Culturally Grounded: Youth Empowerment & Artistic Exploration Program
Hiddo Soor & Youthprise
Hiddo Soor partnered with Youthprise to launch the Youth Empowerment & Artistic Exploration Program (YEAEP), and hold sessions to promote creativity and cultural healing amongst Somali youth.
Somali Traditional Dance Performance
Date: September 15, 2024
In a vibrant celebration of Somali heritage, this session featured a traditional dance performance in Woodbury. Youth and community members gathered to experience the rhythms and movements that have long served as a vehicle for cultural expression and communal healing within the Somali community.
Artifacts Day
Date: September 28, 2024
This hands-on session invited Somali youth to explore traditional Somali artifacts, offering an experience to see their ancestral heritage. Through storytelling and interaction, participants learned the cultural significance of these items.
Old Somali Living Showcase
Date: October 13, 2024
Participants stepped into a recreated traditional Somali home, complete with historical artifacts and household items. The immersive experience offered a window into traditional Somali lifestyles, encouraging reflection on cultural continuity and the importance of preserving heritage through lived experiences.
Mentor Night
Date: November 23, 2024
Somali youth and their families were invited to engage with mentors from the Somali community who are active in music, dance, visual arts, and cultural preservation. The evening fostered connection, inspired young attendees through shared stories and experiences, and emphasized the importance of cultural expression as a form of empowerment and healing.
Karmel Mall Tour, Exhibit, and Music Showcase
Date: January 11, 2025
This interactive session included a guided tour of the Karmel Mall, followed by a traditional Somali music showcase. Youth participants learned classic Somali songs, gaining both musical insight and cultural knowledge.
Traditional Somali Dance Lessons
Date: January 25, 2025
A dance-centered session designed for Somali children, this event offered lessons in traditional Somali dance styles. Through movement, rhythm, and group instruction, youth connected with ancestral practices in a joyful and energetic environment.
Brooklyn Center Dance Showcase
Date: February 1, 2025
This dynamic event featured a Somali dance performance in Brooklyn Center, highlighting the expressive power of movement in Somali culture. Families and community members gathered to celebrate Somali cultural identity through dance.
Traditional Cultural Performance
Date: February 28, 2025
Centered around cultural performance as a tool for healing, this session brought community members together to witness and participate in Somali artistic traditions.
Cultural Dialogue with Artifacts and Dance
Date: April 5, 2025
This session welcomed special guests Jayne K. Sommers and Christina J. Holmgren from the University of St. Thomas. Youth engaged in a thoughtful dialogue with Somali artifacts and dance, exploring how cultural practices shape identity and community.