Children From 2 Cultures to Blend Jump-Roping, Spanish Rhymes

Ben Lopez, 32, has a simple game plan for creating understanding between African American and Latino youths.

He wants them to play.

Lopez--a security director for a tony fashion boutique and graduate of the Riordan Volunteer Leadership Development Program--has developed a special jump-roping project for black and Latino elementary schoolchildren in the Watts area.

On April 24, about 20 youngsters from the LA’s BEST After School Enrichment Program at Grape Street Elementary have been asked to participate in the Lopez program at the Watts Towers Arts Center.

At the towers, the Latino boys and girls will teach the African American youths Spanish poems and rhymes. The African American kids will in turn show the Latino children how to double-dutch jump rope. Lopez then wants the kids to combine the jump-roping and the rhymes.

“My idea is to build a little bridge there,” Lopez said. “Hopefully the kids will have a better understanding and interest in each other’s cultures. In Watts, the community is changing from an African American majority to a population with 50% African American and 50% Latino.”

LA’s BEST became involved in the project after a survey of parents showed that they wanted their children to learn Spanish, said Tammy Simms, spokeswoman for LA’S BEST.

Information: (213) 580-9841.