Natisha Knight on Peter Paul’s 3rd annual Cultural Review

Stop by the Robinson Theater this Thursday for a glimpse at the work being done by the PPDC.

May 20, 2014; 1:21 PM • by Eric Steigleder

On Thursday, May 22, the Peter Paul Development Center will host their third annual Cultural Review.

But I found myself asking: What is a cultural review, anyway?

Luckily, Natisha Knight, the Director of Education at the Center, was there to fill me in.

“The Cultural Review is a program designed to showcase the activities which participants of the Peter Paul Development Center have participated.” She said. “The Cultural Review is an opportunity to bring all of our participants, as well as their families and community members, together to fellowship and share their talents.”

This includes students who attend Peter Paul’s After School Learning Immersion Program, those who take part in their seniors program, and students from Fairfield Court Elementary School.

With such an engaged group of students involved, it’s no surprise that Peter Paul is already celebrating the review’s third year. In fact, it was the success of the cultural review that convinced Peter Paul they needed a change of scenery.

This year we wanted to take the Cultural Review to a venue outside of the center and invite the community,” Knight said. “In prior years, we staged the Cultural Review at Peter Paul. This year we will be at The Robinson Theater and we are inviting parents, teachers, donors, partners and community members to share in this event.”

But a venue change isn’t the only thing attendees can expect from this year’s cultural review. According to Knight, providing a preview of PPDC’s enrichment programs and showcasing students’ work is the focus of the evening.

“Art projects that our students have completed during the school year will be on display,” She said. “In addition, our middle school students and participants in our seniors program have written essays as part of This I Believe, an international organization which engages people in writing essays based on their core beliefs.”

The event will also feature presentations by Veleska Wyatt of Kainos Praise Dance and the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC), as well as a performance by the PPDC Step Team (watch them in action here).

And if you were thinking that an event like this must come with a hefty admission price, think again. For admission, PPDC is suggesting that attendees bring one can of food to help augment their food distribution program.

Ultimately, King sees the cultural review as a long-term way to bring the East End community together by celebrating students and their accomplishments.

“The Cultural Review is an opportunity for members of the community to come together in a positive way to support each other and more specifically, to support our children,” She said. ”I see the Cultural Review expanding with our program, growing and changing to match the evolution of the community.”

The cultural review takes place this Thursday, May 22, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the Robinson Theater on 2903 Q Street.