by April | Community
The Blue Heart Foundation’s Step Team participated in the 24th Annual Kuumbafest’s Black Movement Step & Dance Showcase. Coordinated by Shanna Cofield. Founded in 1993, Kuumba Fest began as an offshoot of the San Diego Urban Warriors’ gang diversion program. Founder Dajahn Blevins taught arts to at-risk youth as a means of social development, cultural enrichment and self-empowerment. The students presented a sold-out performance at the San Diego Repertory Theatre at the end of the program, and the feedback from the community was so strong, Kuumba Fest was born. Co-produced by the Rep and its African American Council, Kuumba Fest is the county’s longest-running celebration of African-derived culture and commerce.
The goal is to create an urban performing artist community advocating, teaching, demonstrating collective work and responsibility promoting, self-determination and discipline through creative edutainment artistic experiences and exploration. This community represents all of the performing arts and serves as an alternative means of intervention when traditional forms don’t work. We unite engineers for change, warriors against apathy and parasites on the communities in which we live.
Kuumba (Swahili for “creativity”) Fest brings together community leaders, local performers and celebrities for an annual audience that averages 5,000. From gospel to hip-hop and theater to dance, San Diego’s Kuumba Fest present a wide showcase of arts that celebrate Black American culture in all its variety. Kuumba Fest will offer a three-day festival that includes educational workshops, hip-hop dance and speech competitions, performances of plays, Late Night Live (San Diego’s version of Late Night at the Apollo), and as always, a gospel concert finale. An African Market Place featuring arts and crafts for sale by local vendors will also be presented in the lobby of the Lyceum Theatre at Horton Plaza Shopping Center.
by April | Education
Treated to a Private Tour by USD’s Black Student Resource Center campus tours and interaction with undergraduates, over 30 pre-college students, parents and mentors got more than just a savory taste of university life. “As an African American,” said one parent who participated, “I think this event not only challenged young Black students to dare to dream college and to go after that dream, but also challenged parents to get involved, and stay involved, in preparing their children for higher education starting in early childhood.”
Indeed, the message of early academic preparation and active parental involvement were important goals when USD’s Black Student Resource Center invited our organization to take part in this eye opening experience. The event was not only intended to help enhance college-going rates of African Americans in San Diego, but to also provide an opportunity to showcase the academic and career opportunities USD has to offer.
The event immersed 7th through 12th grade students in various interactive activities with faculty, staff and undergraduates based upon students’ grade levels and academic interest. These included workshops on why college is important, how to develop “mental toughness ” for college, a debate with the USD Black Student Union on overcoming peer pressure.
by April | Mentoring
Along with Outdoor Outreach, we headed out to Big Bear for a weekend away from the city. We reserved two cabins for the weekend to focus on teambuilding wrapped around a Saturday learning to snow board and snowboarding. Thank to the instructors at Outdoor Outreach whom we are thrilled to be a partner we will had an exhilarating time away from the city!
Traveling to Big Bear the air was filled with excitement as this would be each young man’s first opportunity to see the snow and even better snowboard. Though the ride was tight with each passing mile we grew more excited for what the weekend had in store. As we hit the snow OO made sure that we were equipped with the necessary clothing, gloves and gear, It was now time to hit the mountain. After an hour of fundamentals the guys began to get the hang of it and they were soon hitting the intermediate slopes. The entire day was full of non stop fun along with great conversation.
By introducing our young men to the outdoors through exciting and joy-filled weekend, we both work to inspire underserved youth to see possibility and opportunity in their lives. We realize that through these positive types of events you began to see attitude and behavioral changes which help them become successful adults. We conquered the mountain, ate good food, saw the city and believe that these memories will last in these young men’s lives forever. Thank you Outdoor Outreach for the opportunity we appreciate the opportunity!
by April | Community, Volunteerism
We joined thousands at the 37th Annual – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. Continuing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, January 17, at 2:00 PM the Harbor Drive- Embarcadero. For one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the United States in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The parade is filled with dazzling floats, phenomenal High School Bands, Drill Teams, College, Fraternities, Churches, Peace and Youth organizations.
Spectators along Harbor Drive enjoyed a crisp, sunny afternoon by the water, cheering a long line of floats, high schools bands, civic groups and other participants in what is often referred to as one of the country’s largest celebrations in honor of King.
There were 96 entries in the parade this year, from elected officials such as state Sen.Toni Atkins and San Diego City Councilwoman Myrtle Cole to the San Diego Black Panthers to local enforcement agencies and unions. Also marching were school bands including UC San Diego and San Diego State University, as well as Morse High School and Clairemont High School.
This parade is coordinated by the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the oldest African American fraternity in America, founded in 1906 at Cornell University in Ithica, New York. Dr. King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.
by April | Community
Our Annual Christmas Awards breakfast took place Saturday Dec. 10th, 2016 at the Sheraton– Mission Valley with the goal to celebrate this holiday season by honoring those that serve our community and bringing educational awareness to San Diego’s foster and underprivileged youth during a festive Christmas celebration.
Over the past 10 years it has been our opportunity to give and receive the gift of service. We invite youth and families of San Diego to partake in a morning of joy, gift giving and celebration. This year we have grown larger than ever with over 400 families & children attending this celebratory breakfast. Many children and teenagers come from a variety of programs which include which include foster and area group homes
This year we honored Community Activist of the Year Awards going to Mathew Gordon (District 4 Community Representative), Aaron Harvey (Community Activist) and Tasha Williamson all of which have directly impacted young people’s lives on a regular basis.
We also honored administrators Staci Dent (Principal – Horton Elementary) and Lan Jefferson (All In San Diego) both of which have greatly impacted our student’s lives at both grade school and collegiate levels. Finally, sticking with our theme of education we will honored our shining star Shane Lawrence, Mercedes Tiggs as our Guardian Scholar of the Year for overcoming monumental obstacles to graduate from college along with a and Gerard Henry as Father of the Year. We also had awards for children from both the Heartbeat Music Academy and the H.E.A.R.T (Higher Education And Rising Together) mentoring program. This was a wonderful Christmas event benefiting San Diego’s Foster and underserved youth and encouraging them to attend and complete college.
Kuumba (Swahili for “creativity”) Fest brings together community leaders, local performers and celebrities for an annual audience that averages 5,000. From gospel to hip-hop and theater to dance, San Diego’s Kuumba Fest present a wide showcase of arts that celebrate Black American culture in all its variety. Kuumba Fest will offer a three-day festival that includes educational workshops, hip-hop dance and speech competitions, performances of plays, Late Night Live (San Diego’s version of Late Night at the Apollo), and as always, a gospel concert finale. An African Market Place featuring arts and crafts for sale by local vendors will also be presented in the lobby of the Lyceum Theatre at Horton Plaza Shopping Center.
