The children pointed and whispered to one another, asking why there were drums in the Diamond Lakes Community Center gym.

As members of ABATSU and AJADACO began to play the drums, the children's whispered inquiries soon turned to "oohs."

Then, the drumming stopped and Sala Adenike Allen stepped up to the lectern.

"We're a part of groups that take Africa everywhere they go," she said to the audience, referring to herself and the two drummers. She then introduced herself and other members of ABATSU Dancers and Drummers Inc. and AJADACO Children's African Dance and Drum Company and gave members of the audience a brief overview of what they would learn.

The free cultural workshop July 17 was one of many that Ms. Allen organizes throughout the year.

"The reason we have these workshops is so that the children see and learn about who they are," Ms. Allen said. "They are descendants of greatness, and the children need to know that. The best way to teach them is to make our workshops interactive, not full of lectures."

The children and adults in attendance became involved in the workshop through call and response, playing the drums and learning dances.

Ms. Allen also talked about African clothing and taught the children different ways to say "hello" and "until I see you again" in African languages.

She hopes the workshop would inspire the children to learn more.

"If I can get 10 to read a book, go online or read books to learn more about the African culture, then I've done my job," she said.