Gifts from God is one of Kuumba Lynx's summer arts residencies that is housed on Chicago's South Side. During a break between some strenuous practicing for the recent Life is Living Festival, MadDog was able to give us some insight into his program and some info about him as a KL instructor..[Morgan] How did you get involved with Kuumba Lynx and why?
[MadDog] I was trained by Kuumba Lynx and have been working with the organizationfor about three years. I was reaised in the sameenviornment and situations as these youth. I want them to realize that we have been through a lot of the same struggles in life and we want the same things which is overall to achieve our dreams [As the song "I just wanna be successful" comes on in the dance room and the youth warm up to the inspirational rhythms.]
[Morgan] So what exactly do you do in your program and how does it relate to the Kuumba Lynx mission of youth expression and empowerment through hip-hop?
[MadDog] Our program is based on dance with the purpose of getting youth together and giving them the opportunity to express themselves in a way that they've already been doing for years but now they can get paid for it. This program also gives them ownership of their creativity in that hey are able to share their ideas and and they are often put into our routines rather than simply myself giving them orders. That way they can use their own skills and creativity and et recognition for it.
Gifts from God offers a positive atmosphere to share one of our most common grounds: our love and passion for dance.
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