Youth & Cultural Arts

Current Programming, Events & Services: therooteadcollective.com

​Youth Drum Workshop

Youth Drum Workshop on March 7th, 4:30-6:30 pm in person at the Rootead Studio (505 East Kalamazoo Ave. Suite 3). This workshop is open to ages 8+.

We are limiting the workshop to 8 participants. Parents/guardians please drop your child off and then pick them up again at 6:30 to observe COVID guidelines for the amount of people in the space. Masks will be required for all participants.

We are so honored to have Guest Artist Shangojimni joining us to facilitate the workship. He is a drummer, diviner, therapist, adventurer, and builder of community through rhythm, sound, and movement. For the last 25 years, he has steeped himself in the study, participation, and presentation of African-centered, Native American, and Asian traditions and lore. These traditions have taken him to Brazil, Belize, Nigeria, around the U.S., and Thailand to apprentice with master percussionists, diviners, and healers. Your children will be inspired after spending the afternoon drumming with Shangojimni.

The value is $25, and we invite you to pay what you can.

Register

Youth Wellness Fellowship

We are so excited to announce our brand new Youth Wellness Fellowship. We are looking to train individuals to go into Kalamazoo High Schools and facilitate yoga and/or dance workshops.
We strongly encourage BIPOC and all genders to apply.
Applications are opened March 1st - March 22nd. Facilitators will receive a stipend for their training and service. Here is a video from the Info Session for more details.
​
Share this with any young adults who you think would be an excellent fit!

APPLY

Rootead Virtual Library

Learn African Drum & Dance, fun for the whole family!
Videos and content is​ waiting for you! Come on in and join the fun!​

HOP IN

 

​Youth & Cultural Arts

Creating body-awareness through healing arts

Our youth programming provides experiences for pre-adulthood that contribute to healing the injustices in our community from a traditional and holistic lens. Body and self-awareness are necessary for true change and radical cultural transformation. These programs were created for youth to engage and interact with peers while also familiarizing and healing their bodies. We focus on African roots and culture through drum and dance, mindfulness, social-emotional learning, indigenous history and community support. 

We also facilitate programming for families, and intergenerational spaces. Using healing arts, we create cross cultural, emotional and intersectional experiences. ​

• Youth Programs
• Cultural Arts
• Staff
• Contact

<

>

​​Rootead Youth Dance Company (RYDC)

In 2016, Rootead embarked on a journey to develop a youth dance company that would reflect the unique and rich cultural traditions within the spectrum of the black experience and beyond. The dance company is composed of members from eighth grade through senior level of high school from very diverse backgrounds. 

RYDC members learn movement of the West African diaspora, Hip-Hop, and Modern/Contemporary dance. Members develop essential skills such as; empathy, leadership, consistent work ethic, social/emotional development, critical thinking, listening, teamwork, effective communication, problem-solving, and mental flexibility.

While using dance as a vehicle of healing and self-confidence, RYDC prioritizes artistic excellence, discipline, leadership and co-creation. Previous participants are now pursuing higher education, birth work, and/or dance.

Lil Roots

Lil Roots has a very similar structure to RYDC.
They meet twice a week for an hour and learn African dances, rhythms, songs, and history. The goal of this program is to hold space for the 8-12 year old youth who are consistent and dedicated to Rootead’s teachings. ​​

Rootead in Family

This program was held during December 2020 and was a space for Rootead families to connect, bond, and socialize with one another virtually. Also, to get the family to engage with one another in fun activities together in a safe environment since quarantine is in place. It included:

• Pre-recorded content: storytelling, dance, yoga/meditation
• Virtual Community Drum & Dance
• Activity Box

Info coming soon!

Jay Young
Prophet of Programming 
arts@rootead.org
​RC PROFILE

Jay Young is a professional dancer trained in Commercial Jazz, Hip Hop, Heels, Afro Pop, and Traditional West African Dance. She is also a Beauty Consultant and Model. She trained in dance at New York’s Broadway Dance Center, Wellspring Dance Academy, and Rootead Enrichment Center. After earning her B.A. in Business at Kalamazoo College, Jay Young stayed in Kalamazoo where she now resides in. She is the Prophet of Program at Rootead, a well-known healing arts nonprofit. She designs low costing art programs for BIPOC youth and families in Kalamazoo. She is an Academy Instructor at Wellspring Dance Academy where she teaches Afro Fusion, a mix of Afro Pop and Traditional West African Dance. She is a well versed local freelance dancer, making appearances at iDance Fearless Productions and Heels Finesse. She is always learning new styles and developing her technique in dance. She aims to continue building relationships with other choreographers, instructors, dancers, and studios that are energetic and lively. ​​

Message us!

​Youth & Cultural Arts

Request a performance