Program / Event Details

Dr. Ali-Coleman is a scholar, curator, and teaching artist whose work bridges history, culture, and hands-on arts creation. As the 2019–2020 Scholar-in-Residence and teaching artist at the Prince George’s County African American Museum and Cultural Center (PGAAMCC), she developed a multi-disciplinary curriculum centered on the drum as a tool for teaching history, identity, and communication. This curriculum has been delivered both as a standalone community event and as an ongoing instructional program with students.

A one-time, hands-on workshop where Dr. Ali-Coleman introduces participants to the history and cultural significance of the drum among the Piscataway native peoples of Maryland and the Guinea people of Africa, tracing their early presence in colonial Maryland. Participants engage directly with drumming as a shared cultural experience, exploring themes of identity, heritage, and communication through rhythm.

Ideal for:

• Kwanzaa or Black History Month celebrations
• Family/community heritage nights
• Professional Development
• Museum, school, library, or community center programming

Duration: Typically 60–90 minutes (adjustable based on group size and setting)

Materials/Space Needs: Seating with tables; drums or drum-making materials (can be brought by facilitator or built into the session, depending on scope); seating for participants

Scheduling Note: As an event, this is booked for a single date and time and does not require a multi-week commitment — ideal for a special occasion, cultural observance, or one-time school/family gathering.