Diversity Diners Shake it Down

The dance party said it all. After sampling the smorgasbord of international fare, and watching the Destiny Arts students show off their smooth moves, a crowd that included everyone from pre-schoolers to Baby Boomers took to the stage of the Multi-Purpose room for a free-form dance jam.

Everyone pitched in to make the night run smoothly. Our community came together to share food, conversation, and pride in our diversity.

We started out with opening remarks by Diversity-Unity Committee Co-Chairs Demarris Evans and Marjorie Stamper-Kurn. It was clear from the beginning that the crowd had come to party, and there was so much excitement in the air that it took a room-piercing whistle from Luis Mesa to get everyone’s attention. Peralta alum and current co-parent, Kamau B. Love, then spoke about his days at Peralta back when the school had a year-round curriculum.

Marjorie broke any ice that had not melted by guiding an activity called “The Mighty Wind Blows,” which allowed us to acknowledge the different categories of students, families, faculty and staff at our awesome school. Next, you could hear a pin drop when the award-winning students from the district-wide oratory contest took the stage.  The sense of pride was palpable.

Peralta parent Khrista Chisum performed an original song – a perfect musical precursor to the Destiny Arts dance performance, and a warm-up for the high-energy dance party. At 7:04 p.m., it was time to shut the party down, but students were still begging for more music. Everyone was still enjoying the good vibrations from simply coming together to honor ourselves. It was a satisfying end to another great Diversity Dinner.

Many thanks to all who participated!