African Heritage Dancers and Drummers
Leading Black performing arts company specializing in traditional West African Dance
A leading Black performing arts company specializing in traditional West African dance, music and culture. The African Heritage Company gives as authentic a cultural presentation as can be seen on this side of the Atlantic. The African Heritage Dancers & Drummers, under Melvin Deal’s founding guidance has saved the lives of thousands of At-Risk children…
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A leading Black performing arts company specializing in traditional West African dance, music and culture. The African Heritage Company gives as authentic a cultural presentation as can be seen on this side of the Atlantic.
The African Heritage Dancers & Drummers, under Melvin Deal’s founding guidance has saved the lives of thousands of At-Risk children and youths and has earned a renown reputation for excellence, locally, nationally and internationally.
Melvin Deal is a native Washingtonian, who began his dance career at the Northeast Academy of Dance in Washington, DC in 1959. Receiving a Bachelors Degree in 1965 from Howard University, Mr. Deal devoted his time and talents to the positive development of youths in the community. He founded the African Heritage Center in 1973. Mr. Deal is a founding instructor at the Duke Ellington School for the Arts, in Washington, DC and has served as Artist In Residence at all of the major universities and colleges in the Metro-Washington area.
Credited with performing the first Kwanzaa ceremony and celebration in the Metro-Washington area in 1968, Mr. Deal is known as the father of African culture in the Metro-Washington area. Melvin is a Performance artist focusing on health and addiction issues with innovative traditional African Masquerade presentations.
Serving the metro-Washington area and beyond for the past forty years plus, Mr. Melvin Deal, A Community Artist remains true to his calling.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
An Evening With African Heritage Dancers and Drummers
Videos
African Heritage Dancers & Drummers at Smithsonian Folklife Festival
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