Imani Temple Master Drummer Founding Director,
African Heritage Dancers & Drummers

 

Father/Nana Melvin Deal was ordained in the African American Catholic Congregation October 10, 2010. Father Deal is Imani Temple’s Master Drummer and the Founding Executive Artistic Director of the African Heritage Dancers and Drummers. Father Melvin Deal, a veteran artist of more than forty one years, has worked tirelessly in researching African cultural manifestations to be used in the building of self-esteem and addressing the presence of violence, delinquency and dysfunctional lifestyles and abuse in African-American communities.

 

An accomplished, Dancer, Musician, Choreographer, Researcher and Director, Nana Deal is a graduate of Howard University, with a BA degree in Fine Arts & Education. He has studied at Ghana University, University of Nigeria at Ibadan and at numerous cultural institutions nationally and abroad in the African Diaspora.

 

The recipient of many prestigious awards, among which includes: The Washington's "Living Legends" Award, 1980, "Washingtonian of the Year,1981", "Mayor's Arts Award, 1981", "Baltimore's" Great Blacks In Wax Award", 1995, "Philadelphia's 'CODUND'' Award, 1995 and many others.

Father Deal performs and teaches regularly in the African Heritage Dance Center and in many Elementary & Secondary school systems and conducts classes, seminars, master classes and lecture demonstrations for Colleges, Universities and special cultural input to Motivational programs such as “'Robins Research Institute", National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Black Psychologist, Boys & Girl Scouts of America, Office of Criminal Justice and many others.

 

He is a consummate "Performance Artist" focusing his revealing, magically colorful and insightful presentations on "AIDS” and issues of healing, prevention and revelation.

 

A community Artist of uncommon perseverance, Father Deal remains true to his calling.