Grantee Database
Libota Mbonda
Grant Year
2019-20
Grant Program
Artists in Communities
Award Amount
$10,099.00
Project Description
With support from the California Arts Council, Libota Mbonda Fresno African Drumming Group will teach 17 beginner and intermediate West African drumming classes for 100 participants ages 5 and above. Classes will be held at Purposed to Praise dance studio using a cultural based West African Traditional Drumming curriculum. The artists will host 6 free community drum circles in different parks to foster joy, community, and strength. The class will perform at Fresno’s Juneteenth Event in July.
Organization Summary
1. Facilitated African Drum Circles for community since 2017 (More than 50 free drum circles for the community ranging from 20- 200 participants based on duration and time), portion through CAC funded projects.
2. Drumming workshops since 2017. The group has promoted the conservation of West African Traditional drumming as an art form through teaching the history, background, and rhythms of West African drumming. (More than 20 drum workshops conducted ranging from 20 – 200 participants).
3. African Djembe Group, Community lessons, and Djembe instruction.
4. Driveway Drum circles for Fresno community residents for COVID safety since 2020.
5. Development of Curriculum- “Drumming Intervention for At-Risk African American Youth”.
6. Curriculum Development for School District After school Program.
7. Live interactive Cultural Drumming Performances- (over 45 elementary, middle school, high school, and community colleges, and universities served) Assemblies consists of 100-500 people each.
8. School Drumming Programs for Central Valley Schools (over 75 schools served), 2015 – Present
9. Live performances for Nonprofit and Businesses (audience range from 50- 700 people)
10. Live performances for free community events, community fundraisers (audience range from 50 -700 people)
11. Certification in Drumming Intervention, Rhythm to Recovery Program: emphasis on Violence Prevention, Alcohol and Drug Dependency, Social Emotional Regulation, Bullying, Young People with Special Needs, Healthy Relationships, and Workplace Development.
12. After school Programming for Central Valley Schools (over 30 School Sites served ranging from 25-100 students served per day, Monday through Friday) , 2022 – Present
13. Djembe Repair and Tuning
14. Providing African Culture to the Central Valley- Although Fresno is very diverse, there are few, if any, traditional West African Drummers, the Libota Mbonda Fresno African Drumming group has spread drumming and culture in the Central Valley with community engagement being at the forefront of their service.
Organization
Donte McDaniel
Address
5609 W Los Altos Ave
Fresno
93722
County
Fresno
Region
Central Valley
Phone
(559) 825-0886
Congressional District
California's 21 congressional district
State Assembly District
District 27
State Senate District
District 12
