A Journey of Dual Heritage and Becoming a Man
My Name is Jefferson Yaw Frempong-Manson, and I am a singer/songwriter and actor. At the end of 2023, I have the incredible opportunity to go on tour, performing in more than 10 Theatres around the Netherlands with a show centered around the theme of 'becoming a man.'
As I started developing the show, I realized that to authentically tell this story, I need to explore my roots and understand where I come from. I was born in The Netherlands to a Ghanaian father (Johnson Yaw Frempong-Manson) and an Indonesian/Swiss/Dutch mother (Mary-Jane Jansen). While growing up in a majority white society, my black skin has often defined how people perceive me, focusing primarily on my Ghanaian heritage. However, I feel an immense disconnect from my Ghanaian roots, having never visited Ghana, and it's time to embrace this essential part of my identity.
In 2021, I tragically lost my father to Covid-19 while he was pursuing a political career in Ghana. Not being able to attend his funeral or visit his grave has left me carrying an invisible weight around my neck. I know that this deeply emotional journey needs to be an integral part of my show, tour, and music.
To bridge the gap between my heritage and my identity, I am planning to embark on a transformative trip to Ghana. There, I will immerse myself in the culture, walk in the footsteps of my late father, and create music that expresses the profound emotions I experience during this journey. This music will be a poignant part of my theatre show, and I aim to capture the entire process on camera, creating a short-form documentary that explores the beauty and challenges of having a dual heritage. This documentary will serve as a prelude to my music show, telling the heartfelt story of 'becoming a man.'
To share this emotional journey with a wider audience, I envision screening the documentary at various locations around Amsterdam in the lead-up to the tour. Additionally, I plan to host discussions with the audience, focusing on the theme of dual heritage, fostering cultural exchange, and celebrating diversity within Amsterdam.
This project is deeply meaningful to me and has the potential to resonate with countless others who have experienced similar challenges in understanding their roots and cultural identity. However, to bring this vision to life, I am seeking funding support. Every dollar counts and will significantly contribute to the success of this transformative project.
If you or your organization are interested in supporting a culturally enriching and emotionally resonant project, I would be immensely grateful for any assistance. Here are some avenues for funding that we are exploring:
Arts and Culture Grants: We are researching grants that support projects like ours, aiming to tell meaningful stories through art.
Crowdfunding: We plan to launch a crowdfunding campaign, inviting our fans and supporters to be part of this journey.
Sponsorship: We are open to collaborating with businesses or companies that align with the themes of our show and documentary.
Cultural Organizations: We seek to connect with Ghanaian cultural organizations or communities in the Netherlands or Ghana who may be interested in supporting this cultural exchange.
Collaboration: We are open to collaborating with like-minded artists or theater groups who share our passion for celebrating diversity and cultural exploration.
Your support will not only help me embrace my heritage and honor my late father but also promote cultural understanding and inclusivity through the power of art.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our message. Your support means the world to me and the success of this project.
Best regards,
Jefferson Yaw Frempong-Manson