Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins was a real-life prodigal slave pianist. He lived both a tragic and an incredible life as a renowned musician. Despite his fame, he is fairly unknown in comparison to the famed composers of yesteryear. Using a portion of the profits from The Prodigy Slave TV series, we are seeking to create a music scholarship to honor his legacy.
A portion of the outdoor scenes for The Prodigy Slave were filmed on the 40-acre property of "Drum the Program," a non-profit organization that teaches West African drum and dance to children. In appreciation for this organization allowing us to film, we are seeking to make a considerable financial contribution to their program.
The character, William Werthington, in The Prodigy Slave was created in the image of this real life abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. William is known for his weekly newspaper, "The Liberator," in which he denounced slavery. We are trying to bring awareness to a change.org Petition to create a federal holiday in his honor.
Considering the level of excellence and fame the Thomas Wiggins achieved, his name should be easily recognizable amongst the great composers from centuries ago. There is no disputing the reasons why that is not the case. We cannot change the fact that racism played such a major role in determining who would be highlighted in history books over the last century nor whose classical music pieces would be handed out in music classrooms. However, we can try to right that wrong by doing all that we can NOW to bring awareness to those who have been nearly erased from history. That is what Londyn Skye is seeking to do for Thomas Wiggins. By creating a music scholarship in his name, she hopes to honor his legacy in a way that will ensure that he and his accomplishments never again fade from the spotlight.
Click below to read more about Thomas and why Londyn Skye has dedicated The Prodigy Slave series to him.
This Youtube presentation about the life of Thomas Wiggins does an excellent job of explaining who Thomas Wiggins was. It highlights both the tragedies and the astounding moments of his life.
From January 1, 1831 to December 29, 1865 William Lloyd Garrison published The Liberator Newspaper weekly, demanding the immediate emancipation of all slaves in America.
Londyn Skye has started a Change.org petition to change a Confederate holiday to "The liberator Day," in honor of William Lloyd Garrison's tireless pursuit to end slavery.
This documentary gives some wonderful insight into who William Lloyd Garrison was as man. It also lays out what initially inspired him as well as those he ultimately inspired in return!
We believe that music created through intention can heal, bridge and transform the very essence of human beings’ cellular network.
The drum and dance rhythms from Africa are the foundation of language and communication. We use the rhythms as tools impacting the future of Humanity one drum beat and dance move at a time.
Our mission is to provide educational experiences of West African drum and dance that serves to develop Social- Emotional Learning Skills. We reach to serve diverse groups in our community through youth and adult programming.
This news story does a wonderful job of highlighting the beautiful things that Drum the Program is seeking to provide for youth in their community.
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