Dickinson High School in Jersey City as members of a breakdance club called Raw ElementZ. This young group of students was known to consistently use their skills and talents in performing for charitable events and volunteering in the community. They were often seen at the Annual Youth AIDS Awareness Day, Teen Health Fair, at summer school enrichment programs, after school programs, and street festivals, just to name a few. Years later, these young people have grown to organize themselves amongst other members of the community to form a non-profit organization, the Community for Urban Dance & Art (CUDA Culture). Our mission is to provide a positive outlet for our youth where they can be empowered to reach their highest potential, and to receive quality enrichment programs that teach appreciation and the history of the artforms founded in the Hip Hop culture: bboying/bgirling, deejaying, the art of graffiti writing, and emceeing, and more. Since 2008, CUDA Culture has established community workshops, recreational programs, and scholarship opportunities that promote the arts, as well as character building, social-emotional development, leadership skills, teamwork, and service to the community. CUDA has partnered with various schools in Hudson County, including A. Harry Moore School, M.S. #4, P.S. #5, P.S. #6, P.S. #11, P.S. #12, P.S. #15, P.S. #22, P.S. #28, and the Boys & Girls Club of Hudson County. In the summer of 2009, CUDA traveled with NOLA Preservation Society to New Orleans, LA to assist in the clean-up efforts from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and to teach break dancing to the youth in New Orleans.
“Essential ElementZ!” was one of the major community events hosted by CUDA, on December 12th, 2009, at William L. This event was open to all community members and the youth in Hudson County in celebration of diversity and in elevating the quality of urban life through artistic expressions and community service. The free Hip Hop workshops taught by mentors in the community offered students of various learning styles a creative platform for critical thinking, visual, verbal, and written literacy, physical fitness, and auditory skills which greatly reinforce and supplement academic learning. From 2014-2018, CUDA Culture has partnered with the Department of Recreation to provide Bboying/Bgirling class to hundreds of students attending the Summer Fun Program across Jersey City.
