DATI's School of the Performing Arts Proposal Receives More Support: Anthony Urey Donates!

Mr. Anthony Urey, former President of the United Tchien Association in the Americas, made a humble pledge during the recent DATI Tripartite Anniversary held on December 16th, 2023, in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. He followed up yesterday with an initial payment and recommitted himself to fulfilling his total pledge soon. We are very grateful to those who have Liberia at heart and that want our shared hegemony to be preserved and promoted globally.

?In addition, Anthony is an avid lover of Liberian culture. He first made his support felt at DATI's 2015 performance of Rabbi Gbaba's "The Frogs and Black Snake in Frogsville." at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts on January 9, 2015. Mr Urey and an array of distinguished Liberian citizens graced the occasion. Attendees included the likes of former Liberian Ambassador accredited to the United States, His Excellency Jeremiah Sulunteh and his late wife, Stateswoman Juliana Koffa-Dixon, and several Grand Gedeheans including maternal uncles of Rabbi Gbaba, James Glaywlu and Smith Mooney, former DATI Board member, Comfort Shilue-Sobah, and DATI sponsor and Rabbi Gbaba’s cousins, Alfreda Cheayee Cooper, Edith and Joseph Wallenkendeh, widow of DATI’s first Chief Sponsor, Mrs. Earlene Wordsworth-Deshield and daughter, Dr. Annbec Deshield, Dr. James Nmle Wah Elliott, etc. Since then, Mr. Urey has always provided moral support to the organization.

Further, Urey’s donation comes at a time when DATI is raising funds to construct the first school of the performing arts in Liberia. The aim is to institutionalize, preserve and promote Liberian culture, and to lobby with Liberian lawmakers to legislate laws making it mandatory to teach Liberian culture (music, dance, theatre, history, civic education) in all Liberian schools.

The project is also a response to the mounting concerns of Liberians at home and in the diaspora, complaining that Liberian culture is at the brink of extinction and that one way to preserve Liberian culture is to teach it in Liberian schools. Of course, one Liberian organization that has continuously promoted and preserved Liberian culture nationally and globally is Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. (DATI). DATI celebrates its 47th anniversary as the oldest surviving collegiate Liberian theatre organization established at the University of Liberia in 1977.

DATI Performing Arts Project Receives Liberian Youth and Grass Roots Support

Recently, four county youth organizations in Liberia (Maryland, Grand Kru, River Gee, and Margibi) wrote their legislative caucuses, supporting Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc.'s recommendation for the institutionalization of Liberian culture. They appealed to their lawmakers to support the passing of laws to make it mandatory to teach Liberian culture, history, and civics in Liberian schools from elementary through college levels. Photo above show Margibi youth leaders and DATI Regional Director, Hillaryson Soe, Jr. at the Capitol Building during the official submission of their petition in Senator's Moye's office.

So, far, several Liberian youth leaders from Grand Kru, Maryland, and Margibi are participating in the course. River Gee, whose youth organization also submitted a petition to the River Gee Legislative Caucus, recommending the enactment of laws making it mandatory to teach Liberian culture in Liberian schools, has no representative participating in the "Liberian Culture 101" class. It is hoped that youth from River Gee County and other counties that have not publicly registered their support for the institutionalization of Liberian culture, will take advantage of the opportunity to acquire self-knowledge and support a worthy national cause.

Status of the DATI Performing Arts Project and Fund Drive

Presently, DATI has introduced the "Liberian Culture 101" course that is offered online and open to all Liberians, especially Liberian youth leaders from the fifteen counties of Liberia. The course is offered on Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11 PM Liberian Time. It is taught by Dr. Joe Gbaba, who is celebrating his 50th Anniversary as playwright, theatre director and scholar/artist. Liberians residing in the United States may also apply to attend the course. Applicants must submit their academic credentials and resume via email at gbaba5@aol before they can be admitted in the course.

"Liberian Culture 101" is a three-month introductory course on Liberian culture and history. Successful participants will receive a certificate at the end of the course. The course is also a precursor or litmus test for teaching of Liberian culture in the classroom. Hence, the class is an experiment on how young Liberians who lack cultural knowledge about Liberia, may respond to the content of the course and embrace the idea of putting country first and by promoting national reconciliation and peace.

How to Donate

The Honorable Body of Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. expresses grateful thanks and appreciation to all those who donate financially, logistically, and provide moral support for the sustenance of DATI’s cultural and educational programs. This year, our aim is to complete the purchase of the land that will serve as the site of the school of the performing and visual arts and center for peace and cultural studies.

Therefore, we appeal to all Liberians, friends of Liberia, and citizens of the global community, to donate generously towards a worthy national cause. This is necessary since the lack of cultural knowledge and national consciousness has threatened the continued existence of Liberian culture and languages that are at the brink of extinction. You may donate through one of following ways:

?1. Cashapp: $JosephGbaba; tel. (267) 973-1709

2. Zelle: [email protected]; Tel. (267) 973-1709

3. PayPal: www.dehkonteeartiststheatreinc.com click on donate button.

Published by DATI Public Relations Unit.

March 28, 2024

Published by DATI Public Relations Unit. March 28, 2024