African Culture Connection Receives Grant From Omaha Community Foundation

African Culture Connection (ACC) (www.africancultureconnection.org) has received a grant of $5,000 from the Omaha Community Foundation (www.omahafoundation.org), through the Jetton Charitable Fund, for the ACC/OPS Multicultural Arts/Middle School Social Studies Curriculum Integration Pilot Program.

This collaboratively developed program will integrate 5 days of African arts education into the 6th grade African history and the 7th grade African culture social studies curricula in the 2017-2018 school year. The unique program will be piloted at three OPS middle schools: Beveridge Magnet, Alice Buffett Magnet, and Lewis and Clark. This novel integration promises better learning and retention of both multicultural arts skills and social studies content learning as well as improved student motivation for and engagement in all learning.

African Culture Connection is an organization of professional artists using authentic African dance, music, visual art, and story to encourage students to learn more about the positive contributions African cultures have made to society. Founded by Charles Ahovissi, a professional dancer, drummer, performer, choreographer, stage costume designer, and tailor from Benin, West Africa, their mission is to educate audiences about culture in order to encourage an appreciation for the richness diversity brings to all. For more information, visit www.africancultureconnection.org.