House of Djeli

09/02/2026

This Saturday: Mon Vélo at Glen Echo Park!
We're delighted to see a film from the 2024 selection of the Rencontres Cinématographiques du DMV finding a new audience right here in our community.
This Saturday, September 5, Mon Vélo, a 12-minute short film directed by Francky Tohouegnon of Benin, will be screened at Glen Echo Park as part of Global Rhythms: Music, Dance & Storytelling from Around the World.
The film follows Oumar, a 12-year-old boy who dreams of having a bicycle, and the unexpected journey that follows when his hopes, friendship, and imagination collide.
📍 Glen Echo Park — Ballroom Back Room
📅 Saturday, September 5, 2026
🎬 Screenings: 1:00 PM • 2:45 PM • 3:45 PM
🎟️ FREE — all ages welcome
Come experience Mon Vélo and an afternoon celebrating music, dance, storytelling, and cultures from around the world.
From the Rencontres to Glen Echo Park, the stories continue to travel.
We hope to see you there! See the full line up here: https://glenechopark.org/globalrhythms



Glen Echo Park (U.S. National Park Service)

08/28/2026

08/21/2026

Leadership begins early.

It begins with curiosity.

With the courage to ask questions.

With learning to listen, to collaborate, to speak up—and to care about the people around us.

At House of Djeli, we believe that young people should not have to wait until adulthood to discover their capacity to lead.

They deserve spaces where they can build confidence, explore their identity, embrace their cultural heritage, develop their voices, and imagine a future they can help shape.

That is part of the work behind Camp Ascent.

Because we are not simply preparing young people for the future.

We are investing in the people who will help create it.

What is one quality you believe every young leader should develop?

08/17/2026

Every Family Has a Story. What's Yours?

Some stories are written in books.

Others are carried in songs, recipes, photographs, proverbs, family traditions, or memories shared around the dinner table.

These stories help us understand who we are, where we come from, and what we hope to pass on.

At House of Djeli, we believe that preserving these stories is one of the greatest gifts we can give future generations.

This week, we'd love to hear from you.

What is one story, saying, tradition, or lesson from an elder that has stayed with you throughout your life?

Share it in the comments. Your story may inspire someone else to remember and share their own.

08/03/2026

What Does "Djeli" Mean?

Have you ever wondered about the name House of Djeli?

In many West African traditions, a "Djeli" (also known as a griot) is much more than a storyteller. A Djeli is a guardian of memory, a historian, a musician, a poet, and a bridge between generations. Through spoken word, music, and performance, Djelis preserve the stories that help communities understand who they are and where they come from.

While the ways we share stories have evolved—from oral traditions to books, photography, film, and digital media—the purpose remains the same: to keep culture alive and pass knowledge from one generation to the next.

That belief is at the heart of House of Djeli.

Whether through youth programs, cultural events, leadership development, or cinema, we seek to create spaces where stories are shared, heritage is celebrated, and new voices are encouraged to grow.

What stories have shaped your family or community?

Share them with us in the comments—we'd love to hear them.

08/01/2026

Black August: Remembering the Past. Shaping the Future.

August holds a special place in the history of many communities across the African diaspora.

Known as Black August, this month invites us to pause and reflect on the struggles, resilience, and achievements of those who fought for dignity, justice, freedom, and self-determination. It is also a time to deepen our understanding of history, celebrate cultural identity, and invest in the generations who will carry these stories forward.

At House of Djeli, we believe that every community is strengthened by the stories it chooses to remember.

Throughout August, we will explore the power of storytelling, honor remarkable individuals and traditions, celebrate the arts, and highlight the voices of young people who are shaping tomorrow.

Because when we know our history, we can imagine a stronger future.

Join us throughout the month as we celebrate our roots, our resilience, and our shared humanity.

07/18/2026

Today, we honor the life, vision, and enduring legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela,whose journey continues to illuminate the path toward justice, dignity, and reconciliation.

At House of Djeli,we believe that preserving memory is an act of liberation. Like the djelis (griots) who have safeguarded Africa’s history through generations, Nelson Mandela understood that a people’s future is rooted in the stories they choose to remember, protect, and pass on.

Mandela’s life reminds us that freedom is not only won through struggle—it is sustained through education, culture, dialogue, and the courage to recognize our shared humanity. His legacy belongs not only to South Africa but to all who believe in the transformative power of truth, resilience, and hope.

On this Nelson Mandela International Day, we invite our community to honor his memory by listening to one another, preserving our histories, uplifting our cultures, and serving others with generosity and compassion.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”Nelson Mandela

Happy Birthday, Madiba. Your story continues to inspire the world.

06/08/2026

CAMP ASCENT 2026 IS CALLING!

Spaces are filling fast!
Give your child an unforgettable summer experience where culture, confidence, creativity, and leadership come together.

🌍 For youth of African Descent—and all young people eager to learn, grow, and connect.

✨ Storytelling
🎬 Cinema
🥋 Martial Arts
🎨 Painting & Creative Arts
🤝 Leadership & Team Building
📚 Cultural Heritage & Identity Exploration

This is more than a camp—it’s a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and empowerment.

📅 July 10–18, 2026
📍 Puma Kenpo:19725 Germantown Rd, Suite G, Germantown, MD 20874.

Register here https://tinyurl.com/47dyhe7y today before spots are gone

😎☀️🤗

05/29/2026

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Join us in conversation on 5/30, as we talk/ learn about .It's a film, it's a conversation.

Get your tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/2fcd3skm

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05/28/2026