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Vision, Mission and Values

To create a society where every child of African descent is valued and thrives.

Values

Kiujumla

Ubuntu

Ifetayo

Mbongi

Sankofa

Vision

To create a society where every child of African descent is valued and thrives.

Mission

Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy empowers youth and families of African descent to achieve high levels of educational, professional and artistic excellence. As a leading Brooklyn-based institution, we inspire future generations to develop a strong African-centered cultural identity and realize their power to transform social inequity.

Team Ifetayo

Our staff and faculty consists of highly skilled professional artists, scholars and experienced teachers, and includes published poets, former directors of music schools, artists who have exhibited at such venues as the Brooklyn Museum, and performers from such companies as Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey, Jubilation Dance Company, and Miami City Ballet.

Executive Director

Desiree Gordon

INTERIM Director OF Art ED Programs

Makeda Abraham

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Kwe Neshai

In School Program manager

Aaron Anaya

Leadership development Programs

Dexter Braithwaite

Community Engagement liaison

Marilyn Worrell

Board Of Directors

co-chair

Lesley D. Nurse, CFA

Investment Management

Neuberger Berman

co-chair

Tanya Taylor, CPA

Compliance/Accounting

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

TREASURer

Baruti Bediako, CPA

Principal

BNBCPA

secretary

Ronzard Innocent

Project Management

Denham Wolf Real Estate

Member

Kawana King, Esq.

Corporate Counsel

Google Inc.

Member

Hazel Beckles Young Lao

Social Work–Retired

Community Service Society (CSS)

Member

Kathleen Ettiene

Architect

ESF Property Management

Member

David Land

Photographer

ESF Property Management

Member

Tricia L. Roberts

Auditor & Compliance Officer

New York City Housing Authority

Member

Keith Carr

Senior Manager Policy & Gov’t

City Harvest

Iwa

To ensure that Ifetayo’s founding values are a living energy throughout the organization.

MEMBERS:
Kwayera Archer (Ifetayo Founder)
Ayoka Wiles-Abel
Byron Barton
Ominyinka Barton
Dexter Braithwaite
Jahde Huntley
Rajonna Lewis
Solwazi Olusola
Stacey Mills
Renee Smith
Marilyn Worrell

Council of Elders

The Ifetayo Council of Elders are the "Nzonzi"

(wise individuals/specialists) of the Ifetayo "Kanda" (community).

CURRENT:
Dr. Safiya Bandele
Mestre Joao Grande
Baba Leroy Henderson
Baba Orlando Mclean
Mama Ella Moore
Obara Wali Rahman-Ndiye
Iya Omoshelewa Olatunji
Myrtle Primus-King (Andara Rahman)
Chief Baba Neil Clarke

ANCESTORS:
Nana Okomfo-Panyin Amma Ansaa Atei
Mama Violet Archer & Baba Lawrence Archer
Mama Elinor Bowles
Baba Chuck Davis
Mama Omolouwa Diop
Mama Katherine Dunham
Mama Selma Edwards
Mother Myrtle Glover
Baba Dr. K. Kia Bunseki Lumanisa Fu-Kiau
Baba Montego Joe
Baba Bernard Marsh
Mama Faybiene Miranda-Pusey
Mama Mattie Pusey
Baba Carlos Russell
Mama Mary Umolu
Baba Jitu Weusi

For more general information on Ifetayo Programs contact [email protected]

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©2019 Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy

Kiujumla

(Holistic)
We believe communities are strengthened through approaches that are comprehensive and holistic. We are therefore committed to the development of the whole person; mind, body, and spirit.

Ubuntu

(Connectedness)
We believe in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity. Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu term that roughly translates as human kindness. “I am because we are.”

Ifetayo

(Love)
We believe that love is the center of the work that we do. Ifetayo, Yoruba word from Nigeria, West Africa which means love is enough for joy. Restoring love and joy in our community through programming that reflects the richness of African culture.

Mbongi

(Collective Decision-Making)
We are committed to collective decision making in developing and delivering excellent programs. Mbongi (Kikongo) which means “Place of Learning” and is essentially a system of governance that brings people together to resolve community challenges.

Sankofa

(Critical Reflection)
We believe that learning from the past is critical to building for the future. Sankofa is a word in the Akan language from Ghana that translates as “reach back and get it” (san-to return; ko-to go; fa-to fetch, to seek and take).

Our Values

Kiumjala

(Holistic)
We believe communities are strengthened through approaches that are comprehensive and holistic. We are therefore committed to the development of the whole person; mind, body, and spirit.

Ifetayo

(Love)
We believe that love is the center of the work that we do. Ifetayo, Yoruba word from Nigeria, West Africa which means love is enough for joy. Restoring love and joy in our community through programming that reflects the richness of African culture.

Mbongi

(Collective Decision-Making)
We are committed to collective decision making in developing and delivering excellent programs. Mbongi (Kikongo) which means “Place of Learning” and is essentially a system of governance that brings people together to resolve community challenges.

Sankofa

(Critical Reflection)
We believe that learning from the past is critical to building for the future. Sankofa is a word in the Akan language from Ghana that translates as “reach back and get it” (san-to return; ko-to go; fa-to fetch, to seek and take).

Ubuntu

(Connectedness)
We believe in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity. Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu term that roughly translates as human kindness. “I am because we are.”