THE VILLAGE 2020 & BEYOND
The mission is to inspire confidence, commitment, and vitality among children and young adults, their families and communities; and to broaden awareness of African and African American cultural traditions throughout Oregon. The lack of self-awareness and identity rooted in African culture creates a historical and persistent challenge.
Kúkátónón works to empower and elevate continued dialogue, creativity, and expressiveness among African and African American youth, young adults and the community-at-large focused on cultural arts and education with direct experiences with the customs and traditions of the African diaspora.
Before 2020, recent reports identified the rise in elementary school-age youth in Oregon targeted by hate-groups for either inclusion or exclusion, and some that possibly have endured or participated in violent attacks. It is important that youth have intentional dialogue and interaction with opportunities to further positive alignment that raise a higher consciousness of empathy and acceptance of differences and unique qualities of others. It starts in the home, and is reinforced in the schools as both are an extension of the community.
Kúkátónón works to create safe spaces and ways to promote cross-cultural connections and social justice. Liberian for "We Are One," in the Kpelle language: Kúkátónón core program initiatives celebrates and honors the customs and traditions of the African diaspora through cultural arts, education, and expressive performance.
