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Script Writer, Curriculum Supervisor, and Artistic Director of Uwangalema, God’s Trombones, and Into the Lives of Urban Princes.
The great thing about it was that she was enjoying every minute and every student that came through Tajiri’s doors. She was the first

instructor that I added when I was operating Tajiri out of my home. Her masterful skills taught the Beginners class, which were ages

three to eight years of age: Elementary Puppetry, Storytelling, Poetic Movement, with Related Arts and Crafts. Mrs. Levather Whitby
was a super Tajiri Arts team member. Also, the Whitbys’ daughter, Dekeysie, was an Assistant Instructor in the Sign Language class,

and she did an excellent job.

Mr. Ernest Whitby accepted any task that Mrs. Whitby desired for Tajiri ― he was all in! While Mr. Whitby is now deceased, they

had been two wonderful friends for over forty years. They shared their personal funds to buy supplies for the Tajiri Arts students as

well as materials for set designs and costumes.

Thank you, thank you Mr. and Mrs. Ernest and Levather Whitby. Your commitment and work speak a thousand times in favor of

Tajiri Arts!

~ Dr. Stephen Caldwell Wright and Dr. Annye Louise Refoe ~

I applaud these two persons because they were the first to introduce and showcase Tajiri Arts to the Sanford Community. They

believed in Tajiri from the very beginning without really knowing if we could produce a cultural program of excellence for their yearly
Heritage Jubilee Celebration at their workplace, Seminole Community College.

In 1989, we were given that opportunity to be the main feature of the Heritage Jubilee Celebration. It was also our very first

professional presentation in that we were compensated to bring that performance to the stage. It was such an encouraging moment!

Our very first production was Umoja, which is a Kwanzaa principle, meaning “Unity.”