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Wanda is also the Co-Founder of the Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble, which was blessed and sanctioned to be one of the best and most exciting professional African Dance and Drum Ensembles in this country. Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble's members have many traditional uniforms and costumes which are directly from Africa; however most of the uniforms and costumes are made by Wanda from traditional Africa design. Being that Wanda is a professional costume designer and maker; many of the beautiful costumes and dresses our females wear in our African Dance, Praise Dance and Interpretive Dance were also made and designed by Wanda. She is also an expert with more than 40 years of experience in crocheting. She enjoys crocheting baby wear for every baby born in the Unity Community Center and also crocheting covers and wears for elders and those that ask for her services. Wanda teaches African Dance, Praise Dance, Interpretive Dance, Aerobic Dance, Line Dance and various expression art forms. She teaches and directs modeling, fashion modeling, fashion designing, sewing classes and beauty culture classes. She is also a professional wedding coordinator / planner, especially in cultural weddings and receptions. Wanda have also designed and made the wedding dresses for very prestigious weddings and African Cultural weddings.
"Everyone has a culture, don’t be afraid or
ashamed to
WANDA DICKERSON has many years of Dance experience as a
student in African, Interpretive and Creative Dancing at the following: Gillespie Jr. High School- 1968 / Phila. Pa. Many years of Martial Arts (Karate)
training and experience
/ since 1973 Queen Mpaiji- Mama WANDA A. DICKERSON- QUEEN OF GHANA, WEST AFRICA Naa Ahinee (The First Daughter)
Wanda was given the beautiful name of Mpaiji (M-Pa-Jee), which means the GENEROUS ONE, by the Creator of Kwanzaa Dr. Maulana Karenga in Los Angeles, California. Wanda traveled all over America and to many African and Caribbean countries visiting, sharing, teaching and performing. Her struggle, sacrifice, support and kindness to others all over the world and especially her family, friends and her organization The Unity Community Center, the home of the UNIVERSAL AFRICAN DANCE and DRUM ENSEMBLE has been truly a blessing. As the old sayings go, pictures speaks louder than words and "A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. Below enjoy her journey being installed as an African Queen in Ghana, West Africa dating back to November 09, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Ghana, West African in March of 2019. CLICK ON PHOTO FOR ENLARGEMENT WANDA ENSTOOLMENT IN PHILADELPHIA, PA- November 09, 2014
WANDA INSTALLATION IN GHANA, WEST AFRICA- March 2019
Wanda was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and
as a result of spending much of her childhood in a hair
salon in Philadelphia, she later decided to attend Wilfred Academy
Hair and Beauty School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Upon
graduating on August 12, 1985 she began her cosmetology career as a licensed
cosmetologist in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
She started, owned and operated,
JANA'S UNIQUE HAIR SALON in
Lindenwold, New Jersey in the early 1990"s.
www.janashairstudio.com & https://janasacademy.com
WANDA'S FAMILY Wanda is a Grand Master Black Belt in Karate. She has been married to Robert Dickerson, the founder and director of the Unity Community Center and has resided in the city of Camden, New Jersey since 1975. During this union they have been blessed with four children, Jamal, Nasir, Atiya and Ayanna, fifteen Grandchildren and two Great Grandchildren. Their oldest son Jamal, in 1995 graduated from Camden High School. Jamal attended Morgan State University and graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University 2010. Jamal is married to his lovely wife RONSHA with their six wonderful children, Jamal II, Karima, Sekou-Moussa, Tenenfig, Fatima and Akeelah. Jamal is currently the Director of Bands and an Instrumental Music School Teacher for Camden Creative Arts Public High Schools. Their son Nasir is also a graduate of Camden High School and was honored with a full paid scholarship for high academic and musicianship achievement to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pa, for music education. In 2006 Nasir, graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance and in May 2007 he earned and received his Master's Degree in MUSIC EDUCATION with three beautiful daughters Nuri, Jalia and Aisha and his lovely fiancee SAHREEDA BALLARD. Their oldest daughter, Atiya is a graduate of Camden County Vocational School with high academic achievements. Atiya majored in Cosmetology and is the manger operator and owner now of the family business, founded and owned by mother Wanda A. Dickerson- Jana's Unique Hair Salon & https://janasacademy.com in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Atiya is married to DWAYNE JOHNSON and were blessed with two lovely daughters Dayanna, Anisah and one son Dwayne (DJ). Ayanna graduated at Camden Creative Art High School, Camden, New Jersey majoring in music and graduated from Rutgers University earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management 2010 and a Master of Arts Degree / Counseling in Educational Settings from Rowan University. Ayanna also has a lovely son named Jaleel. Ayanna is married to an educational scholar and administrator ANDREW BELL with wonderful son, Andrew Bell Jr., and daughter Zoe Bell. Also the Dickerson's, blessed with two great grandchildren- TWINS- Alani and Alira-parents our grandson Jamal II and Nejma Maddox.
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