Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, a Bed-Stuy-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving plus promoting the arts and culture of the African Diaspora, is marking its 25th anniversary in 2026 under the theme We Strive to Thrive.
The milestone year celebrates a quarter century of teaching, performing and empowering young people through dance, music and education.
To honor the occasion, the foundation will launch a $500,000 fundraising campaign to support its continued growth and artistic excellence.
“Asase Yaa was born from love, rhythms, movements, and a deep belief that our culture, communities and stories matter,” said K. Osei Williams, executive director of Asase Yaa.
Founded in 2001 by master Djembe drummer Yao Ababio, Asase Yaa began as a small Bed-Stuy dance company before evolving into a thriving cultural institution. Ababio, who continues to serve as artistic director, soon joined forces with his brother, Executive Director K. Osei Williams, to expand programming under the Asase Yaa Entertainment Group. Together, they established the award-winning Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater and began bringing West African drum and dance performances to local stages.
The foundation’s programs grew steadily over the years with the introduction of the Summer Arts Camp in 2006, founded by dancer and teacher Rubie Inez Williams, and the Asase Yaa School of the Arts in 2011, co-founded by Williams and dancer-educator Zakiya Harris.
Today, Asase Yaa runs a robust roster of programs, including its 37-week School of the Arts curriculum, which has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships, an Arts Outreach Program that serves over two dozen schools across the New York metro area, plus its annual six-week Children’s Summer Arts Camp.
Its professional and youth ensembles, community festivals and signature productions have collectively reached more than 50,000 people plus provided over $570,000 in scholarships to date.
Asase Yaa’s 25th anniversary celebration will feature a full year of performances and community events, including:
- The 3rd Annual Rhythms & Movements Festival in February, launching the anniversary year with daytime youth showcases and evening concerts spotlighting African music plus dance.
- The second annual Dreams In Action Gala in May, featuring live performances, community awards, African-inspired cuisine and an afterparty celebration.
- A national tour by the acclaimed Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater, marking its first since 2017.
- The 10th anniversary of the Art Is Alive Festival, returning with an expanded program of dance classes, live music and a community block party.
For event updates and ways to support Asase Yaa’s 25th Anniversary campaign, visit asaseyaaent.org or follow @AsaseYaaCulturalArtsFoundation on social media.
