When the drums begin, people take notice.
They may hear the rhythm from across a park, pause to watch a dance class or feel inspired to join in. For the Dwennimmen African Dance Community, that moment is the beginning of something larger. It is a chance to experience joy while connecting with others and learning about African heritage and culture.
Dwennimmen is a Harrisburg-based educational and cultural nonprofit that shares and preserves African history and traditions through dance, drumming and other community programs. Its work builds cultural pride while helping people connect with one another and support their well-being.
“The main thing is making everybody feel welcome,” said Lark Daniel, artistic director. “There is no judgment. We just love to share.”
Reaching the Community
A $6,750 grant from The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) helped Dwennimmen take its programs beyond its regular classes to reach people where they were.
The organization provided weekly dance instruction to members of the African Student Union at Penn State Harrisburg. The students learned traditional dances and later performed alongside Dwennimmen during the university’s Night in Africa celebration.
The experience gave students an opportunity to step away from the pressures of college, move their bodies, and connect with aspects of African culture they may not have encountered before.
“They got to free up themselves,” Daniel said. “They had this joy and glow afterward. They are already talking about how they cannot wait for us to come back next year.”
Funding also supported Dwennimmen’s first Multicultural Day of Drum and Dance, which brought together African dance and drumming, Chinese cultural arts, mambo jazz and guest artists from the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region to highlight what cultures share through music and movement.
“It gave us a way to show the community how much more we are alike than different,” Daniel said.
Connecting Culture and Wellness
Dwennimmen’s work extends beyond cultural education. The organization also uses its programs to help community members care for their physical and emotional well-being.
Grant funding supported a women’s wellness workshop led by a nurse practitioner. Participants learned about metabolism and nutrition in an environment where they could ask questions and have open conversations about their health.
Daniel said the goal is for every participant to leave with at least one piece of information they can put into practice.
“To hear women say, ‘I didn’t know this, and now I am going to do something differently,’ is amazing to me,” she said.
The organization’s programs culminate in the annual SoulFit Festival, a community wellness event built around the theme “Reset, Refresh and Renew.” The festival brings families together for movement demonstrations, music and spoken word. Attendees can also connect with vendors and community resources.
Dwennimmen developed the festival after seeing the isolation, stress and health challenges that intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization wanted to create a space where people could reconnect while learning about movement, wellness and healing.
“We all come together and learn,” Daniel said. “It really helps the community.”
The next SoulFit Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, 1 to 5 p.m., at Sara Lindemuth Charter School. The free event will feature music, fitness demonstrations, vendors, spoken word, food and more.
Beyond the Class
Months after teaching dance and drumming at a Salvation Army youth program, Daniel met a young participant at another community event. He recognized her immediately and began tapping out the rhythms he had learned on his body. The moment showed that the joy he experienced in the program had stayed with him long after the class ended.
“He remembered months later,” Daniel said. “That is the impact.”
That lasting joy can take many forms. Daniel also recalled an older woman who began attending classes and soon became one of the organization’s most consistent participants. The woman told Daniel that African dance had changed her life and that her friends could see a difference in her outlook.
Stories like these remind the Dwennimmen team why the work matters, even when it is physically demanding and resources are limited.
“You are serving,” Daniel said. “You are helping someone, and you may not even realize it. But in that moment, you may have made their whole day.”
Ramona French, president of Dwennimmen’s board, believes the organization’s impact reaches the whole person.
“It is more than drumming and dance,” French said. “It is an opportunity to give hope to a community. You are providing joy, healing and a way to build and preserve culture.”
Supporting Future Growth
“When the community invests in Dwennimmen, it is investing in the future of the community,” French said. “When there is hope, we can see that tomorrow is going to be better.”
Dwennimmen hopes to expand its outreach to more schools and youth programs. To make that possible, the organization needs additional drums for programming throughout the year. A single drum can cost about $500.
The organization also relies on volunteers and financial support to reach more people. Community members can help by attending a class or event, volunteering or donating.
Help Build a Stronger Community
Support from TFEC donors helped Dwennimmen create opportunities for people to find joy, build connections and celebrate culture. A gift to the Community Equity Fund helps extend that impact by supporting organizations working to create stronger, more inclusive communities.
To make a gift, visit tfec.org/funds/tfec-community-equity-fund. For questions or help planning your charitable giving, contact TFEC’s Philanthropy Team at philanthropy@tfec.org or 717-236-5040.
