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."

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Commissioned Photography for Baba Djimo Kouyate Smithsonian Folklife Festival, 1997, Washington, DC Photograph by Ms. Afrika Abney "Djimo Kouyaté (August 16, 1946 - August 1, 2004). Djimo Kouyate was from the Malinké tribe, a sub-group of the Mandingo people. Born in Tambacounda, Senegal, he was from a distinguished family of griots who trace their ancestry back to the thirteenth century. A master kora player and a fine singer and dancer, Djimo also played a variety of other instruments including balafon (wooden xylophone), drums, and other string instruments. He worked with the Senegalese National Ballet as a singer and dancer since 1960, and was a founding member of the National Instrumental Ensemble of Senegal."

Ms. Afrika Abney - Consultant Branding Blog

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