Memphian brings African American history to life through music

BY ERYN TAYLOR and MARKOVA REED, Posted 5:57 a.m., December 7, 2017, WREG News Channel 3 Memphis –

It’s an interactive history lesson that takes students on a journey through generations and genres of music.

“We span this history of African American music from the field song all the way through jazz, blues, rock and roll on into hip hop.”

Third and fourth graders at Hawkins Mills Elementary are not only having a great time, but they’re also learning about how African Americans contributed to the music world.

“It’s important that you know who you are and where you come from. It gives you some inkling as to how far you can go and achieve.”

A graduate of East High School, Jonathan Blanchard started his “From History to Hip Hop” lectures to share with students what local musicians shared with him when he was a student in Memphis City Schools.

Click here to read the full story, originally published by WREG Channel 3, Memphis