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AFRICANCULTURE CONNECTION

AFRICANCULTURE CONNECTION

AFRICANCULTURE CONNECTION

AfricanCultureConnection.org

(402) 556-5143

p r o v i d i n g A f r i c a n c u l t u r e a n d a r t e x p e r i e n c e s t h a t

e n c o u r a g e a n a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r t h e r i c h n e s s d i v e r s i t y

b r i n g s t o a l l

8031 West Center Road, Suite 322

Omaha, NE 68124

What Does Africa Mean to You?When we ask young people, “What can you tell me

about Africa?” Their answers include “war,”

“famine,” “animals,” “jungles” and “poverty.”

While these words are undeniably a part of Africa,

they only represent a few tiny threads of a vast and

ancient tapestry resplendent with more than 5,000

years of history and culture.

African Culture Connection (ACC) promotes the

understanding of Africa’s unique place in the world

through drumming, dance and visual arts. By doing

so, we empower young people to have pride in

themselves and allow them to appreciate how

Africa’s legacy directly relates to their lives by

building a cultural awareness that deepens their

connection to the global community.

Who We Are & What We DoAfrican Culture Connection is a nationally recognized

Omaha-based nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded

by Charles Ahovissi, a professional dancer, drummer,

performer, choreographer, stage costume designer

and tailor from Benin, West Africa.

Founded in 2006, the organization offers residency

programs and performances led by professional

artists—including master dancers, drummers and

storytellers from the United States and abroad.

Teachers say our program makes a positive impact on

their students' classroom behaviors. Young people

learn to collaborate as well as to respect themselves

and others. ACC breathes life into the famous

African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise

a child.”

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AFRICAN CULTURE CONNECTION

AfricanCultureConnection.org (402) 556-5143

Charles AhovissiBeginning in 1986, Charles toured the world as a member

of the Ballet National of Benin, performing and teaching

traditional African dance and drumming. Residing in

Omaha since 1999, Charles enjoys sharing his knowledge

and love of Africa through traditional dancing and

drumming as a way to foster a better understanding of

Africa’s diverse and beautiful cultures.

Public performances, school assemblies, residencies

and workshops provide venues for African Culture

Connection (ACC) to promote unity and multiculturalism

while offering youth primarily ages 8-12 fun social and

physical activities in hands-on interactions with African

culture.

Charles and his ACC teaching and performing artists

create an authentic African village ambiance and use

ceremonial African clothes as well as traditional

instruments to teach African history, music, art and dance.

Our ProgramsAfrican Culture Connection can tailor programs to meet

the abilities and understanding of all ages from

elementary through college and beyond. We perform,

teach, or combine the two and present in many formats.

Our programs, taught by professional teaching artists,

include:

African DanceDance is a primal form of communication and is deeply

rooted in us. Singing and dancing can bind communities

together. Traditional dances are performed for significant

events and rites of passage, from birth to death.

African DrummingAfrican music is complex and polyrhythmic. Authentic

drums give voice to meaningful stories.

African CraftsAfrican art has inspired artists around the world. Art is

part of everyday life in Africa. Students may create their

own African crafts, such as masks, stamped cloth,

jewelry, shakers and drums and learn about the

significance of these objects in African culture.

African StoriesStorytelling is a traditional art form of all indigenous

peoples. Many say that West African cultures have

elevated the art of storytelling to its highest form.

Our MissionAfrican Culture Connection’s mission is to provide

African cultural and artistic experiences by:

• Encouraging people to increase their knowledge of

African culture using traditional African arts that

embody the values and principles of traditional

African society and life

• Encouraging the respect that is incorporated into

traditional African culture

• Teaching people of African descent about their

traditional culture and history so that they may gain a

positive self-image, self-awareness and self-direction

• Providing students with a fun way to engage in

academic and physical activities

• Showcasing the beauty of African culture by

performing traditional Africa dance, music and story

Get InvolvedAfrican Culture Connection wouldn’t exist without you.

As a participant, volunteer or donor, you help us

achieve our mission goals.

ParticipateIf you’re looking to hire ACC for a performance or

residency; attend one of our events; volunteer at an

event; or become a performing or teaching artist; visit

the Contact Us page on our website,

AfricanCultureConnection.org or call 402-556-5143.

DonateWe are a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. If you believe

in what we do and can help support our mission,

please consider making a tax-deductible contribution

to help us expand our impact on the communities

around us. To do so, visit our website,

AfricanCultureConnection.org, and click on the

Support Us tab.