BlackPlayBook Production: "We Go High: A Salute to President Barack and Michelle Obama" presented by FVSU's Joseph Adkins Players

We Go High: A Black History Month Salute to President Barack and Michelle Obama

"In our so-called democracy we are accustomed to give the majority what they want rather than educate them to understand what is best for them."

"In the long run, there is not much discrimination against superior talent. Carter G. Woodson" (1875-1950), Founder of Negro History Week (now Black History Month)

In celebration of Black History Month 2017, Fort Valley State University’s Joseph Adkins Players student drama group proudly presents, “We Go High.”

Through spiritual, speech, poetry, song, drama and dance, “We Go High” salutes Barack and Michelle Obama’s eight year tenure as President and First Lady of the United States. As the first African American couple ever to do so, “Barack and Michelle” (as we affectionately refer to them) effectively modeled “superior talent” as leaders of the free world. Although there may be debate about their contributions immediately following his administration, in the long run, President Obama’s legacy is sure to be highly regarded.

Not only have the Obamas shared with the American public an admirable record of service, we are also graced with their speeches, words of wisdom to which we can refer whenever needed. As students and scholars, we can read, share, examine and recite Michelle’s and Barack’s speeches as we educate ourselves to understand, in the words of Carter G. Woodson, “what’s best for us.” Even further, we might use their speeches as blueprints for how to become superior talents who would lead, speak, teach, sing, dance and inspire. Who knows what heights we might achieve when we rise above petty concerns of the majority to “go high” as Black history figures in our own rights.

Under the direction of Maisha S. Akbar, Ph.D., JAP performs on a “play-ground” of performance, scholarship, and activism. JAP is active in national organizations such as the National Communication Association (NCA) and Black Theatre Network (BTN). JAP’s organizational motto is “Saving the Drama for the Stage.”