The Kent Meridian High School African Club put on a showcase at the Kent Senior Center on June 21, which included dancers from the African Club, DTYD, Afro-Unique and a local Kenyan Group. COURTESY PHOTO, Brin Hamilton

The Kent Meridian High School African Club put on a showcase at the Kent Senior Center on June 21, which included dancers from the African Club, DTYD, Afro-Unique and a local Kenyan Group. COURTESY PHOTO, Brin Hamilton

Kent-Meridian students channel culture, history and passion with dance

African heritage comes alive in Teen Voices program

  • Wednesday, June 26, 2019 8:16am
  • Life

The King County Library System (KCLS) Teen Voices program is helping Kent youth connect with their cultural identities through art and self-expression.

As part of the program, students attending Kent-Meridian High School drew upon the area’s diverse population and African heritage to produce Afro Culture Night – a music and dance showcase on June 21 at the Kent Senior Center – providing students an outlet for their creativity and expression while connecting with their cultural heritage and community.

Many students have cultural connections to African countries.

“Dance is something I love because it connects me to my culture,” one K-M student, Shalom, said of the program,

Another student, Dorcianne, who serves as the high school’s African Club choreographer, uses her choreography skills to bring students together and express African culture for the greater community. She recently led a team in a dance presentation for the Kent International Festival, an annual event which celebrates the diverse cultures and talents found in her city.

“We are in a new country with another language and culture. It is important than young people keep this to give to their children – to know where we came from and to honor that,” she added.

The Teen Voices program is part of Dream Big: Anything is Possible – a youth empowerment campaign launched earlier this year by the Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara’s Why Not You Foundation, KCLS, KCLS Foundation and JPMorgan Chase. The multi-week spring program is offered to teens in Auburn, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent, Renton and Tukwila to motivate, empower and prepare them to be tomorrow’s leaders with skills, tools, confidence and mentors for future success.

“Teen Voices is a program platform for youth identity development, agency and self-expression. A positive identity is vital to youth finding success in life and is fed by affirming experiences, personal agency, deep connections to family and cultural roots – a sense of belonging to a community,” said Kent Library Teen Librarian Rebecca Hershey. “Cultural and artistic experiences are strong allies to youth growing the ability to succeed.”

Drawing upon their own African heritage, the students incorporated techniques correlating from several African traditional dances, as well as Afrobeat and hip-hop styles to express and affirm their identities creatively. In doing so, the students are hoping to inspire their Kent neighbors to celebrate the diverse cultures within their community.

The dance showcase was presented by the Kent-Meridian High School African Club and included dancers from the African Club, DTYD, Afro-Unique and a local Kenyan Group.

Learn more at whynotyoufdn.org.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

COURTESY PHOTO, Brin Hamilton

COURTESY PHOTO, Brin Hamilton

More in Life

Photos by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Elf Academy cadets in Renton earn their jingle bells | Photos

The annual Elf Academy let’s local kids get their holiday spirit on with fun games, dancing and crafts.

Courtesy of the Grand Kyiv Ballet.
Ukraine’s most prestigious dancers bring ‘The Nutcracker’ to South King County

On Sunday, Dec. 22, the Grand Kyiv Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” will showcase the most prestigious ballet dancers from Ukraine.

The Kent International Festival received a $15,700 grant from 4Culture, one of several Kent groups to get funds. Courtesy Photo, Kent International Festival
Kent cultural groups to receive county grants from 4Culture

Kent International Festival, Kent Downtown Partnership, Greater Kent Historical Society among organizations

t
Kent’s Winterfest kicks off holiday season with tree lighting, parade

‘A fun, fabulous time had by all’ during celebration at Town Square Plaza

t
Donations begin in Kent for annual Toys for Joy program

Firefighters also run Jerry Woods Holiday Engine program to collect toys, money

t
Entertainers wanted for Talent Quest show in Kent on Jan. 30

People of all ages and talents invited to register for event that will feature cash prizes

In early October, the Tahoma National Cemetery donated over 1,000 pounds of food for King County Veterans Program clients. According to the KCVP Facebook page, 34 food bags were made to give away to local veterans. Photo courtesy of King County Veterans Program
Veteran services throughout South King County

When it comes to local services for veterans and their families, the… Continue reading

The Kent Holiday Craft Market will run Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1-2 at the Kent Senior Center, 600 E. Smith St. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Catch the Kent Holiday Craft Market Friday, Saturday Nov. 1-2

Features one-of-a-kind, handcrafted gifts from local artists and craftspeople

Photos by Joshua Solorzano/The Mirror
Wild Waves 2024 Crypt Keeper Challenge contestants.
Wild Waves 24-hour coffin challenge produces 5 brave winners

The first meal of the night at the Federal Way amusement park was tarantula-covered pizza.

Team Survivor Northwest hike to Twin Lakes in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Courtesy photo.
Team Survivor Northwest leads hiking adventures for women battling cancer

“It’s so wonderful connecting with all these women,” said breast cancer survivor Jennifer Dovey.

Kent Station’s annual Haunted Boo-Levard is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 at the shopping center. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Station
Kent Station shopping center plans Halloween celebration Oct. 31

Trick or treating at local shops from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

t
Street of Treats Halloween event in downtown Kent set for Oct. 26

A frightfully fun family outing from 2 to 5 p.m. at 11 participating businesses