The Education Component requires the participants to maintain a 2.5 Grade Point Average {GPA} to participate in performances. The 2.5 GPA is an incentive to motivate the children to reach their personal academic goals. The 2.5 GPA benchmark was very successful for the first twelve weeks of the 2014-15 season; 37 of 41 students achieved the goal. The overall GPA for the group was a 3.0 Grade Point Average. WE WILL NEED UPDATED FIGURES FOR THIS SECTION SPANNING A GREATER AMOUNT OF TIME.

Personal Narratives are designed to build the writing skills of the membership by requiring a written personal narrative report completed within 48 hours of participating in any performances, workshops, cultural events, field trips, and lecture demonstrations. This program is a partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools. Tutoring supports children going through academic challenges to keep them from maintaining a good GPA. Our in-house and community tutoring component is tailored to meet students’ needs.

This bi-monthly meeting immerses the membership in African Americans' contributions to the development of America in art, music, inventions, politics, and medicine.

The Activities Committee creates a family fun night as a bonding opportunity for the membership, including parents and extended family members. NEED SOME EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES

The Institute @ RCDC is a summer work-readiness skills and leadership development program where teens can expand their knowledge base in various career sectors based on their professional interests, desire, and exposure to post-secondary education options and aptitude. Participants are recruited not only from the current RCDC roster but also from the community.

The program focuses on students between 14-18 enrolled in a public or private school in Jefferson County and can commit to the entire program's training module. Students must complete three weeks of intense training in career exploration, social and professional etiquette, post­secondary education, and leadership development. Attendance is crucial, as they are placed on paid internships with worksite partners of the program. These worksites include private businesses, community and civic organizations, government agencies, and corporations.