Featured photo: Baba Kevin Collins is a highly respected teacher and African drummer in Flint.
Story and photos by L. M. Land
“Baba” means “father” in many of the African languages in southern African countries, and is also a title of respect for a highly valued person.
Hence, Baba Kevin Collins is a highly respected teacher and African drummer in Flint. The title was given to him by those whose lives have been touched by his teachings, and his peers. Baba Collins runs after-school drumming programs, dance classes, concerts, workshops, Tapology, and is also a composer with two CDs coming out from his studio, Reel to Reel Productions. He has studied music in several African countries, and is passionate about sharing the rich culture and heritage of the African homeland through music and dance to Flint’s children.
Collins attended Flint Northern High School, where there was a music program with a marching band and jazz band. Collins played trumpet in the jazz band, and in fact has a jazz band today. He currently plays 2,000 percussion instruments, including the orange plastic buckets he plays.
The Flint Schools no longer have a music program, leaving a large educational and community gap for the children.
“It is important to educate these children, for our community, for Flint,” Collins added. “So much needs to be done.” Collins said, adding that numerous studies have found that musical experiences in childhood accelerate brain development, language acquisition, reading skills, mathematical learning, affects overall literacy, helps mind and body work together, and it is fun. It also teaches discipline.
The Flint children are missing a lot. That is where Collins comes in. For the past 40 years he has been teaching music and African dance to children in after school programs.
“I am all about children and trying to help the community.” Collins explained, adding that people who are now doctors, lawyers and teachers have come through his programs.
The North End Project, Richfield schools, River Park, Aldrich’s Place, some Flint Schools and other locations benefit with this free program for the children. The drums are supplied by Collins, who brings all the drums and buckets to each school.
Collins also works with special needs children in the Flint Schools through a program sponsored by the J. F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C. The attention on Flint from the water crisis helped the development of the grant, now in its third year. He works with the principals and teachers to develop custom programs for the school involving drums and dancing. It is also designed to build team skills.
Collins also takes students to an annual drum and dance conference in Washington, D.C. every year.
“It is important to learn the history of dance and drumming from our old countries, to understand these have been around for 5-6,000 years.”
Collins also organizes a local conference! The annual Kuungana Drum and Dance Conference is here in Flint; a rich celebration of music and dance by locals and nine artists from African countries, for example, Dhian Tie from the Ivory Coast, Assane Konte from Senegal and Mabiba Baegne from Congo.
The Kuungana 2021 Concert begins at 8 p.m. on November 14 at the New McCree Theater. The cost is $15.
The Kuungana workshops teach African music and dance November 12-14 at the Flint Development Center, at 4121 Martin Luther King Blvd. The cost is $15 per workshop. There are lower rates for children.
You can learn more about this event at www.facebook.com/KuunganaAfricanDrumandDanceCompany.
There is more to come from Baba Collins. Thanks to the Share Art Genesee Grant program, the Kuungana Drum and Dance Company is in process of looking for a permanent home. Projected plans include music and dancing, drum making and vocal music. Sewing is also planned. Students will make lapa, African skirts and costumes for performances and for sale. A music studio will be added to record music, but also to teach children how to run the studio.
“Kids don’t understand there are companies that need these skills. Lights, mic, video, all are a part of a studio. Knowing how to do this, you can then do it for your church, or a business.”
Drumming will not be the only type of music taught. Donations of all types of musical instruments are appreciated. Contact Collins at 810-512-7314, or BABACOLLINS14@gmail.com
Kuungana means “to be connected”. Baba Collins is connected to Flint, African Heritage and to our children’s futures.
