In 2018, WQED's Education Department applied for the Great Remake grant opportunity sponsored by Remake Learning. The submission "Slaying the Future", with the goal to expose participants to African-American women trailblazing in the Maker Movement as well as give them the opportunity to contemplate how might they address health or beauty concerns affecting African-American women. The day will kick-off with participants learning about the makerspaces opportunities in the city and thinking about the problems we want to solve. Then learners will hear from two panels of locals African-American women makers solving problems in the health and beauty industry. Afterward, the learners will have an opportunity to work in teams to prototype a product or service that addresses a problem uniquely affecting African-American women. To close the day, participants will hear from an African-American female author on fashion.
The morning session was open to the public, and the participants heard from three panels featuring local women entrepreneurs embracing the Maker Movement to rethink beauty, health, hair, and fashion. Next, author, educator and fashion designer Lesley Ware to deliver the keynote speaker. She shared a TED-style talk about her journey as a maker, author, and educator.’ Lesley is the author of several fashion books, Sew Fab: Sewing and Style for young Fashionistas and How to be a Fashion Designer. She also sat down for an interview to talk about her journey which aired on an episode of iQSmartparent, watch the interview here.
In the afternoon a select group participated in a maker challenge with an opportunity to work in teams to prototype a product or service that addresses a problem uniquely affecting girls and women. The teams will have an opportunity to present their proposed solution and receive a constructive reflection from their peers. All participants will receive a kit for their participation.
