
Rooting Within
Enraizar
Uplifting and self-rooting transitions for young girls into womanhood. Nourishing and strengthening the mind, spirit and body through the education and practice of Puerto Rican Bomba music and dance. A journey of rooting within through cultural and ancestral connections that build sisterhood, voice and solidarity.
“Enraizar”or Rooting Within is a project and gathering of young women of color sharing their stories about transitioning into womanhood through the music genre and dance of Bomba. As women we are often forced early on to ignore or hide the more vulnerable parts of our stories in order to endure a world that dispossesses us of our essence through patriarchal and racist violence. Through “Enraizar", young women of color challenge this by telling stories that show how they go within and embrace their vulnerabilities to become stronger and more confident versions of themselves. Through the connection with past and present female ancestors, this project allows young women to write their stories as future ancestors in their own terms through Bomba dance, choreography, song, percussion, poetry, and improvisation.
Participants engage in various workshops throughout this journey including rooting in self through photography, poetry, songwriting, Bomba (dance, percussion, and singing), and creative musical expressions. They learn about key historical figures that inspire them to not only see themselves within the history they are learning about, but also to find their voice and creativity as they connect within. These workshops also guide and inspire participants to build self-love and confidence as they connect with and learn about each other as a way to truly see themselves within themselves.
2026 Performance
As the recipient of the 2024 Gerbode Foundation Dance and Movement Awards Grantee, Shefali Shah and Aguacero are excited to collaborate with Cuba Caribe to produce “Enraizar,” an evening length performance in the spring of 2026, that highlights the transitional experience and journey of young girls to womanhood through Puerto Rican Bomba music and dance. Youth and adult performers (Grupo Aguacero) will dance, sing and speak their stories on their own terms as they “root within,” attaining confidence from cultural and ancestral voices and tradition.
Educational Trip to Puerto Rico
In February 2026, Enraizar participants will travel to Puerto Rico to continue their educational and self-rooting journey. They will meet and learn from master Bomba teachers and artists, connect with the landscape, and learn from key female cultural leaders and practitioners.

Please help us make this happen by donating
-
Monet Goode
FOUNDER
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
-
Emmett Marsh
DESIGN DIRECTOR
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
-
Eleanor Parks
SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
-
Monet Goode
FOUNDER
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
-
Emmett Marsh
DESIGN DIRECTOR
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
-
Eleanor Parks
SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
-
Monet Goode
FOUNDER
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
-
Emmett Marsh
DESIGN DIRECTOR
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
-
Eleanor Parks
SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.