Cultural village in Ghana to honor jazz great

The daughter of the late jazz great Nina Simone and a delegation from Ghana came to Mount Vernon yesterday to announce the creation of a cultural village in Africa in honor of her mother.

The village will serve as a information center and as a connection between Africans and the global community, said Lisa Simone Kelly, who was accompanied by chiefs of the Denkyira people of Ghana.

Nina Simone lived in Mount Vernon from 1961 to 1970, and Kelly spent a large part of her childhood in the city. Both of the women were drawn to Ghana ? Simone eventually built a home there and Kelly married into a family of Ghanaian descent. Kelly, whose stage name is Simone, has formed the Nina Simone Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to fulfill her mother's desire to educate African children and those of African descent.

"We have plans on making the village a global place. Mommy knew people from all over the world," Kelly said. The sod cutting for the Nina Simone Cultural Village will be held on April 21 to mark the first anniversary of Simone's passing.

The foundation has teamed up with the Denkyiras and the Women's Community Impact Ghana organization to make the village a reality. The Denkyiras donated 50 acres of their land for the village, which will include the building of educational and health institutions, a theater and symphony hall, an African studies library and other facilities. The village will be built in Jukwa, a village near the coast. "Our mission is to educate Africans and those of African descent about their history so they can break barriers," Kelly said.

Kelly, who has performed in many Broadway shows and in 2002 played the leading role in "Aida," broke into song during the announcement, dedicating "His Eye is on the Sparrow" to her mother.

Kelly chose to make the announcement in the city after an invitation by Ilyasah Shabazz, the daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz and the city's director of special events. The two were childhood friends and have maintained ties. Shabazz learned of the foundation's goal and invited Kelly and the Denkyiras to the city.

The delegation, which included a representative of of WCIG and the Ghanaian parliament, met with Mayor Ernest Davis, who issued a proclamation declaring April 8 Nina Simone Day.

Abraham Baidoo, the regional minister for the Central Region in Ghana, explained how the Denkyiras are divided into two districts, but that both are willing to work on the village. "They are willing to donate more land," Baidoo said. "There is a big gap between Africans in Africa and those of African descent and hopefully the village can bridge that gap."

But in addition to the educational aspect, the groups hope the village will attract people who want to invest in Africa. Nana Appiah Nuama II, the chief of the Twifo Hemang district, said the region has many natural resources, such as gold mines, but need people with expertise in different fields.

"There will be many chiefs there and maybe some of you too will be there," he told those present.

Kelly said in addition to serving as an international welcome and information center about African culture and ancient civilization, the village will also inform guests on how to conduct business or invest in Africa.