Members of the The Divas and Drummers, a Compton group of young performers, are seeking funds to purchase an abandoned school building and expand the program. The group has performed in the Hollywood Christmas Parade and appeared on NBC’s ‘America’s Got Talent.’
Courtesy photo
By Emilie St. John
Contributing Writer
COMPTON — The Divas and Drummers are known for their dance moves and drum line. Now they are turning to the public for assistance to raise funds for a new space.
The Divas and Drummers are regulars in parades across the country, most notably the Compton and Hollywood Christmas parades. They have been featured on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and the Super Bowl. Due to the group’s growing visibility, there is an increasing demand for participation. This, in turn, necessitates a larger space.
1 Shine Youth is a registered nonprofit founded by professor Kehli Berry and her husband, Terence Berry. Kehli, a Compton native, and Terence, a Long Beach native, are passionate advocates for youth. Divas and Drummers was created specifically with Compton youth in mind.
“We have officially run out of room,” the group said on its GoFundMe page. “And without a larger facility, we will soon be forced to turn away children who rely on this program to stay off the streets and out of harm’s way.
“A vacant school building in Compton has been identified as the perfect new home for Divas of Compton. With your help, we can purchase this abandoned school and create a safe, fully equipped performing arts campus for our kids,” the funding plea said.
The program is based out of the 1 Shine Youth Center, and the participants are doing a lot more than dancing and playing music.
Divas and Drummers of Compton is more than a youth dance and drum program. It represents a safe haven for Compton’s youth.
“We have members right now part of our drum line that are being recruited by the local gangs,” said Co-Founder and Director Terrence Berry. “They want them to be involved in what’s happening in the street and all the things they glorify: negativity, toxicity and poison.
“We have to counter that with the culture we provide here.”
Compton is known for its gang culture. But programs like Divas and Drummers are reminders that building up and curating positive programs for the city’s youth are crucial.
“The core of our program is leadership and character development,” Terrence Berry said.
The group is currently housed in a small warehouse based at the 1 Shine Youth Center and is seeking the funds to fuel their expansion.
“A vacant school building in Compton has been identified as the perfect new home for Divas of Compton,” said Keli Berry, who is assisting with fundraising. “With the public’s help, we can purchase this abandoned school and create a safe, fully equipped performing arts campus for our kids.”
The Divas and Drummers have a goal of $300,000 to go towards the building’s purchase.
To contribute to the group, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-divas-of-compton-buy-a-school-and-give-our-kids-a-safe
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist covering the areas of Carson, Compton, Inglewood and Willowbrook. Send tips to her at emiliesaintjohn@gmail.com.
