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Support Baba Mac's teaching gifts and livelihood!
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$214 raised of $2.5K
5 donations
Every bit counts: we are raising community funds for the $2,500 required for K-12 Dance Licensure Certification for Baba McDaniel Roberts, an award-winning educator and highest quality artist (griot, choreographer, performer, teacher, scholar).
The required certification is for all NC K-12 teachers to keep their annual salary, but federal scholarship funds were cut off for which Baba Mac was eligible in 2025. All funds go to his re-enrollment in the "Visions Program", UNC-Greensboro Dept. of Dance. (Full cost $6,400 for PBC licensure across 4 semesters).
Has Baba Mac inspired and motivated you or the people you love? Let's join to support Mr. Roberts' registration by Nov. 1, for January 2026 re-enrollment! Read below on how to donate, plus how Baba Mac's teaching uplifts our communities near and far.
ABOUT BABA MAC:
Baba Mac is an educator to ages 3 to 100:
- ...a current dance teacher of 200 children daily at a fabulous Durham, NC-based Elementary School
- …a guide to dozens of community members weekly in family-oriented West African Dance classes
- … a motivation to 100s of college students, faculty, + dance professionals in traveling courses + academic panels annually
- …an inspiration to 1,000s of audience members seasonally in life-giving performances that he choreographs, tours, + griots across the state + country
Wherever Baba Mac goes, he gives of himself unconditionally with the goal to connect people to strength and faith in themselves, care for one another, and the power, beauty, history, and wisdom of African Diasporic dance, drums, and culture!
HOW TO DONATE:
You can help keep ALL that Baba Mac magic going! All donation levels make a difference.
You can think of a donation in any amount going into action in these and many other ways:
- $30 supports a family of 3 joining a community dance class for free
- $50 supports production of a community choreography video
- $100 supports production of a choreography video with accompanying song
- $250 or more supports part of a free, public performance involving students, community members and artists
Thank you! Mr. Roberts was shy to use GoFundMe at first—but friends insisted that together we can make a difference to contribute to future generations' love of dance and living knowledge of African cultures. "Tunaweza pamoja" or "We are able together" in Swahili.
Funds are needed by November 1 to register for UNC-G certification courses starting January 2026.
Without family money, most NC-based K-12 public educators cannot spare $2,500 atop their monthly costs. No matter the challenges, Baba Mac shines brightly, so let's beam some of that light right back :)
...Bonus: Any $ raised above the goal will go to an air purifier for the classroom where Mr. Roberts teaches 200 children every day!
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LEARN ABOUT OUR TEACHER MR. ROBERTS / BABA MAC:
(In a Baba Chuck Davis voice) AS YOU KNOW...
Baba Mac brings brings generous, expertly shared, unforgettable energy to absolutely everyone he teaches. He models how to leave it all on the stage--or academic panel, community processional or official ceremony :)
> PRINCIPLES
As an award-winning educator, performer, choreographer, scholar, and griot, Mr. Roberts weaves:
- History + context to link learners to African, global, + local traditions + customs with each dance form
- Material that is dynamic, fierce, nuanced + inspired
- Methods that are encouraging + rigorous, helping participants rise to the challenge
- A welcoming spirit to guide uplifting, meaningful artistic experiences that build community for all
> ROLES
Baba McDaniel’s teaching is shaped by professional artistic roles as a performer, artistic co/director, co/founder and scholar, from the age of 10 and up (for 44 years now!):
- Alayanfe Children’s Dance Co. with Dr. “Baba” Chuck Davis, the African American Dance Ensemble, Baba’s Rising Sons, and the Harambee Collective, among others!
> PARTNERS
As a Durham Arts Council Emergent Artist Award Recipient, Durham Public Schools finalist for New Teacher of the Year, Baba McDaniel has been a celebrated Griot for:
- DanceAfrica Pittsburgh, ArtPlace America, ADF Dance Day, Bimbé Cultural Festival, Eno River Festival, the NAACP State Conference, and more!
Mr. Roberts’ academic leadership has graced:
- Various elementary, middle + high schools, colleges + professional trainings across areas of performing arts, learning dis/abilities + special education, + community-based learning; honors including NCCU Artist in Residence, Kukusanya (Indiana University) Africanist Panel for the last 5 years, Purdue University (featured in doctoral research for Masquerade dance), and on a 21-day Asia-Pacific tour with Goldsboro’s Cultural Movement African Dance Company
Baba Mac's teaching in year-long K-12 courses, weekly classes, and touring cultural arts programs and workshops benefit:
- Schools + Universities // Cultural + Arts Festivals // Academic + Professional Development Conferences // Health Systems + Hospitals // Nonprofits + Global Corporations’ Employees // Elder + Group Homes // Refugee Welcoming + Interfaith Celebrations // Official Ceremonies, Public Art + Historic Landmark Dedications // Festivals, Parades, Processionals + Touring Seasons for State, National, + Global Audiences
Let's give our flowers (and any dollars you can manage) now to celebrate our inspiring friend and teacher ~