African-American and African youth living on the city’s South Side are learning to discover their similarities and embrace their differences through music, dance, poetry and drama. The students, ranging from ages 10 to 18, are learning through “Global Education through the Arts,” which reaches out to South City’s disadvantaged African-American and African youth by way of the arts.
“It taught me how to respect myself and other people, about different cultures and how to listen,” 16-year-old Florence Jebo, who is from Liberia, said of the program.
Founded by Cecilia Nadal, the 16-week afterschool program is designed to give the children a better understanding of each other’s cultures, while developing a better appreciation of the arts. The program is funded by a grant from the Monsanto Fund.
“With all of the diversity we’re getting in St. Louis, no one has thought about the disconnect in the African-American community,” Nadal said. “The arts teaches diversity in a way that’s not offensive or demanding, but fun.”
The program has given students like 12-year-old Mary Passawe, a native of Sierra Leone, better communication skills.
Before joining the program, Mary said she had trouble comprehending English and would walk away when someone could not understand her. But now, instead of walking away out of frustration, she said she stays to listen and tries to understand. She said her favorite part about the program is Nadal’s class on cultural differences.
“I learned that if you can be a good listener, you can become successful in your future,” Mary said.
The project is part of a larger effort by Gitana Productions, Harmony in Life, the African Mutual Assistance Association and the Carpenter Branch Library to address South City’s multicultural needs. Nadal said her program in particular would acquaint the area’s new immigrant youth with its pre-existing African American community and prepare both groups for an evolving global economy. In the future, she plans to include youth from other countries.
“People who are neighbors physically can truly be neighbors spiritually because they’re getting to know each other and getting past stereotypes,” Nadal said.
Nina Hall, a fourth-grader at Imagine Academy of Careers, said she heard about the program through her mother. She joined because she thought it would be a fun way to make friends.
Nadal recently invited China native Yi Sun to bring students a taste of life on the opposite side of the globe. The discussion helped to spark a big ambition in Hall, 11. She said, “I want to travel the world one day and learn about every culture there is.”
“Global Education through the Arts” will continue until the end of June with activities that include acting, guest speakers, field trips, diversity training and dancing. The activities are a way for students to immerse themselves in other cultures and make friends, Nadal said. The idea is to teach them tolerance, mutual understanding, conflict resolution and teamwork.
Still ahead is the students’ work on Complacency of Silence: Darfur, an original play produced by Gitana Productions that details the atrocities in the war-torn African nation Sudan. Some students will be selected to showcase their talents alongside professional actors in the play, which will run May 23-June 8 at the Saint Louis University Theater.
The “Global Education through the Arts” project meets from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Louis Public Library’s Carpenter Branch, 3309 South Grand Blvd. There is no fee, and transportation is provided. Call 314-721-6556.