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Jambo, Ẹ ku abọ, Akwaaba, Na nga def, Welcome to Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy Program Year 2020-21!

It is with excitement and gratitude that I greet you today as we commence our first ever, semester-based program year with fully remote programming for the fall and spring semesters. Thank you for entrusting us with your child, at this moment more than ever! We all are witness to a rare moment in history: a dual convergence of life changing global issues that have rocked society to the core.

Ifetayo’s authentic values allow us to be singularly positioned to help guide and reassure our youth, families and community through this moment.  With you, we are building stronger bonds based on truth and an African centered perspective and approach with our collaborative work. 

Our 2020-21 organizational theme is “Odo Nnyew Fie Kwan” Love Always Finds its Way Home! This concept is being applied across all programs, activities and strategic initiatives as we focus on our journey home.  In the spiritual we are returning home to our beginning place, we continue to weave our six programs back together as envisioned by our Founder Kwayera Archer.

In the literal sense we are on track to move into our new home at the Bedford Union Armory starting with our summer intensive in June 2021.  As we prepare to be back in person for the summer semester; know that we have always prioritized the safety of our youth and in these uncertain times, this is no different. As safety recommendations — including those for our families and staff change in accordance to the CDC and New York City recommendations; you can count on us to keep up-to-date with the latest recommendations and know that we are practicing and enforcing best practices for safety.  As we continue to pivot and innovate please know that:

  • All Staff and Faculty are receiving on-going support and training around effectively working remotely.
  • We are working with our School partners to continue to be available to assist and support their teachers and students.

  • We are offering all of our programming via remote instruction: 32 classes in our Art Education Programming and 11 class in our Leadership Development programming. 

I encourage you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date information regarding programming and events!

Peace & Love

Iya Naima 

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.”

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.”