AS220 Youth is partnering with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage to document fashion, style, and adornment in the African American community. The project was inspired by Zora Neal Hurston’s anthropology work in the South in the 1930’s and brings together “culture bearers” who take swag to the level of high art.

The event will feature

• fashion by Boston designer Judith Bashala
• personal style by AS220 Youth and the Central Falls High School Fashionistas
• in-house designers Kyle Collins and Fernando Flaquer
• barber Boo Hackney
• spoken word by Christopher Johnson and Yunus Quddus
• New Orlean’s Ashe Cultural Center
• video work by AS220 Youth & Central Falls High School
• the latest West African beats by DJ Kris Fame
• Dance by Nentor Dahn, 2Legit & Project 401
• and the incredible ZuKrewe!

We’ll also serve home cooking by Pawtucket’s Iyabo Odewale.