Summer Updates & THREE HUGE ASKS!
- kidogoproductions
- Jul 31
- 4 min read
Hello Friends!!!
For the newest editions to the Kidogo Community, I welcome you!!
Since it's been a minute, let me catch you all up!
I took my last trip to Togo for a long while :-( Since my husband's USAID job was so rudely cut by that guy and his people, our family's time there has come to an end. First, I said my goodbyes with hugs in May and then Amara said her goodbyes with tears in June. I'll skip over the part when I was sobbing at the airport ;-)
Women's Empowerment Breakfast
Within a day of my arrival, I found myself in an Urban League Fireside Chat with Boston City President Ruthzee Loujeune at its Women's Empowerment Breakfast. We discussed the following (and thensome!):
How are women using entrepreneurship as a tool for community change?
Can you share a moment where your business decisions aligned with your advocacy?
How do we ensure economic power translates into structural change?
It was an enlightening discussion, which highlighted the labor, deep thought, and love Black women are putting into their purpose-led lives. We care sooooo much and throw our entire selves into making the difference we want to see in the world. Love it! here's a snippet from our discussion about leadership:
BAMS Fest!
As most of you know, the Kidogo Team had the opportunity to participate in BAMS Fest, Inc. this year. Our presence was larger than it has ever been and we were so humbled by the opportunity. My team and I worked hard to make it happen and despite the rain, we were out there! A wholehearted thanks to:
—>my fabulous team (including (in alphabetical order) Ajahmure Clovis, Aurora Lee, Jessica L. Bodiford, MBA, Keith Donaldson, Krystian Rutledge (and KC Designs), Kourtney Simons, and Sam Sunmonu);
—>our excellent volunteers (from my family and friends—Cyndy Clovis, Tiffany Scott, Sheila Rush, Nikki Privott, the children of Régine Michelle Jean-Charles, PhD, the Boston Ujima Project, BAMS Fest, Bethel AME Church | Boston, MA, and beyond);
—>the awesome new and familiar families who showed up to have fun;
—>Akili Jamal Haynes (aka @Chibuzo Dunun) who shared his immense talent and love of West African music with us; and
—>the BAMS Fest fearless leader Catherine T. Morris and others who made this festival as phenomenal as it is.
—>and special thanks to the Mass Cultural Council for sponsoring our participation in this event.
The theme of the Kidogoville Experience at BAMS Fest was "Shapes and Symbols." We highlighted shapes by collaborating with children's book author, Cathleen Saxon of "Introducing the Shapes Family." OG Kidogo Community members have certainly heard her name before! We infused shapes and West African Adinkra symbols into all of our activities (coloring pages, decorating fans, a memory game, and a giant puzzle).
More to say about Akili Haynes.... We were so blessed to have Akili as our talent. The instrument petting zoo was one of the most exciting highlights of the Kidogoville experience. We were referred to him by Ashleigh Gordon of Castle of our Skins. He is professional, engaging, good with kids, and a cultural expert. We have agreed to do more projects in the future!
We sold our t-shirts, notebooks, and totes, but also our latest coloring book: Shapes and Symbols Coloring Book!
It was super sweet to see how parents/caregivers wanted to interact and play with their kids. The team created a seating area for the adults, but it turned to be rarely used. We loved seeing the grownups have fun with their littles!
We also learned that our Kidogobuck reward system WORKS! As the kids completed the activities, they received a Kidogobuck. They then exchanged the buck for stickers. They loved getting those bucks, which "paid for" the stickers. Total win!
We also received valuable feedback on our memory card game. We were asked more than once, "Is this for sale?" Hmmmmm! We're working on it!
Finally, we showcased our initial Roblox demo! As you can already tell, we thrive on feedback! We were thrilled to see kids' faces light up whenever we said, "we're working on a Roblox game."
HUGE ASK #1: We need players! Have your kids play the game! Play the game with your kids! If you would like to help us out, please let us know by replying to this email with your Roblox username and we'll invite you! Once you play the game, we would LOVE your feedback. Please use this form.
Boston Open Streets Roxbury
We were on a mission at Open Streets Roxbury! We attended so that we could expand our Kidogo Community. Each family we approached gave us the opportunity to spread the word about what we're doing and why. The kids listened to me the first few times and then they took over! The parents were very encouraging of the girls, which helped with their poise and confidence. They did a great job! I'm so proud of them!
There are two more opportunities to see us in action this summer:
Kiddie Carnival
African Festival of Boston
HUGE ASK #2: We're looking for volunteers to help us with the two events above! We need people to help with the kids' activities, selling our merch, and promoting our activation. Please let us know if you can offer any help by replying to this email. THANKS!!
HUGE ASK #3: I don't even want to say this too loud, but... It's almost back to school time. You can do some of your back to shopping with US!! Visit our Kidogo Store and get your child ready for the next school year!
For the Kids, for the Culture!
Keeana
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