From her early days as a social studies teacher and journeys across 10 African countries, to spearheading the African Heritage Youth Organization (AHYO) and co-founding the Universal African Peoples Organization (UAPO), Safiyah Chauvin — affectionately called Mama Safiyah — has shaped thousands of lives in St. Louis and globally through cultural advocacy, political activism, and by championing positive social change.
On April 13, the African Dance community in St. Louis honored Mama Safiyah at the 38th annual concert of BLACK DANCE USA: A Celebration in Movement, at COCA (Center of Creative Arts).
The American sat down with Mama Safiyah to learn more about her remarkable journey and unwavering commitment and legacy.
Q. What inspired you to start the African Heritage Youth Organization in St. Louis?
A. Thanks to my parents Sylvester Chauvin III and Evelyn Chauvin, I grew up knowing that I was African. I remember when I was nine, I said, ‘I am going to Africa.’ I didn’t have any negative hangups — I always knew I was African. So, you have to tell the children the truth early on and teach them to be proud of their African heritage. That’s why I started the African Heritage Youth Organization, to teach children about their greatness through African dance, drum, song, poetry, history, leadership training and character development. I started the organization in 1973.
Q. How else did your family history influence your activism?
A. As a child, I was always going to meetings with my parents and organizing. I thought everyone’s family did that. I remember going with Mom and Dad to protest and boycott because Black people couldn’t sit down and eat at Stix, Baer and Fuller, Famous-Barr and other businesses in Downtown. That’s where I got my early sense of dignity. You’re not supposed to be treated less than or as a marginalized person. My father was a leader in the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees and my mother was one of the founders of the St. Louis Committee on Africa. We were always a host family for African students. They look like us and we look like them. We are Africans born in America. I’ve always believed that. You have to get political. We’re suffering from the negative impacts of slavery.
After graduating from high school, I later went to SIU Carbondale to major in Sociology and Psychology for Secondary Education and started the campus’ first Black Student Union. Being interested in Africa, culture, and history, I always wanted to be a teacher too. I became a social studies teacher in both middle and high schools. After retiring, I continued teaching at the Muhammad Islamic Academy.
Q. What are some highlights from co-founding the UAPO, helping create the St. Louis African Arts Festival, and being an International Folklore Federation founding member.
A. Being mentored by world renowned Madame Katherine Dunham, choreographer, anthropologist, author and humanitarian activist, was a major highlight. I have also deeply cherished my work with young people and seeing them go on to start careers, become leaders, and start their own families. All of our work and steady organizing, that we still have to do, is important. As we strive to eliminate racial bias, we must follow the examples of our resilient and courageous ancestors; by remaining steadfast in our quest for equity, inclusion and total liberation and justice to all who suffer from the disparities and inequities of enslavement. That’s why it’s important we organize, unite, and vote. We can’t just sit back. We must build on the gains of the Civil and Human Rights Movement.
Q. What message do you have for all generations?
A. It’s imperative that we pass on the knowledge and pass on the greatness to our people. We’ve been taught through enslavement to be divisive and hateful and to harm each other. But we must act as a collective and love one another.
