EVENTS

Boys ages 11-21 transitioning from young men gain valuable lessons about life from men through personal and group experiences. Men from the community and community partners come together to discuss the challenges young men face to today. The creation of an open forum creates a safe space for men to help encourage, support, and assist young men find direction and purpose on their journey to manhood. These events allow young men to build skills, learn to work as a team, and explore creativity in a safe environment.

Girls ages 12-18 transitioning from young women gain valuable lessons about life from women through personal and group experiences. Women from the community and community partners come together to discuss challenges young women face to today. Girls II Women has multiple programs and events that include but are not limited to educational trips, camping, sleepovers and sewing classes. These events allow young girls to build skills, learn to work as a team and explore creativity in a safe environment.

A family affair celebrating the first non-heroic African American Holiday. The Nguzo Saba is learned. Families enjoy arts, crafts, games entertainment and much more.

Parade the Circle is where families come together to design costumes, choreograph a march, and use creative skills. They learn to work together and improve their communication skills.

Families are welcome to attend fun-filled events throughout the year where we focus on learning about our ancestry and historical events. We celebrate events from the past through dress, music, storytelling and other exciting activities. Participants experience a sense of pride and self-determination for a bright future.

• The Underground Railroad Quilt– The quilt was made in collaboration with the Cleveland Art Museum and a diversified group of women throughout Greater Cleveland. This quilt carries the spirit of creativity and determination through the women who had a hand in creating this work of art. The women’s circle included master designers, seamstresses, and first-time quilters, published authors and maturing writers. They shared stories and pictures about the history that had been passed on from their ancestors. They spoke on the injustices they experienced. The women’s quilting circle got bigger. They continued the quilting, talking, sewing. bonding and planning until the revelations to address the struggles of our next generations through the quilt became clear to each one of them. The Extended Family is honored to present this piece to those who are open to learning about the African- American journey to freedom of mind, body and spirit and how to lean support.

• Blank Panther Experience– The Extended Family Black Panther experience is a cultural march performed to instill hope, pride and encouragement. Those who witness the Black Panther experience see unity in the community. They can feel the spirit of Wakanda returning to our neighborhoods.

Fun with Tots (August)

Children ages 2-10 are treated to a day of games, face painting and carnival style entertainment.

Tea Time

The Tea in the Afternoon intergenerational tea experience will provide youth(5-18yrs) and elders the opportunity to come together learning valuable lessons about social etiquette, fashion trend, and social justice while instilling cultural pride improving their mental health. The tea helps bridge gaps in communication. Youth are empowered as they practice healthy social skills development, forging relationships gaining wisdom from elders and insight from youth experiences. The tea is set in a beautiful garden for the in-person participants. We will live stream/video the event for our youth and seniors who are not able to attend in person.

The goal will be to provide 60-72 youth and seniors an opportunity to attend in person and to be recorded during a live stream the Tea connecting those at home, in the hospital or seniors in facilities and youth in nurseries, and special needs participants in group homes by connecting various population in the community to the stay-at-home tea segment. Those participants/groups will receive a Stay-at-home tea package to practice and reinforce social distancing without promoting isolation.