RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative is a diverse learning environment for youth in Richmond that offers many classes including poetry, creative writing, dance and learning to DJ.
Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative is located in Richmond’s Northside and was established in 2016. The non-profit organization has bloomed from a K-12 resource for twelve families into a community of over fifty families.
According to Cultural Roots Co-Op, the students are immersed into the world of possibilities from the time they step into the classroom.
Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative most recently launched Rooted Tuesdays, which is a pilot program that opens the doors to a broad homeschool community and invites students to experience course offerings without the limitations of a traditional schedule.
8News had the opportunity to speak with Jamil Jasey “DJ Jay Dion” about his Learn to DJ course offered for students ages 10 and up for Rooted Tuesdays.
According to Jasey, his class goes beyond the turntables to teach the youth about entrepreneurship. With hands-on instruction and guest speakers in the music industry, students learn to become empowered in mastering the art of DJ’ing, and envision turning their passion for music into a lucrative career.
Jasey said his class teaches students more than mixing beats as they also learn how to navigate the world as young entrepreneurs.
“[Students] discover the power of their own voices and the importance of using their platforms to uplift their communities,” Jasey said. “With each track they spin and each crowd they move, they are not just making music—they are making history.”
According to Cultural Roots Co-Op, its organization is dedicated to academic excellence, cultural pride, empowerment, as well as shaping the leaders, innovators and changemakers of tomorrow.
For more information about Cultural Roots Homeschool Co-Op, visit their website and Instagram @culturalrootshomeschool.
For more information about the Learn to DJ class provided by Jamil Jasey “DJ Jay Dion,” visit his Instagram @officialjaydion.
