With the support of the California Arts Council, Benkadi, a project of Community Partners, will continue to provide high-quality West African Drum, Dance, and Culture programs to schools in under-resourced and underserved communities in Los Angeles County to promote academic growth and cultural diversity.

The program delivers equitable access to art education by offering weekly African drum, dance, and culture classes as part of the curriculum to all students regardless of income, background, prior experience, or abilities.

Beyond the classroom, Benkadi supports the broader community through experiential events and workshops, collaborating with local organizations in these areas.

The requested funding will support the administrative capacity of the program, including an update of the strategic plan, professional development for staff, and the completion of custom-created state-standard-compliant learning tools and aides for students.