Adefua Cultural Education Workshop (A.C.E.W)

WHO WE ARE

ADEFUA Cultural Education Workshop is a non-profit Organization that is central to youth and families within and surrounding Seattle communities. Providing year around various interactive activities that engage, serves, and have available West African experiences, both academically and socially to all generations. ​ 

ADEFUA is dedicated to advancing social justice and equity by celebrating, preserving, and sharing African and African American cultural heritage. We stand against practices that exploit cultural and economic resources and advocate for the fair distribution of opportunities and support. By engaging in grassroots community organizing, we aim to build collective power and create systemic change. 

Mission
Our mission is to create, expand and offer options for youth to enhance growth, personal development, and academic success through the study of African culture.
Our initiatives, including the African Cultural Arts Center and various cultural events, seek to address the root causes of social injustice, elevate underrepresented voices, and ensure that everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, can participate fully in cultural and community life.
 
Our scope of work is to empower marginalized communities through community-centered cultural programming and education. We strive to eliminate discrimination and address systemic inequities by providing accessible cultural resources, fostering community engagement, and promoting historical understanding.

Vision
Our vision is to enhance, maintain and sustain an African Arts Cultural Center that promotes jobs, economic development and arts education which influences healthy living and an inter-generational legacy.
Shared Values
Community Building and supporting health and wellness with local and grassroots connections.

Family: Supporting family structures through inter-generation engagement.
Heritage: Helping each one in acknowledgment and acclamation of their heritage.
Commitment: We strive to remain committed to the service of African Arts & Culture for All!
Safety: Creative a safe place for all

ADEFUA is committed to inclusive and culturally competent practices that reflect the diversity and resilience of the communities we serve. Through our work, we strive to contribute to a more just and equitable society where cultural diversity is valued, and every individual can thrive.

STAFF:

Afua Kouyaté: Executive Director
Bookkeeper: Cynthia Dampier

CONSULTANTS:

ADEFUA Performance Company, Kouyate Arts
Dr. Traci Harrell; Development Consultant
Twanda Hill: Graphic Arts
Fivedot Archiects: Construction Lead

ADEFUA EXECUTIVE BOARD:

Carol R. Williams- President
Roger Evans – Vice President
Noa Piper - Secretary
Nailah Bulley - Programming Support, Marketing
Celeste Mann- Treasurer, Legal
Aishe Keita- Marketing, Volunteers
Madeline Brooks- Event Support

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The PURPOSE of ADEFUA is to provide cultural awareness. 
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

ADEFUA Cultural Education Workshop

VOLUNTEERS

ADEFUA Cultural Education Workshop (ADEFUA) is a non-profit organization that is central to youth and families within and surrounding Seattle communities. Providing year-round various interactive activities that engage serves and have available west African experiences, both academically and socially to all generations.

The Legacy of ADEFUA

Culture Works. Culture is the Answer.

For over forty years, ADEFUA has sustained the ministry of African Cultural Arts to, for, and by youth and families, globally.  While based in Rainier Valley, ADEFUA traveled throughout the region spreading awareness, excitement, and cultural resilience through experiencing a creative educational healing process that culminates in joy.  Community has been our largest support as we continue to stay rooted with intergenerational engagement along the way.  ADEFUA has become a household name in the BIPOC Community through consistent programming, always made affordable and accessible in safe spaces.  Since 1984 ADEFUA has been rooted as a foundational source of compelling cultural exchange.  We all are ADEFUA - standing tall to sustain a network of families, artists, agencies, and statewide partnerships creating a robust network of support.  ADEFUA builds a therapeutic sense of creativity, knowledge, professional skills, and pride in cross-cultures and in self, through intergenerational collective power. We have witnessed the power of transformation within oneself and have found home in a global state of humanity. 

ADEFUA’s Black presence has a long and enduring history, our annual events have been consistent over 40 years.  Despite the impact of gentrification, economic inequality, COVID 19, and an ongoing lack of funding, we have created an enduring gathering place as we celebrate ‘space keeping’ for our communities who remain as a vibrant and thriving presence.  Our cultural sharing’s bring joy, skills, learnings and deepened relationships and connection. ADEFUA has been dedicated to ‘placemaking’ for decades before the term became known. We create a positive and healing ‘third place’, especially for our youth and our elders.

ADEFUA is a space to share and experience the power and wisdom of Africa, through cultural arts, dance, ceremony and drum. ADEFUA is a decades long center of joyful reconnection with spirit and culture making. As our youth and families face many challenges, ADEFUA continues to hold this vital space for Community.
Culture is medicine.  We gather to collectively heal.

ADEFUA exemplifies the ‘Sankofa’ Adinkra story of Ghana- it means, “return to the past, in order to go forward”. We embody the Sankofa wisdom, with the image of a bird looking back as it gathers strength to fly, it touches us all. In honoring our ancestors, we collectively practice, nurture, and cultivate Unity with many other cultures, as Diasporic humanitarians.   
This organization is a true gift to a city in need.  We are deeply committed to cultural transformation and innovation on behalf of our people and our community - weaving together the wisdom of the elders and the new ways of the youth.  We thank you for your support in sustaining and lifting ADEFUA for the next seven generations.

Sponsored by Cultural Space Agency - Beyond Base Program (Storme Webber, Afua Kouyaté, Dr. Traci Harrell)

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ADEFUA Vision Statement: Our vision is to enhance, maintain and sustain an African Arts Cultural Center that promotes jobs, economic development and arts education which influences healthy living and an intergenerational legacy.

ADEFUA Mission: Our mission is create, expand and offer options for youth to enhance growth, personal development, and academic success through the study of African culture, music and dance.

Shared Values: Community Building and supporting health and wellness within local and grass roots connections.

• Family – Supporting family structures through intergeneration engagement.
• Heritage – Helping each one in acknowledgement and acclamation of their heritage.
• Commitment – We strive to remain committed to the service of African Arts & Culture for all!
• Safety – Creating a safe place for all.

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