Lumumba’s Playground is an exciting half-hour educational children’s television program that engages, educates, and entertains. Based in Washington, DC, it is a unique show that focuses on the areas of reading, writing, and spoken literacy skills for children ages 7 to 11. Lumumba’s Playground emphasizes a stimulating combination of curriculum intertwined with the multi-disciplinary art forms of drama, music, poetry, and dance. The fusion of these elements is implemented through multi-media teaching and learning approaches.

A pilot DVD version of the show, entitled “Let Your Genius Fly”, has been produced and a promo is available for review. The cast consists of the following characters: “Lumumba”, the magical lion appearing as a mascot character and in animation; “Griot Naida”, the teacher; and 8 children from diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. For 30 minutes, teachers, parents, and children can escape into the world of creativity, imagination, fun and adventure that will capture their attention while teaching basic skills and life lessons.

The show’s creator, Ms. Cherie Ward, is a former DC Public School teacher who specializes in the fields of English and Drama.  Ms. Ward has obtained her Masters Degree from Howard University and has been working in the areas of Television, Radio and Film for over 25 years as a published poet and an author. A former Miss District of Columbia and representative in the coveted Miss America Pageant, her professional poise is enhanced by educational successes.  She possesses a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism and a Masters of Arts and Teaching Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  Being a teaching fellow for the DC Area Writing Project, coupled with frontline teaching experience within the District of Columbia Public Schools, Ms. Ward shows her dedication to children, research and literacy achievement.  While actively teaching English, she was the Coordinator for the after school program, “Reach for Tomorrow,” as well as the Drama Club Director.  During her first year of teaching, she was elected by the students as “Best Female Teacher,” and nominated by the Principal and the Chairman of the Department of English for the Metropolitan Life Teacher Achievement Award.  Further, she was a Senior Dramatic Arts Specialist for the District of Columbia’s Department of Recreation and Parks and an Arts Educational Coordinator, Talent Development Specialist and Classroom Management Curriculum Specialist for the Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed at Risk (CRESPAR) during her career.

Moreover, Ms. Ward has been a performance poet and published with the United States Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum’s Educational Department in reference to the art exhibits “Beauty,” “City Lights,” and “George Segal” to name a few. Finally, she self- published her first book of poetry entitled, “Cherie Ward-One Voice:  Empowerment Poetry Echoing Realities of Life.”  This book was produced as a half-hour television special for WHUT Television and nominated for a "Gracie Award" by the Women of Film and Television Organization.  Ward believes each experience and interaction with others provides new opportunities for self-improvement and should not be taken for granted.