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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Divas and Drummers Christmas Parade
HEADLINE: Inner city kids showcase talents at Hollywood Christmas Parade
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: XX/XX/2024
BYLINE: Genia Dulot
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER: Genia Dulot
PRODUCER: Genia Dulot
SCRIPT EDITORS: Stearns; caw
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES:
((INTRO)) [[ For 92 years, the Hollywood Christmas Parade has featured celebrities and performers celebrating the holiday season. This year, the parade included the Divas and Drummers of Compton, a non-profit group working to give inner city kids an opportunity to learn performing arts. Genia Dulot has our story from Los Angeles. ]]
((VIDEO: Shots of the group in the parade))
((NARRATOR))
Most of the Divas and Drummers of Compton are from the Los Angeles suburb that has had a troubled history with gang violence. Kelli Berry founded this group to help change that reputation.
((Kelli Berry, Divas and Drummers of Compton Founder))
“So often children of color are mislabeled with being aggressive or bad or mischievous. We want to show the world that we are talented and that good things come from inner cities. These girls work hard. Our divas and our drummers are scholarly students. They are leaders in their home, schools and communities, and we came to the Hollywood Christmas Parade to show our skills and our talents to the world.”
((VIDEO: Shots of the group rehearsing at the dance studio in Compton))
((NARRATOR))
The collective teaches different styles of dancing, from ballet to hip hop. Berry and her husband Terence formed the group in 2012 when they were bringing up their own children in Compton.
((Terence Berry, Divas and Drummers of Compton Director of Drummers))
“The focus for us is really to establish a safe social environment so they learn how to have positive relationships and interaction between young people and understand the importance of integrity and being a good person.”
((VIDEO: Shots of the group rehearsing at the dance studio in Compton, shots of Faulkner))
((NARRATOR))
The dancing divas added a drum corps for young men in 2018. Jahsyr Faulkner has been there from the beginning.
((Jahsyr Faulkner, Drummer))
“What we do, it goes to show how certain organizations that start off such small places can do great things, like we’ve performed at the Super Bowl pregame show, America’s Got Talent. We’re up and coming.”
((VIDEO: Back on Hollywood Boulevard, intro shots of Shorts))
((NARRATOR))
((START Courtesy of Hollywood Christmas Parade)) Performing here in Hollywood is part of that up-and-coming exposure as the Christmas parade is broadcast internationally. ((END Courtesy)) Brently Shorts says it is the start of bigger plans for her dance career.
((Brently Shorts, Dancer))
“It’s very inspirational for me because one day, yeah us, one day I want to have my own team and bring them here and perform on the red carpet.”
((VIDEO: Shots of Renner at the parade))
((NARRATOR))
Oscar-nominated actor Jeremy Renner was the Grand Marshal of this year’s parade.
((Jeremy Renner, Hollywood Christmas Parade Grand Marshal))
“Drummers from Compton, that’s happening. There are opportunities. Everybody needs to be heard. Everybody needs to be witnessed, and when you can do that then you can give an opportunity to somebody.”
((VIDEO: Shots of the parade))
((NARRATOR))
The drum line and music education program focuses on young people between the ages of five and 19 with the goal of spreading positivity and confidence while entertaining and inspiring the community.
((START Courtesy of Hollywood Christmas Parade))
((Genia Dulot, VOA News, Los Angeles))
((END Courtesy))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 24, 2024 18:01 EST
BylineGenia Dulot
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
