Drumming for Well Being: Lessons learned about Race, Community and Cultural Heritage Submissions by Aminata Cairo, Department of Anthropology Aminata Cairo, Cassaundra Sampson, Dometi Pongo, Jonathan Sterns, Kim Claus, and William Scudere Five students will share what they have learned about the American story through participating in community based research. Under the direction of Dr. Cairo (Anthropology) students studied the formation of the Midwest Percussion Association, a group of African American percussion groups dedicated to uplifting their communities and using music to prepare and inspire young people to go to college. Students will highlight the ideals, lessons, conflicts, and shared sentiments of this particular American story, and how this experience has enhanced their understanding of their own American story and their abilities to give voice and vision to its tapestry.