Moving History is a Baltimore nonprofit connecting local Black youth to African American history through programs that have them dancing, drumming, cooking, collaborating, and forging ties with one another and those who have come before them.
A grantee supported by the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF), Moving History takes a multi-pronged approach to infusing knowledge and self-esteem in Baltimore’s Black youth.
The programs offered by Moving History range from immersive arts courses in areas like instrumental and vocal music, culinary arts, and dance, to workforce development programs and youth internships. The nonprofit places cultural knowledge front and center in helping young Black people develop self-esteem, and they facilitate intergenerational relationships to promote the transference of knowledge, respect, and affection in both directions.
Baltimore Fishbowl spoke with Moving History Executive Director Breai Mason-Campbell and BCYF President and CEO Alysia Lee to learn more about the organization’s priorities, challenges, and accomplishments in helping young Black people connect to their history and cultural past.
Mason-Campbell credits kinetic engagement through the arts with connecting youth to Black cultural history in Baltimore and throughout the diaspora. Baltimore Club dance, a homegrown movement style, ties youth to the cultural history of their city. West African dance and drumming is deeply rooted in storytelling through movement, and its rhythms and movements have been passed down for generations. Students learn Capoeira, a form of resistance that began in Brazil and that melds self-defense moves with dance and music.
“By physically engaging with these culture-rich traditions, students do more than just learn about history – they feel it, embody it, and carry it forward, making the knowledge more impactful, especially for youth who may not always see themselves reflected in traditional classroom history lessons,” Mason-Campbell said. “These programs help instill a sense of pride and belonging, reinforcing that Black cultural history is vibrant, valuable, and worthy of preservation.”
She described a time she noticed a tangible change in a group of middle school boys during a Djembe drumming workshop. She saw them begin to trust each other.
“They smiled, looked each other in the face, and agreed to work together to make beautiful music,” Mason-Campbell said. Recalling Ta-Nehisi Coates’ description of growing up a Black boy in Baltimore and having to always keep a hard expression on his face to avoid the hint of vulnerability to stay safe, she contrasted that to the change she saw happening in the workshop.
“These young men overcame those constraints in this djembe class,” Mason-Campbell said. “They learned to work with each other, smile at each other, and wait, listen, and compromise to create harmonious sounds together. It brought joy to their hearts that overflowed to their faces. What a glorious triumph for broadening their perspectives about what is possible!”
Mason-Campbell spoke to the importance of the physically and emotionally healing nature of movement-based education. She emphasized that their programs allow young people to release stress and process emotions, all while developing confidence in their identities. There is a clear connection between the impact of creating on emotional regulating and mental health.
“Studies show that rhythmic movement, such as drumming, can help reduce anxiety, improve focus, and regulate emotions,” Mason-Campbell said. “In Moving History’s drumming workshops, students engage in collective rhythm-making, which teaches historical techniques and fosters a sense of calm, connection, and self-expression. Similarly, dance has been shown to boost mood and self-esteem.”
Given that many Moving History participants come from communities that lack easy access to mental health resources, their programs are even more critical to helping youth develop tools to cope with stress and form healthy relationships with their peers, in addition to having a choice of meaningful, enjoyable physical activities available.
Still, Mason-Campbell urges people to support the normalization of the connection between the arts, mental health, and physical health by advocating for arts programming in schools. They can take a page from Moving History’s book on how the arts can be integrated into a holistic approach to education and well-being.
Speaking of well-being and community, she drew a direct line from artistic fluency to workplace fluency, citing their youth internships and workforce development program as proof.
“The core skills developed through artistic training—discipline, creativity, collaboration, and leadership—are essential in nearly every industry,” Mason-Campbell said. “Through our internship program, young people gain hands-on experience in performance and arts administration, event production, and teaching.”
Moving History also has mentorship and networking opportunities for its participants in a variety of fields giving them tangible, real-world skills. Believing firmly that investing in the arts is an investment in economic empowerment, the organization makes sure to offer career-ready skills in tandem with cultural knowledge and artistic expression.
While Moving History points Baltimore youth towards the future, it also connects them with previous generations still gracing the city with their presence. Their approach is intentionally intergenerational because certain lessons cannot be read in a book. Certain connections cannot be made by reading a manual. Training with experienced artists, historians, and cultural practitioners has immeasurable impact.
“One of the key benefits of this approach is that young people gain direct access to living repositories of cultural knowledge—elders and experienced artists who can share stories, techniques, and historical context that cannot be found in textbooks,” Mason-Campbell said. “This mentorship builds self-esteem by validating the identities of our youth and giving them role models who reinforce the importance of their history and artistry. Learning directly from culture bearers gives young participants a sense of responsibility, motivating them to carry these traditions forward.”
She also cited the benefits of “generational dexterity” for both young and older groups. Challenges of passing down traditions can emerge as language and social norms evolve. While an elder might value honorifics like “ladies and gentlemen,” youth might prefer those honorifics be more inclusive. These shifts present opportunities for learning at both ends of the generational spectrum, ultimately moving towards understanding through dialogue.
Other challenges are more difficult to overcome, like transportation. Driving in the dark might be hard for elders, and most of Moving History’s programming takes place after school and often after dark. For young people, they don’t have as much access to transportation and must rely on buses, scooters, or walking, so they may miss more programming days. Mason-Campbell cites these issues as costly and prohibitive to fix. Despite this, they still prioritize connecting young artists with older generations for everyone’s well-being and growth.
“By creating spaces where both elders and youth feel valued, Moving History ensures that cultural traditions remain relevant and evolve while staying true to their historical roots,” she said.
In honor of Black History Month, Moving History will put on a series of programs at libraries throughout Baltimore. These will include performances of Djembe (West African drumming) and West African dance, workshops for culinary arts and Baltimore club dance, and their annual fundraiser. Their students will also perform “The Lion King” (May 23) and “The Descendants” (May 30 – June 1) at Hazelwood Elementary/Middle School, and “Aladdin” (June 7) at Hamilton Elementary/Middle School. You can find out more information about these performances at the Moving History website.
BCYF has funded Moving History since 2020 through its Summer Funding Collaborative, Grassroots Fund, and President’s Fund.
“BCYF is committed to creating a connected and supportive youth development ecosystem in the city,” said Alysia Lee. As an organization committed to amplifying marginalized voices, including LGBTQ leaders, Black women leaders, and arts leaders, she said, “We are proud to support Moving History and share its commitment to enriching the lives of youth through cultural education.”
