Drums, Disabilities, and Divine Purpose: Victoria Djembe

Sometimes the most powerful conversations happen outside the studio. Recorded live at the Abilities Expo in Chicago, this episode introduces you to Victoria Jembe, a remarkable self-autism advocate revolutionizing opportunities for people with disabilities through the captivating rhythms of West African drumming.

Victoria shares the inspiring story behind founding Victoria Djembe Academy in 2021, where students with disabilities learn authentic drumming techniques from Guinea, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Mali. Her vision goes beyond simply teaching music—she's creating spaces where people with disabilities can be "seen, heard, and celebrated" through cultural expression and public performance. 

We explore Victoria's entrepreneurial journey and recent successes, including features on Fox 32 Chicago and in Block Club Chicago newsletter. Her ambitious plans to expand nationally and eventually connect back to West Africa demonstrate her commitment to both disability inclusion and cultural preservation. The conversation highlights additional community initiatives, including monthly drum workshops and disability-focused open mic events that welcome talents ranging from poetry to comedy.

Whether you're interested in disability advocacy, cultural arts, or inclusive entrepreneurship, Victoria's story offers inspiration and practical insight. Discover how rhythmic expression is creating powerful new opportunities for community building and creative celebration. Visit Victoria's website or attend an upcoming event to experience firsthand how West African drumming is breaking barriers and building bridges.

Transcript

Introduction at Abilities Expo Chicago

Speaker 1 0:00

What's up, guys? As you can see, we're not in the studio at home. We're actually at the Abilities Expo in Chicago and this podcast is going to be a little different. It's going to be like a speedcast. The sound is not going to be as great because of how wide open this space is, but I hope you guys enjoy it. Please enjoy this life to the max. What is up, everybody? It's life to the max podcast. We are at the Abilities Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois. It is Friday, June 20th 2025, and today I have Victoria Jembe. Victoria.

Meeting Victoria Jembe

Speaker 2 0:54

Jembe, how are you tonight? I'm doing good. How are you doing?

Speaker 1 0:57

I'm doing good. What brings you out to the Abilities Expo?

West African Drumming Academy

Speaker 2 1:01

Well, I've been going to the Abilities Expo for the last, I would say, two years. Really, basically, I'm a self-autism advocate, okay, and I teach West African drumming for people with disabilities, including autism, and I wanted to, you know, make sure we bring more programs and activities for people with disabilities so they can be seen, heard and celebrated. Can you elaborate more on what you do? So, basically, I'm the founder of Victoria Jim Bear Academy. It's an academy where we teach West African drumming for people with disabilities around the Chicagoland area. We give students the opportunity to perform in front of their peers and their families to showcase what they have learned. They learn rhythms from West Africa, from Guinea, from Ivory Coast, senegal, mali, and we also provide the drums where the students get to play the drums as well. So our main objective is to make sure we bring more programs and activities to people with disabilities.

Speaker 1 2:01

And when did you start?

Speaker 2 2:03

this, so I started in June of 2021.

Speaker 1 2:06

Okay, and I started in November 2021.

Speaker 2 2:10

Nice.

Entrepreneurial Journey and Growth

Speaker 1 2:10

So it was nice 2021. Yes, and how's it been going so far?

Speaker 2 2:15

It's been doing good Lately. I went to an entrepreneur academy school I started in March where I was trying to expand my brand, learn the business of being an entrepreneur and try to advance myself as being an entrepreneur, and it's been good. I've been seen on Fox 32 Chicago and I've been on the Block Club Chicago newsletter. So I'm just trying to expand it more so we can make it more nationwide and international, trying to network so we guys can get out there more.

Speaker 1 2:47

I think it's amazing that you're embracing your culture and you're trying to spread the culture as well with the West African drumming. I've never heard it before so. I hope I can get a link of something so we can figure out so I can see what it is Cause it must be nice.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Speaker 2 3:09

Yeah, so we located on the South side of Chicago. We actually have a class June 28th 1pm at Divine Purpose Fine Arts Center. The address is 9210 South Commercial Avenue. I would like to invite you there so you see how it is with the African drum and if you try to play some drums as well.

Speaker 1 3:30

I wish I could, but I was in a car accident. Unfortunately, I can't move my arms.

Speaker 2 3:37

No, it's okay. I mean you can watch. I want to invite you.

Speaker 1 3:41

Observe.

Speaker 2 3:44

Let you do anything out of the ordinary. I just want you to you know experience. What's African drummers? Yeah, done it before that be a beautiful thing. Do anything out of the ordinary. I just want you to you know experience West African drama, such as you have done before.

Speaker 1 3:51

That'd be a beautiful thing. Well, it's amazing what you're doing. I hope you succeed in becoming an Asian. Why do you want to fuck the international? That's what we're going to do International to where it recedes back to West Africa.

Speaker 2 4:10

I think that would be a beautiful thing. Yeah.

Speaker 1 4:12

Do you have anything you would like to say to the people out there?

Speaker 2 4:15

Yeah, so monthly drum workshops for the disabled community. The next one is June 28th at 1 pm at Divine Purpose Farm Arts Center. Actually, it's going to be at the Jesse Owens Park. Oh, sorry about that Jesse Owens Park District, which is on the south side. My website is wwwvictoriajenbeacademyorg. We can find more information about classes and performances. I'm also performing with an all-female group called Ayodele Drum and Dance as well, so I represent the disability community with an all-female group as well. So we also have an open mic for people with disabilities. So if you want to sing, you want to rap, you want to do poetry or whatever talent.

Speaker 1 5:00

Wow, I might have to do that. Yeah, come on. Yes, yes, yes, I like comedy. Yeah, do people like comedy?

Speaker 2 5:07

Oh yeah, I love comedy. I like to invite you, you know, come through. I'm going to give you a flyer for you and your team, so I'm going to try to come out at July 26th is the date, july 26th, 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm at Divine Purpose Farm Arts Center. So we're doing a monthly open mic for people with disabilities to showcase their talent open mic for people with disabilities to showcase their talent, and I'll be one of the co-hosts. So come out.

Podcast Closing

Speaker 1 5:31

Sounds good. Well, thank you so much for being on the podcast For everybody listening out there. Please go follow her page. We will leave it in the description below. Please like, comment and subscribe, and, of course, take a breath for me.

Speaker 2 5:47

Thank you, thank you so much.

Speaker 1 5:52

Appreciate you. Thank you so much, appreciate you.