Welcome to BTAL
Black Teaching
Artist Lab
Our mission is to equip every teaching artist with an Afrocentric Social-Emotional Learning framework to teach Black youth about themselves, their cultures, and their communities through art.
Curriculum Created
1
Black Teaching Artist Surveyed
100+
Educators Trained
10
Workshops Facilitated
20+
About Us
Who We Are
Black Teaching Artist Lab, LLC (BTAL) is a professional development and creative learning organization committed to empowering Black teaching artists and Black learners across the African Diaspora. Through arts education rooted in cultural identity, and Pan-African values, we strengthen intercultural understanding and build community across generations and geographies.
We believe art is one of the most powerful tools for liberation, storytelling, and collective healing. By honoring the lived experiences of Black creatives, we help teaching artists share meaningful, identity-affirming learning with Black youth everywhere.
As creators, we focus on learning specific to Black people, employing arts education creativity, and cultural innovation, and by which we position ourselves at becoming grounded and proficient.
" Black creativity is a form of knowledge, and every lesson we teach plants a future."
Ntozake Shange
Our Mission
BTAL provides organizational development, lesson planning, and community-based teaching resources through Afrocentric pedagogy and social and culturally grounded frameworks.
What
We Do
Services
Our Core Offerings
Comprehensive programs designed to support and develop Black teaching artists.
Our Afrocentric SEL workshops help Black teaching artists explore identity, creativity, and culture through their personal art practice.
If you are a school, educator, arts program, or a Black teaching artist—sign up for our seasonal workshop series.
Monthly Workshops
Zora’s Legacy: Research Project
Zora Legacy is a research initiative led by founder Melissa Parke. This project aims to provide critical data on Black-identifying teaching artists and the communities they serve. The interdisciplinary initiative is named after the great Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960), whose anthropological work centered on documenting and examining Black folklore. We hope to continue Zora’s legacy by collecting stories, traditions, and artifacts from Afro-descendant artists across the diaspora.
Professional Speaking
Engagements
Speaking engagements are facilitated by founder Melissa Parke. If you’re interested in Afrocentric Social Emotional Learning, culturally responsive arts education, or Black creative identity—book Melissa for your next presentation, training, or community event.
Most Recent Research
Uncovering A Missing
Narrative: Black Teaching Artists
In the inaugural article, "Black Teaching Artists of BTAL" issue on constructions of Black teaching artists in art, especially those artists and educators in the teaching profession.
Artist who engage with our communities through art, creativity, and culturally-based practices and resources for grounding community support and education in our unique perspectives.
COMING SOON
Afrocentricity and the Development of Black Boys
Our upcoming research project exploring the intersection of Afrocentric pedagogy and the holistic development of Black boys through arts education.
Meet the Founder
Melissa Parke
Melissa Parke is a Brooklyn-based creative, educator, and founder of Black Teaching Artist Lab, LLC (BTAL). With a background in history and secondary education, her professional experience spans a range of nonprofit arts, educational, and cultural organizations, where she has worked in nontraditional learning environments serving diverse and underserved communities.
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”
Marcus Garvey