Greetings please read our above acronymn titled "Cherokee Culture." This acronymn says; "Cherokee" means: "Cherokee Heritage Engaging Relationships Oraganized Knowledge, Education Empowerment. "Culture" means Cultural Understanding, Leadership, Technology, Unity, Research Engagement."
We are approaching "Cherokee Elementary School" from the authority and cultural stand point as a Filmmaker. Filmmaking is the most powerful art and cultural form in the world.
Filmmaking is indeed a formidable force in the realm of art and culture. Its unique ability to blend storytelling, visual art, sound, and emotion into a seamless narrative makes it incredibly powerful. It can cross cultural boundaries, provoke thought, evoke empathy, and inspire change in ways that few other art forms can.
Films have the capability to immortalize moments in history, amplify marginalized voices, and present complex social issues in an accessible manner. They can transport audiences to different worlds, perspectives, and eras, fostering a deeper understanding and connection between diverse cultures.
In essence, the medium’s ability to captivate, educate, and evoke profound emotional responses is unmatched. It's no wonder that films often leave lasting impacts on individuals and societies alike.
Our approach to dealing with Cherokee Elementary in Memphis is from the vantage point of our being Memphis 1st Independent 35mm Theatrical Filmmaker.
In addition to this celebration I met a remarkable Teacher and students at the "Arya Primary School " in Kisumu, Kenya. I shared my Kenya history with the students and I played a song that I wrote about the Kenyan Hero Tom Mboya. The students started to dance and I showed them that I can really dance. I am an above average dancer. The African youth were so impressed whereas I am a filmmaker, 5 Time World Kickboxing Champion and historian. The class asked if they could name their class after me. I recommended that the school name their class after Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen.
The school communicated to Congressman Cohen's office he agreed to the name whereas we engaged in "African Cultural Diplomacy." I asked Congressman's Cohen's office to Communicate to the Shelby County Board of Education whereas we asked the students at Arya Primary School in Kisumu Kenya to write letters and they will find pen pals in Memphis whereas I would connect with a School in Memphis and we began a pen pal program. The request from Congressman Cohen lead me to meet Ms. Erin Y. Luster who works at the Shelby County Board of education. Ms. Luster contacted Germantown elementary School and Balmoral Ridgeway IB World School.
I have never been so wrong about schools in my life. Germantown and Balmoral have amazing international programs that suited for a penpal program.
I looked at the board of education members and I looked at the schools. I noticed that the Shelby County school system is predominantly African/American including the Shelby County school board members. Our aim was to make sure there was African/American Inclusion whereas I visited Dunbar elementary school in Orange Mound and Hamilton High school. Dunbar said one needed an appointment to see the principal. I visited Hamilton High where I graduated and it was a shock student have to go through scanners for weapons and there was walls of bureaucracy.
I went to Cherokee School where I have an 8 year old son in the 3rd Grade. I met the principal Ms. Tina Smith she welcomed my support. She expressed a joy in having a program with Africa and expressed that she would love to travel to Africa. Because my son attends Cherokee and the school is in my neighborhood and because of my extensive relationships with a few African countries the dynamics of the penpal program changed.
I explained to Ms. Smith how we can take Cherokee School to the "International Stage." Instead of organizing a Pen Pal Program we would create at Cherokee Elementary America's 1st African and African/American "African Cultural Diplomacy Plan."
