constant support.
The release party concluded with an autograph session where
posters and cassettes were sold.
This fall, Ragsdale and his crew will continue the
Educational Rap Lecture with visits to more area schools and
educational institutions as requested by Philadelphia Mayor W.
Wilson Goode and Constance Clayton, Superintendent of the
Philadelphia School District.
In a recent telephone interview, Ragsdale was asked about his
involvement with NOBCChE.
“It gives me great pleasure to be a part of NOBCChE,”
Ragsdale said. “This organization is not only committed to
scientific achievements, but to educational achievements as
well. It is important that we involve young African-American
students early in organizations such as NOBCChE and programs
such as the Educational Rap Lecture. NOBCChE not only promotes
education, but also serves as a support system for those who are
involved.”
Tyraine Ragsdale is a example of the diversity of talents
possessed by African-American scientists and the commitment made
by the members of NOBCChE to prepare the community and the
country for the future.
For information on cassettes and/or posters, upcoming Grand
Hank Productions events or to offer support for the project,
contact:
Grand Hank Productions
c/o Tyraine Ragsdale
P.O. Box 23488
Phila., PA 19143
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Grand
Hank Productions Incorporated © 2003
