Melvin Deal, African Heritage Dancers and Drummers

I was introduced to Baba Melvin Deal when I was 5 years old and he had his first dance studio located in Ward 7. He taught me West African dance. Many years later, Baba Deal has had the opportunity to observe me conduct dance workshops and dance performances at a wide variety of venues such as Malcolm X Park, Market 5 Gallery and Howard Theatre.

Baba Melvin Deal - African Heritage Dancers & Drummers

"The Founding Executive Artistic Director of the African Heritage Dancers and Drummers was, Mr. Melvin Deal, a veteran artist of more than forty one years. Mr. Deal, has worked tirelessly in researching African cultural manifestations to be used in the building of Self-Esteem and addressing the presence of Violence, Delinquency and Dysfunctional lifestyles and abuse in African-American communities.

An accomplished, Dancer, Musician, Choreographer, Researcher and Director, Mr. Deal was a graduate of Howard University, with a BA degree in Fine Arts & Education. Mr. Deal has studied at Ghana University, University of Nigeria at Ibadan and at num-erous cultural institutions nationally and abroad in the African Diaspora.

The recipient of many prestigious awards, among which includes: The Washington's "Living Legends" Award, 1980, "Washingtonian of the Year,1981", "Mayor's Arts Award, 1981", "Baltimore's" Great Blacks In Wax Award", 1995, "Philadelphia's 'CODUND'' Award, 1995 and many others.

Mr. Deal performed and taught regularly in the African Heritage Dance Center and in many Elementary & Secondary school systems and conducts classes, seminars, master classes and lecture demonstrations for Colleges, Universities and special cultural input to Motivational programs such as “'Robins Research Institute", National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Black Psychologist, Boys & Girl Scouts of America, Office of Criminal Justice and many others."

He transitioned in 2021.

On April 8, 2012, I went to Malcolm X Park and Baba Melvin came to visit the circle. He transitioned in 2021 and I left the park in 2015 and never returned back to the park.

I have thrown away the clothes and jewelry shown in the photos below.

The above photos were taken by Mr. Elvert Barnes on April 8, 2012.

On May 30, 2011, I went to Malcolm X Park and Baba Melvin came to visit the circle. He passed in 2021 and was one of my instructors.

I have thrown away the clothes shown in the below photos and I left the park in December 2015.

"Washington, D.C. native Baba Melvin Deal, the founder of the Heritage Drummers & Dancers, was one of the African dance pioneers who brought a mass appreciation of African dance and culture to southeast and northeast DC. A Howard University alumnus, Deal began his dance career at the Northeast Academy of Dance in 1959. Melvin, devoted his time and talents to the positive development of youth in the community. He founded the former African Heritage Center in 1973 (Housed on Minnesota Ave/Now Park 7 Apartments). His company Heritage Drummers & Dances trained many city youth and adults through their classes and provides them with a performance opportunities."

I paint

I paint with either my hands or paint brush. Just ask questions if you do not know. I paint because growing up in America as a black female was not easy for me. Therefore, I painted how I felt about my life, my experiences, and my world. "The only thing I know is that I paint because I have the need to, I always paint what goes through my head without any other consideration. ” - Frida Kahlo

Peacock

“The female peacock, also known as a peahen, can also represent inner beauty and self-love. Beauty: Peacocks' iridescent feathers can symbolize external beauty and capture attention. However, peacocks can also remind us that true beauty comes from within, and that nurturing our souls can enhance our outer appearance. Self-love: Peacocks can represent the importance of self-love and acceptance.” “Important qualities in the workplace include self-expression, optimism, individuality, personal reflection, being observant, and passionate. Self-expression can foster inclusivity and empowerment. Optimism involves expecting positive outcomes and growth. Individuality means bringing your whole self to work or fostering an individualist culture. Self-reflection aids personal and professional growth. Being observant helps notice details others may miss. Passion in the workplace involves finding meaning and approaching work with focus.” Dynamic and passionate individual with a strong focus on

NationHouse

NationHouse Positive Action Center, private African - American school originally located at 770 Park Rd NW in Washington, D.C. I had the opportunity to attend this school from 1978 - 1991. Some of my teachers while I was a student at NationHouse include Baba Agyei Akoto, Mama Nkechi Taifa, Mama Afia Nson Bonsu and Baba Michael Anthony - Brown artist. "Baba Agyei Akoto was a respected scholar, educator, institution builder and author. He was the principal of NationHouse Positive Action Center – which has provided a rigorous African-centered education to students ranging from pre-school through high school, for over thirty eight years." Baba Agyei recently passed on December 4, 2019. "Mama Nkechi Taifa is a native Washingtonian and life-long resident of the District of Columbia. She is a social justice attorney, activist, author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. She serves as a Senior Policy Analyst for an international foundation and convenes a W

Cheriss May and Zsudayka Nzinga @ BZB Holiday Gala Fine Art Show

Cheriss May and Zsudayka Nzinga @ BZB Holiday Gala Fine Art Show Cheriss May " Cheriss May is a lauded portrait and editorial photographer based in Washington, D.C. She is a member of the Board of Directors — Focus on the Story , the immediate past president — Women Photojournalists of Washingto n (WPOW) , co-chair of photography — The National Press Clu b , an Adobe Education Leader , and an adjunct professor at Howard University , her Alma Mater. She is often commissioned to speak about inclusive storytelling, and trains and speaks to organizations, and educators around the world, including: Spotify, Adobe, Leica, The Financial Times, the Center for Creative Photography, and the International Center of Photography. Cheriss has been published in The New York Times, O Magazine, The White House website, People magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle, ABC News, The Today Show, and other international publications. She has a traveling exhibit and forthcoming book, "

Why Work with Women and Girls?

" As women, we have been taught to always compete with each other and compare ourselves on the basis of the way we look and act. Working with each other closely kills that way of thinking, empowers us and helps us create together in an environment that we feel safe in." Therefore, working with women and girls not helps me to empower them to feel good about themselves, but to heal themselves from trauma and other experiences that they may encountered. Organizations such as Esther Productions, Inc and the African American Women's Resource Center allowed me to work with a diverse set of women and girls from different backgrounds and sexual orientation beliefs. In 2004, I began to work with Esther Productions, Inc and from 2017 - 2018, I provided services for the African American Women's Resource Center. Esther Productions, Inc. is dedicated to using a variety of vehicles—traditional and nontraditional—to develop communities throughout the United States and Europ

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Summer Blossoms. Acrylic on Canvas. 14 * 18. Afrika Abney Summer Blossoms, abstract finger painting created on canvas using colors that represent the Summer. Featured on the cover of a book and the painting is entitled: Summer Blossoms. It is entitled: Kaleidoscope. Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflecting Life Feb 19, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST virtual event In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic a group of women gathered online to write and share poetry in a workshop launched by Esther Productions Inc. The event was titled Women are Poetry In Motion. Participants continued to meet and the group evolved into the Kaleidoscope Writing Collective--seven women writers in various stages of their development exploring their creativity and sharing their vision. Come on February 19 at 3 pm come experience Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflecting Life. Introduction to first book, Kaleidoscope by Joy Jones, director of the performance poetry group, The Spoken Word and founder of the multige

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In 1992, I did not attend a charter school. I have had a wide range opportunities that took place at various schools. I have not provided any services for schools as a consultant for a while. Among them include when I served as a substitute teacher for Mundo Verde PCS in 2013, I can recall working with some of the students and staff and sharing my passion and extensive background in visual arts. Additionally, I can recall when I served as a substitute teacher for DC International School. I knew a little bit of Spanish, but as a professional visual artist, I really enjoyed sharing my love and extensive background in visual arts with the students and some of the staff members at DC International from 2016-2017. Also when I served as an art elective Summer Camp teacher for Higher Achievement in 2013, the program took place at Center City Capitol Hill Campus. Providing each of these services in the past were a great opportunity for me. However, since these experiences, I have directed my s

Ms. Afrika Abney - Consultant Branding Blog

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