#UofTGrad20: Marcus Singleton

TL;DR

Marcus's journey from hip hop to becoming a social justice educator, bridging art and academia.

Transcript

There's nothing wrong with being an educator, activist and an artist at the same time. ♪ But I'm a rebel with intelligence. ♪ ♪ Rhyming with the passion of an innocent man with a life sentence. ♪ Me and my friend, we used to go to this spot at UIC, University of Illinois at Chicago. It was called Mojo's Pen and it was like an open mic every Thursda... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛟 Hip hop served as a guiding force in Marcus's life, teaching him valuable lessons about Black empowerment and community awareness.
• 🫀 Meeting a respected professor at an open mic event inspired Marcus to pursue a career in education, merging his passion for art and academia.
• 👶 Marcus emphasizes the importance of teaching the whole child, advocating for a more inclusive and engaging classroom environment, especially for students of color.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did hip hop influence Marcus's life and career path?

Hip hop served as a guiding light for Marcus, teaching him about Black empowerment and community awareness, ultimately inspiring him to pursue education and social justice.

Q: What role did meeting a professor at an open mic event play in Marcus's journey?

Meeting a professor who looked like him and was respected academically planted the seed of becoming an educator in Marcus's heart, fueling his dream of bridging art and academia.

Q: Why does Marcus advocate for a holistic approach to education?

Marcus believes in teaching the whole child, especially students of color, to help them find their voice and create a more inclusive and engaging classroom environment.

Q: How does Marcus plan to continue his educational journey in the future?

Marcus plans to pursue a doctorate degree at U of T and aims to become a professor while staying connected to high school students, passing on his knowledge and sparking inspiration in the next generation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Marcus shares his journey from growing up in a violent neighborhood to finding solace and wisdom in hip hop music.

• His encounter with a professor at an open mic event sparked his dream of becoming an educator.

• Marcus emphasizes the importance of teaching the whole child, especially for students of color.