OrigiNation celebrates 20 years of motivating youth through performing arts

Members of Girlz of IMANI and IMANI, Jr. in Stand choreographed by Shaumba Yandje Dibinga. The group will be performing at the 20th birthday celebration “Twist & Shout.” (photo credit: Pamela Green)

When Shaumba Dibinga started the youth inspiring performing arts program OrigiNation in 1994, she didn’t consider where the organization would be 20 years down the line.

However the short term planning led the organization to grow from a summer program that started with five youth at First Baptist Church to serving 300 people in its dance classes and thousands in its artist-in-residency program with Boston Public Schools.

In 20 years, OrigiNation has also extended its programs to offer a professional dance division, a spring dance intensive, a youth empowerment tour where members of the professional dance division participate in a cultural exchange program and a summer program called “ReadySetDance!” for youth ages 7 to receive who want to further develop their technique.

“I just started it and to see where we are now and to see what we’ve been able to do with the young people we serve is mind blowing and it’s the best feeling ever,” Dibinga said.

Dibinga decided to start OrigiNation after realizing there weren’t any dance programs that went beyond teaching technique.

“I didn’t really see a performance arts program, although there were many, I thought was efficient for young people that didn’t only teach performance art but taught African Culture and African History, team building and self confidence all wrapped in one,” Dibinga said.

With help from her sisters Muadi Dibinga, OrigiNation development director, and Musau Dibinga, OrigiNation managing director, her parents and the word of mouth from the five girls OrigiNation initially served, Shaumba was able to reach her goal of working with 30 youth by the end of OrigiNation’s first summer.

The bond built between Dibinga and the youth she serves often extends past their time in the program.

Shaumba said she still keeps in contact with 95 percent of the girls she started with 20 years ago.

“I can tell you what they’re doing, where they are, if they’re married, if they’re married with full time jobs and everything,” Dibinga said.

As the daughter of Congo refugees, Dibinga recognized the significance in teaching youth about African traditions and culture and it’s role in performing arts today.

“I’ve spent time doing workshops and showing the young people the African dance styles that hip hop dance styles came from,” Dibinga said. “I think it’s important for young people to know where things originate.”

The lessons in tradition and culture extend often extend past the dance floor, Dibinga noted.

Parents and students often refer to the Dibinga’s mother as “mommy,” something she said is common in African culture and a way for young people to demonstrate respect for their elders. Students are also taught to display respect by giving and receiving wit the right hand.

“Being able to understand culture and tradition and where things come from is, I think, one of the reasons why young people love our programming,” Dibinga said. “It’s just impressive because some people go to programs, learn the dance and they move on whereas at Origination, it’s not just dance. We use dance as a tool to empower youth leaders.”

The sisters are sticking to their expertise to commemorate OrigiNations 20th birthday.

The sisters are holding a “Twist & Shout” concert that will include dance, spoken word and music Saturday, Oct. 4. The VIP reception starts at 6 p.m. and performances beginning at 8 p.m.

OrigiNation’s performances groups NIA dance troupe, Girlz of Imani and Imani, Jr. are among the performances taking place during the celebration.

After years in management and choreography roles, the Dibinga sisters will take the stage in a special performance.

“My sisters and I have had dusted off our old bones, have gotten the Tiger balm and we’re going to be dancing onstage live. This is going to be a sight to see,” Dibinga joked. “We’re in rehearsal and we’ve been working really, really hard, so we can keep up with our youth.”

The sisters will also take time to honor Bella Luna Restaurant and Milky Way Lounge and Greater Egleston Community High School for its community involvement, its instructor Fedner Dorrelus and best selling author Michael Eric Dyson.

The organization’s sister organization Complexion Contemporary Ballet in New York is the performance honoree.

In reaching the 20-year milestone, the sisters have set a number of new goals including producing bigger and better youth empowerment tours, building program that caters specifically to their boy students, creating more positions for their youth within OrigiNation and bringing more master classes to Boston.

To purchase tickets for Twist and Shout, visit originationinc.org.