HISTORY
One Human Family Workshops, Inc. (OHF) was originally conceived as a music workshop by its three founders, Dilsey Davis, Eric Dozier and Cara Williams. The challenges and frustrations they encountered in their individual race unity work efforts exposed each of them to the need for new approaches to challenging racism. While separately exploring ways to fulfill this need, their paths would ultimately unite. Their collective efforts would create One Human Family Music Workshops.
Dilsey Davis and Eric Dozier had the unique opportunity of traveling with a gospel choir in the Czech Republic while still in college at Duke University - Dilsey as a choir member and Eric as the Musical Director. While there, it became apparent to them that art, particularly music was a uniting force that transcends language and cultural barriers. Cara Williams likewise realized, during her tenure at Big Brothers Big Sisters in Columbia, SC, how valuable the arts are in the development of character, especially in youth. She recognized the necessity for a well-rounded multi-cultural/generational program where it would be imperative to address the needs of both adults and youth in creating caring and welcoming communities rather than focusing solely on individual personal growth. In 1994, the three met while collaborating on a special project for Big Brothers Big Sisters where they put their artistic ideas into action with a talented and diverse group of youth. The power of using music as a means of bridging racial and cultural gaps was confirmed when they began to engage adults in North and South Carolina in their workshop process. These efforts came to fruition in 1998 when they organized a summer Harvest Tour with 46 choir participants of various ages, ethnic, and religious backgrounds who traveled through the south singing spirituals and gospel music while promoting race unity. Immediately after the tour, the first choir chapters were formed and the dream of One Human Family Music Workshops became a reality.
On October 25, 1999, the organization was incorporated as One Human Family Workshops, Inc. and was subsequently established as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The impetus for the decision came about in an effort to more accurately describe the mission and vision of OHF’s programming.
The One Human Family Music Workshops quickly expanded beyond the initial focus on music to incorporate a variety of dialogue workshops, presentations, and other art forms such as dance, drama, and multi-media presentations.
Dilsey Davis and Eric Dozier had the unique opportunity of traveling with a gospel choir in the Czech Republic while still in college at Duke University - Dilsey as a choir member and Eric as the Musical Director. While there, it became apparent to them that art, particularly music was a uniting force that transcends language and cultural barriers. Cara Williams likewise realized, during her tenure at Big Brothers Big Sisters in Columbia, SC, how valuable the arts are in the development of character, especially in youth. She recognized the necessity for a well-rounded multi-cultural/generational program where it would be imperative to address the needs of both adults and youth in creating caring and welcoming communities rather than focusing solely on individual personal growth. In 1994, the three met while collaborating on a special project for Big Brothers Big Sisters where they put their artistic ideas into action with a talented and diverse group of youth. The power of using music as a means of bridging racial and cultural gaps was confirmed when they began to engage adults in North and South Carolina in their workshop process. These efforts came to fruition in 1998 when they organized a summer Harvest Tour with 46 choir participants of various ages, ethnic, and religious backgrounds who traveled through the south singing spirituals and gospel music while promoting race unity. Immediately after the tour, the first choir chapters were formed and the dream of One Human Family Music Workshops became a reality.
On October 25, 1999, the organization was incorporated as One Human Family Workshops, Inc. and was subsequently established as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The impetus for the decision came about in an effort to more accurately describe the mission and vision of OHF’s programming.
The One Human Family Music Workshops quickly expanded beyond the initial focus on music to incorporate a variety of dialogue workshops, presentations, and other art forms such as dance, drama, and multi-media presentations.