Dear Dr. Monique W. Morris,

Dear Dr. Monique W. Morris,

Your book was used as the foundational discussion piece for our Professional Collegial Circle at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community School in Rochester, New York. Your tracks and interludes have inspired our work with our sixth grade girls as we continue to mentor, provide engaging activities for intervention and prevention, and set the foundation for successful journeys in high school and life. Our program, Sisters II Sisters will forever utilize the strategies discussed as we continue to strive to transform schools in our community. 

We appreciate your leadership and dedication to support black and brown girls. Below are comments from the participators that went on the journey through Rhythm, Dance, and Blues with you. 

~Mentors of the Sisters II Sisters Group for Girls



Comments

  1. ChelseaApril 6, 2021 at 11:46 AM

    Dr. Monique W. Morris,

    You have created an incredible work of literature! The book was certainly uplifting and relatable, with many teachable moments. The structure of the book and references were very engaging, and I admire the way you put a clever twist on so many 'touchy'/unspoken topics. I appreciate the way you included so many personal experiences and strategically offered how you learned from them, and in turn, ways in which society can benefit from them. Your suggestions and ways in which we should teach/approach girls of color will stick with me -and so many others, for a lifetime!

    -Chelsea O'Meally
    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community School 9
    Rochester, New York
    Sisters II Sisters, Mentor
    Fifth Grade Teacher

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  2. UnknownApril 6, 2021 at 11:47 AM

    Dr. Morris,

    Your work is truly inspiring! Thank you for your dedication to all students, especially those that need the most support. As a bilingual special education teacher here at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School No. 9, I work with students that are of cultures and backgrounds other than mine and your words are powerful and eye-opening. I appreciate the information you provide, the facts you give, and how you really put into perspective the challenges that black and brown girls face during their educational careers and in life.

    The strategies and suggestions you provided in your book are such wonderful ideas that I know I will use as much as possible with my own students, but specifically with our 6th grade girls in Sisters II Sisters. I aim to continue to grow as an educator and do my part to create a culture of healing based on restorative practices in my classroom and in our school.

    Thank you for all you do!
    ~Holly Cornelius~
    Bilingual Resource and Consultant Teacher 5/6
    Sisters II Sisters Mentor
    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School No. 9

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  3. Jeronda GriffinApril 6, 2021 at 12:13 PM

    Dear Dr.Morris,
    Sing a Rhythm, Dance a Blues resonated with my heart mind and spirit! It was ingenious the way that you utilized a cultural perspective on musical background to deliver a paramount message about our black and brown youth in America! This book facilitates the understanding of how black and brown girls' education are interrupted and interwoven into the school to prison pipeline and by using restorative justice practices we can reverse this process! I love that it explained the way the brains of black and brown children that misbehave work and how their experiences directly impact their reactions. I love how track 1 pointed out that instead of questioning why black and brown girls are acting a specific way and to focus more what happened to them to make them behave in this manner. I am excited to impart this new knowledge that I am armed with after reading your wonderful thought provoking book.

    Inspired and devoted to making a change,
    Jeronda Griffin

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