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The Chester Cultural Arts and Technology Center was honored to welcome MonaLesa Brackett, Ms. New Hampshire 2025, for a special visit with our Girl Scouts. The evening was filled with joy, encouragement, and powerful lessons about confidence, self-esteem, and believing in yourself. During her visit, MonaLesa shared her personal journey through pageant life, speaking openly about the discipline, courage, preparation, and self-confidence it takes to step onto a stage and repres

The Purpose Performers had the opportunity to perform at Widener University, and it was such a beautiful moment to witness. Every time our young people step on a stage, I am reminded that they are not just dancing, they are building confidence, discipline, teamwork, and learning the power of their own presence. This performance was especially meaningful because it was Ivana's final choreographed dance, as she recently graduated and completed her senior-year internship at the

CHESTER, PA - The Chester Cultural Arts and Technology Center (CAAT Center) proudly celebrates the success of the recent CAAT Kidz Show, an uplifting and inspiring event that showcased the creativity, confidence, and talent of young performers in the Chester community. The evening was filled with energy, joy, and pride as the children took the stage and delivered an amazing performance. From beginning to end, the CAAT Kidz showed their hard work, dedication, and courage, remi

Last weekend’s CAAT-Tastic Saturday was truly amazing. Our students enjoyed a powerful day of learning, creativity, and engagement that reflected the heart of what CAAT is all about. We were excited to have Brittani Hales lead story time, creating a warm and interactive literacy experience for our young people. Her presence helped make reading feel exciting, meaningful, and fun. We were also grateful to welcome Widener University, who led a hands-on STEM activity with the stu

On March 28th, the Chester Cultural Arts and Technology Center proudly hosted the Delaware County Planning Department for an informative and impactful event focused on the Air Quality Monitoring Project. This initiative provided Chester residents with valuable insight into the current state of air quality within the city, how air data is collected, and how this information can support future government assistance and environmental improvements. A highlight of the event was th

On March 8, 2026, the CAAT Center’s Furaha Dance Company had the honor of performing at the African American Museum in Philadelphia as part of an amazing fashion show featuring children modeling their favorite person in American Black history. The event was a powerful celebration of culture, creativity, and the legacy of Black excellence. Adding to the occasion's significance, Furaha Dance Company also had the opportunity to lead the procession alongside Phonk Philly, helping

The Chester Cultural Arts and Technology Center (CAAT) joined community partners to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day through a day of reflection, learning, and creative engagement centered on the theme Reclaiming the Dream. The day began with breakfast at Chester City Hall, where community members gathered to honor Dr. King’s legacy and reflect on the continued responsibility to advance justice and opportunity. Following breakfast, participants marched together from

The screening of Raised From Concrete was met with warmth and applause, highlighting the strength of the story and the dedication of everyone involved in bringing it to life. Seeing the full cast together, both on screen and in the room underscored the collaborative spirit behind the film and the importance of creating spaces where youth voices are uplifted and honored. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Ebony and the entire team at PlotTwist TV. Their

On December 10, 2026, the Chester Cultural Arts and Technology Center had the pleasure of meeting Reverend Emmanuel and Ether Shilakale from Arusha, who work closely with the Datooga people living in the remote wilderness outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The evening began with a shared dinner prepared by an African restaurant in the Marketplace, setting the stage for a meaningful exchange of culture, stories, and purpose. Following dinner, Reverend Emmanuel and Ether

On Monday, December 29, 2025, from 6:00-9:00 PM, the Chester Cultural Arts and Technology Center (CAAT Center) proudly collaborated with DELCO PA ABSW (Association of Black Social Workers) to host a meaningful Kwanzaa Celebration rooted in culture, unity, and community, reflecting the spirit of Harambee, pulling together. The evening opened with libations led by Dr. Onaje Muid, grounding the gathering in honor and remembrance of ancestors and setting a reflective, intentional

The Women's Coalition for Empowerment presented a powerful Umoja (Unity) Kwanzaa Ceremony, hosted by Shekhinah B. and held at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. The evening brought together elders, youth, artists, and community members for a meaningful celebration rooted in culture, reflection, and collective purpose. A highlight of the ceremony was the lighting of the Kinara, performed by Tara Jones of the Chester CAAT Center, symbolizing a shared commitment to uni

On Saturday, October 25, the J. Lewis Crozer Library in Chester, PA hosted a powerful community gathering as part of Dialogues for Opportunity: From Sistahs Coping to CAAT - Tara Jones & Voices of Transformation. Presented by Delaware County Community College in partnership with the Center for Equity & Social Justice and the J. Lewis Crozer Library, the event brought together community leaders, advocates, and residents for an afternoon of reflection, healing, and meaningful d

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the Chester Upland School District hosted its annual Title I Spring Youth & Family Summit at the STEM Academy, offering a vibrant day of learning, creativity, and community engagement. The event featured the Cultural Arts & Technology (CAAT) Center's “CAAT-tastic On The Road” program, which provided a range of hands-on activities designed for children ages 6 to 11.

With approximately 30 enthusiastic spectators in attendance, the energy in the room was electric. Family members, friends, and community supporters gathered to witness powerful performances that celebrated self-expression, teamwork, and purpose through dance. The showcase featured a variety of dance styles, each choreographed and performed by the CAAT Kids themselves, reflecting their hard work, passion, and originality.

Art UnFramed Art Gallery does it again!!. April 11,2025 our ARTISTIC PULSE SPOTLIGHT ARTIST featured one of Philadelphia's well known Artist/Muralist Tanisha Serrano (Nish).

A Memo From Our CEO "Saturday was, as usual, a fantastic day filled with joy and creativity. We shared a wonderful time enjoying delicious food, reading together, and working on our crafts and congratulatory cards for Mr. Dave, who has recently earned his black belt. It was heartwarming to see how much the children appreciated their self-defense class. Our STEM activity was equally engaging, as the kids had a blast making polymers (boba). While it was quite messy, the laught

On September 28, 2024, in Chester, PA, the Missing Plug, in partnership with nonprofit; the Cultural Arts and Technology Center, hosted The Missing Plug Awards, celebrating Black and Brown entrepreneurs from the Delaware County area. In August 2024, which is black business month, a voting poll allowed the public to nominate local businesses and entrepreneurs, with the winners announced at the event. Over 100 entrepreneurs attended, enjoying live entertainment and a catered di

The Chester Cultural Arts and Technology Center (CAAT) is elated with the success of the STARR Warrior Camp. Our summer camp, "Strength Through African Roots and Rhythms," culminated in a stunning performance that left a lasting impression on both participants and attendees. The final performance was the highlight of our camp, attended by over 100 relatives and friends. The event was honored by the presence of Chester Mayor Roots, PA State Representative Carol Kazeem, and rep

Nestled in the vibrant artistic community of Chester, PA, the Art Unframed Gallery is a new art gallery located in the Downtown CAAT Center. The Avenue of the States in Chester, PA, is known for its rich history and is continually blossoming as an artistic and cultural hub in the city with local artists showcasing their diverse talents. The grand opening of the brand new Art Gallery took place on Friday, March 8th. Paterons stopped by to, eat, celebrate, and view some AMAZING

This MLK Day, in partnership with Widener and the Foundation of Delaware County, the CAAT Center curated a day of service for the city of Chester that honored the life and legacy of Dr. King in a huge way! We started the morning off with breakfast provided by Widener University to fuel us for our day of community driven activities, after which we began our peace march from the campus to City Hall. One of the biggest concerns of our neighbors in Chester is the cleanliness of