Our History
Harambee Inc. seeks to improve communities domestically and internationally through the lives of children, by providing direct service after school programs for the advancement of the arts and sciences. Harambee is Swahili for, "strength in unity" and "everybody pulling together", concepts that form the foundation of Harambee Inc. The organization was founded in 1998 by Petagay Letren upon her return to Miami after graduating from New York University. The organization was conceived as a means to improve the conditions in inner-city communitiesfor children and residents in general. The organization became incorporated in the State of Florida on March 31, 1998 and received its non-profit status in December of 1998.
Since its inception, Harambee has provided direct services, arts and enrichment activities to children and families in under-served communities. Harambee began in February 1998 by providing a traditional African dance and drumming workshop, in the Overtown community. Our program has grown from a 9-week series of classes, to year round instruction. We currently operate out of the Gibson Part Community Center with the support and partnership of the Overtown Optimist Club. In addition to dance and drumming, we have provided several workshops for community children including reading and chess.
In December 1999, Harambee conducted a 2-week program of poetry and dance instruction through a contract with the Cutler Ridge Community Health Center. The program served children with identified academic and behavioral special needs who were enrolled in a day treatment program. Harambee has additionally conducted a semester-long reading circle at Carol City High School. Participants were exposed to literature that they might not have otherwise read with the goals of improving reading, research, and critical thinking skills, and providing them with a greater awareness of world events.
Harambee has a broad goal of serving children throughout South Florida and beyond. On July 29, 2000, we officially announced our presence in Homestead with the 1st Annual Homestead Unity Youth Fest. This all-day even included arts and entertainment activities geared toward youth and families. In the fall of 2000, we began the planning stage(s) of ALL Art (Art language and Literacy). This program began providing services in January of 2001, in partnership with Campbell Drive Middles in Homestead.
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| [2008] |
- Miami Children's Museum, workshops in February and March
- Honey Shine June
- Conchita Esponsia July
- Growing up with the Arts June
- Workshops and classes at the Universal Truth Center July
- On-going Saturday classes at Bas- I- Karate
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| [2007] |
- full service after school program at Arthur and Polly Mays Middle Community School
- Performance at Mays Middle March 2008
- Caribbean Festival April 2008
- Youth Empowerment Seminar with Lisa Nichols of the "Secret" January 2007
- On going Saturday classes at Bas- I- Karate
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| [2006] |
- Provided after school drumming and dance classes at Mays Middle School.
- Partnered with Neri Torres to facilitate Afro Cuban workshop.
- Creating a children’s artists collective in the Fall to accommodate the children and families that with to perform.
- Currently facilitating a full service after school program at Arthur and Polly Mays Middle School to include homework help/tutoring, basketball, drumming, visual art, and dance (Hip-hop and West African).
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| [2005] |
- Services in Overtown move to South Dade due to difficulties securing a facility.
- Launched Saturday classes at Bas-I Karate.
- Executive Director returns to Trinidad to receive training in Arts Management at the University of the West Indies.
- Begin offering after school services at Arthur and Polly Mays Middle Community School.
- Partnership is initiated with the Oya Institute of Bahia for another international cultural exchange program.
- Provided West African workshop at Balere Language Academy.
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| [2004] |
- Expanded services in Overtown but now to 2 days a week.
- Facilitated after school drumming program at Attucks Middle School in Hollywood, FL.
- Harambee’s drumming students performed at the Pan African Book Fest, in Broward County.
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| [2003] |
- Continued services in Overtown.
- Facilitated program of dance and drum at the Miami Rescue Mission for children after school.
- Launched 2nd International Cultural Exchange project with the Tobago Academy of Performing Arts in Tobago and Prizzglands Dance and Drum Ensemble in Trinidad.
- Hosted “Let’s Dance Together”.
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| [2002] |
- Continued services in Overtown.
- Partnered with Jose De Deigo Middle to facilitate a community garden supported by the National Garden Association.
- Launched “Let’s Dance Together”.
- Partnered with Douglas Elementary school to facilitate a dance and drum after school program in addition to the services at Gibson Park, Overtown.
- Hosted 2nd Caribbean Community Experience Tour for Music Fest Miami.
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| [2001] |
- Launched an after school program of Visual Arts at Campbell Drive Middle school.
- Continued services in Overtown.
- Facilitated 1st International Cultural Exchange project with Les Ballets Africannes of Guinea West Africa.
- Hosted Caribbean Community Experience Tour for Music Fest Miami.
- Facilitated Arts Summer Camp in collaboration with CHI, Community Health Center of South Dade.
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| [2000] |
- Returned to Overtown to continue another year of ongoing programming of dance and drum techniques.
- Hosted the First Homestead Unity Youth Feast at Losner Park in Homestead.
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| [1999] |
- Returned in April of 1999 to facilitate a 9 week workshop series of classes of traditional West African dance which closed in June of 1999.
- Returned in September of 1999 to facilitate our first year round program of West African dance and drumming. We offered classes once a week on Tuesday evenings from September of 1999 through June 2000.
- Facilitate Reading Circle at Carol City Senior High School.
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| [1998] |
- Organization was founded and provided a 12 week workshop beginning February 10, 1998 if classes of Traditional West African dance and drum techniques to 8 children at the Culmer Center in Overtown.
- Official non-profit corporation with the state of Florida as of March 31, 1998.
- Official 501c3 as of December 18, 1998.
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