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Le'Passion Darby

Learning Designer
Center for Digital Agriculture
EdTech Professional
Career and Tech Ed

I am a Learning Designer at the Center for Digital Agriculture at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I have worked progressively in learning and instructional design since my 2017 volunteer-ship with the Smithsonian Learning Lab and my consecutive 2018 internship with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. I hold a bachelor's degree in Mass Media Arts from Clark Atlanta University, and most recently, a master's in Learning Design and Leadership with graduate minors in Art History, Heritage Studies, and Global Studies, respectively, from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I enjoy researching and writing about campus artifacts and heritage at colleges and universities around the world. Collectively, I have toured more than 90 campuses on five continents: Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. 

Le'Passion Darby's collections

 

Martin Luther King, Jr..: The Later Years (1965 -1968)

<p>Martin Luther King Jr.’s fight for equality did not end with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In his last years, King’s focus shifted toward achieving economic equality and combating poverty in the United States, denouncing the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War, and contending with the rise of The Black Power Movement. This Learning Lab highlights documents, images, objects, and media from the National Museum of African American History and Culture and other Smithsonian units that help to tell the story of Martin Luther King Jr.’s final years, his assassination, and his enduring legacy.</p> <p><em>#historicalthinking</em></p><p>Keywords: African American, NMAAHC, Martin Luther King, Jr., American History, Vietnam War, The Black Power Movement, Civil Rights Act of 1964, Votings Rights Act of 1965</p> <p><br /></p>
Le'Passion Darby
48
 

The Harlem Renaissance

<p>The Harlem Renaissance was a social and artistic movement of the 1920s that took place in the eclectic neighborhood of Harlem, New York. African-Americans, many of whom had migrated from the South to escape the harsh realities of racism and segregation, brought Harlem to life during this era with music, dance, poetry, film, education, literature, entrepreneurship, and social activism. This unprecedented revolution and its icons birthed knowledge and artistry that continues to impact American culture today. Such icons include Zora Neale Hurston, Mary McLeod Bethune, Madam C.J. Walker, Oscar Micheaux, Duke Ellington, W.E.B. DuBois, Langston Hughes, and Mahalia Jackson. </p> <p> The individual contributions of these “Harlemites” were so distinguished that the Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAG) of the United States Postal Service selected each to be commemorated on a United States Postage Stamp. These stamps have been digitized and are housed at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum.</p> <p>The Harlem Renaissance Collection includes a video on each Harlem Renaissance icon and an activity that teachers can use in the classroom.</p> <p>Keywords: NMAAHC, National Postal Museum, American History, African American History, Harlem Renaissance, Zora Neale Hurston, Mary McLeod Bethune, Madam C.J. Walker, Oscar Micheaux, Duke Ellington, W.E.B. DuBois, Langston Hughes, Mahalia Jackson<br /></p> <p></p>
Le'Passion Darby
11
 

An Evolution of Expression

<p>The eclectic and time-honored art form of quilting has been used as a material expression of ideologies, social stances, and culture. Though the basic process of quilting involves the sewing of two or more layers of fabric, quilters have increasingly integrated materials, symbols, words, and individual styles with communicative, celebratory, and decorative intentions. </p> <p>This collection displays digitized images of quilts that reflect the diversity of the quilting tradition in America. Some quilts have been displayed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and others at the National Museum of the American Indian. The Smithsonian’s National Quilt Collection is housed at the National Museum of American History. </p> <p>This collection includes an article that explores the evolution and artistry of quilting and a list of discussion questions that can be used to analyze the collection. </p> <p>Keywords: African American, NMAAHC, American History, Quilts</p><p></p>
Le'Passion Darby
9
 

Harris-Stowe State University Collection

<p>On March 22, 2018, the Upward Bound Tech &amp; Tour Team organized by Le’Passion Darby, Office of Minority Student Affairs, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) completed a Digital Photography Practicum at Harris-Stowe State University. Harris-Stowe State University is a <u><a href="http://learninglab.si.edu/q/r/2965826" target="_blank">Historically Black University</a> </u>(or HBCU) located in St. Louis, Missouri (USA). This collection includes photographs and videos taken and curated by Upward Bound students. </p> <p>Upward Bound is a federally funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and is part of the Federal TRiO Programs. The program’s objective is to support participants in their preparation for college entrance. </p> <p>UIUC’s Upward Bound Tech &amp; Tour Program trains students in the use of digital tools to document their experience during visits to higher education institutions, and to take a curatorial look at the sites and artifacts on campus, providing students with practical opportunities for professional and marketing skills in digital arts. Learning Lab was used as the host platform for the curated content and SCLDA staff provided a webinar and feedback during the project. </p> <p>Harris-Stowe State University (1857) is named for American abolitionist and author Harriet Beecher Stowe and U.S. Commissioner of Education (1889) William Torrey Harris. Originally, two separate, segregated colleges focused on teacher training (1857, 1890) - the campuses were integrated as a result of Brown v. Board (1954) - and today, Harris-Stowe State University is a multi-degree university with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, education, and urban affairs. </p> <p>Student curators for this collection are: Alie W., Leavell A., and Tara H. </p> <p>For a view of the program’s curriculum, see: <u>Upward Bound Tech &amp; Tour: Harris Stowe-State University.</u> </p> <p>Extra links in the text link to various contextualized Learning Lab collections: </p> <p>·    Historically Black University links to <a href="http://learninglab.si.edu/q/r/2965826" target="_blank"><u></u></a><u><a href="http://learninglab.si.edu/q/r/2965826">http://learninglab.si.edu/q/r/...</a></u></p> <p>·    Abolitionist links to <a href="http://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/oANTipTB5gveXuUv" target="_blank"><u></u></a><u><a href="http://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/oANTipTB5gveXuUv">http://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll...</a></u></p> <p>·    Harriet Beecher Stowe links to <a href="http://learninglab.si.edu/q/r/43994" target="_blank"><u></u></a><u><a href="http://learninglab.si.edu/q/r/43994">http://learninglab.si.edu/q/r/...</a></u></p> <p>·    Brown v. Board links to <a href="http://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/3NDW784qfmHWDFy3" target="_blank"><u></u></a><u><a href="http://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/3NDW784qfmHWDFy3">http://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll...</a></u></p> <p></p>
Le'Passion Darby
63
 

Madam C. J. Walker as An Inventor

<p>Many people recognize Madam C. J. Walker as an entrepreneur, but who was Madam C. J. Walker as an inventor?<br /></p> <p>This collection provides a rare perspective of Walker through the lens of invention. From her scientific hair care formulas, genius marketing strategies, and precise business systems, Madam C. J. Walker invented products and enterprises that led her to become America’s first female self-made millionaire. Walker was born Sarah Breedlove in 1867 and was the daughter of slaves. In addition to being an inventor, she was also an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a political and social activist. </p> <p>The collection includes short answer questions for each slide and a reflective assignment that teachers can use post-activity. </p> <p>Keywords: NMAAHC, American History, African American History, Women Inventors, Women Entrepreneurs</p>
Le'Passion Darby
9