The R.B. Dean educator teaches self confidence and heritage through the rhythms and symbolisms of African dance.
The Maxton first-grade teacher founded Umaja Dance and Drumming Troupe in 1990. The troop will perform Saturday at Maxton’s Save the Children's Day concert.
“I chose African dance because of my heritage and as a way to promote self-esteem in our children, she said. "When I came here a lot of the children didn’t like each other or their race. Once they learned the history, where they came from and who they are and actually heard the music and saw the dance it sparked interest.”
Umaja currently consists of 19 third and fourth grade students from the elementary school. Umaja is the Swahili word for unity.
Of her students, only four are males who hold down the part of drummers: Tyrese Fulmore, Rufus Harris, Kaylen McNeill and Barshay Sims.
The rest, Grace Bethea, Shanequa Brooks, Kayla Freeman, Taylynn Fulmore, Drianna Jones, Jazmime Manning, Shastarer McArn, Brianna McLaurin, Philasha McManus, Arianna McRae, Bella Sampson, Gaclayla Staton, Eriyanna Washington, Nhileiah Watson and Cortney Vinson play the roles of the dancers.
These students had to audition in front of Lewis for a spot. She said she looked for those who "have rhythm, are able to work with others, can listen to the music, and catch on and remember the steps.”
For her, it’s not just the learning of the steps that important but the meaning behind each movement, which she teaches along with the steps.
“Everything means something, the arms mean something, the hands mean something,” she said.
Lewis’s passion for dance stemmed from her mother who did tap and ballet. The talent stayed in her family and branched to her, and then her niece who is an actress that can be seen in the film “White Chicks” starring the Wayan’s Brothers.
Her dance career began when her husband became stationed in Hawaii. He was only commissioned to be there a year, but the couple loved it so much that they stayed for three.
“I always wanted to live on an island. There, I was fortunate enough to have Polynesian friends and they taught me the dance and allowed me to tour with them,” she said.
On her return back to the states she studied dance at UNC Charlotte before joining an adult African and Caribbean dance troupe.
When she moved back home to Maxton, she brought her knowledge of dance with and embarked on her teaching journey.
“Children are always important to me, my parents were teachers and now I am a teacher,” she said.
Lewis has taught kindergarten and first grade in Robeson and Scotland County. Before then she was an independent teacher of dance and drums.
"I wanted to instill in our children the importance of arts and dance," she said.
Lewis also tries to teach the African heritage to other students in the school. She displayed two glass case exhibits featuring aspects of the African lifestyle during Black History Month.
“This is the first time it’s ever been done at the school,” she said. “I want to be a pioneer, trying to get positive things for our children.”
Umoja’s next engagement will be as the opening act for Maxton’s Save the Children's day concert on April 3 at 2 p.m. at the R.B. Dean Elementary School. The event is sponsored by Open Air Youth Crusade, Baggari Entertainment and House of Hosea World Outreach Ministries.
They will perform a dance choreographed by Lewis entitled Funga, swahili for welcome. The dance is supposed to welcome all who visit from the beat of the hearts of the children performing.
The message of the event corresponds with Lewis’s vision of educating and uplifting the lives of children.
“We’re presenting a positive influence to our children, trying to save our children with culture and dance and trying to keep our children focused. We’re giving them inspiration and motivation to do their best and to school and help them succeed in life,” she said.
Lewis encourages people from Scotland and surrounding cities to attend and support the children.
The concert will be Umoja’s third big performance this year. In February, they danced at two black history programs at the school.
“The children are so excited to be performing again. They really, really love it,” she said.
In the past, Umoja has travelled across North Carolina appearing in cities such as Charlotte, Durham and Greensboro. They most frequently appear in Scotland and Robeson County and used to be regulars at UNC Pembroke’s Taste of Culture program before it was discontinued.
Her overall mission is “to inspire members of the dance troop to pursue a career in dance and to continue the legacy in the arts with dancing and drumming,” she said.
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