Dancer's gift to students is threatened by gentrification

By: Denise Horn/Contributing Writer

Posted: 5/11/08

When she was six years old, Rita Jackson would travel alone from the projects of Ward Seven, all the way to Glen Echo, Md., to learn dance in a class where she was the only Black kid. For her, dance was a way to escape the projects, poverty and the streets, at least for a few hours a day.

In 1979, Jackson returned to her childhood roots in Ward Seven. What she saw depressed her. The streets were infested with drug peddlers, crack addicts, gangs, and prostitutes. Many of the children were left alone.

She could not stand the violence and drugs stealing innocent lives. She dug into her pockets and used her personal savings and grants from foundations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, to start the Northeast Performing Arts Group.

For the last 10 years, the center has been located at 3431 Benning Road but may face closing within the next two years due to rising costs and gentrification. As the city is undergoing gentrification, it is becoming more difficult to pay the bills, Jackson told The District Chronicles.

"We have no money and we've even been forced to cut some programs such as the entrepreneurship program because of money," said Jackson, whose hope is to raise $2.3 million to upgrade the center.

To this date, Jackson has helped send more than 250 students to colleges such as the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Her approach to saving lives has garnered grants and recognition from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and Parent Magazine. Six days a week, six hours a day and year round, children dressed in leotards flock to the center which is hidden next to a liquor store on Benning Road.

"It allows me to make friends and its fun," said eight-year-old Bernard Jackson.

Ranging from ages three to 18, students not only learn the performing arts, visual arts and conflict resolution but they also receive academic tutoring. For Briara, 12 and Mychal Battle, 7, the center was life-changing, according to their mother, Sherry Battle. Battle believes the discipline and rigor of the program has made Briara a straight-A student at Ernest Everett Just Middle School. Briara also attends the center's summer program.

Sherry Battle also remembers when the then four-year-old Mychal was so shy, she feared even entering the building. Now, Mychal, who wants to be a second grade teacher eagerly looks forward to coming to the center.

Jackson strategically structured the center so each child is greeted with a hug and kiss because for some it is the only love they are shown. The busy schedule also keeps children disciplined.

"Kids come here very shy and withdrawn," said Jackson. "I understand them, and hug them because for many that is the only hug they'll get."

To sustain its programs, the center stages about 150 public performances a year. Most recently the center recreated the Disney-hit "Lion King" with an added twist. "The Lion King: Reloaded" was rewritten by students. It tells the story about the young lion, Simba, who struggles with personal loss of his father to fulfill the Circle of Life. Jackson said that the story is based on the true lives of many of her children. Each night their performances were jam-packed with proud parents, Girl Scout Troops, church members and Howard University students.

Rayna Atkins, a junior at Howard University, was amazed by their performance. "The show was just as good as the Broadway [show]," Atkins said. "From costumes to choreography, I was surprised that these children did so well in less then six weeks of rehearsal."

"The play tells a story that no one but the kids can," said Jackson. "Most kids write about the renewing of faith and use the play to tell others that they are not by themselves."

Brothers Arrington and Carrington Lassiter, ages 15 and 19, have been in the program for 10 years and they credit Jackson, as their inspiration. Carrington who played Scar and works as Jackson's personal assistant said," Ms. Jackson provides skills I need to survive. I hope to fulfill my circle of life as the executive director of Northeast Performing Arts Group."

To learn more or contribute to the Northeast Performing Arts Group or make donations call (202) 388-1274.