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Pleasanton, addressing goal 6.
<br />Describe the following:a. The problem(s), need(s), issue(s) or service gaps to support the
<br />need for this project in Pleasanton. b. How your project relates to the problem, need, issue
<br />or service gap. c. How this relates to the Cultural Plan.
<br />Black students are brilliant. Whether they be readers, writers, artists, mathematicians,
<br />scientists, or leaders, they have the potential for excellence in their chosen fields.
<br />Nevertheless, myriad systemic barriers lead to disproportionately negative outcomes for
<br />Black students. In PUSD, African-American students exhibit higher rates of chronic
<br />absenteeism, face a greater likelihood of suspension compared to any other racial/ethnic
<br />group, rank as the lowest-performing group academically, and report feeling less connected
<br />to their school community than their counterparts from other racial/ethnic backgrounds. We
<br />have an urgent need and moral imperative to act pragmatically and in a culturally conscious
<br />way to pay the “education debt” for our Black children and their families.
<br />Describe your agency and provide its mission or purpose statement.
<br />Cheza Nami, a California-based nonprofit organization, incorporates policies/programming
<br />that utilize the arts as a tool to transform and express culture. Our mission is to promote
<br />cultural education, diversity awareness, and a congenial relationship among community
<br />members. We strive to encourage the appreciation of African culture by inspiring and
<br />educating the American public about its unique attributes, regardless of their heritage.
<br />With over 12 years of successful programming, we employ a play-based, experiential
<br />approach to education, teaching African culture through dance, play, and movement. Our
<br />cultural activities include dance, drumming, imaginative play, and song, providing
<br />interactive and educational experiences. Please see a list of recent workshops, festivals,
<br />and educational programs implemented by Cheza Nami:
<br />11th Annual Taste of Africa Festival - Livermore, CA
<br />7th Annual Hâ Mbongui Drumming and Dance Conference - Santa Cruz, CA
<br />Black Excellence Program - Pleasanton, CA
<br />Moving Together Workshop Series - Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Livermore and Dublin, CA
<br />Cultural Art and Learning Assemblies - Pleasanton, Dublin, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Seaside,
<br />and Hayward, CA
<br />The Essence Show - Livermore, San Francisco, Dublin and Santa Cruz, CA
<br />Our approach has been refined over the years through fieldwork, participant feedback,
<br />engagement with educators and community leaders, and the success of our programs.
<br />Cheza Nami was born out of the need to fill programming gaps for immigrant communities
<br />and their families, providing a much-needed service that speaks to minorities, by minorities,
<br />and for minorities, particularly those members of the African Diaspora in all of their forms
<br />and identities. Collectively, our programs have impacted the lives of over 40,000 community
<br />members in the Bay Area.
<br />Please describe how you plan to market this project.
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