Compton program for young dancers and drummers raising money for new practice space

COMTPON, Calif. (KABC) -- You may have seen them performing on America's Got Talent or the Super Bowl. They were even featured in Kendrick Lamar's "squabble up" music video!

These young children and teens pour their heart and soul into every performance - and they've got big dreams.

They're known as the Divas and Drummers of Compton, and they're a part of a youth dance and drumming program that focuses on uplifting young children and teenagers by teaching them important life skills.

The program is based out of the 1 Shine Youth Center, and they're doing a lot more than dancing and playing music.

"The core of our program is leadership and character development," said 1 Shine Youth Center Co-Founder and Director Terrence Berry.

The children say the lifestyle and teachings help them work through different emotions and problems.

"At school, getting suspended and everything, and then I learned how to talk about my feelings," said Kai Slack, one of the group's dancers. "I learned how to work through it without being so physical."

The center has also opened its doors to other cheer and band groups that may not feel safe practicing at parks in Compton.

"We have members right now part of our drumline that are being recruited by the local gangs, they want them to be involved in what's happening in the street and all the things they glorify: negativity, toxicity, and poison," said Berry. "We have to counter that with the culture we provide here."

Through their music and dance, the children also want to change misconceptions about young people in Compton.

"Some people may perceive us as ghetto, loud, unsure of ourselves when 'Divas of Compton' shows us we can still be ladylike and have elegance and be the great women we were meant to be," said dancer Lauren Lindsey.

Many of the kids can't afford tuition, so the center relies heavily on donations and grants.

Their dream? To get corporate sponsorships and build an entire campus for the team.

"They need more than just a warehouse," said Berry. "We're bigger than this. We're bursting at the seams. We need a campus so that can have a place a home away from home."

The Divas and Drummers of Compton created a GoFundMe in hopes of raising $150,000.

"I want to pour music back into the community. It definitely helped me in my life," said drummer Kelman Farrier.

To donate, click here.