Exciting Opportunities for Nebraska Students

Mount Rushmore granite carving of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota – location of student trips supported by The Robert and Ardis James Foundation.

African Culture Connection (ACC)

The Malaika Foundation is a proud partner of the African Culture Connection, ACC. The Founder and Executive Director is Charles Ahovissi, a member of the Malaika Foundation Board of Directors.

The major impact of ACC is to educate, perform, and promote African history and culture through traditional dance, drumming and crafts. They empower thousands of young people to have pride in themselves and to appreciate the great legacy of the African continent and how it relates to their lives. Visit africancultureconnection.org to learn more.

To celebrate the ACC success, the Malaika Foundation is donating 60 pieces of African Art to be available at a Gala Party, July 10, 2027 at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

Two tables incorporating painted sculptures of giraffes.
Four detailed paintings of African animals - giraffe, elephant, lion and zebra.

Two giraffe tables and four paintings of a giraffe, elephants, lions and zebra are part of the art pieces being donated.

Nebraska Students Visit Mount Rushmore

The Robert and Ardis James Foundation have generously provided support for students from Ord High School to visit Mount Rushmore and Red Cloud for the study of Willia Cather. Ord is the home town of Mr. James. 

The trips started in 2022-2025 and will continue for another five years for a total of nine years. Three hundred and sixty students will participate.

There is superb organization for the trips by Dr. Heather Nebesniak, Superintendent of Ord Public Schools, and a member of The Malaika Foundation Board of Directors.

Large group of students posing in two rows at Mount Rushmore.