GLENDALE, Calif. — The "School Yard Rap" musical is an entire production teaching students about Black history that’s not found in traditional textbooks.

As more than 1,000 kids recently filed into the Alex Theatre to see the show in Glendale, founder Brandon Brown transformed into Griot B backstage.

"A griot, West African rendition, is a storyteller, a person who passes down the history, generation after generation," he said.

It's what he does now through dance and song, with a goal to teach the LAUSD students, with a show called "Our Story," that they are so much more than just the descendants of slaves. They’re the product of scientists, surgeons, lawyers and mathematicians.

"That’s why I wear the crown, to signify that throughout history we weren’t slaves. We were enslaved," said Brown. "And I think that’s a very good distinction to make so that our students and kids, they start with this ideology, not of a deficit mindset, but of a mindset of equality."

But this classroom looks and sounds very different from the ones on campus. Before the show even gets started, an MC makes sure the kids are warmed up.

Brown learned first hand that education is in the delivery. As a former assistant principal and teacher in Inglewood, he saw the Black history curriculum was almost all about slavery and segregation.

Now, his entire 90-minute production ensures the students have a much bigger picture, from HBCUs to pre-colonization through the 1930s.

Sixteen-year-old Samaya Smith says she’s learning things she was never taught in school.

“Our growth isn’t talked about as much as the bad stuff," she siad. "So I think it’s important that we do teach Black history, so people know about all the progress that we’ve made."

That’s the whole point, Brown explained, especially now as politicians move to ban critical race theory, AP African American history and other lessons on racism and inequality across the country. 

He says he also includes Latino history, hoping to uplift the stories of all minorities, and not just for the kids of color. Brandon says learning this history creates a more empathetic society of all backgrounds. 

"Not everybody has to agree on everything, but what we should at the very least agree is that people in this country, regardless of race, color, creed or religion are equal," said Brown.

With that equality comes empathy and respect.

For more information about the "School Yard Rap" musical or to purchase tickets, click here.