Last Friday, the halls of Berwick Alternative Elementary resonated with the familiar tune of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" signaling a special guest appearance. Actress and author Karyn Parsons, known for her role as Hilary Banks on the hit '90s sitcom, engaged the students with a reading from her book "Clouds Over California". As Parsons delved into her semi-autobiographical tale, the young audience found themselves more intrigued by her evolution into a writer than her previous stardom. "It was nice that they were interested in hearing about the writing journey," Parsons remarked in an interview with the Columbus City Schools' news. "And I was really glad I was able to share because I know how daunting it is when you start."
During the visit, which was part of Berwick's Performing Arts Summer Experience program, Parsons encouraged students to express themselves boldly through art. Kyla Mitchell, the school's principal, expressed hope that the actress's words would inspire students to "just keep writing," potentially igniting their creativity and the creation of amazing music. This sentiment comes hand-in-hand with the program's goal for students to write and record an original song for a music video, in collaboration with We Amplify Voices (WAV). Parsons sought to light a creative spark, urging the kids to weave their narratives into the musical form.
Students like Kari’Marie Brown-Davis deeply felt the impact of Parsons' presence. Initially familiar with Parsons' television persona, Kari'Marie was moved when Parsons shared her insecurities about wearing natural hair as a child. "Maybe when I get older, I will want to write a book or write something about my childhood," Kari'Marie contemplated, revealing the influence of Parsons' storytelling. Transitioning from acting to writing, Parsons herself had to adopt a new perspective, embarking on a journey that led to her debut novel, "How High the Moon," and subsequent titles, including those in her "Sweet Blackberry" film series that illuminate underrepresented Black history for young audiences.
Addressing the students' curiosities and apprehensions about such creative transformations, Parsons revealed the apprehensions she faced, sharing how she worked to push through doubts and take writing classes to find her voice. "People will support you and you'll get the courage, the little extra courage to take that step," she told the students, as reported by the Columbus City Schools' news. Mitchell highlighted the importance of recognizing the role of reading and writing in shaping one's career path, hoping that Parsons' story will inspire students to see potential beyond their starting points.
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}