Next month, 14 African-American young people will travel to Havana, Cuba to study dance, Spanish and history. The trip is being coordinated by Muse 360and The African Diaspora Alliance. According to a study by the Institute of International Education, onlyfive percent of study abroad students are African-American at the college level, for high school students the numbers are even lower.
To prepare for the two-week excursion students are taking classes and workshops to facilitate conversations about complex issues like systemic racism, health disparities, and manifestations of self-hate within communities of color. The program is designed to expose students to the world outside of Baltimore City while connecting them with the larger African Diaspora.
Sharayna Christmasis a dancer, writer and founder of Muse 360. ShakuraShird is a recent graduate of Frederick Douglass High School and Jody Mays Jr. studies media at Baltimore City Community College. They join Tom in-studio to discuss planning and preparing for their trip to Cuba. Shakura and Jody also talk about what they hope to share with Cuban youth and what they hope to learn.
On Thursday, June 23 Muse 360 and The African Diaspora Alliance will hold a fundraiser at the Douglas Myers Maritime Museum in Baltimore. The event will feature student performances, food, and a silent auction. The festivities start at 6pm and tickets are $30. For more information or to purchase tickets click here.
