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Dont Judge me on my 'bling' let me make a difference .... wanna dance?
by Akile Alexander | Jan 08, 2008
151 reads | 2 Comments

This is discussion about Dont Judge me on my 'bling' let me make a difference .... wanna dance?.

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Venues

by Tyler Ahn | Jan 09, 2008
 

Hi Akile:

The program looks awesome! I have a few questions in regards to the program, you mention that you are in various venues and classes take place everyday (an amazing feat with such a small staff!). You briefly mention that one of these venues are schools, could you detail the programs and partnerships that you've forged with the local schools?

You also throw in some big ideas such as social cohesion, how have you seen this play out through your classes?

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful response,
Best,

Tyler Ahn
Changemakers

Venues & Expansion of Social Cohesion

Akile Alexander
by Akile Alexander | Jan 09, 2008
 

Hi Tyler, thanks for your comments.

It all began in January 2007 when we were engaged by a primary school with a view to providing them with after school activities. In three short months, the children that take part qualified to take part in 'Social Dance Inclusion', a production which had 150 schools from the borough perform in a theatre in front of hundreds. The school has never managed to achieve this previously, and the story along with a fantastic review was published in the local press, giving a very understated school and the community it serves the acknowledgement they deserve. This event gave us a template to work in partnership with a further 28 schools with a knock on effect of working in partnership with their local catchment families and communities.

Sainsbury's active kids, the UK's leading supermarket also heard about the Urban Krew . They work with all UK schools as part of a voucher scheme. Members of the public do their grocery shopping and collect vouchers. These vouchers are collected on behalf of local schools who then exchange them for Dance classes along with other activities provided by other organisations.

In terms of Social Cohesion, under the banner of Urban Krew we are bringing together communities to sponsor local and national causes through performance events. How are people getting involved/contributing? Parents, families & local communities are getting involved through back-stage preparation /costume & set design /ethnic choreography /publicity /fundraising /provision of refreshments /transportation etc.

Future projects include accreditation for arts awards which students can use towards nationally recognised accreditation & university entry.

The Urban Krew is also promoting charitable acts, for example: donating and volunteering items to less fortunate individuals either in other parts of the world or the UK. E.g. Basket Brigade delivered to low income families during easter/christmas or the preparation of a school pack (pencils/exercise books/calculators) which would then be forwarded to children in third world countries.

I hope this answers your questions?