Scope and Contents Assane Konte speaks about the importance that dance has played in his life, growing up in Senegal, and his first impressions of the United States. His life in dance led him to start visiting the United States for dance festivals, which eventually led him to decide to relocate to the U.S. He highlights the importance of hard work and discipline in dancing as well as and how these virtues contribute to other aspects of life. He believes that his upbringing in Senegal helped to teach him these...

Scope and Contents In this interview Baile McKnight reflects on his life and the important role that African drumming has plaid in it. He talks about how having close connections to family in North Carolina, while growing up in Washington, D.C., and made Baile aware of cultural differences. Travel and the importance of culture plays a major role in his narrative. Another major point of emphasis is his visit to Africa. He feels that his visits to Nigeria played a major role in helping him to understand African...

Scope and Contents In this oral history Sylvia Soumah reflects on her young life growing up in a Cincinnati, Ohio housing project, falling in love with dance, and building her career in dance in Washington, D.C. In Cincinnati she attended a performing arts high school, upon graduation she worked at a German restaurant, until, at age 20, she left for Washington D.C. While waitressing in Adams Morgan, she began dancing, initially dancing mostly modern and jazz. She talks about discovering African styles of dance...