Andre Middleton Leads Youth To Activism Through Music

At the height of Black Lives Matter movement, Andre Middleton finds his passion for music and mentorship intersecting with his experience as a Black man. He finds purpose in helping underserved youth discover their voice, honing their skills in the technical and business aspects of live music production. Sarah speaks to Andre about his childhood in Brooklyn, the racial dynamics of living in Oregon, and the power of creative community engagement.

Andre Middleton builds community via the arts. He is a founding member and the executive director of Friends of Noise as well as a board member of the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art. He is an avid motorcycle rider and an ardent advocate for youth empowerment.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

This episode is sponsored by Lori Mason Design. When someone close to us dies, having a reminder of them that you can see everyday and keep close to you can be a great comfort. Lori crafts memorial quilts for the deceased, transforming their garments — their favorite Hawaiian shirts, their judge's robes, uniforms and other personal fabrics — into a piece of art that reflects their lives. Visit http://LoriMasonDesign.com/ to check out examples of how she honors each individual's unique life with her art.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is the recipient of a 2020 grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

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