Sanaaj Mirrie
Groove by the Lake | Pickering, Ontario, Canada
As a high school dropout from Jane and Finch in the 2000s, Sanaaj Mirrie found her way back to education through the influence of positive role models and the cultural identity awareness gained from participating in a dance and drumming group. This transformative experience highlighted the importance of cultural engagement for youth development. Upon moving to the Durham region in the early 2000s, she noticed a significant lack of Afrocentric activities for young people. Determined to provide similar opportunities to what she had experienced, Sanaaj envisioned creating a space for Afro-Caribbean arts in the community.
About the Project
In partnership with the Town of Ajax, Groove by the Lake will occur twice per month for three months of Afro-Caribbean trained dancers will teach and showcase Afro Caribbean dance moves by the parks of Lake Ontario in Ajax
Through this project, Sanaaj hopes to activate this public space with Afro-Caribbean dancing and culture, and that not only members of the Afro-Caribbean community join in but attract others from different cultures take part whether one time or in a more consistent basis.