This podcast functions as a database for the course  North Avenue Forum. This course is being offered in order to create a forum for students to be engaged with the historical and contemporary conditions that are present in the neighborhoods adjacent to North Avenue. This conversation will be taking place in the immediate conditions surrounding the death of Freddie Gray and the ongoing trials of the six Baltimore City Police officers. There are many participants in this deeply complex situation. This course will be a living social practice forum where we will invite as many participants as possible to speak about their particular viewpoint. The goal will be to create a conversation that benefits everyone that is involved. Students enrolled in this course will be active organizers/documenters/communicators of this forum. As a class we will develop a visual and creative strategy to communicate the issues encountered. We will meet once per week for a 6 hr block. The second half of class will be a forum of invited guests moderated by students. The first half of the class will be class discussion and preparation. Some class days will be devoted entirely to class discussion on issues that we encounter and conversation on the role of art and design. This class will embrace as wide a spectrum from the North Avenue community as possible. Including but not limited to: Residents, Activists, community Organizers, Artists, Business Owners, Political Representatives, Baltimore City Police, Developers, Health Services ( particularly addiction counseling/ harm reduction) Youth, Elderly, Faith Community, Nation of Islam, Job creation, Gang prevention …)

North Ave. Forum Podcast