what we do
about us
Shidaa African Culture Project is a West African organization specializing in conducting workshops in schools and community organizations throughout Vermont and New England as well as the entire Northeast US to promote diversity through drumming, dance, fabric printing with Adinkra symbols, drum making, beading, and cooking. We believe in teaching traditional West African culture through drum/dance, fabric printing using Adinkra symbols, drum making, beading, and cooking. We specialize in conducting workshops and residencies for schools and community groups throughout Vermont, New England, and the Northeast.
In our 2019 Ghana Project, we expanded our services to shipping bicycles, toys, computers, and other household goods to distribute to needy children, families, and schools in Ghana.
meet us
Jordan Mensah, MBA
Jordan started traditional African Drumming at age 9 in Ghana. He grew up in Bukom, a suburb of Accra, a community where drum and dance played an integral part of all community activities.
Heather Preis, MBA
Heather Preis is an accountant by profession, and the coordinator of the Ghana project. She ensures that shipments from Vermont to Ghana reach the needy.
Prosper Kuardio
Prosper is from La Côte D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). A pioneering member of the Koteba National Dance Ensemble of La Cote D’Ivoire, he has performed all over the world. He has collaborated with Jeh Kulu drum/dance company. He is enthusiastic about teaching others African culture through dance and drums.
Julie Hunter, PhD
Julie, a native of Vermont, studied ethnomusicology at Brown University and completed her Ph.D. in 2011 with a specialization in the music of Africa.