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......................................... If you want
to know the end, look at the beginning. - Afican Proverb
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Marcus Garvey
Cultural Heritage Program (MGCHP)
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 The Marcus
Garvey Cultural Heritage Program (MGCHP) is the foundation of our
existence. Designed to offer African people the strongest sense and history
of self, Ifetayo’s MGCHP runs year-round and includes a Saturday program
as well as special workshops and summer cultural tours. The MGCHP provides
historical information about the great cultures of Africa and the cultures
of African descendents globally to over 160 youth and 50 parents annually.
By learning the language and cultures of the African Diaspora, families develop
a sense of connection with the vast and complex history of their ancestors.
The program has three active major components and two planed components:
- Cultural History Classes: Ifetayo offers four weekly
Saturday classes for youth aged 6-16 and their families for forty weeks each
year. The classes introduce cultural awareness. Students can attend classes
with their age group or with their parents. By offering a choice of four
sessions, students are able to tailor these classes around their Cultural
Arts class schedule. There are currently 50 youth participating in the MGCHP.
- Malcolm X Annual Scholar Lecture: Targeted toward both
youth and adults, this lecture series brings in African scholars and historians
three times a year to discuss critical issues and trends relevant to the
African Diaspora. In 2002-2003, Ifetayo sponsored a free film and seminar
on the African presence in Asia and Australia for children and adults by
leading scholar and historian Runoko Rashidi. The lecture served over 80
children and 160 adults. We were also fortunate enough to experience annual
lectures by in-house scholar Dr. K. Bunseki Fu-Kiau and Dr. Marimba Ani.
- Sankofa International Cultural Studies/Exchange: This
program offers students and their families the invaluable opportunity
to fully immerse themselves in the cultures they have studied and establish
relationships with an international community of peers and adults.
Each year students and parents learn first-hand about their heritage
by making a two-week trip to a country where African descendents have
made their home. Prior to this summer trip, participants prepare by
studying the languages and cultures of the countries where they plan
to visit. This program has enabled families that otherwise would have
been unable to visit countries such as: Brazil, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana,
Jamaica and most recently, Senegal!
- Language Institute and Film Series: These
two program components are currently sleeping, but will be
offered soon.
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