The Beyond School Walls Program Offers African Dance and Yoga Classes

March 2026

Students and mentors in the Beyond School Walls Program at Reliance Matrix recently took part in African Dance and Yoga sessions at the Philadelphia home office.

In recognition of Black History Month, professional dance instructor Avalon Bobb from JustWannaDanz Studio led two workshops introducing students to the African dance Umfundalai (pronounced oom-fun-DAH-lie), a Kiswahili term meaning “essence’ or “essential”.

This contemporary African dance technique combines traditional African movement principals with modern dance, emphasizing both physical expression and cultural awareness. This high-energy style engages the mind, body, and spirit. Ms. Bobb also teaches in the Reliance Matrix Foundation dance programs in partnership with Philadelphia Ballet.

In March, the students participated in a yoga session led by Dennis Davis, also known as “YogiDen.” His approach combines storytelling with yoga, creating an experience that brings movement to life.

By connecting meaningful stories with physical practice, he helps both youth and adults engage more deeply, and see themselves reflected in the experience. During the session, he guided participants through stretching, balance, and strength exercises, emphasizing that yoga is more than poses – it’s a journey of selfdiscovery and empowerment. One thing is for sure; it was a whole lot of fun!

Beyond School Walls is a mentoring initiative administered by Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence that pairs students with workplace professionals. Since 2017, Reliance Matrix has partnered with Tilden Middle School, matching each student (“Little”), with a Reliance Matrix team member (“Big”). The students visit the Philadelphia corporate office twice a month to take part in career-focused, team-building, and educational activities.

There are currently 12 active mentor-mentee matches at Reliance Matrix, and the program is led by Tyesha Rodgers, Sr. Supplemental Health Examiner.

Additional students are eager to join, and the program is seeking more volunteers. Team members can make a meaningful impact by committing just one hour a week, twice a month during the school year, to serve as mentors and positive role models. To learn more about becoming a mentor, please contact Tyesha Rodgers.