Bronx youth dance company needs support to make Puerto Rico trip happen

THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A Bronx community organization gives free programs for youth all year round. They are hoping to go to Puerto Rico with their junior dance group so they can experience the history and culture firsthand. They reached out to PIX11 News for support.

There are three generations of women who are helping preserve the culture of bomba -- a dance of Puerto Rico.

Three-year-old Naila Green is the youngest member of the Bombazo Youth Dance Company in Hunts Point. Her mom and grandma say she is just learning the dance, but the rhythm is in her blood.

Milteri Tucker Concepcion is the founder and director of the Bombazo Dance Company and says for nearly two decades she’s been teaching children Bomba Puertorriquena and its connection to the African and Hispanic communities.

One Sunday night back in April, she got a call that changed her life. Filmmaker and philanthropist Spike Lee visited in May and asked to feature the company in an upcoming movie called "High and Low" starring Denzel Washington.

Twelve young members from the company will be traveling to Puerto Rico to perform and meet the bomba elders in November. All under the age of 17, it will be their first time going to Puerto Rico for many of them. They have raised $15,000, but they still have $10,000 left to reach their goal so every child can go.

The group is having a fundraiser on Oct. 15 to help.

Bombazo Youth Dance Company Fundraiser

• When: Tuesday, October 15 at 7 p.m.
• Location: Barrio BX (Puerto Rican restaurant in the Bronx)

For more information about the Bombazo Dance Company and how to donate, click here.